Chapter Two

"T hanks for going with me tonight. I had a great time," I tell Peyton as she gets ready for work.

She took a job at a local restaurant as a server. She's here on scholarship, which pays her tuition, books, room, and meal plan, but she wanted a little extra spending money. She's a foster kid who's aged out. I could never imagine being in that position. Honestly, I considered going with her to apply, but I really don't like being in crowded places.

Yet, Kellan will be here any minute to pick me up for a party. How he managed to rope me into it is a mystery. We were walking home from the rink, then all of a sudden, I had a text from him giving me a time and telling me to dress appropriately.

"Thank you for inviting me. I can see the hype now. Are you going to be okay going to this party without me?"

I watch as she puts her earrings in. "I'll be fine. Kellan will be there."

She turns, pushing her lips together. "That boy is so far up his own ass that I don't trust him with you. You remember the rules?"

I roll my eyes. "No drinking anything I didn't pour myself. If my eyes leave my drink, I toss it. Guys are dogs, so stay public. Take my mace. Call you if it's an emergency."

She smiles at me. "That's right. I have a short shift tonight. Only until ten or so, probably. It's always dead after a game."

"You can come join me if I'm still there."

She smirks. "I bet you're in bed before I get home."

She's not wrong. I hate parties. I hate people. Peyton calls me her little hermit because I'd prefer to stay in our room than do anything.

It's how I've always been. At least when I'm by myself, but Kellan always manages to pull me out of the house.

"All right, I've got to go," Peyton says.

"I'll walk down with you. Kellan should be here any second."

I follow her out, eyeing my jeans and T-shirt. Hopefully, this is good enough. I refuse to change who I am to fit in. I like myself just fine.

At the door, I smile when I see Kellan already waiting. Only I frown when I see who is standing next to him.

It's his new girlfriend, Monica. I thought this was a friend hang, but it seems I might be the third wheel. I want to turn around and go back inside, but that wouldn't do anything. Kellan would just come get me. If I tell him I'm upset about her, then he will make her leave, which will just cause more issues for me.

I force a smile as Peyton continues to walk beside me.

"You sure you're okay?" she whispers.

"I'll be fine."

Peyton stops in front of Kellan as Monica gives me a forced smile of her own.

"You better not ditch my girl tonight. If I find out you did, I will cut your balls off," Peyton says with a bright smile on her face.

Kellan only laughs. "She's my best friend. I've been taking care of her longer than you've known her."

Peyton only snorts before turning to me. "Call me if you need me."

She knows the truth. It wouldn't be the first time Kellan ditched me at a party. It's not his fault, though. He just knows so many people that I tend to fade into the background. I already have my book in my bag. I can find a quiet place to read, I'm sure. Even if it's outside.

"You ready Gracie Bear?" Kellan asks.

I don't miss the slight sneer on Monica's face before she forces another smile. She's going to be one of them. The girls who hate me because of my friendship with Kellan. They have no idea that it's not like that with him. It likely never will be, no matter how much I wish otherwise.

"Of course, Kell Bell. Let's go."

Monica wraps her arm around Kellan's as he wraps his other arm around my shoulder to get us walking. I let him keep it there for a moment before I step away a little, pretending to adjust my purse. He doesn't say anything as he lets his arm drop.

Monica is on his other side, talking a mile a minute to him. He's nodding and making noise at the appropriate time, but it makes me wish she wasn't here. That we had shown up to the party alone or not even gone to a party at all.

High school was much simpler. There were many times it would just be me and Kellan doing something around town. Even with how popular he was, he still made time for me.

The same can't be said here. He came up to school before me and made a whole group of friends. Obviously, he was even able to manage a girlfriend. Meanwhile, I've only made one friend, and she was assigned to me by the school. It's really quite sad.

"Anyway, Rebecca said that she saw Josie cozy up to Clayton after the game tonight, but he ditched her. Said some really mean things before he told her to leave him alone. She's been sleeping with him for like a month. What an asshole," Monica drawls on.

"That's my captain, babe. Can we not call him an asshole?" Kellan asks nervously.

Monica scoffs before giving him a small smile. "Sorry, honey. He just makes me so mad. That's the third friend of mine he's done that to. He's such a player."

