Chapter 27: She ended things with me GAVIN HAWKINS POV As we turned to face the newcomers, the tension in the room grew palpable. Wren's eyes narrowed, flicking between Aaron and me, while Lyric's expression was guarded, her gaze fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Aaron, still rubbing his jaw, took a step forward, his tone casual despite the situation. "Just a little disagreement, Wren. Don't worry about it." Wren’s eyes flashed with anger. "A disagreement? You’re bleeding, Aaron!" she exclaimed, rushing to his side. She grabbed the edge of her shirt, trying to dab at the blood on his lip. Aaron pushed her hand away, his tone sharp. "You might get it infected. Stop fussing." Wren frowned, insisting, "Let me help." But Aaron kept brushing her off, his movements tense. It was clear he didn’t want to confirm my suspicions by looking too cozy with his stepsister. My eyes shifted to Lyric, who still lingered at the doorway. She tipped her
Chapter 28 : Be my boyfriend GAVIN HAWKINS POV I sat on the edge of my bed, the room dimly lit by the pale morning light seeping through the curtains. My knuckles throbbed, raw and bruised. I’d cleaned them last night, but they still looked bad. The memory of Lyric’s expression lingered in my mind—the confusion in her eyes, the way her gaze darted to my hands. It made me feel something I couldn’t quite name. Guilt? Embarrassment? Or maybe… regret. I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. I didn’t regret punching Aaron. He deserved it. But I hated that Lyric saw me like that—angry, volatile, and reckless. There was a knock at the door. I glanced up, half-expecting it to be Iris. But when I opened the door, it was a woman I’d never seen before. She was beautiful, with green eyes and brown hair. However, her hair wasn’t the same shade as Lyric’s. Neither were her eyes. For some reason, I felt disappointed. Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose,
Chapter 29: Pain Demands to Be Felt **Lyric Spencer POV** I shouldn't be here right now. My shift ended almost an hour ago, but unfortunately, my colleague called in sick, and my boss pleaded with me to work overtime for some extra bucks. I couldn't say no to that. Everything was fine until Gavin Hawkins walked in with the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life. Just when I thought Iris and Wren were the epitome of perfection, I was graced with the opportunity to meet her. As the chimes above the door jingled, signaling their arrival, the entire restaurant turned to look. No one could help but stare at how stunning they were. Oh my goodness, they made a perfect couple. Do they have a social media account? I wondered how gorgeous their baby would be, and so on. It made me feel annoyed, honestly. But I didn't understand why. I no longer had a crush on Gavin, so why was I feeling this empty sensation in the pit of my stomach? Like déjà vu, the pang
# Chapter 30: You're Invited **Gavin Hawkins POV** Lyric saw me kissing Keira. Why did that bother me so much? Was she hurt? That night, I followed Lyric home, this time in the shadows. Neither Aaron nor Wren were going to accompany her, so I did. I lingered downstairs after she went in, checking the area for Alessio's men. They were not going to bother her again; I had already fixed things. Still, I was worried. Later, I got on my bike and rode off. When I reached home, my phone, which I had 'forgotten' on the kitchen counter, alerted me as several texts came in. From Iris, Keira, the coach, and him. I had not expected him to text me so early. **Him:** Merry Christmas in advance. I stared at the text skeptically for longer than I should have. He had never wished me anything, not even on my birthday. What was happening? --- The next day, I lay in bed as the sound of birds chirping rang nearby. There was a knock at the door. Feeli
Chapter 31 Gavin Hawkins’ POV By the time I got back home, the sun was high in the sky, its heat prickling the back of my neck as I parked my bike in the driveway. Hunter’s words kept circling in my head: “Sleep with her and get it over with.” As if it were that simple. I knew better than to take his advice seriously. I stepped inside, letting the cool air of the kitchen wash over me. Iris was at the counter, slicing fruit with precision. She glanced up when I entered, her sharp gaze catching me mid-step. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said, wiping her hands on a dish towel. I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her about the dream. No—bad idea. The last thing I needed was her teasing me about Lyric. “Just tired,” I said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. Iris raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Tired, huh? You’ve been acting weird lately. Does it have anything to do with the new girl you’ve been hanging out with?”
