Me and the rest of the guys are lounging in the living room, half-heartedly watching some Bollywood movie on the TV. None of us are really paying attention, except for Rocky, who seems to be weirdly invested in the plot. Every time one of the sisters in the movie gets slapped, he claps his hands and praises whoever slapped them. I swear I saw one girl get slapped more than ten times in five minutes. "I knew I recognized her," Ant says, lazily stretching out on the couch. He grabs the remote, switches over to YouTube, and clicks on a random video. "Who?" We all chime in at once, our curiosity piqued. Ant points to the TV screen, which has now switched to a hockey game. Suddenly, the room comes alive with excitement, except for Rocky, who lets out an audible groan. I glance down at the screen and see that it's a game between Boston and Minnesota, but it's a hockey match that I've never seen before. That's odd, considering I usually catch all the games. "Why haven't I seen thi
"Wait, seriously? The hockey team? Are you sure about this? After all you've been through, are you okay?" Ari's questioning eyes scan me up and down, causing my head to spin with the rapid-fire questions. "Calm down, Ari. It'll be good for me, plus I get those extra credits, and mula." I reply, winking at her as she playfully smacks my arm and rolls her eyes. "Now I see why you're really doing it," she chuckles, while Henson scoffs in the background, but I choose to ignore his presence. "Did any of them notice you?" Ari's concern is endearing, but I brush it off casually. "Why would they? I'm just a nobody now. I doubt even my old fans would recognize me," I shrug, not really caring. Being a normal student is a nice change, even if the classes are a drag. "No more hockey talk, Ari. Time to hit the road," I say, glancing at the time on my phone and realizing we might be running late. Before we can leave, Henson leans in to kiss Ari on the lips, but she turns her head at the l
I wave Ari off as soon as we get to the I.S building.I swagger into chemistry, taking my usual seat in the far back with a sense of nonchalance. Other students start to pile in, but my attention is immediately drawn to Owen, the Right defenseman on the hockey team.I always knew he was in this class, but I never paid him any attention before. Now, it's kind of hard not to, considering I'm basically his coach and we're in the same class.Of course, my luck couldn't get any worse as he decides to sit right beside me. His eyes are practically burning a hole in the side of my face, making it difficult to ignore him."This is you, right?" Owen's voice breaks through my thoughts as he holds out his phone, displaying a picture of me holding a hockey stick and smiling.I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment as I quickly grab his phone and set it down. "I thought so. If that's you, then why are you here instead of out there winning a championship?"Owen's blunt question catches me off guar
I'm in the middle of brushing my teeth, savoring that refreshing minty taste, when I catch Owen giving me the stalker stare in the mirror."You look like a stalker," I quip, spitting out the toothpaste and vigorously scrubbing my tongue.After rinsing my mouth with water, I grab a towel and wipe my face clean. I notice that the heater is raised to the max, and that probably has something to do with Tim.Tim changes the thermometer every time it's convenient to him, fuck the rest of our wants."Are you coming to the party? The football team just won, so it's gonna be wild at Kappa," Owen asks, reminding me of the celebration.I make a mental note to ask Rocky how the game went. Since our practices align with Rocky's games, we haven't had a chance to make it to any of his games yet, but we do watch it through the recording he brings back."I'll be there," I reply, grabbing a black T-shirt and throwing it on.I have a reputation that precedes me, Tim has told me that he heard rumors abou
I can't believe I kissed him again. What is wrong with me? We both agreed to forget about it, but this kiss was somehow even better than the last. I can still feel the heat from it coursing through my body as I absentmindedly touch my lips. I needed a distraction, and he was there. But why did I kiss him? Did he forget our kiss? I know he was really drunk last night, but was he able to forget? The thought of him forgetting while I can't is making my stomach churn. I need to be the one to forget not him. Ari interrupts my thoughts by asking, "What are we doing here?" I reply with a forced smile, "You said you wanted to see me coach, so here I am, coaching." We watch the boys running back and forth in the sand, completely exhausted. Most of them are shirtless including Warren who I've been constantly staring at. His tanned, sweaty, muscular, toned body is too irresistible. I can tell that he has noticed me staring by the way his eyes flicker towards me with a slight smirk whic
