CHAPTER 2

ALLISON

“Watch where you’re going!” Carter yelped, gazing down at me… his green eyes searching the entire curve of my face. I gulped, quickly pulling myself away from his grip and straightening up, narrowing my eyes.

“Watch where I’m going?” I shot back. “You were literally standing in my way.” I huffed. He just stood there, staring at me.

What?

Had he never seen a girl before?

Before either of us could say another word, a swarm of squealing girls descended on him.

“Carter!”

“Oh my God, it’s Carter!”

“Can I have a picture?”

The crowd engulfed him almost instantly, phone camera flashing everywhere in his direction.

With a frustrated sigh that suggested this happened far too often, Carter slipped past them escaping into the boys’ bathroom.

“Good grief,” I muttered. “What is wrong with these girls?” Shaking my head, I headed straight to where I’d left Sienna. Only to find her engrossed in conversation with one of the hockey players.

Of course, she was.

I dropped into a chair, patiently waiting for her to talk away so we could leave the place. I’d already sacrificed enough of my precious Friday afternoon to hockey fever.

******

“Shit!”

I bolted upright in bed, groping for my phone from the bedside table and checking the long list of missed alarm filling the screen.

They didn’t ring? How on earth hadn’t I heard a single one?

“Shit… shit… shit.” I jumped out of bed, rushing toward the bathroom and immediately smashing my foot into the corner of the wall.

“Fucking hell!” I growled, pain shooting through my toes as I hopped on one foot into the bathroom.

I was going to be late.

I took a quick shower, and dressed even quicker, throwing on loose pair of sweatpants and an oversized hoodie before grabbing my bag.

Sienna stirred in her bed, yawning.

“Where are you rushing off to? It’s six in the morning.” She dragged her eyes languidly open, watching me.

“I’m auditioning for the tutoring position. I need the extra cash.”

Sienna pushed herself upright, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “I can give you the extra money if you want, Ally. You only have to ask.”

I flipped my flip-flops from the shoe rack, slipping them on and squeezing a generous amount of her lip gloss onto my lips, smacking them together to spread them evenly over the area.

“No.” I slung my satchel over my shoulder. “You already helped pay for the textbooks I needed and covered my half of this ridiculously luxurious room.” I picked my big mathematics textbook. “I’ll figure out the rest myself.”

Sienna released a long sigh. “If you say so. What do you want to do today?”

“I’d like to rest after I return and read later in the day. Saturdays are for studying, you know that Si.”

She groaned dramatically.

“I keep hoping one day you’ll say something different.”

I burst into a quick laugh.

“Don’t hold your breath. See you later.” Walking over, I crouched low, pressing a kiss to her cheek before scurrying out.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks!” I ran out, leaving the door wide open.

I got to the venue a little over five minutes late. Shit! I was never late for anything, ever. But thankfully there was one more person before my turn.

Ten minutes into demonstrating my eidetic memory and problem solving skills, it was safe to say I’d impressed the maths tutor, instantly securing the position.

The job involved helping struggling student-athletes improve their calculus grades which I couldn’t wait to start. It paid far better than my evening shifts at Cary’s Grill and I needed all the money I could gather for college. Dad’s two jobs were never going to cut it, and besides I couldn’t watch him carry every burden alone.

My attention was pulled from my scrambling thoughts to the buzzing phone, displaying Sienna’s face.

“Hey. Everything okay?”

“I just realized the fridge is empty. Can you stop by Mellow’s and grab some groceries on your way back? I sent you money… and a little extra for you to grab breakfast since you skipped it.”

“I can get the groceries, Sienna. You didn’t have to send me money.”

“And you didn’t have to spend hours helping me with calculus. Now, my grades have gone through the roof and my parents are happy because of you. You’re accepting the damn cash.”

“Sienna—”

“No arguments, hurry back, yeah. I’ve decided to stay in today.”

I let out a surprised chuckle. “Oh,”

“I know. Shocking.” She laughed “I’m studying with you. No parties today.”

My lips curled into a smile. “I’m glad. Shoot me the grocery list.”

“Already working on it.” She said and hung up the phone. I pulled my satchel round my body, shifting my heavy textbook under one arm only to slam straight into a sweaty hard wall of muscles.

My textbook slipped from my grasp, falling to the ground. Then, I felt strong hands catching me before I could tumble backwards.

“What is it with you and bumping into people?” The deep, cocky voice was annoyingly familiar. I twisted myself free from his grip, slowing retreating as I took in the full towering height of a growing nemesis. I dragged my gaze slowly up, his gray joggers hung low on his hips. Bare broad chest glistening with sweat, every defined muscle rising and falling with his steady breaths. My gaze traveled higher and higher until it landed on his deep forest green eyes watching me, rendering me motionless.

Carter Hayes.

Of course.

Who else would be running around campus shirtless?

Seriously, did he think the rules didn’t apply to him because he was the GOAT of hockey?

He smirked.

“Now you really should watch where you are going, bumper.”

He breathed, running his hand through his dark curls.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’ve bumped into me twice in less than twenty-four hours, starting to think it’s intentional.”

I let out a dry laugh. He turned, looking back before reverting his gaze. “Is something funny?”

“Yes. You!” I scoffed. “I’m supposed to watch where I’m going when you had both eyes on the road? Trust me, if I wanted your attention, I’d find a less painful way to get it.”

He arched a brow, his gaze cementing on my face. “Do you know who you’re talking to?” He asked, sounding shocked by my sass. I grinned inwardly.

“The hell I do. Watch where you’re going next time, puck boy.” I huffed angrily, bending low and swiping my textbook up before slipping past him. But my arm was swiftly seized and I was forced to drag my eyes back to his face.

“Are you always this feisty?” He rasped, staring into my eyes. “You need to learn some manners, bumper.”

I glared at his fingers surrounding my arm, before peeling my eyes to his face. “Get your hands off me.” He swallowed, his brows knitting before slowly withdrawing his hand.

“You know, girls are dying to have three minutes uninterrupted conversation with me, some begging for a simple touch. You think you’re special, babe?”

I snorted, shaking my head slightly. The audacity of this arrogant entitled goon.

“First of all, I’m not your babe.” I waved my fingers in his face. “Second of all, I’m not one of those desperate girls praying to be touched by you. Don’t mistaken me for a fan.” His mouth opened, but no words seemed to slip out. I looked him up and down through my lashes before walking away, not in the least daring to look back.