How To Puck The Hockey Captain

7

ZOE

“Well, I guess I would—” I started, trying to focus on Mr. Hayes’ question, but my brain flatlined the moment I spotted the hockey team outside, laughing like they owned the damn place. And there he was. Blake. Of course. And then… her...her?!

“That b***h…” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“What was that, Ms. Carter?” Mr. Hayes raised an eyebrow, his voice yanking me back to reality.

I blinked, cheeks instantly on fire. “Oh, um—nothing! I said… I’d totally pass that biology test! You know, mitochondria and all that. Yay, science!”

Nailed it.

“Ms. Carter, sit down,” Mr. Hayes sighed, clearly done with my inability to focus on anything that didn’t involve Blake Thompson.

I sank back into my seat, but my mind was racing. What the freaking hell is she doing here? I subtly pulled my phone out of my bag, thumbs flying across the screen as I texted Preston.

Zoe: "Vera is back?"

Preston’s response came instantly—he lived for moments like this.

Preston: "Oh yeah, didn’t you know? Sweet Blake and Vera, back in action. #SecondChances 😘"

My stomach twisted. Vera. Blake’s ex, the one who dumped him when he was down, and now she’s waltzing back in like she didn’t leave him a wreck? Second chances? Really, Blake? The thought made my chest tighten.

The bell rang, signaling recess, and I shot up before Mr. Hayes could even dismiss us. My heart pounded as I headed straight for the canteen, frustration simmering beneath my skin. The place was packed, but my focus was sharp. I wasn’t here for food—I was here for answers.

I grabbed a tray, pretending to be interested in a sad-looking slice of pizza, but my eyes were already scanning the room. There they were—Blake and Vera, sitting way too close at one of the tables, all cozy like they hadn’t missed a beat. Vera was laughing, leaning in like Blake was the funniest guy on the planet. Ugh, give me a break.

I thought we were done with the whole “bad decisions” phase, Blake. My eyes zeroed in on the way Vera touched his arm. What did she even say that was so funny? I should’ve been focused on my two chapters of homework tonight, not whether Blake was smiling too much at his ex.

I stared down at my apple, my appetite long gone. This is ridiculous. Why am I wasting my energy? It’s Blake. Blake, who I’ve known forever—who always teases me like I’m still that little girl hanging around the rink. Blake whom I kissed--is that it? But no. I’m here, spiraling, because I saw him with Vera and now I can’t even think straight. It’s not like he even notices me. Or at least, not in the way I want him to.

Then there was Vera. Miss Perfect Hair, Perfect Legs, Perfect Everything Vera. Was it too much to ask for Blake not to fall back into bad habits? Apparently not, because there he was, soaking up her attention like she hadn’t crushed him before. Why did that bug me so much? I could practically feel the ache in my chest, that stupid, familiar twist of jealousy.

My phone buzzed. I pulled it out, expecting Preston to have something smug to say, but instead...

Blake: "Stalking me?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I nearly choked on air. Stalking him? Oh God, he didn’t actually notice me sitting here like a sad little spy, did he?

I glanced up, and sure enough, Blake was looking directly at me. There was a faint smirk tugging at his lips, like he found this whole thing hilarious. Great. Just great.

Zoe: "In your dreams, Thompson. I was just… enjoying my lunch."

I hit send and instantly regretted it. Enjoying my lunch? I hadn’t even touched the apple, and the pizza looked like a crime scene. He wasn’t going to buy that.

A few seconds later, another buzz.

Blake: "Sure you are. Is the pizza really that interesting, or is it something else?"

I could practically hear the teasing in his voice. Something else? Oh, he knows exactly what he’s doing. My face heated up again, and I shot another glance his way. He was still watching me, that stupid smirk playing on his lips. And Vera? Still there, still laughing like they were in some rom-com.

Zoe: "Don’t flatter yourself. Maybe I’m just curious why you’re back with her."

I hit send before I could stop myself. Bold move, Zoe. Real bold.

His reply was instant.

Blake: "Jealous?"

Jealous? My blood boiled all over again. No way. No freaking way. Except, I looked at them, and something felt… off. Why does this bother me so much? I’m not supposed to care.

I bit my lip, fingers poised to type a snarky reply when—

“Don’t murder that pizza, babe.”

I jumped, startled, as Vaughn slid into the seat next to me, his arm draped casually over my shoulder like he owned the place.

"Whoa, easy there, killer. What did that pizza ever do to you?" His voice oozed amusement, that signature Vaughn grin plastered across his face.

“Vaughn!” I groaned, trying to shrug him off. “Don’t sneak up on people like that.”

He chuckled, not moving an inch. “Well, it’s hard to miss you when you’re sitting here glaring at your phone like you’re plotting someone’s murder.”

Before I could reply, my phone buzzed again. Another text from Blake.

Blake: "Did he just call you 'babe'? What’s that monkey doing there anyway?"

My eyebrows shot up. Seriously, Blake? Now he had the nerve to be jealous? Stalking me?

The audacity made my blood boil, and in a fit of annoyance, I leaned in closer to Vaughn, enough to make him pause mid-bite of his sandwich.

“Uh… what’s going on here?” Vaughn’s voice dripped with confusion as his arm loosened just slightly from my shoulder.