We finish up practice and head to the showers, all of us covered in sweat and sand. I quickly rinse off and wrap a towel around my waist, taking a moment to observe the locker room.The guys are all chatting and laughing, a rare sight for our typically stoic group. Even Ant, who usually keeps to himself, is engaging with the freshmen, even if it's to tell the freshman to fuck off. It's clear that Leia has changed the dynamic even if the other guys won't admit it."I just needed a breather," Miller mutters as he pulls on his shirt.I can't help but chuckle at the memory of Leia scolding Miller. It was a sight to behold. While everyone was concerned for her well-being, she was more focused on calling out Miller for slacking off."She didn't even check on herself after crashing into that pole," Ronald quips, his laughter infectious enough to make Owen join in."Are you boys decent?" Coach Johnson's voice booms through the locker room, and we all assure him we are.Leia enters the locker
The first game of the season is fast approaching, and I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves, even though I'm not the one playing.As I walk into Coach Johnson's office, I observe him slathering baby oil on his head – a sight that never fails to amuse me. His office is a haven of cool air, making it a welcome respite from the blistering heat outside.I muster up the courage to make a suggestion, knowing full well that the adults at this college seem to cower in fear whenever I ask for a favor. Maybe it's the resting bitch face I never knew I had, who knows?"Coach, do you mind if I give you a suggestion? You can turn it down," I say, trying to sound casual. He looks up from his oily endeavor and gives me the go-ahead."Instead of practice, should we give the team a break and celebrate their progress with a pre-game party?" I propose."I don't think that's a good idea," he starts, making me nod. "But what if they practice and then celebrate?" He suggests.Genius. Why didn
I can't believe Leia and Ari are throwing the pre-game party at my dorm. Owen is going to lose it when he finds out. "I saw this girl freaking out about where to have an ice hockey party and I thought this place would work," Sammie explains to Owen, who remains ominously silent, prompting her to nervously scratch the back of her head. "It's fine, not like anyone's gonna be getting it on here," Owen deadpans, surveying the room filled with booze and pizza, which earns a chuckle from me. The guys are scattered around, some drinking and watching a hockey game on the couch. Tim and Miller are pestering Ari about whether she's going to the game, while Leia is engaged in a heated argument with Kateb, as per usual.I quickly intervene when Sammie approaches Leia, sensing trouble brewing. Before Sammie has a chance to say anything too outrageous, I swiftly position myself by her side. "This is my sister, Sammie," I gesture towards Sammie as Leia's eyes travel up and down her figure with a
Leia WelshThree Years Later! I turn to the side, glancing at my reflection in the floor-length mirror. A soft smile spreads across my lips as I take in the sight of myself—four months in, and I'm showing so much already. My belly is swollen, round and firm, and my breasts feel heavier, straining against the thin material of my white dress. It's a simple dress, but it hugs me in all the right places, and for a moment, I feel beautiful. My gaze shifts to the ring on my finger, glimmering in the light. A warm feeling spreads through me, wrapping around my heart like a cozy blanket. The large emerald stone set in a delicate, floral band never fails to make me smile. It's more than just a ring; it's a promise, a beautiful reminder of how far we've come. I remember the first time Kohl kissed me—the way his lips felt soft and sweet against mine, his scent filling my senses like my favorite cologne. How is it possible that I never want to be without him? I've never been the kind of girl
Kohl WarrenTwo years later.I stand a few paces away, taking in the scene before me. The air is fresh, filled with the earthy scent of damp grass and the faint sweetness of blooming wildflowers. Leia sinks down onto her knees, the patchy wet grass squelching beneath her as the moisture seeps into her dark black leggings. She places her hands on her thighs, fingers splayed out like she's grounding herself, and closes her eyes, inhaling deeply.I can see her shoulders relax a little with each breath in, and I wish I could reach out and comfort her. But I know this moment is hers, a private conversation with the past, so I quietly stand by and watch. The sunlight bathes her in a golden glow, making her black hair shimmer like fresh ink. She had trimmed it months ago, but those soft curls still cascade down her back, brushing against her waist.When she finally opens her eyes, the sun catches in her emerald irises, making them sparkle with a mix of hope and sorrow."Hi, Mom," she whisper
I haven't really had a chance to talk to Leia much today, just some casual 'hey's' here and there, but it's driving me crazy. I can't stop thinking about why she didn't tell them how terrible that cup was. I wanted to be by her side when Reese hilariously shot gramps with a nerf gun bullet. I wanted to be close enough to catch a whiff of her scent and tell her how beautiful she looked. I hastily throw on my long gray winter coat and head downstairs, eager to get outside. Without anyone noticing, I slip through the doors and feel the cold air hit me. The snow is falling gently, but I pay no mind as I walk down the street, my thoughts consumed by Leia. Only her. And damn it, I completely forgot to give her the gift I have tucked away in my jean pockets. I had planned to give it to her on her birthday, but something held me back. Maybe it was the fear of having my heart broken. And then today, I couldn't give it to her, because she's going to break my heart. "Hey, slow down, you wa
