It’s been less than a month since I got here, but for some reason, I feel more like I’m part of an actual team than I did on the last one at my old college. And I haven’t gotten in any more fights since I kicked Clark’s ass, so Coach has been happy with me too.
It’s been three days since I saw Isla at homecoming when she almost kissed me, but then Jameson’s big mouth fucking ruined it. I was sure to let him know how pissed off I was at him, telling him that if he ever cockblocked me like that again, I’d break his hands off and beat him with them.
He said sorry.
I hadn’t lied when I told Isla I wanted her and wouldn’t stop till she was mine. But the thing is, I’ve never cared about any girl enough to chase her down like she was a goal or some shit. But with her, she consumes me. What started off with a need to taunt her and watch her get angry turned into something else. And now, she’s all I fucking think about, to be honest.
So, I decided something last night. I decided I’m going all in for Isla Hardy. I’ve never done this shit before, so I may fuck it up, but in the end … she’s going to know exactly where I stand.
Come hell or high water, I’m getting the goalie. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Rinsing the soap out of my hair, I wash my body before turning the water off and grabbing my towel. I checked the women’s hockey team schedule, and tonight, Isla has a game.
And I am most definitely going to be there to cheer her on.
THIRTEEN
ISLA
I may have playedthe position of goalie a bit in high school, but this is college. And even though it’s a preseason game, the pressure is still there, and every second on the ice, I feel like I’m constantly on edge.
My parents begged me to let them come tonight, but I asked them—no, told them—I really wanted to get my bearings, playing this new position, before having the pressure of them watching me. I’m not going to be perfect right off the bat, and I know it’s going to be hard for me to accept that.
But here we are, nearing the end of the third period, and no one has scored on me yet, putting NEU in the lead, one to zero.
Though I haven’t dared to look too hard, it’s clear to notice from my goal that the stands are not even half full, which is sad because on any given night the men’s hockey team plays, tickets are sold out.
After a short time-out, it’s go time again. Within seconds, the puck is in play, and players from each team are franticallyskating across the ice. Both have the same goal in mind—to win this game.
I don’t want to just be the girl who is Cam Hardy’s daughter and is only here because of my last name. I need to make sure that by the end of this game, everyone knows that I belong on the ice.
No, this position isn’t my first choice, but if here is where my team needs me to be, then I will do it without thinking twice.
HENDRIX
I’ve seen Isla play hockey before. I watched her scrimmage at the camp we both went to, and I’ve seen clips of her on YouTube, but something about all five foot five of her, wearing her NEU gear, standing in front of the goal, using her small body to block a space that size? Fuck … it’s doing things for me.
She is so in the zone that I don’t think she’s looked in the crowd at all since the game started. I expected to see her old man, but unless he’s somewhere hiding from fans, I don’t spot him.
“Fuck, we could use some of these chicks on the men’s team,” Jameson mutters. “Summer Scott is fucking savage.” He whistles lowly. “Hot damn, she’s fast on skates.”
“You know Isla Hardy has only been a goalie for part of one season in high school,” Cash tells us, staring in awe at the girlwith her blonde curls coming out of her helmet. “How fucking insane is that?”
“Careful, Hale,” I warn. “Don’t be looking at Hardy too much. I like you, so I don’t want to have to kick your ass. But if it comes to it, I will fuck you up.”
“Dude, you’re so fucking obsessed,” Jameson says, hitting my arm before nodding toward Cash. “Did you see his pouty face when we interrupted them at homecoming? I thought he was going to cry.” He pauses. “Or murder me.”
“It was the latter, I assure you,” I grumble. “Didn’t help that you said that stupid shit either.”
“My bad,” Jameson says, completely oblivious to the fact that his big mouth fucked my night up.
“Don’t worry; I’ll stay clear,” Cash says. “Our parents are friends, so it would be weird for me to go after her anyway.” He cringes. “Besides, you kind of scare the fuck out of me, Hunt.”
“Good,” I mutter, making him grin.
“But just a warning: her dad is protective as hell over her,” he adds. “So, good luck with that. I don’t know any man in his right mind who would get on Cam Hardy’s bad side. Dude is a legend.”
Yet he let her go to a camp where her secret biological dad was going to be,I say silently to myself, instantly annoyed.
