Chapter 10

Riley

This can't be my life. I swing my eyes around the spacious dorm room. Because yes, All Saints Academy has dorm rooms that are more like apartments, for students who aren't within five miles of the school and therefore can't go home during the school year. I had adamantly refused to take the scholarship when it was presented to me. Like hell would I ever agree to be a Saint and leave my school and my friends. This had Reign written all over it and I knew it was payback for how I played him with the cars. I heard he took the fall for it, not even dropping my name or any of the other public students involvement. He had to sit out his first game too, which made us even, I guess. But this was next level. In the past I had wanted to be at All Saints but that was when I was trying to win back Reign's friendship and he destroyed that. I told the committee to shove the offer up their asses. Then they went behind my back and spoke to my dad instead.

Practice was bearable today and everyone was in mostly a good mood with school starting in a few days. I couldn't wait to get home and share the family BBQ news with my dad. It's his favorite fundraiser we do all year. Rushing inside I sling my bag down only to find my dad hunched over in his rocking chair.

"Dad? Are you okay?"

His deep brown eyes, that match mine, lift and a sad smile pulls his lips. "We need to talk kiddo."

My heart sinks, but I make my way over to him to sit down anyways. "Is it the episodes again?"

He shakes his head, and his eyes cloud like he's failed me or something. "No. I'm okay." He pats my hand with his." We aren't a super touchy family so this feels off.

"Dad, what's happening? Just say it."

He sucks in a breath, and our gazes meet. "Did you get an offer from All Saints and not tell me?"

My heart hammers away in my chest and I think my vision blacks out for a minute. "I did. I told them I didn't need it. I'm happy at Public and my team is going to kick ass this year."

He smiles at me and a small laugh escapes. It doesn't take the torment out of his face though. As if this conversation is the hardest one he's ever had to have. "I know you're happy with your friends and your team. I also know you excelled at Public. But, Riley, a scholarship to All Saints? That could open up a new world of possibilities for you, sweetheart. The courses are designed to help you be more prepared for college. Have you even thought about college? Graduating from there and with your ability on the ice, you could easily secure a spot at a D1 school. I'm not sure how their scholarships or programs go but it could mean a huge change in your life, Riley."

"Dad, I don't need those things–"

"You do, Riley. You were born to be great on the ice. Sure, there is nothing wrong with a community college or tech school or a trade like what I picked up after the military. But you can have so much more. More than what I can give you." He inhales choppily. "They offered you a dorm room. With you staying there, I can also pick up overnights."

Their overnight shifts at the plant are time and a half just like weekends. I know he's silently telling me that if he has the ability to be gone without having to be home for me that he'll have more money. "Are you in trouble?"

He shakes his head. "No, honey. Nothing like that. I just want to give you everything you deserve too. I knew the scholarship might bother you so I offered to clear some of the costs. I want to buy your books and uniform. When you decide which school you want to go to, I want to be able to send you some spending money. This could be a good opportunity for all of us."

My gaze zones out and I try to imagine what Emma and Sam will say. I'm a Pirate, I bleed red and white. Even thinking about trying out for the Saints' hockey team, and wearing their signature black and gold, feels like a betrayal. And playing with Quinn and her minions…no.

"My friends. Hockey. I'm a captain this year, they'll never forgive me."

My dad takes my hand and squeezes it. "They will. And they will love you regardless because you are their best friend. High school is one more year, Riley. You have your whole future to think about. One, two, five years from now, the rivalry between the Saints and the Pirates won't matter anymore. Your career, your goal to play college hockey, that is what matters."

I know he's right. As painful as this is, and to hear it come from the man who knows how much I've been through, he's right. My dad reaches over and wraps his arms around me, just holding me tight. "You've never backed down from a challenge yet. Just think of this as another one. Only you're already winning."

That was two days ago. The board wasn't messing around with getting me set up and enrolled before the first day of school. My dad had been right about Emma and Sam. They hated this for me, but they still loved me. The rest of my old team didn't take it so well. I was now the enemy. I sold out. And I think they enjoyed ripping the captain patch right off my jersey.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I silence it, knowing it's Reign again. He's been after me the past few days, asking me dumb questions about which color bedspread I wanted, or towels or if I wanted a futon or not. I either ignored him or gave him outrageous answers when he gave me options. I was mad at him. I would probably never forgive him for this. Even if I made it to a D1 school and was a starting player, I would probably still carry this grudge against him.

