Page 27 of Rivals

Coach Silver runs us through our drills and plays. For our opening season game, the team we play has a heavy defense and their offense has a history of playing tough in the first two periods but slowing down by the third. Even though the game is still a few weeks away, we’re already studying our opponents. I do like the Saints’ thirst for winning that matches my own.

I skate hard, once again proving that I can be an asset to this team. For the first time some of the girls are looking at me with less animosity in their eyes. By the time I make it back to the bench to cool off before heading to the locker rooms, I can feel my muscles screaming. The other girls slowly make their way off the ice as the Zamboni flares to life to resurface. Right as I grab my water bottle, Quinn is back in my space, sitting right next to me on the bench.

“You know it’s not just girls from All Saints you have to be careful of, right?”

I grit my teeth, turning to her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

She rolls her eyes and I’m reminded of how much of a princess she normally is when she’s off the ice and not wearing her skates and jersey. “I’m not saying anything about his public claiming. I could care less. Personally, I think he could do better.”

“Gee thanks. Is this a pep talk or what?”

“Nevertheless…you have his attention right now, Riley. And that is something no girl has ever done here at All Saints or anywhere else, and believe me, they’ve all tried. I have to say I’m almost embarrassed for some of them for how far they’ve gone to try and get his attention. It’s gross actually.”

“Again, Quinn.” I move past her and out of the box to head to the locker rooms. “Not helping. And none of this is anyone’s business.”

Both of her brows shoot up and she crosses her arms across her chest. “I’m just saying, be careful. Our conference is large and Reign has played in many cities. He has made enemies of opponents on the ice and broken the hearts of many girls who thought they could have him. We’re going to be playing those same teams. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be with him if you want. I’m just saying be careful. It’s already out. You’re already a target.”

Oddly enough her warning doesn’t come off as territorial or even mean. For Quinn, this might actually be nice and if there wasn’t bad blood between us from years of rivalry, I’d almost be touched. I manage to nod in recognition of her words; she didn’t have to say anything, but she did before walking to the locker room. I shower and dress in record time, hoping I can get out of here before the boys’ team is done. Between the confrontation with the dickhead in class today and now talking to Quinn, I’m mentally fried. My feelings where Reign is concerned are fragile. Everything has been happening so fast. I need things to settle. I want some time to think; only, I never get time because Reign takes up the majority of my time. I grab my phone and quickly shoot him off a text.

ME: I’m really sore and tired from practice. I’m going to fall asleep as soon as I get to my room. I’ll see you tomorrow.

I quickly hit send then turn off my phone. My feet practically jog themselves back to my dorm room, where I slide the lock in place and rush to get my pajamas on, forgoing lights. Only once I slide under my covers does my heart stop beating erratically. I have no idea how long I lie there in the silence, waiting for a knock on my door or for any sign that Reign didn’t take me seriously. After what I’m sure is more than half an hour, I finally relax and inhale, breathing out through my nose. My heart hurts. I’m more confused now than ever. I want things from Reign that terrify me. What scares me the most though is that his feelings for me might not be what they seem.

Reign

Riley keeps trying to pull away from the current I keep pulling us under. If it were up to me, I’d have her with me all day, every day. I don’t understand her need for space or to think. Not when I’m fully committed to having her as mine. One minute I can have her blissed out from a hot as fuck orgasm and the next she’s making an excuse not to touch me. Not that I let her get far. My obsession with having her next to me, feeling her soft skin, hearing her voice, being in her presence has hit a level of possessiveness even I didn’t know I had.

I can tell her mind isn’t as conflicted as she thinks it is. I see the way her body relaxes when I reach for her hand. The way her eyes soften when I kiss her. Even when I show up at her door with snacks or her favorite lavender coffee her face lights up, and she lets me hold her anyway I want to. It’s only when we’re surrounded by people that her defenses go up. Or when I push too much about plans or going out together. I feel like I’m her dirty secret she’s hiding. I hate it. I want to take away all our roadblocks and have it just be her and me. If I could just keep all her attention, all her focus, then I probably wouldn’t fantasize about tying her up in my room and keeping her there forever. Riley is the one with the power to destroy me, and I don’t think even she knows it.

She wanted time tonight to study, claims she needs to keep up with her classes. Her worrying makes me internally roll my eyes. Riley is smart, I know she studies, but school has always been easier for her. She’s always kept up with me in grades and finals scores. I know she’s using it as an excuse for space, and tonight she isn’t getting it. I need her.

When I reach her door, it’s late; the majority of the dorms are quiet except for a few groups of people I can hear laughing or listening to music behind their doors. I knock on her door and hear her shuffle over. It takes another second for her to open the door and I try not to smirk at the look on her face when it does finally open. Surprise and weariness cross her features.

“Hey, babe.” I kiss her forehead and invite myself in, forcing her to accept me in her space. Riley quietly closes the door and I reach over and lock it for good measure.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, her eyes doing the doe-eyed soft thing even while her voice sounds accusing.

I reach for her, tired of the space between us. My arms wrap around her shoulders and I lay my head on hers, needing to feel her, hold her again. “You said you needed time to study, so I’m here to help you study.”

She scoffs and pulls away. “That wasn’t me inviting you here, Reign.”

I shrug. “I can use the extra study time.”

“Reign.” She tries to move out of my grasp.

My hands grip her face, sliding until I’m cradling her head in my hands. I bring my face down to hers, my lips barely brushing hers. “I needed to see you, Riles. You can still study.”

Her eyes search mine and I see the moment she gives in, deciding she wants me with her too. “Fine, but no touching until I’m done with my notes.”

A chuckle escapes my lips. “No promises. I like the book nerd look you have going on.”

My eyes rake over her leggings that are tucked into fuzzy rainbow-colored socks, and the Saints’ hoodie that I know is mine because it’s baggy on her frame. Her hair is pulled back with a pencil, and colorful post-it notes decorate one of her sleeves. Like she was making a timeline of events and putting them on her arm. It’s fucking adorable.

“There’s drinks in the fridge if you want one,” she says over her shoulder before walking away into the living room.

I quickly grab a sports drink from her fridge and join her, my eyes skating over the open books and her notebooks. Sitting on the edge of the couch, I open my own backpack and take out my laptop. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to study; I’m just hoping to also study her anatomy later.

Once my laptop is open and I’ve started skimming over my own notes, I realize that she physically relaxes. Her shoulders drop and she sighs; the tapping of her pencil also ceases. I wish I knew what was bothering her so I could tackle the issue and make it disappear. I don’t like the jumpiness in her demeanor around me. It’s only been worse since the night at the diner when I subtly claimed her in front of most of my teammates. Did she not like it? Does she not want to be claimed by me? Too fucking bad if that’s the case. There is no way I’m letting Riley go.

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