How To Puck The Hockey Captain

5

What the hell was I thinking?

I paused, tapping my pen against my chin, my mind drifting back to the way Blake had looked at me, the way his lips had felt against mine. I pulled my journal back out, feeling that familiar urge to write down my thoughts.

But as I stared at the blank page, all I could think about was Blake—his smile, his laughter, and that kiss that sent my mind spiraling.

I took a deep breath, my fingers dancing over the pen as I wrote:

He’s trouble, but maybe a little trouble is exactly what I need.

“Zoe–”

“s**t,’ I quickly closed my journal and I jumped, my heart racing as I turned to see my brother, Preston, leaning against the doorframe with that damn smirk on his face.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, his tone dripping with amusement.

I shot him an incredulous look, cheeks flushing slightly. “Um, writing. What does it look like?” I quickly shoved my journal under my pillow, desperate to hide my thoughts about Blake.

“Writing? About what?” he pressed, stepping further into the room, his curiosity piqued.

Oh brother, if you only knew what I write but as if I'll let him read it anyway.

“Nothing important,” I replied too quickly, obviously a lie. Why did he have to barge in now?

“Nothing important? Come on, Zoe. I know that look. You’re writing about a boy, aren’t you?” His smirk widened, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Why do you care?” I shot back, trying to play it cool, but my voice wavered.

“Because it’s funny watching you squirm. So, who is it?” he pressed, leaning against the doorframe with that annoying grin.

I cursed under my breath, knowing he was right. My mind was spinning with thoughts of Blake—his laugh, his teasing, and, most importantly, that kiss. But I couldn’t tell Preston that. He’d never let me live it down.

“It’s not about anyone, okay?” I lied, but my heart raced. If only he knew that I was actually writing about a guy who looked a lot like his best friend—an attractive, charming guy who could easily make my fantasies run wild.

“Sure it’s not,” he chuckled, clearly unconvinced. “Just know, if you’re writing some embarrassing love story, I’m definitely reading it.”

“Like hell you are!” I shot back, my voice rising in protest. “You’d just ruin it for me.”

He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine! I won’t pry. But seriously, you should tell me if you have a crush. I might have to have a little chat with him.”

I cringed at the thought of Preston confronting Blake. “That’s definitely not happening,” I said quickly, my stomach knotting at the idea.

“Okay, then. Just don’t let your crush distract you from your schoolwork,” he said, finally backing off. “I’ll be in the living room if you need me. And the guy's coming here—”

My eyes widened at his words, and I could see that mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Is it someone from my team, Zoe-Angela Carter?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “No!” I exclaimed too quickly, feeling my cheeks burn.

Preston raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my denial. “Oh, really? Because that sounded a bit too defensive for my taste. You sure you’re not hiding something?”

I groaned, sinking deeper into my pillow as I tried to think of a way to change the subject. “I swear, it’s not anyone from your team! I mean, you wouldn’t even know him.”

His smirk widened, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Alright, if you say so. But if it is Vaughn—”

“Preston!” I interrupted, sitting up. “It’s not Vaughn! Can you just drop it already?” The last thing I needed was my brother connecting the dots.

“Fine, fine,” he said, raising his hands in surrender again. “But if I find out you’ve been writing about one of my friends, I’m going to freak out.”

“Like I’d ever let you read it!” I shot back, feeling the familiar urge to shield my thoughts. “Now, can you just leave me alone?”

He chuckled as he turned to leave. “Alright, but remember, if he shows up, I’m going to be watching. And I’ll be armed with embarrassing stories.”

Once he was gone, I collapsed back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Great. Just great. I didn’t need the added pressure of Preston hovering over me. I pulled out my journal again, but just as I was about to write, I nearly yelped when the door opened, and in walked Vaughn.

“Great,” I muttered, flopping back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Just great. I was still trying to calm my racing heart when the door swung open again, and this time, I nearly fell off the bed.

But before I could even catch my breath, the door swung open again, and in walked Vaughn, a cocky grin already plastered on his face.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. My heart rate went from zero to a hundred as I sat up so fast I nearly hit my head on the headboard. “Vaughn! What—what are you doing here?”

“Just dropping by to see my favorite distraction,” he said casually, leaning against the doorframe like he owned the place.

