My Fake Boyfriend Is a Wolf

Chapter 1

On a game-day Saturday, the score was tied, and we needed a miracle to win. There were only seconds left on the clock, the stadium vibrating with energy. Dozens of people in the stands waited anxiously for the final score, many cheering for their favorite team while others booed the opposing side. I spotted Nate in the middle of the rink, getting ready to receive the pass Josh was about to throw him. The second the puck touched his stick, Nate shot across the ice at full speed. He dodged every player who tried to stop him and made it all the way to the goal. The goalie braced himself, but Nate didn’t hesitate. He took the shot.

The puck went in.

Hundreds of guys and girls exploded into screams and applause as the entire stadium celebrated the victory. The Bicentennial Wolves had won the championship.

I took advantage of the chaos to slip through the players until I reached Nate, who had just taken off his helmet and was running a hand through his messy, now damp blond hair. I almost lost my breath. The team uniform consisted of a black jersey and white hockey pants. What was it about hockey uniforms that made guys look insanely irresistible? Was it the padding?

When his green eyes met mine, a smile spread across his face. Without thinking twice, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed our lips together in a warm kiss.

“Is this your way of congratulating me for winning the game?” Nate asked after devouring my lips. “Because I want more of that.”

He kissed me again, this time long and hungry.

“Get a room already!” Chad shouted beside us.

“Seriously, go find a damn room!” Josh added.

“God, you guys are ruining the moment,” Nate complained.

I let out a nervous laugh and planted my feet back on the ground.

“Maddie’s planning to throw a party at her house tonight,” I murmured, biting my lip. “To celebrate the Wolves’ victory.”

“I’ve got something better in mind.” His hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer against his body. “You, me, a bed, my apartment. What do you say?”

My face heated instantly.

“Don’t you want to celebrate with your friends?”

“I want to celebrate my victory with you.”

I took a step back and placed my hands on my hips.

“I have a gorgeous Chanel dress I plan to show off at that party. We can celebrate alone afterward.”

That made him smile.

“You mean there’s a small chance it’ll happen?”

“There is, but after the party. Okay?”

“Oh, baby, I’m going to wait for that party like a maniac,” he said before kissing me again.

♡ ♡ ♡

Two hours later, I stared at my reflection in the oval mirror in my bedroom and smiled, satisfied with the result. The dress I had saved for tonight was a beautiful crimson red, with delicate golden straps that highlighted the pale skin of my shoulders. The soft, fitted fabric stopped at mid-thigh, fiercely showing off the curves of my body. I tucked my blond hair behind my ears and paired the dress with gold heels.

There was no doubt about it… Nate was going to lose his mind when he saw me, but… was I really sure I wanted to do that with him after the party? I mean, Nate and I had been dating for over a year and a half, so it was normal that after all that time he wanted to take the next step in our relationship. The problem was that I didn’t feel ready.

I took a deep breath and decided it was time to make my appearance at the party.

Maddie’s house had two floors. Her parents were away in Mexico, so she had taken the opportunity to go all out. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was a line of cars parked along the curb, teenagers getting drunk in the front yard, and loud music blasting from inside.

Maddie’s parties were famous for being the wildest, but also the most fun. They always ended with some kind of drama.

The moment I walked in, several people stared at me in amazement.

“Wow, Ashley, you look really gorgeous,” Chad murmured with a kind smile.

“If you weren’t Nate’s girl, I’d take you straight to bed,” Josh joked, instantly earning an elbow from Marisa.

Both Chad and Josh were insanely attractive. They were part of the school’s hockey team, so both of them were tall, broad, and muscular. Those two were the most popular guys in the entire school, and also Nate’s best friends.

“Chad’s right, Ashley, you look amazing,” Marisa smiled, greeting me with a kiss on each cheek. “How did you get that Chanel before it even launched?”

I shrugged.

“You know my mom. She only had to make a couple calls.”

“I’m so jealous, the dress is gorgeous. I definitely want one in—”

“I need to talk to you, Ashley,” Cassie suddenly interrupted. She looked at Marisa before adding reluctantly, “In private.”

Marisa rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything as Cass pulled me away.

“What’s going on?” I asked once we were out of earshot.

“Is what Nate just told me true? That tonight you two are…?”

“About that…” My cheeks burned. “I think I’ve made him wait long enough.”

“But Ashley, don’t do it just because he wants to. If he’s pressuring you—”

“He’s not pressuring me, I want to be with him too.” Yeah, that was what I wanted… right?

“No, don’t do it. Don’t sleep with him.”

“Look, I think it’s really sweet that you care about me, but I don’t think sleeping with him is that big of a deal. Tomorrow I promise I’ll tell you every detail, okay?”

Cassie let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.

“Whatever you say.”

“Come on, Cass, don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad.” She was definitely mad. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

After watching Cassie disappear into the crowd, I grabbed a red cup from the drinks table and took a quick sip. I instantly grimaced as a harsh burn spread down my throat. Wow, what was in that? Vodka?

I ignored it and started moving through the crowd, shoving past a few people to make my way through. When I spotted Josh, I headed straight toward him, ready to ask where Nate was. I hadn’t seen him since I arrived.

“Have you seen h—?” I shouted over the music.

“Nate?” he slurred. “Uh… yeah. I saw him head to the kitchen a minute ago.” He smiled and slid his hands around my waist. “Want to dance with me while he’s gone?”

“No. I need to find Nate.”

“Come on, dance with me, Ashley,” he insisted, grabbing my arm.

“I can’t. I need to talk to Nate about something important.”

“How much longer are you going to keep rejecting me?”

Great. And now how was I supposed to get rid of him? Luckily, I had a brilliant idea when Maddie walked past us. That girl was hopelessly in love with him.

“Maddie, would you mind dancing with Josh?”

Her face practically lit up.

“Of course, I’d love to.”

“But I don’t—”

“Have fun,” I murmured, slipping away from Josh and continuing on my way.

Before I entered the kitchen, I spotted Nate leaning against the refrigerator with Cassie standing in front of him. Her arms were crossed while he frowned, clearly annoyed.

“You said you were going to tell her after the game,” Cassie snapped.

“I changed my mind. I’m not telling her anything.”

“Oh yeah? Why? Because she agreed to sleep with you tonight?”

Before they could notice me, I hid behind the doorway.

Nate let out a mocking laugh.

“Don’t tell me… you’re jealous?”

“What do you think?”

“Come on, Cass. What happened between us was a mistake. It’s definitely not happening again.”

“Really? Because that’s not what you said Monday… or Wednesday… or—”

My brows furrowed when a long silence followed. I heard movement, and then something that made my stomach drop.

“What the hell…?” I gasped in horror when I saw them kissing.

Nate instantly pulled away from Cassie, stepping back, adjusting his shirt, and running a hand through his messy hair. She smirked, tilting her head, clearly amused.

“Oops?”

“s**t, Ashley, this isn’t what it—”

I didn’t even hear the rest. I turned around and walked away.