Chapter 19
NINETEEN
HERS
Nolan
I no longer want to be called Teach.
Instead, I want to be called hers.
I’m in deep fucking shit. I can’t even look in Hannah’s direction without bursting at the seams, and for once, I’m not referring to my dick. My best friend’s little sister has somehow turned my entire world upside down with just a few stolen moments behind closed doors.
The hockey puck flies into the net when I hit one after another during warmups. My muscles are tight, and my eyes dart to the stands every couple of minutes, wondering if Hannah is going to stay true to her word and show up with Wilder U’s quarterback beside her.
I heard her talking to her best friend on the phone. Neither one of them seems to remember that anyone within earshot will overhear their conversation. Or maybe Hannah wanted me to hear her conversation.
“Are you going to sit with Reign tonight?”
“Well, yeah. It would be awkward if he picked me up and I ended up sitting somewhere else.”
“He’s picking you up too? I was right. It’s totally a date!”
“I don’t know if I want it to be a date…”
“What? Why?”
“I…I don’t know.”
She hesitated, and I wanted her next words to be, “Because I’m interested in Nolan .” But they weren’t, because why would they be? We’ve been sneaking around the apartment for weeks, and I’m nothing more than her mentor. I volunteered to secretly help her gain confidence in the bedroom, and that was it. I’ve given her no indication otherwise, and who would ever expect it? I have never even been seen with the same girl more than once.
I mean, hell, I can’t believe the thoughts rolling around my head.
“Dude, is that your sister with Reign Kendrix?”
Hayes and I both turn at the same time. My teeth crack together as my teammates skate zig-zags around us. Hayes turns to me with a what-the-fuck look on his face, like I’m supposed to answer for her actions.
“ That’s who she was talking about with Aria?”
I shrug to hide my irritation. “How would I know?”
Hayes squints at my gruff tone. “Because I saw you listening to her conversation right before I started to listen.”
I turn and skate away, trying to keep my eyes from going in her direction, which is a struggle during warmups that later leads into the first period.
I chug some water but stare up into the stands past my water bottle. Hannah has her brown hair pulled back, and she’s laughing at something Reign has said. I huff before turning my back to them.
Van elbows me from beside the bench.
“What?” I snap.
“If you want her, go get her.”
I feel like I’ve been caught red-handed. My jaw flickers with irritation.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Van laughs loudly and draws the attention of the entire team. “Look at you, all pissy and throwing a tantrum on the ice. Just go tell Hayes that you’re fucking his sister, and run up there and tell her. Then maybe we’ll win the game with your head out of your ass.”
I stare at Van before turning away and contemplating his half-ass advice.
If there has ever been an obstacle in my way of getting what I want, I demolish it. Like I said before, I like a challenge, and what the hell am I doing letting someone like her get away?
I want her.
I want her so much that I’m allowing it to bleed onto the ice during the game. That has to mean something, right?
Three minutes until we’re due back in the rink.
Three minutes to risk it all for something that may not even work.
Before I can rethink it, I move down a few spots on the bench and stand in front of Hayes. He’s mid-conversation with our right winger when he glances up.
“What’s up?”
He’s hyped on the game, with adrenaline pumping through his veins, and my only hope is that he doesn’t use that adrenaline to deck me in the face.
It’s always better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission .
I clear my throat, look him dead in the face, and apologize. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” he asks.
I turn and make my way over to the glass below the student section and pretend I don’t hear Hayes behind me.
“Did you fuck my sister, Nolan? I swear to God.”
The entire row of my teammates gasps in between a few snickers. Coach’s voice catches my ear. “Jesus Christ. Guys ! Come on!”
My fist bangs on the clear barrier, and everyone turns to look. Hannah’s blue eyes widen, and I lift my finger and hook it toward myself. “Come here,” I mouth.
Reign looks between us, and Hannah’s face couldn’t be redder.
“Now.”
I pull my helmet off and shake out my sweaty hair.
The attention is on us. Everything silences when she descends down the steps and crosses her arms over her Wilder U sweatshirt. “What are you doing?” she seethes. She’s obviously bothered by the stares, but the only thing I can focus on is her.
The glass isn’t super thick, but I make sure everyone can hear me.
“Remember when I said you owed me a favor?”
Hannah rolls her eyes and looks around at everyone staring. Shit, even my coach is staring. “You want to cash in your favor right now? In the middle of a game?!”
My mouth twitches. “Yes.”
Hannah glares. “Fine. What’s the favor? What do you want me to do, Nolan?”
I point past her head at Reign. I have nothing against the guy, but she’s mine. “Tell your little boyfriend up there that you’re taken.”
Shock and confusion flicker across her face. “What?!”
“You have to tell him that you’re taken.”
“That’s not a favor! That’s?—”
“What I want,” I finish for her. “You owe me, Hannah.”
She thinks for a moment and glances at her brother off to the side. I pull her attention back by tapping on the glass.
“I have another request.”
The buzzer sounds, and I know it’s time for me to get back on the ice.
“Okay, what?” she hurries, knowing I have to get back to the game.
“I want you to be mine.”
Her mouth opens before she snaps it shut, only to open it again. “Wh–what? But we’re… You…”
“Yes or no, Hannah?”
Hayes skates past. “For fuck’s sake, just say yes! We have a game to play!” he shouts over his shoulder. “I’m fucking pissed at you, Nolan.”
Hannah laughs abruptly and shows off her rosy-red cheeks. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her answer, and when she can't hold back a smile, I know she’s about to become mine.
“Fine.” She waves her hand toward the ice. “Now go win the game, and maybe Hayes won’t kill you after!”
I pull my mask down and grin.
It would be worth it.