Breathe, Zoe. Just breathe. “Uh, well, I—uh, I was—” I tripped over my words, my nerdy brain going into overdrive as I mentally scrambled to find some logical excuse for my very embarrassing reaction.

“Hanging out, huh?” Vaughn’s eyes twinkled with that infuriatingly self-assured look that made my insides twist. “Or were you daydreaming about me?”

“What? No!” I squeaked, horrified at the thought that my brain was basically broadcasting my thoughts out loud. “I was just doing school stuff. You know, essays, projects, the usual.”

His grin widened, a slow, teasing thing that sent heat spiraling through me. “Sure, sure. Just schoolwork. Nothing to do with a certain someone who’s, oh, I don’t know, standing right in front of you?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it, feeling utterly tongue-tied. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I finally managed to mutter, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“Just trying to make sure I’m not forgotten.” He winked, taking a step closer. The room suddenly felt smaller, and I clutched my pillow tighter, wishing I could just disappear. “But, if I’m interrupting anything…”

“Nope! Definitely not!” I squeaked, wishing I could melt into the floor. “I mean, I wasn’t doing anything important.” My nerdy instincts kicked in, and I mentally reviewed every escape route in my head.

“Good,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth as silk. “Because I brought you something.”

“Something?” My curiosity piqued, I blinked up at him, trying to shift gears. “What—what is it?”

He reached behind him, and I almost gasped when I saw what he was holding. The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. My eyes widened, my mouth falling open in a very undignified way.

“No way,” I breathed, practically bouncing on the bed. “You actually got it?”

Vaughn chuckled, holding the book just out of my reach. “Only the best for my favorite distraction.”

“Vaughn!” I shot up, my heart racing. “Hand it over right now!”

He arched a brow, the grin on his face turning even more wicked. “Not until you admit that I’m your favorite distraction.”

“Fine, fine!” I threw up my hands, a helpless laugh escaping my lips. “You’re my favorite distraction, okay? Now give me the book!”

With an exaggerated sigh, he handed it over, but before I could grab it, something slipped. We both lunged for it at the same time, the momentum sending us tumbling onto the bed. I let out a surprised squeal as I landed beside him, our faces mere inches apart.

“Whoa,” Vaughn breathed, his laughter mingling with mine as we sprawled on the bed, the book forgotten for a moment. He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

Focus, Zoe. Think of the book.

“This is not how I imagined getting the book,” I muttered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

“Did you really think it’d be that easy?” He smirked, eyes locked on mine.

I swallowed hard, trying to remember how to breathe as the air thickened around us. “I just thought you’d hand it over like a normal person.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” He leaned in, and I froze, feeling every inch of space—every non-existent inch—between us.

“Uh—Vaughn, you need to get off me,” I managed to whisper, but it came out almost breathless.

“Why would I do that when you look so comfortable?” His voice was low, teasing, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Because Preston will kill you if he finds you here,” I shot back, trying—and failing—to sound authoritative.

“Ah, the overprotective brother.” Vaughn sighed dramatically. “What a shame. But I’m willing to risk it if it means I get to see that blush on your cheeks.”

Focus, Zoe. Get the book. Get out.

I cleared my throat, giving him a look that I hoped conveyed some sort of authority. “I’ll take the book now.”

Vaughn chuckled softly, slowly sitting up but still holding onto the book. “I’ll give it to you… for a kiss.”

My eyes widened, and I could practically hear my heart doing cartwheels in my chest. “You can’t just—”

“A kiss. And it’s yours.”

“Vaughn!”

“Vaughn, you can’t just barter kisses like they’re some sort of currency!” I sputtered, though I wasn’t entirely sure why my voice lacked the proper conviction.

“Sure I can.” He held the book just out of reach, his gaze never leaving my face. “See? I’m doing it right now.”

I stared at him, my pulse beating like a drum in my ears. This had to be some kind of game to him. A way to get under my skin and leave me a flustered mess. And, dammit, it was working. But I was determined not to let him know that.

“Don’t you have other hobbies?” I tried for nonchalance, leaning back against the headboard and folding my arms, though I could feel my heart thrumming wildly. “Like… oh, I don’t know, skating?”

“Believe it or not, I can multitask,” he said smoothly, flashing me a grin that seemed to promise trouble. “Hockey and making Zoe blush. I’m pretty good at both.”

