PUCK ME ON ICE

Chapter 16

Tessy’s POV

“f**k! You are joking!” Sophie shrieks the second the words leave my mouth.

“I wish I was,” I groan, collapsing back onto my bed and throwing my hands over my face.

“This f*****g changes everything! You and Ryder... step-siblings?! Who in the world would have thought this day would ever come?!” she gasps, her tone a mix of utter shock and sheer fascination.

“I am honestly at a complete loss for words, Sophie,” I say, feeling completely overwhelmed. “Like... I’m happy for my mom. I really am! I believe she deserves to have her happy ending after everything. But why Ryder’s father out of everyone in the entire state?!”

“Why not?!” Sophie counters, leaning against the doorframe. “I mean, the man is ridiculously hot and a billionaire to top it off! Of course your mom wasn't going to miss that opportunity! And the best part? He can help you out with so many of your financial issues now!”

“Not happening. I am not about to ask for financial aid from a stranger.”

“Not a stranger! Your mom’s soon-to-be husband!” she says, practically buzzing with excitement.

“You are pushing it, Sophie.”

“Okay, okay, sorry!” she laughs, putting her hands up before grinning widely. “It’s just... don’t you get it? This is peak romance novel material! You are literally playing pretend girlfriend with your soon-to-be brother—”

“Step-brother,” I snap, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Same thing, who cares?!” she waves off easily. “What was his reaction like anyway? Was he happy about it, or pissed?”

“I honestly never know with Ryder. I have zero clue what actually goes on inside his head,” I say, chewing on my lip. “He didn’t seem to outright oppose it, so I think he’s fine with it... But he did do something completely stupid.”

“What did he do?!” she asks, her eyes lighting up with desperate curiosity.

“He told our parents that we were dating.”

“Shut up!” she screams, throwing her hands over her mouth in sheer amusement.

“I had to shut it down immediately!” I say, my face burning just thinking about it.

“Honestly? That sounds so like Ryder,” she chuckles.

“He’s way too much,” I sigh, rubbing my temples. “And now I have to go watch his f*****g game tonight.”

“Right! The game is tonight!” Sophie beams. “Owen invited me, so we can go together!”

I pause, raising an eyebrow at her. “Owen? You two are cool again?”

“Not really,” she says with a casual shrug. “I just really love having s*x with him, and since I’m not sleeping around with other people, why not stay on good terms and get f****d?”

I pull a disgusted face, gagging slightly.

“Don’t make that face!” she laughs, entirely unbothered. “Mama needs to get her p***y eaten!”

“I literally can’t even deal with you right now,” I mutter, shaking my head as I brush past her.

“Wear something sexy, okay? We’re going to your boyfriend’s game!” she yells after me down the hall.

“He isn’t my f*****g boyfriend!” I shout back.

I open my wardrobe and start pulling through the hangers. I don't care about Ryder's opinion, but... I definitely want to look good for Tristan tonight.

***

“Owen is f*****g amazing!” Sophie screams at the top of her lungs, jumping up and down as the entire arena erupts into deafening cheers.

My eyes, however, aren't on Owen at all. They’re completely glued to Tristan.

The cold air in the rink is electric, packed with students shouting and slamming against the plexiglass. I don’t know much about hockey, but judging by the scoreboard, our school is absolutely destroying the opposition.

“GOAL!” The crowd roars in unison as the red light flashes above the net.

A huge, unstoppable smile breaks across my face as Tristan raises his stick in the air, his teammates rushing over to slam into him in celebration. He looked so effortless out there on the ice—and I couldn't pull my eyes away if I tried.

“This match will be over soon, Ryder is going to do his big move,” Sophie says, leaning over the barrier.

I have no idea what that means, but the puck is currently glued to Ryder’s stick. I watch, almost against my will, as he moves effortlessly across the ice, gliding past the opposing team’s defense like they’re standing completely still.

“GOAL!” Sophie screams at the top of her lungs.

The entire arena explodes into an extra wave of chaotic cheering. Ryder pulls off his helmet, shaking out his messy hair, and his face instantly flashes across the giant screen above the rink.

“God, he is so f*****g hot,” Sophie groans, fanning herself.

I mean... sure, he’s a good-looking guy, but my Tristan looks a million times better.

“Come on, let’s go congratulate them!” Sophie says, grabbing my hand and practically dragging me down toward the ice level.

We slip through the side gates near the players' bench. The second we reach the rink floor, Sophie lets go of my hand and completely abandons me, flying straight into Owen’s arms. I scan the crowd of ice-covered players until my eyes land on Tristan.

He’s already looking at me, a warm, soft smile spreading across his face.

My heart skips a beat. I start walking toward him, returning his smile—when suddenly, a giant frame steps straight into my path, cutting off my view completely.

“You came!” Ryder says, his voice dripping with triumphant satisfaction.

Before I can process what’s happening, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into a tight hug. What the hell is he doing?!

“I’m so glad you could make it,” he adds loudly enough for the surrounding crowd to hear.

I stand completely stiff in his grip, refusing to hug him back. He pulls away, but before I can open my mouth,Ryder places his hand on the back of my neck, leans down, and presses his lips firmly against mine.

My eyes snap wide open in absolute horror.