Page 60 of Rivals

She turns in her seat, her bagel with cream cheese still in her hand. “Your dad made the call to the dean. Don’t let him fool you. The interview is set up for Sunday morning before we leave.”

“See.” I glance at my father and gesture to Mom. “Mom gets it. As long as Riley has her interview, I’m ready to do whatever I have to do. They could even make me sign this weekend if they plan to take Riley too.”

“Will you turn them down if she doesn’t take it?” he counters, sitting back in his chair.

My eyes gleam with what I’m sure feels threatening. “She will take it. If they want me, they better be willing to sweeten the deal.”

“I thought you said she could do it on her own, which is why you went the interview route,” he fires back.

“She can. I’m not worried about her impressing the dean or the board. She’s smart and plays hockey like a dream. It’s the scholarship for her that will make the difference.”

“Why don’t you just pay for her?” My father’s voice turns smug.

“She won’t take a hand out from me. She likes to earn things on her own,” I explain, setting my fork down. Riley’s pride is one thing I love about her, but it also causes so many unnecessary issues.

“Well, I think Riley is smart not to just take whatever a man can give her. Doing it this way will make her feel better in the long run,” my mom says with finality and takes a bite of her bagel.

My father looks at her and they have a silent conversation with their eyes before he glances back at me.

“Just make sure she’s ready. Everything else is taken care of.”

I give him a curt nod and drink down my juice before excusing myself from the table. I still have packing to do. Three more days and I’ll have my girl right where I want her, in my life, on our future campus, and hopefully back under me where she belongs.

“You’re kidding, right?” Riley’s dark eyes widen and a dark blush covers her cheeks.

“Nope.” I lean forward and kiss her cheek, handing her the peppermint, white chocolate latte I brought her. “Merry Christmas.”

She rolls her eyes and reluctantly takes the cup, looking at it with question. I know for a fact that her favorite flavor is lavender, except this time of the year, then my girl likes her drink as festive as the season.

“Are you ready?”

“Reign,” she huffs my name and turns to walk inside. I follow her in and lay my hat on the table next to her mittens. The small living room has a tree that is lit up and open boxes underneath. The place is warm and cozy despite the smaller size. Mr. Conrad walks out right then, and his brow rises when he sees me. His sheepish gaze moves to his daughter, quickly assessing the situation.

“Hello, Reign. Sweetie, I’ll just wait outside while you two talk.”

“Dad!” She calls to his retreating back, but he just gives a friendly wave before bolting out the door. “Traitor,” she mutters under her breath and takes a drink of her latte.

“Don’t be mad at him.” I reach out and run her hair through my fingers. She’s wearing it down, slightly curled, and looking effortlessly cute in a pair of jeans and sweater. It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve seen her or touched her last rather than just three days. “He just wants what’s best for you.”

“Going with you to Michigan is not what’s best for me.”

“I beg to differ. It’s good for you to experience new things and make plans for yourself. It just so happens I’m going there. Also, you already promised to go and make sure campus is livable, that the apartment isn’t too far away, and that the ice arena is still one of the best in the nation as far as colleges go,” I remind her.

“That was before. Now you’re just my ex-boyfriend and a stalker,” she argues, her eyes lighting up with a fight.

I smile for the first time in days, my heart hammering in my chest from having her so near. “I’ll admit to the stalker part. You are my favorite person to be around. The ex-boyfriend title does nothing for me. We both know you don’t mean it anyways.”

Riley’s cheeks turn even pinker and she sets the drink down. “You just admitted to stalking me.”

“Why deny it when we both know it.” I shrug. “Are you packed? I told my parents we’d meet them at the airport.”

“Your parents are going?” She glances at the clock and then down at herself.

“Just to Michigan. They have their own plans with some nearby friends from my dad’s college days while we check out the campus.”

Riley looks away and chews on her lip, contemplating everything. I know I’m going to have to work harder though, when the smile fades off her face and the blank expression in her eyes returns. “No. I’m not going to, Reign. This is crazy, we aren’t even together anymore.”

Her last words drive me insane, and before she can run, I’m in front of her and hoisting her body over my shoulder.

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