Chapter 15
1278 Words
Ivy
The moment Asher and I stepped into the dining hall, conversations slowed.
Then the teasing began.
"There they are!"
“The lovebirds finally decided to show up!” one of the guys called out.
“Looking cozy this morning, Hayes,” another teammate grinned. “Didn’t expect you to be the type to play house so early.”
A few whistles and laughs rippled through the team. I kept my head slightly lowered, cheeks warm, but Asher didn’t seem fazed at all. If anything, he looked amused as he kept his hand lightly on my lower back, guiding me through the room like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"I was starting to think they'd skipped breakfast."
"Captain! How was the honeymoon suite?"
Laughter erupted across the room.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
"If you idiots are done embarrassing yourselves," Asher drawled, "I'd like to eat before Coach starts yelling."
"Look who's blushing!" one of the boys shouted, pointing at me.
"I am not blushing."
"You totally are."
"I said I'm not!"
Their laughter only grew louder.
But not everyone was laughing. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jennie.
Jennie sat stiffly near the front with her squad, arms crossed, her jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might crack a tooth.
She stood up abruptly, her eyes never leaving Asher.
The laughter died down a little as she walked straight toward Asher, hips swaying with purpose. Without hesitation, she curled her arm around his, pressing herself against his side in that familiar, intimate way.
“Asher, baby,” she said sweetly, voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Asher looked down at her but said nothing.
“I’m sorry for being such a b***h these days.” She offered him a small, apologetic smile. "I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I was just… emotional.”
“How about we talk it over as we eat, hun? I left you a seat.” She said, pointing toward the table where her friends were watching anxiously. "Right beside me."
For a brief moment...
No one spoke.
I looked away.
This wasn't my business.
Fake girlfriend or not.
Asher and Jennie had history.
He should sit wherever he wanted.
"It’s okay Jennie," Asher finally said. “We're cool.”
Jennie's face lit up with a bright smile as Asher started walking toward her table.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
Of course, he'd want to sit right next to her. What was I thinking?
Then, halfway there, he stopped and turned back.
Our eyes met across the room.
He lifted his chin toward the empty chair beside him.
"CeeCee."
I frowned.
"What?"
"Come here!"
The entire dining hall went silent.
"As my girlfriend," he added casually, "I'd rather you sit next to me."
Jennie's smile froze. Her face going from sweet to murderous in a split second. Her friends whispered furiously behind her, shooting daggers in my direction.
I walked over, hyper-aware of every single eye on us. As I reached the table, Asher pulled out the chair beside him.
"Sit."
I slid into the seat, painfully aware of Jennie's burning glare from across the table.
Asher sat down right beside me as though nothing has happened, casually draping his arm casually over the back of my chair.
My heart stuttered.
The teasing from the team picked up again, louder this time.
“Damn, Hayes is whipped!”
“Did you see Jennie’s face? She literally just got friend-zoned in public.”
“I guess the rumors are true after all. They're done for good.”
I reached for the glass of orange juice in front of me, pretending not to hear any of it as Jennie stormed back to her seat without a word.
Asher leaned slightly toward me, his breath brushing my ear as he whispered, “You okay?”
I nodded, trying to ignore the way my skin tingled where his arm rested behind me.
“You’re doing great,” he murmured. “A little more acting and we’ll be convincing enough.”
Just as another round of teasing threatened to start, a sharp whistle cut through the dining hall.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Coach Harlan strode in, dressed in the team’s official tracksuit. The chatter died almost instantly as he clapped his hands once.
“Alright, settle down.”
The room gradually fell silent.
He scanned the tables before speaking.
“I hope everyone’s had breakfast because we’ve got a busy day ahead.”
A low murmur of anticipation spread through the room.
“As you all know, today is the opening ceremony for the National Collegiate Winter Invitational. There won’t be any matches until tomorrow, but today isn’t exactly a free day either.”
He glanced down at the itinerary in his hand.
“First, we’ll head to the Ice Summit Arena for registration and accreditation. After that, we’ll have a guided tour of the training facilities and locker rooms.”
A few of the freshmen exchanged excited looks.
“Following lunch, all participating universities will gather for the official welcoming ceremony and team introductions.”
He paused.
“Which means every single one of you will be representing Northbridge University.”
His eyes swept across the room, lingering on a few of the louder teammates.
“This isn’t just a hockey tournament. So, I expect professionalism at all times. Stay with your assigned groups, keep your IDs on you, and don’t wander off without informing one of the staff members.”
“Also, I don’t want to see anyone causing trouble, or embarrassing the university.”
Several players instinctively looked at Asher.
Asher didn’t even bother looking up from his breakfast.
“I saw that,” Harlan deadpanned.
The dining hall erupted into laughter.
Asher simply raised his coffee in surrender.
Harlan shook his head before continuing.
“A very important part you have to keep at the back of your head.”
His expression turned serious.
“Since there’ll be athletes, media crews, and sponsors from different universities around today, be mindful of how you conduct yourselves. Whether you like it or not, people will be watching.”
For some reason, those words made my stomach tighten.
Almost as though they were meant for me.
“One more thing.”
His eyes landed squarely on Asher.
“As captain, make sure everyone is accounted for before we board the bus.”
Asher gave a lazy salute from his seat.
“Got it, Coach.”
Coach Harlan nodded.
“Buses leave in twenty minutes. Don’t be late.”
With that, he turned and walked out of the dining hall.
The chatter resumed almost immediately.
Asher finished the last sip of his coffee before standing.
“You heard the man.”
He looked around at his teammates.
“Finish up and let’s all meet at the front entrance in ten minutes,” Asher finished. “Wear your official jackets and bring your accreditation documents. Don’t make me come looking for you. I don't like doing head counts all morning..”
A chorus of groans answered him.
I couldn’t help smiling.
The cocky bully I’d known in high school was still there…
But watching him slip so effortlessly into the role of captain made me realize there was another side to Asher Hayes I’d never really noticed before.
“Yes, Captain!” everyone chorused.
The room immediately buzzed back to life as chairs scraped against the floor and students began gathering their belongings.
I reached for my bag.
“So much for a peaceful breakfast.”
- Writer
