Page 17 of Rivals

“You do, Riley. You were born to be great on the ice. Sure, there is nothing wrong with a community college or tech school or a trade like what I picked up after the military. But you can have so much more. More than what I can give you.” He inhales choppily. “They offered you a dorm room. With you staying there, I can also pick up overnights.”

Their overnight shifts at the plant are time and a half just like weekends. I know he’s silently telling me that if he has the ability to be gone without having to be home for me that he’ll have more money. “Are you in trouble?”

He shakes his head. “No, honey. Nothing like that. I just want to give you everything you deserve too. I knew the scholarship might bother you so I offered to clear some of the costs. I want to buy your books and uniform. When you decide which school you want to go to, I want to be able to send you some spending money. This could be a good opportunity for all of us.”

My gaze zones out and I try to imagine what Emma and Sam will say. I’m a Pirate, I bleed red and white. Even thinking about trying out for the Saints’ hockey team, and wearing their signature black and gold, feels like a betrayal. And playing with Quinn and her minions…no.

“My friends. Hockey. I’m a captain this year, they’ll never forgive me.”

My dad takes my hand and squeezes it. “They will. And they will love you regardless because you are their best friend. High school is one more year, Riley. You have your whole future to think about. One, two, five years from now, the rivalry between the Saints and the Pirates won’t matter anymore. Your career, your goal to play college hockey, that is what matters.”

I know he’s right. As painful as this is, and to hear it come from the man who knows how much I’ve been through, he’s right. My dad reaches over and wraps his arms around me, just holding me tight. “You’ve never backed down from a challenge yet. Just think of this as another one. Only you’re already winning.”

That was two days ago. The board wasn’t messing around with getting me set up and enrolled before the first day of school. My dad had been right about Emma and Sam. They hated this for me, but they still loved me. The rest of my old team didn’t take it so well. I was now the enemy. I sold out. And I think they enjoyed ripping the captain patch right off my jersey.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I silence it, knowing it’s Reign again. He’s been after me the past few days, asking me dumb questions about which color bedspread I wanted, or towels or if I wanted a futon or not. I either ignored him or gave him outrageous answers when he gave me options. I was mad at him. I would probably never forgive him for this. Even if I made it to a D1 school and was a starting player, I would probably still carry this grudge against him.

It vibrates again and this time I yank it out of my pocket.

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: How’s the dorm? Hurry and change, and I have your schedule for you. We can get coffee on the way.

Fucking rich-kids. I’m not even surprised their school has its own coffee shop. I also hate how my stomach growls thinking about getting a coffee. A lavender latte, my favorite, and maybe a muffin before starting my first day of torture.

ME: Isn’t giving you my schedule an invasion of privacy or something?

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: I asked nicely *smirking face emoji*

I scoff and make my way over to the door across the living space to where I’m assuming my bed is. Everything my eyes touch on I realize are things Reign asked me about. And he didn’t listen to my comments. Somehow he actually managed to pick out things I like. Until I step into my room and my lungs seize. The whole bedroom is decked out in Saints’ gold and black with their emblem. I want to fucking puke. A small scream builds on my lips when I also see the classic school uniform lying in the middle of the queen-sized bed.

ME: You’re dead to me.

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: Should have given me a better answer than. I had to improvise. Now hurry your sweetass down here. I’m dying to see the heels.

My hand lifts the lid off the shoe box where a pair of kitten heels are tucked in. Fuck that. I remember reading the school handbook and while the uniform is required, heels are not. Flats, loafers, and nice tennis shoes are acceptable.

ME: *middle finger emoji*

Deciding to fix this monstrosity later, and because I don’t actually want to be late on my first day, I quickly throw on the uniform and slide my feet back into my favorite white Adidas. On the way out, I check my hair in the mirror, then grab my backpack and head for the elevators. A bunch of other girls are also leaving their dorms and getting ready to head to class as well. A few of them eye me with hostility and a few look curious. I’m not exactly an unknown to them, given my history with Reign. But I’m sure they also never thought they’d see me here either.

Stepping out of the elevator, I start making my way toward the office, set on getting my own copy of my schedule, when Reign steps right into my path. His icy eyes travel up my legs and over my body to the top of my head. It feels like everyone around us stops, waiting, expecting the usual verbal brawl that happens.

“Damn. I was looking forward to the heels.”

I roll my eyes and walk around him. “I don’t live to dress for you, Thorn.”

My brush off doesn’t deter him, and he slides up next to me. “The uniform doesn’t really do it for me anyways, babe. I was thinking more about what you have on un–”

I turn to him, jumping on him, his arms instantly moving to catch me, while I cover his mouth with my hand. “Do not finish that sentence.”

Reign’s eyes blaze cobalt blue and he smiles under my hand. I frown at the change of his demeanor. A few guys whistle as they walk by and there’s a combination of scoffs and giggles from the girls. That’s what it takes to pull me out of the haze of Reign’s body in contact with mine and his scent surrounding me. I realize the spectacle we’re making, one of my arms wrapped around his neck, my hand over his mouth, and his arms banded around my waist holding my body off the ground. I wiggle out of his hold and he drops me back to my feet. My cheeks heat. Everyone knows Reign plays hockey and I refuse to be seen as a jersey chaser.

“Don’t get shy on me.” Reign leans down, keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders. “Fuck what they think. We both know you aren’t a jersey chaser.”

“Did I—”

“Say that out loud?” Reign chuckles. “I don’t see you as a jersey chaser though, Riles. Just my little puck slut.”

My cheeks burn and I glance away, intent on getting as far from Reign as I can. “Was that your whole intention on getting me here then? Just so I’ll have sex with you?”

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