31. Sneak Peek Pucks & Deceit

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Chapter 1: Rika

"You shouldn"t be here."

My brother stood in my doorway with his arms crossed over his broad chest, glowering at me. My heart thudded against my chest with disappointment.

"Levi," Minka, Levi"s girlfriend, interjected. "She earned her place here. She graduated high school early, her grades are stellar, and she has a scholarship. I don"t understand the problem."

Levi"s gaze didn"t flinch as I began to open a brown box and started unpacking it. "She"s too young," he stated firmly.

"I"m eighteen," I snapped back, frustration coloring my tone.

"Only just," he retorted.

"I had to get out of that house," I said, my voice softer. "I"m sure you, of all people, would understand that."

Levi"s jaw tightened but he remained silent.

"Plus," Minka chimed in, trying to lighten the mood, "Brooke pulled a few strings while her father still worked here and got her the dorm room next to mine. She"ll be close. It"s not a big deal."

"I don"t like it," Levi stated, unmoving.

"You don"t like a lot of things," I retorted, unable to hide my irritation.

There was a pause where Levi seemed to be considering his next words carefully. Finally, he sighed. "Just... be careful, Rika," he said, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. It was the closest thing to a concession I was going to get from him.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Despite Levi"s concerns, I was here on my own merit, ready to take on whatever Crestwood had to offer.

Turning back to my unpacking, I felt a new resolve settle over me. This was more than just a new chapter; it was my chance to prove myself, to make my own way. And as I placed each familiar item in its new home, I couldn"t help but feel that, despite the challenges ahead, I had made the right decision. This was where I was meant to be, and I was ready to face whatever came next.

We worked in silence, the tension from earlier conversations lingering in the air like a dense fog as we moved boxes into the dorm room. Levi and Minka each carried a load, their presence both a comfort and a reminder of the complex web of relationships and expectations that I was trying to navigate. With every step taken down the hallway, the weight of the boxes in my arms felt less like a physical burden and more like a symbolic gesture of moving forward, leaving behind the familiar for the unknown. I glanced at Levi, noticing the way his jaw set firmly, a silent testament to his unresolved feelings about me being here.

Inside, the room was a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the pieces of my new life. We set the boxes down, creating a cluttered mess that somehow felt promising. The emptiness of the room echoed with the potential of what it could become—a space of my own making, a refuge from the pressures that had driven me here. As I opened a box and began to unpack, I found myself caught between eagerness to make this place my own and a nostalgia for what I had left behind.

We took a short break, sitting on the bare floor, eating lunch Minka picked up for us. In this small, shared moment, I felt a tentative sense of belonging. It was as though, even in the midst of the chaos of moving and the complexities of my relationship with Levi, we found a common ground. I was grateful for Minka"s effort to bridge the gap, her presence bringing a sense of normalcy and warmth to the transition.

"So, do you have your schedule yet?" Minka asked, her curiosity apparent as she glanced over at me, pausing in her task of arranging her own things.

"I"m taking Brit Lit, Creative Writing, Poetry, and Short Stories," I replied, feeling a mix of pride and nerves at the mention of my courses. It was a heavy load, but literature and writing were passions I couldn"t ignore.

"Wow," Minka said, her eyebrows lifting in an expression of genuine impressiveness.

I cleared my throat, trying to focus on unpacking my journals rather than on the weight of expectations that suddenly seemed to settle on my shoulders.

"It sounds like it"s going to be busy," she continued. "Though, hopefully, you"ll be able to catch your brother play before his season ends. Watching him...well, I"m sure you know. He"s astounding, Rika."

"I would like that," I said, my voice softer now. The truth was, I"d always wanted to watch Levi play, to be a part of that aspect of his life. "We were never allowed to watch Levi play. Mom wanted us home. Said that Levi needed to focus if he was going to get drafted and that we were just a distraction."

Levi clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth but didn"t say anything. His silence was a heavy thing, filled with unspoken thoughts and feelings.

"Well, he has a game this week, after New Year"s," Minka said, her voice bright with the suggestion. "You should totally come. You can even meet the team afterward?—"

"I don"t want her near the team," Levi interjected sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Levi," Minka admonished, her tone a mix of surprise and rebuke. "Your team is your family. Why wouldn"t you want her to meet them?"

