Page 42 of Rivals

“You deserve to be here, Riley. You always have. If I hadn’t been an idiot way back then, you would have always been here.”

I cannot stop my eyes from rolling. “Every time you bring up when we used to be friends, it never looks good for you.”

He freaking laughs. “It’s just a part of our history. I can’t change it.”

“I still could have played for the Pirates this season. As much as this is appreciated, I had a good thing going there too,” I remind him.

Reign snorts. “Like what? Team captain of a team least likely to win states or to get college recruits at?”

I glare at him and he holds up his hands defensively. “I’m being honest, Riley. I know you hate to hear it or that it sucks to hear about your old team that way, but it’s the hard truth. Certain schools bring crowds and recruits. Your best chance to be seen or to be scouted is here. I am sorry you lost your captain badge. That is the only thing myself or your dad feels bad about. It doesn’t make you less of a rock star player though, babe.”

His words do sting. They dig under my skin and filet open the softest parts. Maybe colleges wouldn’t be looking at the Pirates, but it was my team. It was mine. It was what I sunk all my loneliness and energy in so I didn’t think about the past or my next challenge with the boy who stole my heart then smashed it all over the ice.

“You’ll never understand.”

Reign sighs, and his hands massage my shoulders. “I won’t. I’m not you, I don’t have the attachment. I’m sorry it hurts you though. I will never again sit by and not see you get the best things you deserve.”

Anger twists with the resentment and the loss in my heart. I want to scream, cry, stomp my feet, but it won’t matter. My old team is playing without me, and I’m here. Fighting for a future my dad and Reign can see for me; yet, it still looks hazy to me and so far out of reach. I’m not in my comfort zone and in all honesty, I’m scared to take on this role and fully commit to being a Saint.

I shrug out of Reign’s arms and watch his lips turn into a frown. I don’t want him to be sad. I don’t know how to be happy in this scenario. Not when I blame him so much for putting me in this position. “I’m leaving. Good luck tonight.” I duck out of his grip and walk over to the bus, placing my bag and stick under the compartment. I hear Reign yell my name and choose to ignore him. Tugging my hood up over my head, I pop my earpods in and crank up my music. I ignore the glances of the girls around me. I ignore the call and texts from Reign. It’s game time. And I’m determined that I don’t need him in order to prove myself.

The Chesimier Clovers play dirty as hell. The amount of penalties their team has picked up tonight is staggering. There are even some the referees have missed because the call was very close. We’re working our asses off and it still feels like we’re getting crushed at every turn. After the ice was cleared for the third period, we were winning 3-1, and they became even cheaper in their playing.

Sitting on the bench after my shift I quickly spray my face with some water before taking a drink. I’m in pretty good shape and not breathing hard but my muscles are screaming. My legs ache from gliding as fast as I can, and my mind feels slightly defeated, not knowing how else to keep us ahead in the last period. This team is brutal and I’m their main target.

“I’ve never pushed off so many attacks on defense before,” Leah, one of our defensemen, huffs as she sits, spraying water into her open mouth.

Quinn joins us laughing. “They’re playing cheap as fuck and it has nothing to do with being poor losers.”

I glance between them both. “What is it then? Rivalry team?”

Leah blanches and eyes me like I’m not well or something. Quinn just smirks before saying, “She doesn’t get it.”

“Someone should enlighten her. This could be a season-long issue if these bitches think taking her out will win points with him.”

My eyes slide back to Quinn, my brow raised. “Reign?”

“Yup,” Quinn responds, her attitude in full force. “Maddie Howse. Number Thirty-three.”

I find the girl they’re talking about as she talks with her coach on the bench. It’s like she was waiting for me because the minute I glance at her face, her gaze meets mine. She’s pretty. More the type I would think Reign would go for rather than me. Her hair is honey blonde, curly, and her eyes are as blue as his. She lifts her chin, and even from here I can tell she’s wearing makeup that makes her eyelashes look long and full, and I see barely any blemishes. Too bad she has a scowl on her face and if looks could kill…let’s just say, she doesn’t radiate sunshine and cookies. “Let me guess they messed around and she’s holding a torch?”

Leah snorts. “Worse. That is the only girl Reign has ever even remotely been kind of interested in. They dated for what was it?”

“Four days,” Quinn answers for her.

“Yeah, four days. The summer before sophomore year,” Leah finishes her story. “I guess she’s held a torch for him ever since. And now that he’s practically…married.”

“Ah, no.” I shake my head.

Quinn shrugs. “In Reign terms, you might as well be. This is a first and like I told you before, it’s breaking hearts all over the state.”

I shake my head, standing on my skates, and ready for my next shift on the ice. “These girls need their heads checked. No man is worth destroying a season over.”

“Amen.” Leah slaps hands with me. I don’t let myself get too giddy when I realize this is the most comradery that someone on the team has shown me. The girls are nice yes, but it’s a polite nice. A relationship forged because we have a similar goal of having a winning season.

“Just be careful,” Quinn warns me again. “Some of these girls aren’t used to being turned down. And their daddies are richer than god, so things can be hidden.”

A sour feeling hits my stomach, making my jaw locks. Those are the type of girls I like the least and I know this conference of school teams is full of them. While All Saints Academy is right up there as a wealthy school, they aren’t the wealthiest in the state. Just our district.

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