I roll my eyes. Obviously, he's a player, yet her friends keep messing with him. It's their own fault, if you ask me. You can't approach a lion and not expect him to eat you. That's not how nature works.

We finally get to the hockey house. At least, that's what they call it. Four of the hockey players live here together. Every year, it changes. It's always the captain and his three closest friends. This year, the coach has taken his time announcing the captain, according to Kellan, so they just went with who they thought it would be.

I know Kellan has to be bummed, though. He told me how, over the summer at training camp, he tried to get closer with some of the older guys. They all held him at arm's length. Especially Clayton James. He's Kellan's hero at this point. He would have died if he had been chosen to live here.

"Who lives here again?" I ask Kellan.

Monica rolls her eyes, kissing Kellan's cheek.

"I'm going to find Rebecca and Josie. Come find me when you're done?" She gives me a pointed look.

"Of course," he tells her, smacking her ass as she goes.

She giggles, looking back before she heads through the front door.

"She seems nice," I say sarcastically.

"She's not that bad. She has some insecurities. We are working on them."

I bite my tongue. Girl isn't working through shit. She's using him. I don't bother telling him that, though. I learned my lesson there. They all run their course sooner or later.

"I see. So the house?"

He smiles. "I forgot we haven't really talked much. So, Clayton was named team captain tonight. We already thought he would be, so he moved into the master bedroom last weekend. Brett Woods and Beckett Hayes moved in with him as well. They are all close since they joined the team at the same time. I have no clue why he chose Wyatt Scott as the fourth member. He's a freshman like me. He doesn't even really talk. I would kill to be in his room." He sighs.

I pat his shoulder. "It will happen in time. You'll have the captaincy in no time."

While I know it's not logical for him to make captain his freshman year, I can't help but try and soothe his ruffled feathers. Sometimes Kellan forgets that he's not the only star on the ice and that everything isn't about him.

He pulls me in for a hug, kissing the top of my head. "Thanks, Grace. I know I will. I'm determined to prove to Coach I deserve it next year. Clayton is likely declaring for the draft this summer, so it will leave the spot open for me. I just need to grind until it happens."

"That's right. Keep your head down and put in the work like you always do."

He beams at me, making me smile.

"You ready for this party?"

I look back up at the house. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"To another national title puck!" I call out as each of us takes a shot.

The smile on my face has been there ever since Coach announced my captaincy after the game.

This year is my year. I've been on the team since my freshman year, but I had to wait until my sophomore year to actually start. I didn't mind, though. The men who came before me deserved their time in the spotlight. There's enough room for us all. At least, that's what my high school coach always preached. Coach Brennan was my mentor. He was almost like a father to me, and his lessons have lived inside of me since he taught them to me.

Still, I had to wait until my junior year to be named captain. Now that I'm here, I can't wait to show these guys what kind of leader I can be.

Tonight is our last night of drinking. We won our preseason game today, but starting in two weeks, we will be in the regular season. I normally refrain from all alcohol at all times, but one shot won't kill me. The guys deserve to have the celebration tonight because, starting tomorrow, it's all work and no play.

My phone dings in my hand as the guys all chat. Glancing down, I see it's from Coach.

Coach: Come see me in the morning.

It could be anything, but I feel a little bit like I'm being called into the principal's office. I hope he doesn't know about tonight. Drinking isn't condoned by Coach Miller, but I just got my captaincy. I don't want to lose it so soon.

The music gets louder as the guys all start to move out back. I consider going with them, but I'm not feeling it now. The weight that sits inside my chest makes me want to go up to my room and sleep off the night.

I feel responsible to make all my dreams come true. Not for me, though. For my mom and sister. Cora sacrificed a lot in order for me to pursue my dream of hockey. Mom worked two jobs year-round, picking up seasonal work when she could in order to afford all the fees and equipment. It left little for Cora. She claims she doesn't care, but that's my sister for you. She loves so deeply. She would give you the last breath in her lungs if it meant you would live.

I can't let them down.

The one shot of alcohol in my stomach churns at the thought. I can't let them down. Cora is hoping for a scholarship here next year. She really wants to come here with me, but I know she will go with whoever offers her a spot. I'm hoping to keep my stock up high here. If she can keep her grades up, then having my star power behind her name will make her a shoo-in for a scholarship here.