My face heated up like a Christmas tree. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah,” he murmured, leaning a fraction closer, “but I’m your impossible.”

The words sent a jolt through me. Yours. I wasn’t even sure why that one little word affected me so much. Maybe because it implied something more. Something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face. Something that, up until now, had only existed in the fantasies I poured into my secret journal.

“What makes you think I’d want someone like you?” I asked, struggling to maintain some semblance of control, but my voice wavered, betraying me.

Vaughn’s eyes softened, his usual cocky grin shifting into something more… genuine. “Because I see you, Zoe.” His tone was suddenly serious, catching me off guard. “All those nights in the library when you think no one’s paying attention. Or when you hide in the corner during the team’s parties with your nose buried in a book.”

“I—” I blinked, completely at a loss for words. “You noticed that?”

He shrugged, looking almost sheepish. “Of course I did. It’s hard not to notice you.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to stay focused on the goal: getting the book back. “You still can’t keep the book hostage, Vaughn. That’s not fair.”

“Then kiss me, and I’ll give it to you.” He smirked again, all traces of sincerity vanishing as quickly as they’d appeared. “I’m sure it’s a small price to pay for such a rare edition.”

“You’re the worst!” I groaned, half annoyed and half… something else. My gaze dropped to the book, and I bit my lip. If I refused, he’d just keep teasing me all night. And if I gave in… I’d be playing right into his hands. But maybe, just maybe, I could use this to my advantage.

“Fine,” I muttered, leaning forward slightly. “But just a quick kiss, okay? No funny business.”

Vaughn’s grin stretched wide, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Yeah, right.

I took a deep breath, my nerves buzzing like live wires. This was for the book. Just a peck, and I’d grab it and run. No big deal. I could totally handle this.

I moved closer, but before I could press my lips to his cheek like I’d planned, he shifted at the last second, tilting his head so our lips brushed instead. I froze, startled by the unexpected softness. His lips were warm, gentle, and I found myself lingering longer than I intended.

Abort mission, Zoe! Pull back!

But before I could react, Vaughn cupped the back of my neck, holding me in place as he deepened the kiss, his mouth coaxing mine into a slow, intoxicating rhythm that made my head spin.

Oh my God, oh my God, what is happening?!

I tried to push him to retort when the door swung open again. And there he was—Blake, standing there, tray in hand, looking like he’d just walked in on something he wasn’t supposed to see.

I turned just in time to see Blake stepping into the room, his expression thunderous. In one quick motion, he grabbed Vaughn by the collar and yanked him back, forcing space between us.

“What the hell are you doing?” Blake demanded, his voice dangerously low. “You think it’s funny to harass her like this?”

Vaughn didn’t even flinch. If anything, he looked more amused, his eyes flickering to me briefly before settling back on Blake. “Relax, man. We’re just having a little fun.”

“Fun?” Blake’s grip tightened, the tension in the room crackling like static electricity. “She doesn’t look like she’s having fun to me.”

I blinked, caught off guard by Blake’s sudden appearance and the way he was practically vibrating with anger. Why was he so worked up?

“Don’t be such a caveman, Blake,” Vaughn drawled, brushing off his shirt. “I’m not doing anything she doesn’t secretly want.”

My cheeks flamed at that. “Vaughn!”

“What?” He spread his hands innocently, though the wicked gleam in his eyes betrayed him. “Just calling it like I see it.”

“Get out,” Blake snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument.

For a moment, Vaughn just stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then he chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two alone.”

He tossed the book onto my bed, the sudden motion making me flinch. “Here you go, bookworm,” he said lightly. “No kisses required.”

And with that, he sauntered out of the room, leaving me and Blake standing there in awkward silence. I glanced at the book, then at Blake, who was still glowering at the doorway as if Vaughn might come back at any second.

“Blake,” I said quietly, drawing his attention. “Why are you…?”

Blake looked at me, lingering for a second longer before turning and just walking out. I watched him go, my heart still racing for entirely different reasons.

What just happened?

I looked down at the book in my hands, my thoughts swirling in a confusing mess of emotions. Vaughn was confusing enough, but now Blake too? Why did everything have to be so… complicated?

With a sigh, I flopped onto my bed, hugging the book to my chest. Maybe it was time to add a new chapter to my journal.

“Boys are ridiculous,” I muttered to myself, shaking my head. “Absolutely ridiculous.”