PUCK ME ON ICE

Chapter 11

Tessy’s POV

“What planet am I on?” Sophie says as soon as I tell her everything that happened last night at the party. I waited until this morning because she was completely knocked out last night, and I didn’t want to wake her up. “You are now Ryder King’s official puck bunny,” she adds, and I just nod hopelessly. “I need a drink,” she says, walking past me to grab a can of energy drink from the fridge.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen. It just did, and I went along with it. But the good thing is he said Tristan will actually be interested in me now,” I say.

“Not just Tristan—the entire school! Do you have any idea how big Ryder is? Even top celebrities worship him,” she says.

He can’t be all that great.

“I don’t care about any of that. If it helps me get Tristan, I’m down for anything,” I say. “It’s almost time for lectures, are you coming?”

“Yeah, give me a second,” she says, stepping back into her room.

My phone buzzes with a notification. It’s a text from Ryder: Good morning, my puck bunny. I immediately text back telling him not to call me that, and he just sends a wink emoji in response.

“I’m ready,” Sophie says, coming back out.

We head out of the apartment and take my car to campus. The moment we park and step out, dozens of eyes lock onto us. Why the f**k are they staring this much?

“I told you everyone would be staring,” Sophie says, her tone deeply amused.

“Yeah, this isn’t good,” I mutter, pulling my bag strap tighter over my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” she says, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“There is nothing to enjoy! Our relationship isn’t even real,” I whisper furiously.

“Tell that to the hundreds of eyes staring at us right now,” she chuckles.

“Sophie,” a male voice calls out, causing us both to halt.

We turn around to see Owen standing there. “Can I talk to you?” he asks gently.

“Tessy, I will see you later,” Sophie says in a cold, rigid tone, glaring at Owen before turning around and walking away.

There is definitely something seriously wrong in their relationship right now. Owen lets out a sigh and follows behind her. I shake my head—great, now I have to face all these stares completely alone.

I make my way to my department, feeling the heavy gaze of practically everyone in the hallway. Even inside the lecture room, people are whispering and pointing. My eyes finally land on Landon, and relief washes over me when I see he saved a seat for me near the middle. I hurry over and sit down.

“So tell me... when did your romance start with Mr. Ryder?” Landon asks, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

I lean in close to him, keeping my voice down to an absolute whisper. “You are my friend, so I will tell you this—our relationship isn’t real.”

“Wait, seriously?” Landon’s smile fades into confusion. “It’s all just a facade?”

“Yeah, completely fake.”

“But why?” he asks, leaning in closer. “Why on earth would you agree to fake date Ryder King of all people?”

“It’s hard to explain, I—”

Before I can finish my sentence to Landon, a sudden collective murmur ripples across the entire lecture room. I look up toward the door, and my jaw nearly hits the desk.

Ryder is standing there, leaning casually against the doorframe holding a massive, gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers. What the hell is wrong with him?

He strolls right down the aisle toward my desk, completely unbothered by the dozens of staring eyes, a ridiculously confident grin on his face.

“For you, my beautiful girlfriend,” he says loudly enough for half the room to hear.

The entire class instantly breaks into an insufferable “Awwww!” spree. Girls are whispering behind their hands, guys are whistling, and I’m sitting here wondering if I’ve entered an alternate reality. We definitely did not discuss grand romantic gestures!

I take the flowers, forcing myself not to throw them right back at his chest.

“Thank you,” I say, plastering a fake, sweet smile onto my face.

Before I can draw back, Ryder leans down, cups the side of my face gently, and presses a lingering kiss right on my forehead. He pulls away with a wink and casually walks out of the room, leaving me staring after him with my eyes widened in complete shock.

Landon slowly turns his head toward me, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure this is a pretense relationship?”

“Of course it is! It’s all for show,” I whisper fiercely with an awkward, strained smile.

I glance toward the door one last time just as Ryder turns the corner—not before catching my eye and flashing me another smug wink. He has officially lost his damn mind.

Fortunately, Mrs. Zoey walks in right after, breaking the tension. Lecture starts, and for the first time in my life, the hour flies by faster than I thought possible because my mind is completely consumed by Ryder's ridiculous stunt.

The moment class ends, I pack my bag and bolt out into the hallway, but I don't get very far.

“Tessy, wait up!” Ryder’s deep voice calls out over the noise of the corridor.

I stop in my tracks and turn around. Students are slowing down, eyes glued to us, and I can literally see a few people pulling out their phones to snap pictures.

“What is it?” I ask under my breath as he catches up to me.

“I can’t do our tutoring session today. I have an intense practice tonight,” he says, slinging his gym bag higher over his shoulder.

“Okay, then! That’s completely fine,” I say quickly—and honestly, with genuine relief. I don't think I have the mental energy to be trapped in a quiet study room alone with him today.

“Really? You won’t miss me?” he asks, tilting his head with that signature, infuriating smirk.

I look down at the heavy bouquet tucked under my arm, then look back up at him. “I will remember you every time I look at this bouquet,” I say with a faint, overly sweet smile.

His smirk widens, clearly amused by my sarcasm.

“Okay then. See you later, girlfriend,” he says softly, winking at me one last time before turning on his heel and striding down the hallway toward the athletics wing.

I stand there in the middle of the crowded corridor, clutching a giant bunch of flowers while practically the entire department stares at me. I let out a long, heavy breath, staring at his retreating back.

What the hell have I really gotten myself into?