Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

F ake It Till You Make It

Charlotte

My life is screwed five ways to Sunday. Raph cheats on me. I hook up with a guy who I am forbidden to be in a relationship with. Well, it’s not that I am in a relationship with Finn but I had relations with him which is a mega no-no in the fraternization handbook. Would it count if I said I didn’t know I was going to be working for the hockey team? I mean, seriously, I asked the guy if he was an athlete and he lied. What a complete jerk. I’m so sick of liars.

If those bad things weren’t enough, Ruby has decided we should stay in the hockey house with her brother because it is clean, spacious, and has AC. If it wasn’t hotter than Satan’s oven outside, I would argue, but I went over to Adler Hall because I wanted to check it out to see if all the horror stories were true. A cleaning crew was inside cleaning and moving beds. A lot of the people from my building were there trying to make alternative arrangements and everyone was dripping sweat. The place was old and musty, and just flat-out gross, which meant I was hot out of options. Some of the girls were arranging to share Airbnbs close to campus, but with my budget that wasn’t an option.

By four in the afternoon I am lined up for practice. It is one thing to have a practice outside in this heat knowing you can have a nice shower and stay in an air-conditioned place after.

“I heard some of the cleaning crew talking and it could take a month at minimum for them to fix Campbell Hall,” I say, referring to our building.

“So, we’ll stay with Hayden.” Ruby shrugs like it’s no big deal and for her it isn’t, they are family.

“I can’t do that Rubes. I’m working with those guys. I’ll need to suck it up and stay in Adler Hall,” I say, knowing my alternative is asking for trouble.

“Are you effing crazy?” she whisper-shouts. “There’s no AC.”

“It’s not just the AC anymore, Ruby. I work with those guys. I can’t move in with them,” I say. I want to tell her about my night with Finn but now isn’t the time. If someone overheard, I would be screwed. I have friends on the track team, but I also know how girls on this campus can be when it comes to players. Probably why I’ve always steered clear of that type. Finn lied about being a jock but I believed him because he didn’t fit the typical stereotype.

“Don’t worry, Hayden always warns his friends to stay away from me. They know we need to have boundaries. They’re nice guys, honestly,” Ruby tries to convince. It’s kind of working.

“We’ll see,” I say, knowing my friend and this is something she won’t relent on.

Coach blows her whistle and we start our run. Once I begin running, my mind clears. It’s the reason I started to run in the first place. Mom took off when I was little and it was just Dad and I. When I started high school, Dad lost his job and things became tight. Dad became depressed. It was hard to watch and so I would leave the house and go running. When I ran, my mind cleared and my body felt strong. I had no intention of getting a scholarship. I thought college would only be a dream, but when my high school coaches caught on to my speed, they helped me get recruited, and here I am. Growing up, there were times when we didn’t have money to pay our electric bills, so who am I to complain about AC? Only I have become slightly spoiled since attending Riverside U. It’s an elite college.

After our long run we do some drills. Then we are given strengthening exercises.

By the time practice is over, Ruby and I are dripping wet and in need of a shower. We head into the sports complex to change.

“I should ask Professor Burton’s assistant if he thinks it’s okay to stay in the hockey house, given my placement. I’m not looking for trouble,” I say to Ruby as we both get our showering supplies out of our lockers.

“Shoot him a message now. What if he doesn’t get back to you today? Where are you going to sleep tonight? Adler Hall isn’t ready for move in. Did you not get the email from the University? They said it will take two to three days at least and to find a friend to crash with,” Ruby says.

“What if someone can’t find a place?” I ask, frowning because I know there are some girls in our dorms who like to keep to themselves.

“The email said to reach out to your RA. Every residence has a few vacant rooms,” she relays.

“I should reach out to our RA then.”

“No way,” Ruby protests. “We stick together.”