Gavin Hawkins POVChapter 32: Weird but okay "This party is boring," was the first thing that came to mind the moment I stepped into Keira McRae's vineyard. Something sweet hung in the air, soft jazz sounds floated into my ears, and the taste of red wine stained my lips. The party had everything; it was Christmas, after all. What was I doing here? I couldn't spend Christmas with him, though - it was a bad idea. I flicked my gaze to the Rolex wristwatch on my hand, another gift he gave me every year, which I ended up selling before New Year's. "Aren't you enjoying the party?" Keira asked, playfully rubbing my arm as she approached. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling turned on by the look in her eyes. It was obvious - I was going to sleep with this girl today, in her childhood bedroom. The sexual tension between us was driving me mad. "No," I said, taking a sip of my wine, keeping her in suspense. "I just don't like crowds." I told her honestly. As exp
Chapter 33: one-time thing GAVIN'S HAWKINS POV "Coach, calm down," I said, trying to placate him, my voice smooth and even. "It's not a big deal. It was just a one-time thing." Coach's voice was incredulous on the other end of the line. "A one-time thing? Gavin, you're going to be a professional athlete. You can't just go around sleeping with random women, especially not the daughter of a wealthy and influential family. What if she gets pregnant? What if she sues you for child support?" His tone was stern. I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed. "Coach, I'm not stupid. I used protection. And besides, Keira's not some random woman. She's...complicated," I said, my voice trailing off. Coach snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Complicated? That's just a nice way of saying she's trouble. Listen, Gavin, you need to focus on your game, not on getting tangled up in some rich girl's drama. You need to get your head back in the game." "I know, Coach," I repl
Chapter 34: You Won the BetIf I had known how that day would play out, I would not have attended the party.I talk like I had a choice; it was Aaron's party for the team. As team leader, he decided to hold a party for everyone to relax before the upcoming back-to-back series of games in January.From their schedule, they were fully booked to exhaustion. I was exhausted from taking the staircase to class twice a week; how did they manage rolling on ice skates, wearing heavy gear?The party began an hour ago while I was upstairs on the balcony, obviously avoiding Gavin Hawkins.That was until Wren forced me downstairs. She wanted me to make more friends? As if she wasn't enough.I stood at the edge of the party, nursing a cup of punch as I scanned the room. Wren, my best friend and interpreter, chatted with a group of people nearby, occasionally glancing over to make sure I was okay.Just as I was starting to relax, Janice appeared beside me, a sly grin spreading across her face. Wren
Chapter 88: Breaking up with you Lyric POV "A lady back there asked if I could give her a drink since she's 'lack toast and tell her aunt,'" Viktor said over the counter, his eyes crinkling with amusement. I stared at him blankly, barely registering his laughter. "She meant lactose intolerant," he added, letting out a deep chuckle. I didn’t laugh. I wasn’t in the mood for jokes. My mind was too preoccupied with my fight with Gavin yesterday. What did he mean by what he said? Shaking off my thoughts, I left the counter to prepare the order Viktor handed me. My body moved on autopilot, my mind still trapped in yesterday’s argument. Then suddenly—pain. Hot coffee spilled over my hand, scalding my skin. The cup hit the floor with a shatter, but I didn’t scream. I didn’t even flinch. I only stared at the mess, the burning sensation barely registering through the numbness inside me. "Lyric, are you hurt?" Viktor’s voice was tight with concern as he hurr
Chapter 87: Who gave you that title? LYRIC SPENCER POV My hands trembled as I sat on the bleachers, clutching the edge of my phone like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. The crowd was still buzzing with energy after the win, but my focus was gone. I didn’t hear the cheers. I didn’t see the flashing lights. I couldn’t feel anything but the weight in my chest. He saw. I knew it the moment I looked up and saw Gavin’s face on the ice. The way his expression fell. The way his shoulders dropped like the air had been knocked out of him. He saw Viktor kiss me. And he thought I let it happen. I swallowed hard, trying not to cry, but the tears blurred everything—my screen, the rink, the people. I wanted to go to him, explain, scream if I had to, but I couldn't even speak. All I had was this goddamn phone, and I couldn’t get close enough in time. I tried to follow him after the ceremony, but the crowd was too thick, and he disappeared before I cou
Chapter 86: A nobody GAVIN HAWKINS POV I couldn’t move. The roar of the crowd faded into a low, muffled hum—like someone stuffed cotton in my ears. Everyone around me was cheering, celebrating, soaking in the win, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the static in my head. Because on that giant screen… I saw her. Lyric. Smiling. Laughing. And Viktor… kissing her like he had the damn right. No. No. No. My throat tightened like it was closing up. My gloves suddenly felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. My chest ached, like someone had slammed a hockey stick straight into it. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t do anything but stare. She didn’t push him away. She didn’t even look surprised. I wanted to believe it was a mistake. That Viktor forced it. That it was out of nowhere. That she didn’t mean to let it happen. But none of it mattered. Because it still happened. And I felt so goddamn stupi