"My team also has the likes of Damien Sinclaire," Levi said, his voice hard. "He"ll take one look at her and pounce."

I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up inside me. "I can take care of myself, you know," I said, trying to inject a note of firmness into my voice.

"You don"t know Sinclaire," Levi countered, his warning clear in his tone.

It was a strange moment, caught between my brother"s protective instincts and my own desire for independence. Despite Levi"s concerns, I couldn"t help but feel a thrill at the thought of finally being a part of his world, even if it was just as a spectator. Yet, his words cast a shadow over the excitement, a reminder of the complexities of navigating this new chapter of my life.

"What if she came to the party tomorrow –" Minka suggested, her eyes alight with the idea.

"Absolutely not," Levi said firmly, his stance unwavering as he met my gaze.

"Levi, you"re not being fair, you know," Minka protested, her forehead wrinkling in concern. She moved closer to him, looping her arm through his and resting her head on his shoulder in a gesture that spoke of their closeness. "She"s eighteen. She deserves to be part of your world here."

"I can be part of her world," Levi countered, his voice softening just a touch, but his determination clear. "She doesn"t need to be around that."

"Half the guys on the team are dating someone, the others are promised to someone else," Minka pointed out, trying to use logic to sway him.

"She doesn"t need to be around any of them," Levi insisted, his protectiveness bordering on stubbornness.

"Not even Michael?" Minka pressed, not giving up. "Michael Carter is a good guy, Levi. Even you can"t deny that."

"You"re being a brat," Levi said, though the affection in his tone was unmistakable, even to me.

Despite the tension, I couldn"t help but feel a warmth bubble up inside me, witnessing their banter. I knew Levi"s protective nature stemmed from a place of deep care and concern. And Minka acted as the perfect counterbalance, with her gentle prodding and understanding. It was clear that Levi respected her opinions, even if he didn"t always agree.

In fact, I couldn"t believe Levi could feel this way about anyone. But as I observed them, it became unmistakably clear just how much he cared for Minka. There was a noticeable shift in him, a softening that occurred only in her presence. His usually guarded demeanor relaxed, and his eyes, often so focused and intense, fixed on her with a tenderness and completeness that was both astonishing and heartwarming. In those moments, Levi wasn"t just my overprotective brother; he was a man deeply in love, showing a side of himself that few were privileged to see. It was an unexpected revelation, one that made me reassess my understanding of him and the depth of his emotions.

"You can"t protect her forever, you know," Minka said.

Levi said nothing in response, simply resting his head on Minka"s, a silent acknowledgment of her words. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for him, a concession that maybe, just maybe, he couldn"t shield me from the world forever.

"Why don"t I grab us some coffee from River Styx?" I suggested, standing up, eager to ease the tension and maybe prove a point about my independence.

"I can go," Minka offered, but I was quick to decline.

"That"s okay," I replied, a hint of sarcasm slipping through. "This might be the only place I"m allowed to go without adult supervision, so..." I let my voice trail off, my comment light but laced with truth.

Minka chuckled, and even Levi"s glare softened, losing some of its usual intensity. "Be careful," he said, the concern in his voice undeniable.

"I"m on campus," I reassured him, grabbing my purse and heading towards the door, trying to inject some confidence into my tone.

"You think that"ll protect you?" Levi asked, his question rhetorical, laced with worry.

"Levi," Minka admonished gently, but Levi was undeterred.

"No, she needs to know," he insisted, standing up, his presence commanding. "There are sickos out there, Rika. You don"t know who you can trust. All they want is one thing. Don"t fall for it."

"Like you?" I fired back, unable to stop myself.

My grip on my purse strap tightened as I met his gaze. The room tensed at my words, the unspoken history between him and Minka hanging heavy in the air. Everyone knew how they came together, how Levi had initially intended to ruin Minka"s reputation only to fall in love with her instead. Despite his transformation and the role he played in saving her from her vindictive uncle, the remnants of his past actions lingered, casting a long shadow.

Levi"s eyes narrowed at my challenge, a silent storm brewing behind his gaze.

