PUCK ME ON ICE

Chapter 12

Ryder’s POV

“King, go!” Coach shouts across the ice.

I take off, driving the puck hard into the top corner of the net. Without missing a beat, I repeat the motion with the next puck, and then the next, feeling the satisfying snap of my wrist with every shot.

“Okay, that’s enough. Tristan, over here!” Coach calls out.

I glide back, lightly bumping shoulders with Tristan on my way past, letting out a small laugh as he shakes his head. I slide over to the bench, unstrapping my helmet for a quick water break.

“What is this we’re hearing, Captain?” Owen’s voice cuts in, drawing my attention. He leaning against the boards with a bewildered expression. “You’re dating Tessy?” he asks, his tone dripping with confusion.

I scoff, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

“It’s a joke, right? You two aren’t actually together,” Alex chimes in, crossing his arms.

“It’s none of you guys' business,” I say, letting a small, secretive smile play on my lips.

“Wow. You’ve literally changed the whole game,” Owen says, a wave of amusement washing over his face. “I worshipped you and swore by your oath of being the ultimate player, but now you’re all cuffed up!”

“You don’t need to worry, Owen. I’m still your idol, and I’m still very much me,” I say, flashing him a quick wink.

He picks up on the silent cue instantly, and both he and Alex burst out laughing.

“I knew you’d never actually be loyal to anyone,” Alex says, shaking his head. “But why agree to date her? You’ve broken the hearts of half the girls on campus.”

“You know how it is, boys. Sometimes you just do things when you feel like it. It isn’t that deep,” I say casually, tossing my water bottle back onto the rack. “Besides, Tessy’s a cool girl. She won’t stop me from doing what I want.”

“So you’re just playing with her?”

Tristan’s sharp voice cuts through the conversation, a heavy hint of annoyance laced in his tone. The smile on my face fades a little as I turn to face him.

“Coach wants you both,” Tristan says coldly to Owen and Alex, nodding toward the ice. The two of them take the hint immediately and slide away, leaving the tension thick between us.

I pick up my water bottle again, taking a slow sip to keep my composure.

“If you know you won’t be loyal to her, why agree to date her in the first place?” Tristan demands, his voice growing tighter, angrier.

“It’s really not what you think, I—”

“You what? You think everything is just a big joke?” he interrupts, stepping closer.

I open my mouth, on the verge of telling him the whole relationship is completely fake, but I catch myself. Why is he acting so worked up about this?

“You won’t get it. I’m not all that bad, okay?” I say in a calm, steady tone, backing off. “I gotta go.”

I slide away from him before he can dig any deeper. Heading into the locker room, I strip out of my gear, grab my bag, and make my way out of the arena into the cool evening air.

As I walk toward my car, I pull out my phone to text Tessy. My thumb hovers over her name before I pause, suddenly remembering our conversation earlier. Right... I said we weren't seeing each other today because of my practice.

I stare at her contact for a second, letting out a dry laugh at myself. Damn it. I actually really wanted to have that tutoring session with her tonight.

“f**k it,” I mutter under my breath.

I pull up her contact and quickly type out a text: Hope you aren’t busy tonight. We can still have that practice session.

I hit send and wait, but no response comes back. Instead, a fresh notification pops up at the top of my screen from my dad. He wants to have dinner tomorrow night so I can "meet his new girlfriend." I roll my eyes, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat. He does this every single time. Who the hell is it going to be this time? f**k this.

I drive back to my apartment, completely exhausted. But the second I unlock the door and push it open, my eyebrows shoot up in total surprise.

Rebecca is standing right there in my living room.

“Ryder!” she gasps, immediately closing the distance between us and wrapping her arms around my neck, pressing her lips to mine. “I missed you so much. You have no idea how hard it’s been for me to stay away from you,” she rambles between frantic kisses.

“What are you doing here?” I grumble, grabbing her shoulders and firmly pushing her back to break the kiss.

“I came because I miss you,” she says, leaning back in like it's the most natural thing in the world.

“No, Rebecca. Don’t do this,” I say, holding her at arm's length. “I don’t need Danny up on my ass again. You have a boyfriend, and I think we should actually start respecting that.”

A look of complete confusion washes over her face. “Why are you being like this? You’ve always known I had a boyfriend, Ryder. So why are you suddenly acting like this?”

“I’m tired. You should go,” I say flatly, brushing past her to drop my heavy gym bag onto the sofa.

“Don’t tell me you’re acting like this because of your fake relationship with that girl!” she snaps, total bewilderment in her voice. “You guys aren’t even real!”

“That’s not it,” I lie smoothly, turning back around to face her. “I just... I didn’t like how small I felt with Danny around. I mean, he’s your actual boyfriend, and you’re always going to choose him over me in the end. It’s kind of depressing to watch.”

What the f**k is wrong with me? I literally couldn't care less.

Rebecca’s eyes soften, and her lips form a sympathetic pout. “Oh, Ryder... I had no idea you’d fallen in love with me,” she says, taking a step toward me. Trust me, sweetheart, I feel absolutely nothing for you. “But... we can always just be friends with benefits,” she adds with a coy smile.

Well, who can blame her? My d**k is way too good to just give up.

“I don’t want to just be friends with benefits. I want more,” I say, putting on my absolute best heartbreakingly sad tone. Yeah, I am definitely rotting in hell for this one.

“Ryder, we can figure all of that out after,” she purrs, stepping up to me and wrapping her arms around my neck again. “Let's not talk so much right now.”

She leans up and kisses me hard. I give in, letting my hands slide down to her waist as I kiss her back. She climbs up into my lap, deepening the kiss, and her hands immediately fly to her shirt, stripping it off.

Right as things start heating up, my phone on the counter starts buzzing loudly.

“Ignore it,” she mutters against my lips, pulling at her zipper.

I keep kissing her, completely distracted—until a sudden, loud knock echoes through the front door.

“Ryder? Are you in there?”

Tessy’s voice.

Panic hits me like a bucket of ice water. I shove Rebecca off my lap so fast she loses her balance and tumbles straight onto the floor with a loud thud.

“Sorry! Jesus, put your clothes back on!” I hiss at her, scrambling off the couch.

Why the f**k is Tessy here right now?!