Chapter 85: Sugar town Third person POV “Gavin is back,” Aaron asserted, stepping into the room with urgency in his voice. “Where was he?” someone asked, confusion etched on their face. “Family emergency,” Aaron paused. “He forgot his phone at home, and it was switched off.” “That bigot,” Coach Fedelin cursed under his breath, shaking his head. He turned to Lyric, his expression softening. “Sorry to bother you. We’ll leave now.” Lyric offered him a tight, polite smile, though her mind was already spinning. She wondered how Gavin was doing. What kind of family emergency could make him leave his phone behind? And if his phone was really off... why did he reply to her text? Her eyes narrowed. Why was Gavin lying? A voice broke into her thoughts. “I saw Coach leaving. Is Gavin okay?” someone asked. Lyric nodded and signed, > “Okay. That’s great.” --- In the locker room, Gavin sat on the bench, already dre
Chapter 84 Third Person POV Finally, it was Friday—the day of the long-awaited match. Foreigners and out-of-town visitors filled the town stadium, eager for the game to begin. The scent of grilled hot dogs and burgers filled the air as vendors lined up their stands, taking advantage of the large crowd. Inside the locker room, the coach gathered his players for a final pep talk. The team was fully dressed in their uniforms and hockey gear, ready to take on their opponents. However, as they huddled together, the coach quickly realized someone was missing. "Where is Gavin?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation. The players exchanged confused glances, searching each other’s faces for an answer. "Shawn, you're closest to him. Where is he?" the coach pressed, narrowing his eyes at the player. Shawn hesitated before answering, his voice uncertain. "I don't know, sir. He hasn’t been picking up my calls or responding to my messages." The coach’s express
Chapter 83: Out of the game GAVIN HAWKINS POV The cold evening wind breezed past me, sending a shiver down my spine. I had driven over two towns to reach the Baby Dragon Casino, the location Allesio had assigned me to. The plan was simple: deliver over ten grams of methamphetamine. It was the most sought-after drug of the month, going for over a thousand dollars per 1.5 grams. I pulled over a few blocks from the casino, scanning the area for anything unexpected. By that, I meant the police. This place was notorious for drug dealing, thanks to its location by the famous casino. Politicians, celebrities, and the elite stopped here, not just for high-stakes games but also for a quick fix. Allesio was one of the biggest dealers in town. I was just the messenger. The deal was to dress decently—not enough to raise suspicion, but just enough to blend in while standing out slightly. With tight security and police dogs patrolling the area, the risk was high. I hoppe
Chapter 82: Just some guy > I signed before lowering my hands. Viktor smiled, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “She thinks she’s unlucky. Says I’m too overbearing.” > I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Hey!" He placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "I’m just helpful. It’s not my fault people don’t know how to take care of themselves." I rolled my eyes and turned away, stepping toward the main street. The town was quieter now, with most businesses closed for the evening. A few groups of people wandered around, probably visitors in town for tomorrow’s hockey game. Viktor easily fell into step beside me. “Are you walking home alone?” I nodded. "I’ll walk with you," he said casually, shoving his hands into his pockets. > "I know." His voice was light, but his steps remained firm. "But I want to." I didn’t argue. It had been a long day, and honestly, I di
Chapter 81: Gorgeous It was a little hotter than expected in the middle of January. The café was getting fewer and fewer customers during this time. People in Velmont didn’t drink much coffee in winter since snow rarely fell in town. The last time it snowed was at my sixth birthday party. I only remembered because Mama had kept the photos at home. I had clocked out of my shift earlier that day. It had taken a lot of convincing to get both Gavin and my aunt to let me work. The head chef, Sasha, was at the grill, her face red from the heat. She was also washing dishes in the back, her movements sharp with frustration. Then Michael stepped in. He stood by the threshold of the double doors, scanning the room like a hawk. "You, with the ugly hairband." I froze, pointing at my nose in question. "Yes, you," he clarified. Self-conscious, I touched the hairband resting atop my head. My mother had given it to me. It was beige and outdated, but I loved it.
Chapter 80: I pity her Gavin Hawkins’ POV I would like to say everything was going according to my plan. But it wasn’t. Lyric was never meant to be part of my life, and it would take me a year to realize it. Because if something wasn’t yours, it would hurt you until you realized it. --- I pulled my Jeep into the driveway of Alessio’s house, gripping my keys tightly as I made my way to the door. Lyric and her aunt were safer in my house than they were anywhere in Velmont, but that didn’t mean Alessio couldn’t still harm them. I wasn’t going to let that happen. Running a hand through my hair, I tried to ignore the weight of the steel tucked into my jeans. I pressed the doorbell. A sharp voice erupted from the speaker beside the gate. "Who is it?" "Gavin Hawkins. I'm here to see your boss, Alessio," I spoke into the intercom. The response was immediate and laced with hostility. "My boss says he doesn’t know a Gavin Hawkins. Leave be