It’s been our motto since Ruby started at Riverside U. Before she arrived, I had made friends but they weren’t good friends and I barely hang out with them. I spent my first year training hard and focusing on school. Ruby and I were both here on scholarship, so we didn’t have the same background as most people here, since it is an expensive private university. It meant we bonded off the bat and had each other’s backs. When Hayden arrived a year after Ruby, he made a point to always watch out for her, even though she is the older sister. Before Hayden arrived, their friend, Macklin, always kept tabs on Ruby and he would report to her brother, which annoyed the hell out of her. I never joined Ruby when she met up with Macklin or Hayden. Dad always told me to stay away from athletes and I listened, which is ironic because he played D1 basketball in college. He got injured second year and dropped out. It made me wonder if him being a jock is what drove Mom away, but all I knew was she wasn’t cut out for motherhood.

Before taking a shower, I shoot Ryan an email describing my living situation and seeing if there is a conflict of interest with me staying with Ruby, her brother, and five other hockey players. I place my cell in my locker and take a shower. I’m dying to tell Ruby about my night with Finn, but I need to stay quiet until I know we are really alone.

After washing and conditioning my hair, I shave my legs and pits and wrap a towel around me. Some of the girls are talking about where they will be sleeping tonight since they were in Campbell Hall with us.

I get dressed in a pair of leggings and a cropped tank top. I slip on a pair of slides and brush out my hair, putting it up in a little bun.

By the time I am dressed, Ruby is too.

“So did he answer you?” she asks, and I know she’s referring to Ryan.

I check my university email.

He did get back to me.

Dear Ms. Morgan,

I have run your question by Professor Burton. She said given the extenuating circumstances with Campbell Hall flooding, she does not see a conflict of interest if that is the only place you have to live for now. She did ask that you behave according to the internship code of conduct.

Good luck!

Best,

Ryan Wang, PhD Candidate

Riverside U Communications Department.

“Well?” Ruby’s voice pulls me from reading the message a second time. “Why are you frowning? Are those bozos not letting you stay there because where exactly do they expect you to sleep?” Her arms are crossed in front of her chest.

“No, they said it would be fine to stay in the hockey house because of the extenuating circumstances,” I explain.

“I’m confused,” she says. “Why are you frowning?”

I shrug. “It’s nothing. Come, let’s go. I’m starving. We should probably grab something to eat in the student center, since I don’t feel comfortable eating the guys’ food in the hockey house,” I say.

“Good call. Maybe we should pick up some groceries after we eat,” she suggests.

“It’s a plan.” I nod. We head over to the student center, and I get a large chicken salad with a piece of garlic bread. Ruby orders the same meal. We sit off to the side in a corner.

“What happened with Raph? I’ve been thinking about you all day.” Ruby sighs, giving me a pouty look.

I tell her the whole story, not leaving out any details, including the part where he was in bed with two girls. Now that I am not in a state of shock, it doesn’t hurt as bad as last night, which should tell me something about my feelings for him in the first place.

“Wait, so if you weren’t on the beach with Raph, then who were you with?” Ruby’s brows furrow as she watches me with confusion.

“That’s a complex question.” I stare at my unpainted nails. Last night was very out of character for me, but then I don’t always catch a boyfriend balls deep in two girls.

“What’s complex about it?” She tilts her head to the side, assessing me.

“Well, I didn’t know who the guy was and now that I do. . .”

“Holy shit, who is it? Say it now.” She is bouncing in her chair.

“You need to keep quiet,” I whisper, looking from side to side, checking our surroundings to make sure no one can hear. “This whole situation is a complete clusterfuck. After I saw the video, I ran out of class and I bumped into this hot mystery guy who came to my rescue,” I begin.

“Is it a professor? How mysterious was this guy?” She leans her elbows on the table, settling her chin on the palm of her hand. She is too invested in my life. I love her, but right now, I wish she didn’t care.

“I didn’t know who he was, Ruby, I swear, and I was supposed to be interning for the basketball team not the hockey team,” I remind. “I also had no clue he was a hockey player because he lied about being an athlete.”

“Gah, just say it,” she shrieks.

“Keep it down. This is serious,” I urge.

“You hooked up with someone on the hockey team? I feel like I don’t know you,” she deadpans.

I don’t know myself. “The whole situation was out of some bad cheating movie. I don’t know any of the hockey players. You know me. I’m all about basketball.”

“Who is it?” she asks, her whole body vibrating with excitement.