It vibrates again and this time I yank it out of my pocket.

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: How's the dorm? Hurry and change, and I have your schedule for you. We can get coffee on the way.

Fucking rich-kids. I'm not even surprised their school has its own coffee shop. I also hate how my stomach growls thinking about getting a coffee. A lavender latte, my favorite, and maybe a muffin before starting my first day of torture.

ME: Isn't giving you my schedule an invasion of privacy or something?

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: I asked nicely *smirking face emoji*

I scoff and make my way over to the door across the living space to where I'm assuming my bed is. Everything my eyes touch on I realize are things Reign asked me about. And he didn't listen to my comments. Somehow he actually managed to pick out things I like. Until I step into my room and my lungs seize. The whole bedroom is decked out in Saints' gold and black with their emblem. I want to fucking puke. A small scream builds on my lips when I also see the classic school uniform lying in the middle of the queen-sized bed.

ME: You're dead to me.

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: Should have given me a better answer than. I had to improvise. Now hurry your sweetass down here. I'm dying to see the heels.

My hand lifts the lid off the shoe box where a pair of kitten heels are tucked in. Fuck that. I remember reading the school handbook and while the uniform is required, heels are not. Flats, loafers, and nice tennis shoes are acceptable.

ME: *middle finger emoji*

Deciding to fix this monstrosity later, and because I don't actually want to be late on my first day, I quickly throw on the uniform and slide my feet back into my favorite white Adidas. On the way out, I check my hair in the mirror, then grab my backpack and head for the elevators. A bunch of other girls are also leaving their dorms and getting ready to head to class as well. A few of them eye me with hostility and a few look curious. I'm not exactly an unknown to them, given my history with Reign. But I'm sure they also never thought they'd see me here either.

Stepping out of the elevator, I start making my way toward the office, set on getting my own copy of my schedule, when Reign steps right into my path. His icy eyes travel up my legs and over my body to the top of my head. It feels like everyone around us stops, waiting, expecting the usual verbal brawl that happens.

"Damn. I was looking forward to the heels."

I roll my eyes and walk around him. "I don't live to dress for you, Thorn."

My brush off doesn't deter him, and he slides up next to me. "The uniform doesn't really do it for me anyways, babe. I was thinking more about what you have on un–"

I turn to him, jumping on him, his arms instantly moving to catch me, while I cover his mouth with my hand. "Do not finish that sentence."

Reign's eyes blaze cobalt blue and he smiles under my hand. I frown at the change of his demeanor. A few guys whistle as they walk by and there's a combination of scoffs and giggles from the girls. That's what it takes to pull me out of the haze of Reign's body in contact with mine and his scent surrounding me. I realize the spectacle we're making, one of my arms wrapped around his neck, my hand over his mouth, and his arms banded around my waist holding my body off the ground. I wiggle out of his hold and he drops me back to my feet. My cheeks heat. Everyone knows Reign plays hockey and I refuse to be seen as a jersey chaser.

"Don't get shy on me." Reign leans down, keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Fuck what they think. We both know you aren't a jersey chaser."

"Did I—"

"Say that out loud?" Reign chuckles. "I don't see you as a jersey chaser though, Riles. Just my little puck slut."

My cheeks burn and I glance away, intent on getting as far from Reign as I can. "Was that your whole intention on getting me here then? Just so I'll have sex with you?"

His eyes darken and his hand slides around the back of my neck. "If that was all I wanted you wouldn't be here, Riley. Us hooking up is inevitable. I know you like my cock and I enjoy when you come undone around me. Therefore, sex is eventually going to happen. But so are a lot of other things."

"What other things?" I ask him, ignoring the rest of his crazy ass statements.

"A date," he answers, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"I'm not going on a date with you. Are you planning to dunk my car in the bay?"

