My Roommate Stole My Crush,So I Got His Rival

Chapter 2

This time, it was Amy's turn to freeze.

She blinked. "You're kidding, right?"

Before I could even get a word out, she hurried to speak again.

"Oh c'mon, our Mia would never have a crush on her bestie's boyfriend, that's crazy. Everyone says best friends and their boyfriends are natural enemies anyway. The next time you see Carter, you're definitely gonna find him totally annoying."

I just stared at her quietly, not saying a thing.

The air hung thick with awkwardness.

Suddenly, the door of the dormitory was pushed open forcefully.

Catherine Jayne came bursting in, all fired up.

"Guys, the game's about to start! What are you still doing holed up in the dorm?"

I blinked in confusion for a second.

I'd almost forgotten—the university ice hockey league final was that afternoon.

Last night, Catherine and Isabella Cruz had even talked me into confessing to Carter right after the game ended.

I glanced up at Amy, who was wearing a full face of makeup.

No wonder Amy, who was always the first to pitch me ideas, had gone radio silent when we were hyping up the confession plan at its most heated point.

"I'm not going."

"Huh? Why not?"

Catherine, who'd been rummaging through her bag, snapped her head up immediately.

Amy's face dropped. She grabbed my hand in a panic.

"C'mon, Mia, I'm planning to surprise him today, remember? You promised you'd come with me when I go meet up with him. I'll be a nervous wreck if you're not there. Please just come with me, okay?"

I was just about to yank my hand away from her when Catherine grabbed my other arm.

"Yeah, c'mon, let's go! Isabella got there super early to save you a spot! Carter will spot you the second he steps onto the ice, guaranteed!"

The refusal I'd been about to blurt out died on my tongue when I caught the smug glint in Amy's eyes.

I wasn't the one who'd done something messed up.

If she didn't have anything to hide, why the hell should I?

Catherine was always in a rush. She didn't even stop to check if Amy, who was wearing heels, could keep up. She just dragged me straight toward the ice rink, full speed ahead.

By the time we got to the arena, we'd left Amy way, way behind.

The second Isabella saw me approach, she immediately offered up the seat she'd been holding.

"I bolted here right after class to grab this spot for you. Pretty solid of me, right?"

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, forcing a small smile. "Thanks."

Standing off to the side, Catherine tutted.

"No need to thank me, for real. But heads up, there's this super popular senior from the law school on the finals roster. I don't think Carter has a snowball's chance in hell of winning."

"Hey, Mia, would you still confess if he loses?"

I glanced over at Carter on the players' bench.

He was holding a water bottle, staring off into space, clearly distracted.

The spot Isabella had saved me really was super noticeable.

One of Carter's teammates spotted me right away.

He nudged Carter with his hockey stick, pointed straight at me, and said something I couldn't make out.

But I saw it clear as day. Carter's brows drew sharply together.

I couldn't help but snort in self-mockery.

I'd been so head over heels before that I never picked up on it, but all those times he was lukewarm around me? It wasn't just a lack of interest—it was flat-out disgust.

Like right now, just hearing my name was enough to make him scowl.

Before he could look over at me, I quickly looked away and answered Catherine's question.

"No."

Catherine nodded in agreement. "Fair enough. I'd hate for my crush to see me right after I lost a game too. No biggie, if he doesn't win today we can just wait for the next one."

I shook my head.

"Win or lose, I'm not confessing."