But before he could order me to stay, I murmured, "I"ll be back," and left the room, stepping out into the uncertain freedom that campus offered, leaving behind the complicated web of love, protection, and past mistakes that bound us together.

As I left the dorm, the crisp air of late December greeted me, carrying the lingering scent of pine and cold stone. Christmas decorations still adorned the campus, adding a touch of whimsy to the prestigious grounds of Crestwood. Twinkling lights wrapped around tree trunks and banisters, while wreaths and garlands hung with care on building entrances, their festive colors muted but still vibrant against the snow-dusted backdrop. I took a moment to appreciate the tranquility, the quiet beauty of the campus under its winter blanket, before making my way along Ring Road, the main path that looped around the university.

Ring Road was like the artery of Crestwood, pulsing with life even in the quietest times. Today, it was relatively deserted, the holiday season drawing most students away to the warmth of their homes, leaving behind a serene stillness. My footsteps crunched softly on the pathway, a solitary sound that echoed slightly in the cold air. I followed the winding road, passing by the iconic landmarks of the campus: the grand library with its towering columns, the ancient oak that students claimed was as old as the school itself, and finally, the path that branched off towards River Styx, the campus cafe known for its cozy ambiance and strong coffee.

River Styx was nestled at the corner of a small plaza, its quaint facade inviting with warm lights spilling out from its windows. Inside, the cafe buzzed with a quiet energy, a stark contrast to the silent campus outside. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of baked goods and the sound of soft music playing in the background.

I approached the counter, ordering coffee for Levi, Minka, and myself. The menu was written in chalk above the counter, a colorful array of options that made my choice difficult, but the comforting routine of deciding on our usual orders brought a smile to my face.

As I waited for our drinks, leaning against a wall adorned with local art and notices for upcoming campus events, I couldn"t help but feel a strong sense of independence. This moment, simple as it was, symbolized so much more than just stepping out to grab lunch. It was a declaration of my freedom, my escape from the confines of a home that felt more like a prison than a place of love and nurturing. My mother had her own plans for me, plans to use me to make up for Levi"s defiance, to mold me into another pawn in her endless games of control and manipulation. But standing here, in this small but vibrant part of my new world, I was grateful for the courage that had propelled me out of that house when I did.

This was the only way out, and I was glad I took it. Now, I could figure out my own life without her shadow looming over me, dictating my every move and thought. As challenging as Levi could be, his overprotectiveness was a testament to his love, a barrier I was willing to navigate compared to the suffocating grip of my mother"s ambitions. Here, at Crestwood, I could breathe, I could explore, and most importantly, I could start to discover who I really was, on my own terms.

While waiting, my eyes wandered over to the bulletin board crowded with flyers, each clamoring for attention. Among the sea of announcements, my gaze settled on one that stood out—a flyer for a party thrown by the Crestwood Titans, Levi"s hockey team. It advertised a New Year"s party, bold and bright against the corkboard. That must be the party Minka had brought up earlier. The thought of attending such an event, despite Levi"s protests, sent a thrill of excitement through me. On impulse, I reached out and grabbed a flyer tacked to the board, slipping it into my purse quickly, a small act of rebellion. I wanted the option to decide for myself, and having the flyer felt like holding a ticket to a new experience, one Levi wouldn"t notice until it was potentially too late.

With the coffee secured in a carrier, I exited River Styx, the weight of my purse feeling somehow more significant with the addition of the flyer. The cold air hit me again, refreshing and sharp, as I retraced my steps back to the Arctic Tundra, my dorm building.

My mind buzzed not just from the prospect of defying Levi, but also from the realization of how much there was to explore and experience here on my own terms. Each step towards the dorm felt lighter, fueled by a newfound sense of autonomy and the delicious secret tucked away in my purse.

The day wore on, and the room began to take shape, transforming from an impersonal space into a reflection of me. Posters found their places on the walls, books lined the shelves, and clothes were tucked away into drawers. Levi and Minka"s help became less about the physical act of moving and more about their support in this significant change in my life.

When they finally left, I stood in the doorway of what was now unmistakably my room. It was a tangible declaration of my new journey, one that I was now ready to embark on with a sense of purpose and a newfound independence.

Pucks Deceit release June 17, 2024