Chapter 4
FOUR
LAINEY
Alex
Game day Going to wipe the ice with UConn.
Alex
Just finished an early practice. More of a strategy lecture from our coach to get us in the zone to hit the ice tonight. Are you up yet? Don’t you want to wish your boyfriend good luck, baby?
Alex
Kidding, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. But cheer for me when I score tonight. And don’t be surprised when I point at you. It means I’m dedicating the goal to my girl.
These check ins have been nonstop since yesterday when Alex decided he would be my fake boyfriend. He went quiet late last night, finally allowing me to enjoy my current read in peace. This morning the texts have started up again. When I got up, I found three new messages waiting for me.
Not long into my first Friday class, I nearly choke on my coffee when he sends a question about the title of my book only to let me know he found it—probably on the display I set up yesterday during my shift—less than five minutes later.
Then there’s the text with a photo of his newly purchased romance novel ten minutes after.
Followed by his thoughts on the first chapter being interesting when I’m sitting down in my next class.
Interesting.
What does that mean? Does he think it’s weird? Is he still reading?
The thoughts continue to pile on one after the other.
Any chance I have of focusing on the rest of my classes for the day flies out the window because I’m worrying about his opinion of romance books based on trying one.
Thankfully it’s a contemporary book, because I don’t know how the hell I’d handle it if he tried something in the fantasy or monster realm.
On my way into the library to meet up with my weekly study group early in the afternoon, I finally get an answer to the questions I can’t stop thinking about.
Alex
Didn’t mean to keep going, but I couldn’t stop reading after I finished the first chapter. I’m up to the part where they’re caught in the rain after they went on the trail ride.
Someone almost knocks into me when I stop in my tracks, right in the middle of the aisles between the extra work tables on the second floor. It’s less distracting up here than the tables at the center of the atrium on the first floor.
“Watch out,” the student mutters, sidestepping to get by.
But I’m not paying attention to anything going on in my surroundings.
I’m so surprised by the unfathomable idea of Alex—hot, popular, athletic, prime example of ideal masculinity Alex—not only reading a romance, but enjoying it. So shocked that my brain bypasses my default setting to overthink ten responses as a required step prior to replying.
Before I’m aware of it, I’ve texted back.
Lainey
You actually like it?
Alex
It’s not weird if I do, right? It’s good. I’m man enough to admit it. Some parts have me grinning like an idiot.
Alex
I’ve never felt my face get so hot either.
They weren’t even doing anything sexy. Theo and Brody caught me reading a few pages during lunch.
They asked why I was so red. I didn’t know how to explain to them that this guy swung the girl out of the way of the wild horse they’re training and had her pinned to the wall to shield her with his body while they were staring at each other.
What is happening? My heart beats faster.
On one hand, I know exactly what scene Alex is talking about. It had me kicking my feet and screaming into a pillow last night when I read it. The long stare built the tension between the couple, then the hero’s gaze dropped to the heroine’s lips and gave me butterflies.
On the other hand, I can’t unload all of my excited fangirling over the moment between the couple. Not to him. It’s too much.
I jolt when my phone vibrates again in my hands.
Alex
Shit, is it actually weird?
Biting my lip, I weave through the tables in a hurry until I reach the one my group prefers for its optimal position three spots away from the big arched windows stretching from the first floor to the third.
While I carefully line up my phone, books, and annotation supplies I draft and discard several potential responses.
It is strange. Not because it’s romance—the genre is amazing and deserves so much more recognition than it gets. I’m torn by my love of my favorite books and the confusion that I’m talking about them with a hockey player.
Lainey
No. Romance is for everyone. I was just surprised someone like you would be interested in it.
Alex
Like me?
Lainey
You know what I mean.
Alex
Your boyfriend?
Heat races across my cheeks.
He’s not my—
“Hey, you beat me here.”
I hide my phone against my chest, emitting an embarrassing shriek. The yell echoes through the quiet library, drawing the eyes of other students here to study.
Caught out, I peek over my shoulder to face Maya Donnelly. She’s a freshman I’ve grown close to since we share an advisor in the psychology department that paired us up.
She huffs out a friendly laugh, joining me at the table. “Whoa, deep breath, girl. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Sorry,” I stammer as I cram my phone into my overstuffed bag. “I was in my own world. I didn’t hear you coming up behind me.”
“All good.” She checks her phone and sets up a focus timer before unpacking her study materials. “Is it just us today?”
The pounding of my heart relaxes.
“I think so. Kelly said she had a meeting with her professor when I saw her before my last class.”
She hums, pulling her chestnut brown hair back with a blue flower claw clip.
We settle into a comfortable silence and begin studying.
It takes me longer than usual to absorb the key points in my notes, but once I make it through a few pages I manage to lose myself in the methodic drag of my highlighters.
When Maya’s phone vibrates, it signals the end of our first twenty minute productivity block. She shoots me a smile and stretches. I set aside the notes I reviewed, then reach for my phone to check the reading assignment for another class. There’s a message waiting on the screen.
Alex
Still there?
How am I supposed to face him tonight? It was crazy enough for anyone to think we’re together when he proposed the idea yesterday, when I thought he was just another hockey player. Now he’s a hockey player who’s buddy reading a cowboy romance with me.
The two Alex Kellers don’t fit in my mind. Both are my complete opposite. And fake relationship or not, I definitely don’t belong next to him.