Reign laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me toward the building with a large number three on the top, and hands me my schedule. "Your first class is in there. And yeah, we are going on a date. We'll need to celebrate after you make the team."

My feet falter and I scowl at him. "After I make the team? Did your daddy rig that too?"

Reign turns to me, his hands moving to cradle my face. "You don't need anyone to rig you making the team, Riles. You have talent and heart for the game."

I can't look at him when he gets all nice on me. My stomach flutters in response. I just wish I could figure this out. I need to know what his endgame is while my head is still above water. "Why are you doing all of this?"

Reign's eyes soften as he looks into mine before he lowers his lips to mine, kissing me for the whole school to see. His lips move over mine, heated, possessive, then he parts them and slides his tongue inside. It's an obscene kiss, too much everything in the front of a school building, but maybe no one cares here, looking the other way when their golden boy is doing it.

Reign breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against mine for a second. I'm breathing heavily as well. "I'm doing it because I want to. Because I like you."

My body freezes, my heart swelling in my chest. I don't know how to process his statement or what to say or think. I just have to get away. Turning, I run into the looming building in front of me, desperate to put some distance between Reign and myself. I need time. I need to figure out how I feel.

"I've been watching you for a while, Riley. I'm surprised you're here, but I'm also not one to turn down a talented player." Coach Olivia Stone hands me a black jersey.

I hesitate when my fingers touch the material knowing it's sealing my fate. "Thanks, Coach Stone," I manage to say, my fingers gripping the jersey in my hands.

"I'm sorry you had to lose your captain patch, but I think there is a lot of room for you to grow. Welcome to the team, Conrad," she replies.

I sit on the bench, changed after the last day of tryouts, and fight the urge to cry. I'm a ball of mixed emotions: anger, resentment, pride, hope. It all rolls through me. Three days ago, I was hesitant when I walked into that arena. Every girl on the team knew me and even the few trying out for the two open spots stared daggers at me. I was a Pirate and now trying out to make the Saints' team. I breezed through the ice drills and the dryland skills. During the scrimmages, I played better than even some of the seniors that I'd been playing against for years. I played the best I ever had because I had something to prove. I also was terrified of Coach Stone finding out about what I did to her car, even though Reign already took the rap for me.

I'm pulling on my sweatshirt when my phone lights up in my bag. Heat tingles down my back because I know who it is. Reign has been relentless. I dodged him the past few days after practice, claiming to need time to adjust, to get caught up on school work, or that I was just too sore. He hasn't pushed taking me out on a date since the first day, and he's had plenty of opportunities. Somehow my schedule is almost identical to Reign's minus one change. He has biology that I absolutely refuse to be in. I never want to cut into any animals and I have zero interest in the medical field. Instead, I ended up in a cinematography class, learning how to make movies.

Now it's Friday. Usually Reign would make an appearance off campus at a party or something or go to a football game. Instead, I've been fielding questions all day about what I'm hungry for, for dinner. I feel like time is running out and I'm still no closer to understanding my own feelings as I was at the beginning of the week. I shove the jersey in my bag then zip it up before grabbing my phone.

THORN-IN-MY-SIDE: Practice ended half an hour ago. Are you at your dorm? I'll meet you there.

ME: Don't bother. I'm going to meet up with Emma and Sam. You should go out. Have some drinks and hook up with someone.

My pulse throbs in my neck as I hit send, reminding me of one of the ways Reign says he knows me. Thank god he's not here right now to run his fingers over my neck. My stomach dips just thinking about it. I watch my phone and he doesn't respond. After a couple of minutes, I exhale. My heart aches thinking that maybe he is going to take my advice, that maybe I've just become not worth the chase.

My hair is still wet from the showers and I sweep it up in a ponytail on top of my head. With my head down and my earbuds in, I make the trek from the arena back to my dorm. The campus is dark and quiet. A few groups of students move together, as they head off in various directions for activities. In the distance I can see the football stadium lit up and every now and then I can hear the cheers from the crowd over my music. When I get to the main door, I use my scan card to get in and take the elevator up the four floors to where my room is. My hand clenches around the key when I turn the corner and come face to face with a very pissed off Reign.