I look outside for a moment before my decision is made.

I can party when I have a contract with the PHL. Until then, my only focus needs to be on hockey.

I go to move toward the living room, but bump into someone instead.

"Watch out," the guy starts, but then his eyes widen when he sees who I am. "My bad, Cap. I didn't see you there."

Kellan Cooper.

He played well tonight. I was proud of him, but then he goes and acts the way he is now. It's concerning.

He has this cockiness about him I don't like. I think years of being the best in his little high school have gone to his head. Sure, he's a good player, but so are all the other guys on the team. If they weren't, they wouldn't be here. The problem is that Kellan has been a big fish in a small pond for too long. If he doesn't check his attitude, he's going to find the ocean isn't a place for fish who don't realize they aren't the only fish in the sea anymore.

"Don't talk that way to people. You represent the Wolves now. Even if someone bumped into you, you act with respect and integrity," I say through clenched teeth.

He holds his hands up. "You're right. That was my bad. I'm sorry."

He does look remorseful, and I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time with this kid. He's going to be gunning for my spot. I can see the look in his eye. He respects me, but he also wants to be me. What he hasn't figured out yet is that it won't just be handed to you because you're good on the ice. You have to be a team player, and as far as I can see, he isn't one. I hope this doesn't become an issue.

"Don't drink too much. We have seven a.m. practice at the rink. Don't be late, otherwise you'll be doing a hundred extra suicides."

His face loses all color as he nods. "Yeah. No drinking. Got it."

As he runs off, I wipe my hand down my face. I've lost all temptation to stay and party.

I move back toward the living room, peeling off the hands that touch me as I move through the house. Some are men patting me on the shoulder for a good game, but most of them are puck bunnies. The women who only want in your bed for the evening so they can say one day that they fucked an infamous Wolf. Either that, or they want to sink their claws in so that you take them to the pros with you. Either way, I don't have time for either. Never have.

Truth is, everyone thinks I'm this big player, but I'm not. I'd rather focus on my career than worry about what girl thinks she can climb into my bed. I don't want to be entrapped by a woman with only one goal.

So leaving them all behind, I head up the stairs to my room, only to find a girl camped right outside my door. I really didn't want to deal with this tonight.

"No guests upstairs." I tell her, crossing my arms.

She looks up, startled. "I'm sorry?" Her voice is soft. Sweet even.

"All the party guests need to stay downstairs. It's the rules."

At least that's what I told the guys when I got home. This is our space. I don't want a bunch of people up here.

She closes her book before standing. The girl is tiny. She has to be a good foot shorter than me at least. At six-one, I'm not the tallest guy, but I have height on me. The girl barely comes up to my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize. I can go." She goes to move past me, but I reach out instead, stopping her.

I don't know why I do.

Something about her is different from the others. Any other girl would be all over me, but she truly seems like she's planning to leave. I'm not sure what to think of that.

"What are you doing up here outside my door anyway?"

She looks up at me, her eyes wide. Her glasses almost make her brown eyes seem bigger. Shinier. It's actually kinda cute on her. My eyes continue to take her in. She's not wearing the skimpy dresses most girls wear. This girl is in a pair of jeans and a Walker Wolves T-shirt. Her brown hair is pulled back in a messy bun. Hell, she's not even wearing any makeup.

"My friend went off to find drinks, but he didn't come back right away, so I was just looking for somewhere quiet to read. This is more his scene than mine. I didn't realize it was your door. I'll leave now, though. Sorry to have bothered you."

She knows someone here? They left her by herself?

I frown. "You need better friends. Parties like this are dangerous for anyone to be at by themselves. Do you want me to help you find your friend?"

She shakes her head no. "He won't want to leave anytime soon. I should probably just head home."

That only makes me angrier. "Let me walk you out."

Little lines form between her eyebrows. "I don't need your help. I can make it home by myself."

"You probably can, but you shouldn't walk to your car by yourself. It's dark. There's idiots out there."

"Oh, I don't have a car. I'm a freshman, and we aren't allowed one on campus. My dorm isn't far."

