All Chapters of LOVING THE RIVAL HOCKEY CAPTAIN : Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

Raeliana’s POVI was staring up at the imposing building of Pembroke University, my hands clenched into tight fists at my sides. “So I lost after all,” I muttered through gritted teeth. “Damn you.” No matter how many times my mother had tried to convince me that this was a fresh start, I knew deep down that I didn't belong here.My phone vibrated in my hand. I looked at the screen and saw my mother’s name flashing back at me. I swiped to answer and pressed the phone to my ear as I walked through the entrance."Raeliana, sweetie!" my mother gushed, her voice buzzing with excitement. "Are you there yet? Tell me, how does it feel to be at the most prestigious university in the country.” Before I could answer, another voice chimed in through the speaker. "Tell her we’re so proud of her, honey."My stomach turned and I clenched my teeth together. It was my father.Just a few years ago, he had walked out on us, leaving my mother and me buried under a mountain of debt. Then, out of nowh

Raeliana’s POVMy mind went completely blank. I was frozen in the doorway, staring at the boy on our porch.He had a beige bandage taped tightly across the bridge of his nose, and a faint purplish-blue bruise was already blooming over his left cheekbone.Elias was frozen, too. His icy blue eyes widened in shock the second he recognized me. His mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.Then, I noticed the couple standing right behind him. A good looking man in a grey suit and a woman wearing a diamond necklace. Judging from the stark resemblance, I knew instantly they were his parents.Before Elias could say a word, my brain slammed into survival mode. I smoothed down the front of my dress and forced my lips into a polite smile."Good evening! Welcome," I said smoothly, stepping back to open the door wider. "Please, come right in."My father strode into the foyer a second later, his face lighting up with a massive grin. "Arthur! Victoria! You made it!"They walked inside and the

Raeliana’s POVMy hands wouldn't stop shaking as I shoved wad after wad of clothes into my duffel bag.I had my phone propped up on the bed on speaker, Betty's voice filling the room over the loud sound of zippers."Rae, please just calm down and breathe!" Betty begged from the speaker."I can't calm down, Betty. You have no idea what it was like," I gasped out, wiping another tear from my cheek. "She poured raw egg all over me in front of the entire hallway! And seeing Elias standing there, just watching me... it made everything ten times worse, and I don't even know why!"Betty let out a slew of curses. “Where are you going to go then?”"Let me come back to Texas and live with your family.” I begged. “I'll get a job and I'll do whatever it takes… just let me stay with you guys!"Betty let out a laugh. "Rae, honey, you know I love you, but my house has three bedrooms and I have six siblings,” she snorted again, “we literally have people sleeping on the couch already.” I sank down on

Raeliana’s POV"Raeliana," Betty said, her tone suddenly dropping into seriousness. "Tell me you said yes."My eyes widened and I jumped to my feet. "What? No! I said no.”"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Betty screamed through the speaker so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear. "Raeliana Roosevelt, take the right now.”I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Betty, no. I am not fake dating an arrogant jerk just to get back at a bully.”"It's not just getting back at her, Rae, it's survival." Betty pleaded, her voice ringing with worry. "You don't have anyone in your corner at that snob academy. If this guy can shield you from Annalise and give you breathing room, you take it! Who cares if he's an idiot? Use him.”"I can't!" I snapped back, my jaw tightening. "Elias is absolute trouble, Betty. He's mean, manipulative, and I don't trust him for a second.”I walked over to my bed and plopped on it with a sigh. “If I accept his stupid deal, I'm just letting him control me, too. I spent th