OFF THE ICE: FAKE DATING MY HOCKEY ENEMY

I’LL DO IT

“You two are going to date.” She repeated.

Zane let out a humorless laugh. “She wrote the article.” His voice was low, anger bubbling underneath. “She published the video that put me in this mess!”

”Zane—“ Derek’s hand landed on his shoulder.

Zane shrugged him off, turning to Mr. Park. “This is insane.”

“It’s the fastest way to get your reinstatement back,” Coach Maddox said.

I swallowed down hard, my heart beating faster like it’d rip out from my chest.

”It’s an insult.” Zane’s jaw worked. “You want me to—what? Pretend to date the person who destroyed my career?”

”Not pretend, " Priya corrected, turning to him. “Sell. There’s a difference.”

Derek’s hand tightened on Zane’s shoulders. “Zane, think about this.”

But Zane wasn’t. He was barely holding himself together. I could see it—the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.

It was taking everything in him not to flip the tables.

Priya turned to me. “You’d receive a percentage of the production deal. Plus access for a long form piece on the experience. And a payment schedule.”

“She gets paid?” Zane’s voice rose. “She ruins my life and gets paid for even being in the room with me?”

”Zane,stop.” Derek warned again.

”No.” He turned to Mr. Park, pressing one hand to his temple. “I can’t do this. I can barely even look at her.”

The words hit like a physical blow.

I knew he’d hate me. But hearing him say it—in front of all these people made it real in a way it hadn’t before.

My throat tightened.

Priya’s eyes gleamed, she seemed to be enjoying this.

”So,” she said, turning to me. “Are you in?”

Every face in the room turned to me at once.

Zane. His dark eyes burned into mine, daring me to say yes but hoping I’d say no.

I wasn’t the girl you put next to Zane Ashford. I wasn’t built for the cameras—or any of this.

”I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t.”

I turned and walked to the door before anyone could respond.

In the corridor I pressed my back against the wall, tipped my head up and let out the breath I’d been holding for twenty minutes.

My heart was racing faster, and my hands started to shake.

I pushed my glasses up with trembling fingers.

Even if I wrote an apology. I’d still lose my degree, still get sued till I start sleeping on the streets.

My phone buzzed in my bag. I pulled it out—expecting Demi.

But the name on the screen made my chest go tight.

My sister—Nadia.

I opened the message.

“Hey Ree! So I know you’re busy but my field trip payment is due Friday or I can’t go and it’s the science museum one. Also my left shoe has been making a flapping sound when I walk, the sole is coming off a bit. The kids at school are laughing, but I taped it together. Love you.”

I read it once. Then again.

I taped it together.

That was the most heartbreaking sentence I’d ever read. A twelve-year-old who was learning to fix things quietly so nobody around her had to feel responsible.

My mother had said she’d sort it. In fact, my mother had said a lot of things.

I pressed my thumb into the corner of my phone case. Right now it was a field trip and a shoe. Next month it will be something else. There was always something else.

My phone buzzed again,and my chest went tight. The number from last night, Zane.

”If you’re going to tell me you're sorry for ruining my life, Callahan, at least have the decency to do something about it.”

Then the second one popped in immediately after the first.

“My lawyers will be in touch regarding the damages this has cost me. Now you had better come in and fix my f*****g life with me or I ruin yours just as much.”

Shit! I couldn’t afford a lawsuit. My head tipped further, resting on the wall as I squeezed my eyes shut.

I did this, and I don't get to walk away from it.

With one sharp inhale, I pushed off the wall, adjusted my glasses and straightened.

Then I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.

Every face turned to me.

Zane had been pacing. He stopped once I walked in.

For half a second, something flickered across his face—Relief.

He’d been expecting me to come back.

I let go of the handle, straightening as Priya walked towards me with a smile again.

I looked past her. Straight at Zane—our eyes met.

”I’ll do it.”