“Would you chill?” I look around, paranoid someone will hear us.

“Spill it, woman,” she insists.

“Rubes, it was a one-time thing. He came to my rescue, and he was very hot. I was really upset last night. He promised to help me forget and . . .” I am repeating myself, unable to say his name because it seems unbelievable to myself that I hooked up with a stranger.

“Fuck, Charlie, tell me who it is already. Was it Macklin?” she asks, looking slightly alarmed. I’ve asked her what the story is with her and Macklin, but she’s always just said he’s best friends with Hayden and that’s all. The three of them grew up together and he’s an old friend.

I shake my head. “It was Finn Heaton.” I wince. “But I really didn’t know who he was.”

“As in the captain?” she splutters.

“Stop looking at me like that.” I swat at her arm playfully. “I don’t know, my head was spinning and it was hella confusing.”

“OMFG,” she guffaws. “You know he’s a big prick. I mean, he just hooks up with girls and doesn’t speak to them after. Everyone knows it.”

“Except for me. We had a weird night and we confided in each other. He gave me multiple orgasms,” I admit, unable to look her in the eyes.

“You had sex with him?”

“Ruby, your eyes are bugging out again. No, I did not have sex with him,” I confirm. “We did other things,” I mutter, since I am not very good at speaking about my sexual encounters.

“I’m so jealous.” She waves her hand in her face. “Even though Raphael was a big asshole.”

“I don’t want to hear I told you sos,” I tell her. Raph and Ruby never got along. He never tried to befriend her and something about him rubbed her the wrong way. It probably should have been warning number one.

“Sorry.” She winces.

“It’s fine. I was torn up when I saw the video. I just felt so duped. I’m na?ve and stupid.”

“Don’t.” She leans over and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “You’re smart and beautiful. He was a cheater. They do a good job of covering their tracks.”

“A damn good job. Holy shit, when I think of how many girls he must have slept with when we were together. . .” A shiver runs down my spine.

“Sorry you had to go through any of it.” Ruby pushes out her lower lip.

“Please don’t tell anyone about Finn. Briar can’t know either, not even Hayden,” I tell her.

“Don’t worry, you know your secret is safe with me, but it’s going to be hella awkward for you staying with him now,” she informs.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. This morning, at practice, I could barely look him in the eyes without remembering how good last night was. . .” I still feel a clench between my thighs when I think of our hot make-out session. But Finn is a jerk. I see that now.

“Wow, that good, huh?” she sighs, watching me dreamily.

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I’m a professional, and you know I need to do a kick-ass job so I find employment for next year,” I remind.

“You’ll be fine. Finn is not the type of guy to want a second round anyway. I bet he’ll be locked in his room reading a book. That’s just how he is,” she explains.

“I can’t believe you know so much about the hockey team and I know nothing. I need to go and review all their social accounts and come up with a plan for tomorrow. I’m low key freaking out. I can’t screw this up.”

“You’ll be fine,” she assures. “You’re kickass at all the social sites.”

“Yeah, maybe I can do a live or something about them getting ready for morning practice. The lives always do well.”

“See, you’ll be just fine,” she assures. “Now, let’s get out of here. We need to get settled in. We’re staying in Shane’s old room. There’s a double bed we are sharing.” She raises and lowers her brows.

“Is it bad I don’t know who Shane is?” I ask.

“He drafted to the NHL early, how do you not know who Shane Stalkhouse is?” She shakes her head.

“I’m not into hockey.” I wince.

“Shane is mega hot. Every girl on campus knows who he is,” she states.

“Except me,” I deadpan, giving her a small smile.

“Right, well, now you work for the team and live with the team so you’ll get to know everyone soon enough, and you’ll need to learn to love hockey.”

“That’s going to be hard but I can fake it till I make it.” I shrug.

“Now you’re talking,” Ruby cheers.

We clean up our food trays and head over to the supermarket to pick up basic groceries to make meals for the week, then we head to the hockey house. My stomach is turning at the thought of living with Finn. How will I not think of his glorious dick?

I guess my new motto has to apply to every aspect of my life, which means I fake it till I make it needs to apply to my living arrangements too.