Lainey
I’m studying. My group meets in the library at the end of every week. Actually, I might miss tonight. I should’ve told you before you bought the tickets for me. We have a lot of work to get through.
Alex
The game isn’t for hours. If you’re still working after that long, you’ll need a good study break.
No matter what excuse I try to give as a reason I don’t really need to go to the game tonight, he isn’t giving me an out.
“Ready to go again?” Maya asks.
“Okay. What are you focusing on next?”
She waves a half-filled notebook page. “My summer schedule.”
“You’re still deciding what to take?”
One of the first things Maya told me when we started getting to know each other was that she wanted to finish her degree in three years. We share that goal. I’ve been helping her with my tips on managing the heavy course loads.
“Unfortunately.” She sighs ruefully. “I’ve got a summer job lined up to cover my room and board expenses, so I’m trying to plan around that. I can’t decide if it’s better to front load my prerequisites or go for some of the labs offered for the shorter summer courses.”
I hold out a hand. “Let me see.”
She passes me her notebook and we scroll through the available classes for the two summer sessions Heston offers. I tap my pen over one that jumps out at me.
“This one for sure if you plan to take Nelson and Yang’s classes your sophomore year.”
“Okay, thanks.” Maya writes it down, then scans the page. “Then I can do this one on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Perfect.”
Her triumphant smile is contagious. We both thrive on these successes in our academic pursuits. It’s one of the reasons we get along so well. I might not have many friends at Heston, but having someone like her who I’m comfortable around is enough for me.
“I’m going to submit this to the advisor to check over,” she says. “Can you set up the next timer?”
“Sure.”
While I’m doing it, the notification bar appears at the top of my phone screen.
Alex
Don’t forget to dress warm for tonight. It gets chilly in the arena. My jersey will be warm but you should wear a hoodie or something underneath.
Alex
Actually, do you need to borrow one of mine? I can meet up with you.
Lainey
Thanks, it’s okay. I know to dress in warm layers.
It’s been a long time, but I haven’t entirely forgotten what it’s like to be at a hockey game when I used to go to see my brother play.
Before I put my phone away, he sends a photo. I roll my lips between my teeth at the hastily drawn red arrows over a screenshot of the Heston University sports arena seating chart. It’s surprisingly sweet for a hockey player with a heartbreaker reputation like his.
Alex
Wasn’t sure if you know where you’re going. I circled your section and row where your seat is. I’m heading over there now with Theo.
Another photo comes through. My stomach bottoms out, pleasant tingles spreading through my core.
Alex’s selfie of him in his pregame suit is—hot. So damn hot. How is it possible for him to look even more handsome cleaned up in nice dress clothes?
Every eloquent word I know leaves my head, leaving no thoughts other than admiration for the curve of his smirk.
My fingertips graze the corner of my mouth where he pretended to kiss me. I can still feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine and the gentle brush of his lips against my skin.
Suppressing a shiver, I smack my phone down on the table and cover it with my notebook so I won’t be tempted to look at his photo again. Several people throw pointed glances my way. I forgot where I was for a moment.
I offer an apologetic expression and bury my nose in my nearest book, forcing Alex Keller’s perfectly shaped, tempting mouth from my mind.
The rest of my study session with Maya passes uninterrupted.
“I think my brain has officially turned to mush,” she says. “I can’t take in any more information. Want to call it a day?”
“Already?” I peer out the window at the fading winter sunlight. “I might stay a little longer.”
It’s easier to stay here in one of my safe spaces than think about what I’m doing tonight. And insanely enough…I think I’m going through with it.
Alex went through the trouble of getting me the tickets and going out of his way to show me where I’d be in the arena so I have a visual. He’s putting all this effort in for me when I didn’t ask him to.
The least I can do is show up. Even if his plan is bound to fail. There’s no way we’re fooling anyone into thinking he sees something in a nerd like me. I swallow the anxiety creeping up my throat.
It’s only one night. If I get through it with him, then all I have to focus on is planning my benefit.
So I’ll go to the hockey game and wear his number.
“Come on. It’s almost time for dinner. You can’t stay in the library.” Maya starts to pack up her things. “You know what, we should go see a movie.”
“Oh,” I say haltingly. “Um. I can’t, sorry!”
“Oh. No worries.” The edge of Maya’s mouth lifts in a half smirk. “Got a hot date?”
“No. Well…”
Maybe I should tell her about Alex’s plan. My face grows flushed and I fiddle with making the stack of books at my elbow even. Her brows wiggle.
“I’m supposed to go to the hockey game,” I admit.
She’s surprised. I’m still processing it, too.
“Hockey?” Her voice goes somewhat flat and she busies herself with the last of her notes. “Oh. Have fun.”
“I have an extra ticket.” I reach for her like a lifeline. “Want to come with me? There’s a party after at the hockey house. Please come.”
She pats my hand and gives me a soft smile. “I’m sorry. I can’t. But you’ll have fun! Go cheer for your brother.”
And Alex.
“Right.” I sigh and gather my things. “See you later.”
As if Alex senses I need another check in, my phone lights up with a text from him.
It’s another photo. He’s in a locker room, dressed in his gear for the game. His smile tugs up the corners of his mouth, forming a dimple in his cheek that my fingers want to trace.
After a moment of hesitation, I reply without analyzing the butterflies in my stomach.
Lainey
See you tonight.
Lainey
Good luck.