Chapter 17
Jayden Allen
W ith the hockey season in full swing, my grades have been neglected.
Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence as my future has always been hockey. I do enough to pass my classes and that is all that matters. What I didn’t realise was some of my classes have midterms coming up in a week.
Cooper is helping me study because he seems to be the only person on the team not stressed about the upcoming exams. He is leaning on my chair, arms stretching over his head.
I’m lying on my stomach on top of the bedsheets, which isn’t the best idea when trying to study. Papers are spread across the double bed and I feel like I'm drowning in long-ass words that I still don't know the meaning of.
“Time for a break. I can’t look at legal theories for much longer.” I say, spinning to rest against my headboard.
Coops laughs but places the flashcards on my desk. I stare at them for longer than necessary. “Can you put them into the draw? There should be a case labelled LES305.”
“So, Willow was right about your control freak tendencies?” Cooper jokes, but he listens to me and packs the cards away.
I roll my eyes. “She thinks that way because we are complete opposites in that regard. I love control, she loves chaos.”
“A little bit of chaos never hurt anyone.”
A remain quiet, Cooper’s words playing on repeat in my mind. In some ways, he is right but in my experience, chaos has been my downfall. I attribute the loss of Allison to chaos, and it is one of the reasons I’m always searching to control my emotions.
I’ll admit that sometimes I go too far, trying to project onto others. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it is Willow that tugs that response from me.
“I’ve never seen this woman before,” Cooper says, drawing my attention. “Who is she?”
My eyes flutter shut, and fists clench the bedsheets. Not many people know about my past. Telling people I was driving the car when me and my high school girlfriend got into a car accident isn’t a great conversation starter.
Especially considering the outcome for Allison.
I clear my throat. “Her name was Allison, she was my girlfriend for most of high school. She…” I swallow back the lump that is stuck in my throat. “She died in a car accident. I was driving, and a drunk driver hit us.”
Cooper’s jaw drops, eyes softening. “Shit, Jayden. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.”
“It’s okay. Most people on the team don’t know. Probably Willow and Aiden.”
Aiden is my closest friend on the team, both of us coming to Lakewood in our freshman year. Willow, on the other hand, she was at the hospital afterwards.
Meadow Beach - Four Years Ago
My sister rushes into the hospital room, wrapping her arms around me. It hits me all at once, being in her arms. Jaz doesn’t let go, and I never want her to. My sobs grow louder, and I swear it's becoming harder to breathe. My heart is shattering into pieces the more I think about the events.
Jaz hugs me tighter, her quiet tears slipping onto my hospital gown.
“She’s gone. It’s all my fault. She’s gone.”
The monitors behind me beeping continuously, reminding me to gulp in a breath.
“Who is gone?” Jaz whispers into my hair.
My voice is distraught, but I manage to say her name through the tears. "Allison.”
I did this. This is all my fault. Allison never drinks, but this time was different. Our fight is on repeat in my head. I look up, over Jaz’s shoulder, and my eyes focus on Willow. I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to look at her. I can't look at her.
I fucking hate myself. Why didn't I die instead of Alli?
Why did it have to be her?
Present Time – Hockey House
“You okay, Jay?”
Cooper’s voice causes my head to snap toward him. I brush the rouge tear out of my eye. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I swallow, looking at my watch. “It’s time for training.”
Cooper seems to take the hint and leaves me alone.
I change, pushing the thoughts of the car accident and Allison to the back of my mind. I don’t want the past on my mind, especially when all my thoughts at the moment are of Willow.
If I were smart, I would stop pursuing her even if it is for a purely physical relationship.
But for some reason, I can’t help myself.
Maybe it’s the challenge, or I just need to get laid.
Either way, it’s the first time I’m embracing the chaos because part of me wants to find out what happens when I stand too close to the fire that is Willow Rogers.
***
D espite being at a hockey rink for most of my life, I’m always cold. I rub my palms together, creating body heat to keep me warm. I’m still waiting for my body to adapt to freezing conditions.
I walk to the stands, where my teammates are sitting, to put their skates on. I do the same, not wanting to waste another moment.
Tomorrow will be our twelfth game of the season, which is crazy to think. All the boys are itching to get on the ice because we are playing Willow’s old team.
She hasn’t told us anything, not even Cooper, about what went down in Nevada. Whatever it was, it was bad if the beginning of this semester was any indication.
