Ruined By The Hockey Captain

#8

BLAKE

I honestly didn’t know what the hell I was thinking when I reached across the desk to borrow that pen from Bella. But the reaction was worth it. The way the blood rushed straight to her face, turning her skin completely hot under my gaze—it lingered in my mind long after the professor finished lecturing.

The bell finally rang, and I navigated the crowded hallway until I reached my locker. I tossed the notebook inside, the plastic pen clicking against the metal shelf before I slammed the door shut.

Footsteps approached from behind, and a hand clapped down on my shoulder. I turned my head to find Cade and Sebastian falling into step beside me.

“How’s it going, man?” Cade asked, leaning his back against the row of lockers, his eyes scanning my face for any leftover tension from last night.

I adjusted the strap of my sports bag, keeping my expression entirely flat. “I’m fine.”

Sebastian shook his head, a wry grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he looked between me and the classroom door we’d just exited. “Honestly, I’m surprised you actually attended class today. Especially after everything.”

I gave a loose, indifferent shrug, leaning my hip against the locker. “What can I do? Can’t skip every lecture.”

Cade leaned in a fraction closer, his voice dropping as the hallway traffic swirled around us. “So... did you manage to get any closer to Bella yet?”

The image of her wide, flushed face flashed behind my eyes, along with the memory of her stubborn chin in the dark last night. I shook my head, my jaw tightening slightly. “Working on it.”

Cade tapped a knuckles against my locker door, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a warning weight. “Better keep at it. Don’t lose that bet, Blake, else you’re owing us a massive chunk of cash.”

A dry chuckle escaped my throat, my lips curving into a confident, dangerous line. “Not a chance in hell.”

Sebastian shifted his weight, his eyes tracking a couple of hockey players passing by in their team jackets. “Are you playing a game today?”

“Not playing today,” I muttered, the dull ache from my father’s palm suddenly pulsing behind my cheekbone. I wanted nothing to do with the rink this afternoon.

Cade cracked his knuckles, a sudden thought crossing his features as he looked up. “Are you aware Jasmine is transferring to this school today?”

My brows drew together, the name pulling a crease onto my forehead. “Jasmine? Why the hell is she transferring here?”

Cade gave a careless shrug, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets. “It seems she got completely bored out in Canada. Word is she’s heading straight down here.”

I rolled my shoulders back, pushing the thought of her entirely out of my mind. It was just another complication I didn't care to manage. “It’s really not my business.”

“When is she actually getting here?” Sebastian jumped in, his curiosity obviously peaked.

“After exams,” Cade answered, checking something on his phone before sliding it away. “She’ll transfer right in.”

Sebastian let out a low whistle, a smirk playing on his face as he looked at me. “Man, both you and Jasmine are going to be ranking at the absolute top of this school. Since your parents are both filthy rich, the power dynamic is going to be insane.”

I turned my head toward the end of the corridor, my voice flat. “Don’t forget you’re ranking on the platinum board.”

Cade chuckled, exchanging a look with Sebastian before shaking his head. “Platinum? Please. Everyone knows you’re ranking diamond, Blake. That shows exactly how wealthy your old man is.”

I let out a breath, shrugging the comment off as the weight of that diamond ranking felt more like a golden cage than a privilege.

Before I could turn to leave, Cade caught my eye again. “Before we head out, we should probably check the rank board again. See where everyone stands after the midterms.”

“I don’t have time for that,” I said, checking the watch on my wrist and stepping away from the lockers.

Sebastian laughed, jogging a step to keep up with my pace. “Honestly, I don’t think Blake has ever checked the rank board a single day in his life.”

“Who has the time?” I muttered, my eyes scanning the thinning crowd in the hallway.

“So what’s next?” Sebastian asked, looking around the corridor. “What are we doing now?”

Cade suddenly caught my forearm, his grip tightening as he gestured with his chin toward the far end of the hallway.

Through the sea of students, the familiar oversized shirt caught my eye. Bella was moving quietly toward the double doors of the cafeteria, her eyes fixed on the floor, her friend Amy talking animatedly beside her.

Cade nudged my shoulder hard, his voice dropping into a sharp, urgent whisper against my ear. “You better start moving, captain. Go get close to your target.”