The Fake Date Gamble
944 Words
Keira Nash POV
The next day on campus felt more heavier than the last time
Keira woke up with her cheek still sore and her heart still aching. The slap from Raven had faded into a dull pain, but the wound left by her ex-boyfriend had not healed at all. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him with that other girl, laughing like nothing she shared with him ever mattered.
Henry.
Even thinking his name made her chest tighten.
She stood in front of her mirror for a long time, staring at her reflection. She looked tired, but there was something new in her eyes that was filled with determination, anger and resolve.
Today was game day, Iron Frost hockey team was facing their biggest rival from North London. The entire campus was buzzing, banners were everywhere. Students wore team colors. Cameras were ready. This game mattered.
And Henry would be there.
Worse, Henry was still part of the Iron Frost team. He skated beside Jax during training. He laughed with the same people. He acted like he had done nothing wrong. Like cheating on her with her own teammate meant nothing.
Keira refused to cry again.
She walked onto campus with her head held high. Whispers followed her, but she ignored them. The video from yesterday was still trending. People stared, some with pity, some with excitement.
Theresa waved at her from across the quad, already holding her phone.
“You’re still viral,” Theresa said excitedly. “People can’t stop talking.”
Keira forced a smile. “Good. Let them talk.”
Immediately she walked closer to the rink, she saw them.
The Iron Frost team.
Jax Monroe stood at the center, looking calm and focused. His gear bag slung over his shoulder. His presence alone drew attention. Next to him was Henry.
Henry looked confident, laughing loudly, but the moment his eyes met Keira’s, his smile faltered.
Pain flashed across his face.
Good, Keira thought. Let it hurt.
Without stopping, she walked straight toward Jax.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Jax looked up, surprised for a brief second. Then his eyes darkened slightly, curious.
Keira did not hesitate.
She reached up, grabbed the front of his jacket, and kissed him.
It was really deep, bold and totally intentional.
The world seemed to stop.
Henry froze.
His face drained of color. His eyes widened in shock, then blurred with severe pain. He took a step back like he had been punched in the chest.
Raven, standing near the bleachers with her friends, stared in disbelief.
Her eyes filled with tears instantly.
But the most shocking part was Jax.
After a brief pause, he kissed Keira back.
Not softly, not unsure.
He played along perfectly, his hand resting firmly on her waist, pulling her closer like he had done it a thousand times before.
The crowd exploded.
Phones were raised. Shouts sounded so loud.
Theresa’s scream cut through the noise. “Guys, this is real. This is happening.” I can't believe this....
Raven let out a broken sound.
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed to the ground, crying uncontrollably. Her friends rushed to her, sprinkling water on her face as she fainted from shock.
Keira pulled back slightly and leaned close to Jax’s ear.
“Fake date,” she whispered, her voice shaking just a little. “Three months. I need to pay him back for the pain he caused me.”
Jax’s eyes searched hers.
“Only if we win today,” he replied quietly.
Keira smiled for the first time in days. “Deal.”
She stepped back, heart was beating really fast.
Henry looked like he could barely breathe.
The coach shouted for the team to get ready. Jax skated onto the ice, focused and calm. Henry followed, but his movements were stiff. His mind was clearly not in the game.
Keira walked toward the cheerleaders.
“I want to join,” she said firmly.
They hesitated but nodded. Drama or not, the team needed energy.
Immediately the game began, the tension was thick.
The North London team played aggressively. Henry missed passes. He stumbled. He nearly caused Iron Frost to lose twice. His jealousy and pain distracted him, costing the team valuable moments.
The crowd groaned in anger and fury.
Jax took control.
He skated faster, smarter and stronger.
He blocked shots. He scored. He shouted orders. He pulled the team back together when everything was falling apart.
Keira screamed herself hoarse, cheering him on, waving her arms, chanting his name.
“Jax. Jax. Jax.”
The sound fueled him.
The final minutes were brutal.
North London scored, tying the game.
Henry slipped again.
The crowd panicked.
Then Jax broke free.
He skated across the ice like a force of nature, dodging players, eyes locked on the goal.
He shot.
The puck slammed into the net.
Goal.
The arena erupted.
Iron Frost won.
Keira screamed, tears filling her eyes.
Jax lifted his arms in victory, breathing hard. His gaze found hers instantly.
After the game, he skated straight toward her.
In front of everyone, he took her hand.
“This is Keira,” Jax said loudly. “And yes, we’re together.”
The crowd lost it.
Theresa live streamed everything. Her followers doubled in minutes. Comments flooded in faster than she could read.
Henry stood frozen, with his face looking more pale, while watching everything completely falling apart.
Raven was carried away by her friends, still crying, her world and hope with Jax has completely shattered.
AKeira squeezed Jax’s hand.
This looks so real, and she knew after this nothing would ever be the same again.
- Writer