Violent brawls flashed across my mind when I realised who our opponent was, even though I should not be getting into fights. But where Willow is concerned, I've never been able to stay out of her battles. Even if she has no clue I did anything.
For the past week, every time my eyes find Willow, I imagine her naked, writhing underneath me as I fuck her perfect cunt. It has put me in some compromising positions, since my dick agrees with all these thoughts.
I tie my laces up on my skates and head onto the ice. The session begins as usual, however, instead of beginning drills, we are still skating laps. Everyone starts on one of the blue lines, skating to centre ice, then back, then to the next blue line.
It is fucking torture.
“How many times have we done this?” Cooper pants.
“Too long. Who pissed off Coach?” I ask, glaring at the team.
Before I get a reply, Coach West yells out. “Less talking, more skating. One more lap.”
Everyone groans, but we continue to push harder. Finally, we begin different drills.
Coach and I agreed we need to work on creating more opportunities for defensive turnovers. Our stats are alright in this category, but everyone knows defence wins championships.
We finish the session by stimulating a scoring situation at full intensity. All of us are gulping for air and nursing bruises when Coach West blows his whistle to signal the end of training.
The boys leave the ice, heading into the shed for a debrief. I’m about to skate off to join them when someone hits my shoulder, causing my knees to buckle.
I hit the ice, but not hard enough to injure myself. Shivers shoot through my body from the cold ice as it scrapes against my fabric-covered skin.
Willow’s voice travels into my ears. “Jayden Allen on his knees. What a sight.”
Even with Willow towering over me, lust corrupts my eyes. I lick my lower lip, memories from a week ago flash through my mind as clear as day. I would drop to my knees any fucking day if it meant I could taste her again.
I drag my fingertips up her toned legs. My touch is soft, yet Willow’s body tenses. Her toned muscle flex under my fingers as they continue their path upwards. She sucks in a breath, while I rise to my feet, hands curling around her hips.
I lean down, letting my breath dance across her neck. I graze my lips over her ear, whispering. “Give me another chance and I’ll drop to my knees in a heartbeat.”
Willow’s tits brush against my chest before she jolts back. Her sports bra and long-sleeved workout top do nothing to hide her hard nipples. I bite my tongue, worried I'll start drooling at the thought of circling my tongue around them.
“Jayden, Willow! The meeting is about to start,” Aiden yells.
I smirk as Willow bolts off the ice. With a couple of strides, I’m able to catch her.
“Such a little tease, Red. Still trying to deny the attraction?”
She huffs out a breath. “Yes.”
The bite in her words doesn’t deter me. If anything, it makes me want to work harder. Willow puts more space between us, arriving at the meeting first, but I can’t look away from her.
“Perfect, let’s get started.” Coach Harris says.
Coach West nods. “The reason for the endless cardio was to prepare for our next game. I know Nevada plays dirty, and with it being Rogers' old team, I’m assuming it will be worse. Do not get into any unnecessary fights. Back up your teammates if you need, but everyone in this room is a piece of the puzzle that is needed if we are going to win. Understand?”
All of us nod, but I can see the glint in their eyes. No one will back down from the Nevada players, especially if they are going to target Willow.
Coach dismisses us, and Willow darts from the room. She is trying to outrun the attraction, but it won’t work.
Trust me, I've fucking tried.
***
O nly a couple of us come back to the house after training, with many of the boys going to the library to study.
Aiden and Hayes move to the kitchen–something about starting dinner, but with lust consuming every inch of me, I can’t be sure.
All I can see in my head is fiery red hair, dark hazel eyes, and a body sent straight from hell. The interaction between us at the rink has continued to simmer, even with a change of scenery.
Sparks follow where we go, and our teammates leaving us alone might be the thing that makes my control snap. Willow lingers at the bottom of the stairway, her gaze watching me. Or is she looking at the space between us? There is at least seven feet of space, yet I'm eager to close the gap.
Heated looks and baited breaths aren't enough to keep me sane. I’ve been hoping she would cave for weeks, but her stubborn streak reigned supreme. Now, though?
Even from the edge of the hallway, I can see her attraction clear as day. Nostrils flaring, a pink blush spreading on her cheeks. Willow wants it. She is just too scared to ask.
I’m about to throw her over my shoulder and tie her to my bed, not letting her up until she has come on my fingers, tongue, and cock. But Willow begins to climb the stairs, slowly, as if she is waiting for me.
She pauses in the middle of the staircase, leaning over the railing. A smirk plastered on her sinful lips.
“Are you coming?”