It's Pucking Complicated

An “Uncomplicated” Arrangement

ISADORA

Justin immediately gets defensive. "Why would there be a problem, Mohrelian?"

Knox tilts his head to the side and steps toward Justin slowly. Since his arrival, he hasn't looked at me once. Honestly, I'm just embarrassed and want nothing more than to get the hell out of here. I don't need this kind of attention. I put the sweater on so no one will see Justin's handprints and wait for them to finish so I can slip away quietly.

I can't believe Justin's blaming me for his shitty performance.

He's such a coward. Then again, what's new about that?

Knox's voice is low and threatening when he says, "You tell me, Halvick."

They make eye contact for a few intense moments and I look away. Jesus. This is the last thing I need right now. I can't have people finding out that my half-brother and I have these kinds of physical altercations.

My life is humiliating enough as it is.

Justin lets out a scoff before finally walking away. The coward doesn't even look at me. I turn my attention away from him and glance at Knox, who hasn't moved an inch. I don't like how he seems to be looking through me, even in the dark. I start toward the exit, saying nothing, but he grabs my arm before I can make it past him.

I look up in shock and see his eyes scanning my face. "Are you alright?"

I lick my lips nervously, tasting my strawberry lip gloss. "I'm fine."

"If he was hurting you—"

"I said I was fine," I answer dismissively before trying to get away from him again. His grip on my arm loosens and I finally step onto the sidewalk. I can't help but look around for Justin. Though I can't see him, I hope he left because it makes no sense for him to celebrate a win he didn't participate in.

But I'm not in the clear yet, because Knox Mohrelian is hot on my heels as I head toward the bar. God, what's his problem? Just as this thought crosses my mind, he appears at my side in a flash. Before I know it, he's standing in front of me. "You should report him. I mean it."

I ignore him and try to sidestep him, but he anticipates it and blocks my way. Scowling, I tell him rudely, "Look, thanks for intervening and all, but I don't see how any of this is your business."

"It isn't, but I'm making it mine, anyway."

This makes me stop.

"I heard the things he was saying to you," he continues, sliding his hands inside the pockets of his dark jeans. I notice that his hair is wet and he's wearing a fluffy white sweater. His thick brows are drawn together, and there are two deep lines between them. "It's messed up. He threatened to kill you. I think you should tell someone. I'd call the cops, but I don't think you'd report it. Why not?"

I'm sure that if I touch my face right now, my fingertips will burn off. He's staring at me so intently with his light blue eyes that it makes me feel exposed. What could I possibly say in response? How can I explain to a stranger that calling the cops on Justin will only make my life worse than it already is? Dad would never let his golden boy who's legitimate get arrested, and I'd be blamed nonstop for the mess.

Justin would win. He wins in every scenario.

So, I go for the easiest option. "Get out of my way, please."

"No. Not unless you answer at least one of my questions."

"I'm not going to do that because it's none of your business!" I exclaim. "Are you crazy? I don't owe you an explanation about my personal life. Who even are you?"

"Someone Justin Halvick can't stand. That means we have something in common."

I scoff and try to bolt, but he raises his arm and I walk right into it. I huff, burning with anger and embarrassment. Those curious eyes never leave mine. This time, I ask through clenched teeth, "What do you want from me?"

When he answers, his breath fans my face. It's surprisingly fresh and minty. "After what I just witnessed, I'm sure you have a million and one reasons to want to get back at him. Well, guess what? I do, too."

I'm taken aback. I don't like the sound of this at all. "Look, whatever you're selling, I don't want it."

"Not even if it's guaranteed to get under his skin?"

My thoughts are going a mile a minute as I try to figure out what he could possibly be suggesting, and I'm tempted. I can't deny that. This is one of the craziest things to ever happen to me, but I don't have it in me to keep ignoring him. I have to see this through to the very end now. "What're you trying to say to me?"

"I'm saying we both have a chance to get back at someone we hate. A few months is all it's going to take—just until the end of the season. It's no secret that Halvick wants my spot as captain, and though he's a shitty player now, there's no predicting what can happen in a few months, especially when he has former NHL stars coaching him."

"I'm not sure what any of this has to do with me."

He steps so close to me that the heat from his body envelops me. "You've lived under his shadow for the better part of your life. I know this because it's all everyone talks about. Halvick uses you to make him superior. It might not seem that way, but it's true. I've heard him talking about you countless times. We go public, and you'll slip from under his shadow. Not only that, but you'll be with his biggest rival on the team. That's bound to destabilize him, and trust me when I say that I'll make his life hell. He won't be able to focus on anything else but our relationship."

I fold my arms. "You're suggesting that we date?"

"Fake date."

My brows shoot up and I don't know what to say.

"Think about it," he urges. "You get protection, distance, and the chance to be with someone he genuinely can't intimidate. I get an edge on the most important competition of my season. We both benefit from it. We can establish rules. We don't have to pretend it's more than a show. It'll be a clean, uncomplicated arrangement."

"Yeah, one you benefit way more from!"

"Do I?" He tilts his head to the side and holds my gaze. "Come on. What happened in that alleyway didn't look like a one-time thing. It was routine, wasn't it? You're telling me that you don't want a chance to get back at him and hit him where it really hurts? "

I tried not to let his words get to me. "And where's that exactly?"

"His ego. The reputation he's trying to build as someone cold and untouchable. Our relationship would bother the s**t out of him. He wouldn't be able to focus on anything else. And distracted players make mistakes. That's all I need to keep my position."

I shake my head. I don't like the sound of this at all. "And you figured all of this out...when exactly? In the millisecond you saw us in that alleyway?"

Something shifts in his expression. "I've been planning this from the moment I first laid eyes on you, Isadora Halvick."

Without meaning to, I think about how Justin tried blaming me for losing his first match tonight. Is that what he's referring to?

"You don't have to give me an answer now," he claims, stepping aside. I grow cold all of a sudden. "I'll be waiting. You know where to find me."

"I don't, actually."

He smiles, flashing a row of straight white teeth. "I'm usually at the rink. If I'm not there, then I'll be in my dorm room. North Quad. Just ask around about the hockey floor. Someone's bound to give you directions."

I take this as my cue to leave, but I can't ignore how I feel about this. I'm thinking about it. Hell, I'm considering it.

I shouldn't because this sounds like bad news, but I am.

Suddenly, I stop. I look over my shoulder and see him standing there, watching me with an expression on his face that I can't read.

"When you said I get protection, what did you mean by that?"

"I'm going to make it so he won't go anywhere near you ever again."

"How?"

His gaze hardens. "You let me worry about that."