Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Rival

Chapter 4

Noah:

My phone dinged again, but this time it was from my sister. Just like the last dozens of texts and calls from my mum and siblings, I refused to take it, tossing the phone on the chair as I tried to focus on something other than that crazy girl.

Just when I thought I was about to have it all, and perhaps, prove my father right, she pulls this stunt and sinks my career faster than before.

My mind shifted back to my father and I picked up the phone again, going through my call list.

No phone call from him. He must be enjoying whatever this was, expecting me to come back crawling to him and accept to run his company after I graduate.

My jaw clenched. s**t. Where the hell was she?!

As if she could read my thoughts, the door opened and she stepped in, her eyes first catching the vase at the centre of the living room before focusing on my scowling face.

" Do you know anything about being punctual?" My voice sounds cold and irritated, a good description of how I felt as I watched her clear her throat slightly.

"You didn’t let me go back to my apartment to get clothes, I had to make do with clothes your manager got me.” She explained, my eyes settled on what she wore.

A pretty top with a light washed jean. Perfect if she wanted to go assault another guy in the club but certainly not to MY hockey game, posing as my girlfriend.

" You can't dress like that to my hockey game" I said simply.

She paused her mini tirade, taking a look at what she was wearing as though she had forgotten.

" Well first can you at least try to fix your tone? I get you don't want to do this but neither do I. Second, I do not have an option since you trapped me here.” I rolled my eyes.

Why did I even have to end up in this situation? I never dated. I hated the thought of it.

I turned around, slamming the door behind me wildly as I picked up my favorite jersey from the pile.

It will be good PR. My fans know how much I love it and if she shows up wearing it, well...

" If a single stain appears on this jersey, I will make you pay for it with your blood."

She caught it, her eyes smiling but her lips stiff.

" Also, I will be setting down a few ground rules today. You are not allowed to drink, talk to any boys, you are to be at your utmost best behavior and I don't care if you are dying inside, act like you adore me. I will return the energy, don't worry.

Did I say no drinking? Yes. That is rule number one. You was are not allowed to have another stunt today, you wildcat.”

" Well you think so shabbily of me. But it's fine. I put myself in this mess anyways and who the hell is wildcat? My name is Kimberly .” I scoffed.

"Noah come to the kitchen for a minute please" I heard my manager call.

I cast her one long look before leaving.

I did not want to do this. I had no interest in fake dating a clumsy girl or even dating in general but my manager had thought it was the best option.

" I will keep that in mind, wildcat. Go get changed, you have done more than enough.” My manager was hunched over this laptop, that frustrated look prominent on his face as he stared up from the laptop to me.

" Come and look at this. My dms are a mess. Just how many people found out about this?!"

I should actually sue her both my manager thought fake dating was better.

" Are any more deals affected?"

" Well Ocean view is thinking of picking a new model. They are still on the fence so I'm sure this game will solidify their position. You know what that means"

I nodded stiffly.

I was familiar with this world. One good game play and I would be back to being a priority on most company's lists. But none of that mattered because the team I actually wanted did not care about good games. But reputation.

The very one that witch managed to soil under minutes. The Dome.

" I know that. I will play well, you don't have to worry about that" I said instead, keeping my inner battles to myself.

I saw a bit of relief wash through his face as he sighed.

" That is good then. Did your dad call?"

I stared back at my phone. Nope. Nothing.

A heavy weight stuck again in my chest as I pushed the thoughts down.

" Not yet. I can only imagine him sitting in front of his TV right now and wishing I fail this match"

" Well you won't. Not when I'm still your manager. And where the hell is…” I cut him off before he finished.

“Do we really have to fake-date? The apology would be good.”

“I know you hate the thought of dating, but would you rather quit hockey, lose everything you’ve ever worked hard for including your deal with your father than fake date that clumsy girl for six months and fix this mess?” He asked. It wasn’t a rhetorical question but I didn’t have to answer because I knew the answer.

~~~

I was used to the electric atmosphere that the hockey grounds always had. It was the mixture of fans yelling and the faint scent of corn dogs that I always got as a celebration snack that made me calm down.

This will be a breeze.

I pulled Kimberly closer to me, wrapping my hands around her waist even though what I really wanted to do was grab her by the hair and chuck her through the fields for stressing me out.

She tightened her lips, choosing to focus on the cheerleaders that were now matching into the field and that was when she froze up.

She was staring vehemently at the opposing team, but more importantly, at the man in the centre of it all.

Ryan Clinton, Junior Year Star Player and my biggest Rival on the rink. Being unable to stand him was an understatement. I hated him for his brutality in the rink and a past I could never forget.

His eyes locked with mine and almost instantly, he started making his way towards us.

"Is that the Ryan I think it is?" I asked.

" Yes, he is." She whispered, her voice coming out like a spell.

When she had said her ex was Ryan I did not think that she was talking about Ryan Clinton, the one person that had almost ruined my life one year ago.

"What is going on here Kim? I tried calling you all night! Come on, let's go"

He tried to grab her but she flicked her wrist away. The pain, for the first time, swirling in those eyes of hers.

" She is not going anywhere, I finally said, stepping in between the both of them.

Ryan scoffed, staring from me to her.

"Come with me, Kimberly.” His outbursts were attracting all the wrong crowd, the fans that sat by the bleachers now turning to watch the unfolding drama.

"Keep your f*****g hands away from my woman.” I pulled her even closer and I watched her squirm underneath all these eyes like she planned to evaporate into thin air and never return.

“What the f**k do you mean by your woman?” His voice flared with anger and a smile eased up my face.

The flashback of when I had walked into my girlfriend’s apartment to find her all curled in bed with him naked, hit me like a typhoon.

And in that moment the only that mattered was the pain I had felt that day, one year ago and all I wanted was to make him feel it just like I did.

So I did not think, I pulled her into me, locking lips with hers among the crowd of fans and players. I listened to the crowd grow wild and her stiff body filled me shock as she paused.