CHAPTER 2 WILLOW

Today is regionals. Northwestern University’s hockey team is facing off against

California’s Omega hockey team.

It’s a freaking bloodbath out there on the ice rink. Both teams are already an hour

into the game, and after three solid intermission periods, the Omegas are in the

lead.

Theo is in the lead, supporting the offence squad in getting the puck into the net.

Every time our team scores, the cheerleading squad cheers loudly. But my heart

is not in it, not when Theo’s out there, shining and dominating on the rink after he

humiliated me.

Every time I raise my pom poms, I feel like I’m going to be sick. I even flunk a few

steps in our cheer routine. Thankfully, no one notices. No one except Violet.

“Are you okay?” she asks me, raising her voice to be heard above the noise of

loud cheers. “If you’re thinking about that asshole right now, better get him out of

your mind. He’s not worth it.”

“I’m not thinking about him.”

Just as I say it, Theo comes barreling towards the cheerleading squad. Before

my very eyes, to my utter dismay, he takes off his helmet and claims Tessa’s lips

in a deep kiss. In front of everybody.

The crowd behind the board is going wild with excitement. The commentators are

having a field day, talking about Omega’s star player’s unexpected display of

affection.

Theo’s back on the rink, but that kiss—it’s all anyone can talk about.

I want to die. The humiliation burns my throat. Makes my vision swim. My feet

are already moving before I realise it. Luckily, Violet sees me marching towards

Tessa and steps in front of me.

“No,” she deadpans, eyes firm. “You’re not gonna confront her.”

“Why not?” I fume. “She stole my boyfriend, and now, they are rubbing their affair

in my face. I can’t take it.”

“I know. It sucks. But think how bad a public confrontation, with that skank, would

be for you. If you go to her right now, you give them more ammunition to use

against you.”

“It’s not fair,” I bite my bottom lip, fighting back the urge to scream. “Why do they

get to have a fairytale when they both fucked me over?”

“Calm down, Willow, and believe me when I say that this shit will pass. Give it a

week and campus will be gossiping about someone else.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. It just sucks to let my asshole ex get away with

everything he’s done to me in the last week. All week, he’s been flaunting Tessa

at frat parties. Going on dates with her. Spreading rumours about what a prude I

was during our relationship. As if that’s not bad enough, now they are kissing at

hockey games, like some madly in love couple.

I hate it. I hate it so much.

I do not wish to let them get away with it so easily. There’s got to be something I

can do.

That is when I see him, tearing across the rink: all six foot five, hunk of male

sexiness. Even in gear and padding, it’s easy to make out the form of Aiden

Cross, hot on the enemy’s tail.

He’s feral in his pursuit, and my breath hitches as he steals the puck from the

enemy’s stick. He switches direction with the swift grace that only a pro can pull

off, and the crowd is going crazy as he passes the puck to another player. The

Omega team passes the puck to one another, gliding towards the enemy’s

goalpost.

Aiden is set to shoot. Once the puck finds its way into his stick, he doesn’t

hesitate. He shoots, sending the puck into the net.

Another goal for the omegas. The crowd goes wild, chanting his name.

Aiden Cross. Omega’s number 1 offensive player. An outright hottie—and Theo

Spencer’s stepbrother. That’s right. Theo's got a brother who attends the same

university and plays on the same hockey team as he does. It’s no secret how

much they hate each other.

That’s only to be expected, though, seeing as how they are nothing alike. At the

same time, Theo is loud and a bit of a peacock; Aiden’s more of a brooder—a

silent observer.

I forget all about cheering, much too busy formulating a plan in my mind. The

perfect revenge. A way to get back at Theo.

The game continues for another hour, but I barely notice the minutes shedding

away. All I can think about is vengeance. I barely notice when the omegas score

the winning shot. Barely hear the ear-splitting screams of the crowd cheering.

The team is busy doing its victory dance on the rink, hooting and hugging. I

watch Theo excuse himself from his teammates. He’s gliding towards Tessa, no

doubt to make another public show of kissing her.

That’s when I move. I do not hesitate. I dump my pom poms on the ice and make

a mad dash for the rink. My heart’s racing, heart pounding.

Please Aiden.

Don’t push me off.

Work with me. Just once.

“Aiden!” I yell at the top of my lungs, hellbent on catching his attention. “Aiden

Cross.”

He turns around, and my heart nearly stops. Somehow, my legs are still running,

still carrying me forward. His helmet’s off, and he’s got silky black hair playing in

his face.

I wait until I’m a couple of feet away from him before I jump. Adrenaline courses

through my veins, morbid excitement sizzles as I wrap my arms around his neck

and kiss him.

He’s not kissing me back. I’m thinking I’ve made a mistake when his arm

suddenly wraps around my waist. With the other arm, he tucks it beneath my ass,

opening his mouth as I deepen the kiss.

I’m trying not to be nervous. I put everything I’ve got into this one kiss. I can only

hope that everyone’s watching; this would have all been for nothing.

“Holy shit,” one of the players guffaws, whacking the back of Aiden’s head with

his stick. “Get a room, you guys.”

We stop kissing. I look around the rink. More than half of the players are

watching us, eyes wide open. Mouths agape. The reaction that excites me the

most is Theo’s. He’s staring at us with his mouth hanging wide open, eyes

blazing with fury.

“So, Thompson…” Aiden’s deep rumble cuts through my internal celebration. His

eyes are twinkling with amusement when I bring my gaze back to his. “… Care to