FAKE DATE WITH THE HOCKEY CHAMPION

ELIJAH’S POV

Was she really going to run off and get into another man’s car? She had the boldness to even give a wave before running to him.

My cheeks turned red. My fists clenched . I could feel my heart pounding as I watched her run to him.

A sinister smile escaped the side of his lips—I saw it. He was mocking me.

I told myself I didn’t care what happened between them, but my stomach turned,because she disrespected me. I was a year older. She had no right to leave with him. She knew how much I didn’t want him around her. Well, she would have to continue with him now, because I had decided she was never going to ride with me again. Ever!

I stood right there, watching him reverse his car out of the curb, and secretly wished it would drive straight into the oak tree sitting at the center of the front yard.

They drove off and left me a honk in the distance, which made my stomach turn even more.

A call came into my phone. It was Cathy, nagging about me being late. I dashed into my car and hit the road to her suite.

“Connor really did that?”

Cathy laughed. I had told her about what happened with Connor and Anna.

“Why are you bothered about her? Just let her enjoy it while it lasts. We’ll have the last laugh,” she said, stretching her beautiful legs on my dashboard. Those legs were so perfect. Straight and toned, without hairs on them, beautiful to the eyes—I could eat them for dinner.

That was exactly what I needed to worry about. Not some weird-looking girl who eats like a sloth and jumps into random cars whenever she gets the chance.

My face tightened at the thought of her kinky laughter. My dad insisted I protect her, but how was I supposed to do that when she was all over Connor? I hissed.

Today was practice. I couldn’t wait to play dirty, ring one off his face, and tell Coach Hendricks, “I lost control—the puck rode up my stick and hit him in the cage.” It was my favorite line in the books.

Then I quickly recalled: practice was rescheduled for Saturday. The school project was still on. Everyone had been paired with someone. Connor and Anna were teammates. They met at the library after school every Friday.

I don’t know how I remember that, but I hate it—the fact that I remember relevant information about them.

Maybe they spent so much time together that they began dating behind my back.

My thoughts hovered. Cathy could notice the concern on my face and tried to make me feel better.

She was busy having her makeup done. I could only admire her beauty while I drove.

The way her full lips curved outwardly, her perfectly straight nose shaped like a chisel, her doe sized eyes, and clustered curly eyelashes.

We arrived on campus early enough for my first class, HIST 101. I hated Professor Benson, but I had to be there—and early. The last thing I wanted was to be dragged out of class and humiliated like others who slept during lectures.

Cathy gave me a wet kiss as she left for her classes.Her hands placed on my chin, pulling me in.She didn’t have History as a major like the rest of us.

I looked around, hoping to find Connor’s car parked somewhere. I’d park right next to him—he hated it, and I loved it.

His car was missing from its usual spot, the spot he’d earned from the parking police. I rolled my ears. I needed to know that my stepsister was well—for Penny’s sake.

She had run off so quickly into a stranger’s car without looking back. She deserved whatever she got.

I walked halfway down the hallway when I was called back by the sound of chattering and screaming.

I didn’t look back, I continued my eyes unwavering. I moved further, but then I heard someone say, “They’re so perfect together.”

My heart raced. I could hear my heartbeat—loud and unsettling. I had a familiar metallic taste in my mouth. I recognized that taste.

I walked back with a unsettling feeling in my chest, to the open field, my backpack weighed down by my laptop and notebook.

My face burned with a scorch. There they were, alighting from his car—her hand in his, taking pretty steps.

My breath came sharp, uneven I forced it slower. I knew he was going to break her heart and make her miserable. He’d make her feel small, he made everyone feel small eventually.

Those dumb freshmen kept drooling over them like some high school prom queen and king. Ridiculous!

I walked away, my teeth gnashing. I finally recognized that metallic taste. It was the same taste I had in my mouth the other day when I threw her out of my car near the bus station—when she wouldn’t stop laughing like a hyena. I hated the sound of that laughter.

I didn’t care what would happen to her. She was close enough—she could have taken the bus for all I cared.

I only felt guilty when I heard that Connor had picked her up and gotten her home.

“Typical playboy. Always trying to antagonize me.”