I didn’t have time to answer because, suddenly, a loud noise broke through the chatter of the canteen—a chair scraping violently against the floor, like someone had kicked it hard. I glanced over just in time to see Blake standing up, his jaw tight and his eyes locked on me. My heart skipped a beat, though I couldn’t tell if it was from surprise… or something else.

Before I could process it, my phone buzzed again.

Blake: "Meet me at our locker area. Now."

I stared at the screen, heat creeping up my neck. Who does he think he is, bossing me around like that?

I quickly typed back.

Zoe: "Who are you?"

His reply came fast, almost like he was waiting for me.

Blake: "Now, Zoe Carter."

I bit my lip, staring at the message. Well, this just got interesting.

Vaughn leaned closer, eyes narrowing as he studied me. “Why are you smirking?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “I am?”

“Yeah. What’s going on?”

I shrugged, standing up and grabbing my bag. “I don’t know. See you around, Vaughn.”

I headed toward the lockers, my feet moving faster than I expected. Wait… why am I excited? I felt a small flutter in my chest, and it was ridiculous. Blake calling me like that, his tone so demanding—it should’ve annoyed me. Instead, I was almost… giddy. No, not giddy. Curious. Yes, that’s it. Curious.

But even as I tried to rationalize it, the pulse of excitement was undeniable. This is stupid. I shouldn’t care about whatever he wants to say, right?

By the time I turned the corner, there he was—leaning against the lockers, his expression dark and unreadable. His jaw was clenched, and when his eyes locked onto mine, I felt a strange pull, like I’d stepped into some invisible forcefield.

“What do you want, Blake?” I tried to sound annoyed, but my voice betrayed me. He’s too close. Why does he have to be so close?

Blake didn’t answer immediately. He pushed off the lockers, his footsteps slow and deliberate, closing the distance between us. Tension crackled in the air, sharp and electric. “What do I want? You really don’t get it, do you?”

My arms crossed in defense, but my heart raced. “Get what? You’ve been acting weird all day.” Act normal. Pretend this isn’t making you feel like you’re about to explode.

He stopped right in front of me, his body heat overwhelming. I can’t breathe. Why is it so hot all of a sudden?

“You think this is me acting weird?” His voice was low, almost a growl.

I nodded, refusing to back down. “Yeah. One minute you’re with Vera, the next you’re pulling me aside like—”

“Like what?” he challenged, his voice dipping lower.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. God, I’m losing it. “Like I’m supposed to know what the hell you’re thinking.”

He stepped closer, the space between us vanishing. His breath brushed against my lips, making my skin tingle. Too close. Why aren’t you moving?

“Maybe you should know,” he whispered, his words like a warm breath against my cheek. His eyes searched mine, intense, dark. “Maybe I’m tired of pretending you don’t get it.”

My stomach flipped. I couldn’t look away. I can’t think. “Blake, pretending to be what? Are you an i***t?”

“Feels like one,” he said, which almost makes me laugh except he’s getting really, really close to me. Too close I’m starting to feel so hot.

“Oh, so you admit that you’re an i***t?” I shot back, my voice shaking. “Is that because you’re with your damn ex?”

His hand slammed against the locker next to my head, making me jump. “You think I care about her right now?” His voice was rough, frustrated.

I blinked, breath catching in my throat. s**t. Why does this feel… intense? “Blake…”

His hand slid to my waist, fingers pressing into my skin through the fabric of my shirt. Heat radiated from his touch, sending sparks down my spine. Oh god.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Zoe,” he said, his voice rough and broken. “Every time I see you…”

My skin burned under his touch, my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. His fingers tightened on my waist, pulling me to him, and I couldn’t help the way my body responded, leaning into him. Oh no, I’m letting him pull me in.

“Blake—” My voice cracked, but I couldn’t stop him. Didn’t want to.

“f**k it,” he muttered.

Then his lips were on mine, hot and demanding, and the world tilted. I gasped at the intensity of it, his mouth moving against mine with a hunger I hadn’t expected. His lips were soft, but the kiss was hard, desperate, pulling me under like a wave I couldn’t escape.

Heat surged through my body, and I groaned into the kiss, the sound vibrating in my throat. Oh god, he’s kissing me. His hand slid up to my face, cradling it as he deepened the kiss, and my knees almost buckled. s**t, this feels too good.

His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging slightly, and I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped me. My hands clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer, needing to feel more of him, all of him. His lips moved against mine, and the taste of him, mint and something else, flooded my senses.

I melted into him, losing myself in the feeling of his body pressed against mine, the way his mouth claimed me with every stroke of his tongue. Why does this feel so right? My mind was spinning, but all I could focus on was the way his hands gripped me like he couldn’t bear to let go, the way he made me feel like I was on fire.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I arched into him, desperate for more, for everything. His kiss was consuming, and I couldn’t get enough. God, I don’t want this to stop. My hands slid up to his shoulders, pulling him even closer, my body humming with the tension between us.

He groaned, his grip tightening on me, and I felt the intensity of it, the way his body trembled with restraint. His lips left mine, trailing down to my jaw, my neck, and I gasped, my head falling back against the lockers.

This is too much. But I didn’t want him to stop.