A picture of Cora walking across campus flies through my head. I cannot let this girl walk by herself, but even with only one shot, I don't want to chance driving. I rub my brows.

"I insist you let me walk you home."

"I'm not some easy lay. I'm not sure I feel safe with you knowing where I live," she sasses, making me grin.

She seemed so demure there for a minute. Now I see a bit of fire in her. Good. She's going to need it to survive in a college like this.

"If I was offering to fuck you, my room is right there, Shorty. I only want to make sure you get home safely. If my little sister were at a party alone, I would want someone to make sure she got home safe."

"You have a sister?" She quirks her eyebrow.

"I do. Her name is Cora." I pull out my phone and show her the picture. "Would you like me to call her?"

She bites her lip a moment before shaking her head. "It's okay. I really can get home by myself."

"Or I could walk you," I counter.

Her phone rings then. She smiles before answering it.

"Peyton, I thought you had to work tonight. Oh? Yeah, can you come pick me up? I'm at the hockey house." She rolls her eyes as she looks at me. "Yeah, Clayton James is here, but I really don't see what you see in the guy. He's quite an ass, really."

I snort at her audacity. She can be feisty when she wants to be.

"Yeah. I'll be outside waiting." She hangs up, smiling at me.

"Crisis averted. My roommate is coming to get me. Would you like to wait outside with me as well, Casanova?" Her tone is full of sarcasm.

I ignore it, turning to head down the stairs. "Don't mind if I do, Shorty."

I hear her sigh, but she follows me down the stairs.

Once the front door closes behind us, the noise is cut in half. It's nice, actually.

"Why do you insist on pretending to be the good guy?"

I swallow hard. "Why do you assume I'm not? What makes you so sure I'm the villain?"

It's something that has always bothered me. When you excel at something, people who have never even met you make assumptions about you. They think that they know you based on one interaction with you.

This girl? She's never even met me, and she thinks she knows who I am. She knows what others say about me, but not one of them actually takes the time to get to know me. The only people who really know me are the few guys on the team I trust and my family.

"Oh, I don't know. Rumor has it, you're nothing but a player. That you let your hockey fame score you chicks, but you never stick with one."

I snort, shaking my head. "Rumor has it, huh? Have you ever considered that rumors are just lies? Has anyone ever even seen me with a girl? Like not just a girl coming up to me, but actually kissing or touching a girl willingly?"

She blushes. "Are you not into girls then?"

I can feel my own cheeks heat. "I didn't say that."

"Not that there's anything wrong with it," she rushes out.

God, this chick thinks I'm into dudes now.

"There isn't anything wrong with it, but that's not what I said. I like women. It is my preferred gender, but have you or really anyone else ever seen me do anything to make these rumors you hear appear to be true?" I ask as I squeeze the back of my neck.

She thinks about it for a moment, looking embarrassed. "No."

My shoulders drop in relief as I sigh. "Exactly." I don't know what it is about this girl or if it's just me tonight, but I elaborate. "I gave up a long time ago trying to get people to see me for who I really am. Everyone thinks they know me because my face is on the television or on billboards around the school, but they don't. They know what they have read or heard about me, and it's not my responsibility to change their opinions of me."

I look out over the street, wishing her friend would show up. I'm regretting being a gentleman right now.

"You're right. That wasn't fair of me. I don't know you. It wasn't just your reputation, though. I've spent a lot of time around hockey players, and well, I don't have time for all the games the ones I knew played. You might be different, or maybe you're bullshitting me right now, but you don't deserve to be judged based on others' opinions of you. Thank you for reminding me that you can't judge a book by its cover."

Right then, as she finishes talking, a car pulls up. She waves before turning to me. "Thank you for waiting with me. I'm sorry if I offended you."

I shrug. "You didn't. See, Shorty, you have to care about someone's opinion for them to offend you. That's not me being mean, I just don't know you enough to care what you think of me. Only those who I care about can hurt me."

Then I wink before heading back inside.

Bypassing the party, I head right up to my room, locking the door behind me.

As I'm putting my noise-canceling headphones on, I think about the girl once more.

I lied to her.

I did care what she thought of me in that moment, but I haven't the faintest clue as to why.