He told me he loved me, and I couldn't bring myself to say it back. It's not that I don't love him too, but the words just couldn't come out. My heart was pounding all night, and I couldn't sleep a wink. I kept wondering if I should sneak into his room and tell him, but my body wouldn't let me. I'm awful. I hear a gentle knock on the door, and in walks Margret, looking stylish with her one-sided braid and black loose dress. She sits on the bed, concern written all over her face. "Did you two have a fight? Kohl was so quiet last night," she asks, making me feel guilty as I sit up because I'm the reason why he was so quiet, I'm the problem."He told me he loved me," I confess in a whisper as the words just come out of my mouth without thinking. Margret lights up with joy, then her expression shifts to worry when she sees my lack of enthusiasm. "You don't feel the same way?" she questions. I feel safe opening up to her, even though it's strange considering she's Warren's mom. She t
"That's not fair," Reese pouts as I slyly move the cone to make it harder for her to score a goal on me. "Life's not fair, kid," I chuckle, enjoying the competitive edge in her ten-year-old glare. "I say kick him!" Leia shouts from the porch, making Reese burst into laughter. Leia walks over to Reese, looking effortlessly gorgeous, and I can't help but admire her beauty. "Wow, you're so pretty," Reese says, her eyes sparkling as Leia kneels down to her level. "Not as pretty as you," Leia replies, causing Reese to blush and hide behind her hair, showcasing her cute freckles. I can't help but grin as Reese focuses on the soccer ball and kicks it, sending it directly into my groin. I drop to the ground, clutching my balls in agony. "Oh, I'm sorry uncle Kohl," Reese says apologetically as she rushes over to me, attempting to perform CPR while Leia stands by, laughing uncontrollably. I shoot her a glare, but she just keeps on laughing. "Score before he's back on his feet!" Leia sho
As we pull up the driveway of Warren's childhood home, I can't help but notice how extravagant it looks. I have no idea what his mother does for a living, but it must pay well. The three-story house is painted in a classy beige and white color scheme, with windows that give it an almost regal appearance. The driveway is packed with cars, six in total, and not a single one looks cheap. Even Warren's black G-wagon takes up a lot of space, but there's still room for two more cars. It's basically an eight-car garage, and I can't help but feel a little out of place next to all this luxury. "Don't worry, everyone here is pretty chill, except for the potential showdown between my aunt and mom," Warren says nonchalantly, causing me to raise an eyebrow. He grabs my suitcase from the trunk of his car, and I follow him up the cement path lined with bushes towards the large modern black door. The sound of laughter seeps out from inside, making me a bit nervous. But as if sensing my anxiety, W
"Are you sure they don't mind me crashing their Christmas party?" Leia questions, her eyes scanning the campus from the window as I struggle to stuff her oversized suitcase into the cramped trunk. "They're totally cool with it, trust me." I assure her, flashing a cocky grin before sliding into the driver's seat. Despite my confident words, Leia fidgets nervously in the passenger seat, smoothing out the wrinkles in the red flowery dress she borrowed from Ari. I reach over and give her hand a reassuring squeeze, trying to ease her jitters. Her smile, tinged with a hint of uncertainty, lights up her face, causing my chest to tighten in a way that is both exhilarating and terrifying. I start the car, the engine roaring to life as we start our journey to Kansas City for my mom's annual Christmas bash. The radio blares Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball" as we speed down the highway, Leia tapping her foot along to the beat while I mutter comments about the song's questionable lyrics. I haven'
It's been a fabulous week with Warren after he won the finals. He's been crashing in my dorm every night since Ari hasn't been around a lot and because Athena jetted off to some third world country for a small vacation, yes, she took a vacation during the middle of the school year. How she manages to do that is beyond me, but hey, when your family's rolling in dough, perks like that come with the territory. Warren is still a raging horndog. His stay here has left me feeling like I've been hit by a bus, but I can't say I didn't enjoy every minute of it. Tim and Rocky on the other hand have been popping in and out for snacks, leaving me high and dry in the snack department. No more midnight munchies for me. Today, we're all heading to Martha's Diner for a change of scenery. I've picked out the perfect dress for the occasion, but with my body feeling like it's been through a marathon, I'm not sure if I should risk wearing it. Warren's wandering hands might just make a grand entrance
The arena is massive, even for someone like me who used to play hockey professionally. The stands stretch out, almost reaching to the point of filling thousands of people. Well, maybe not thousands, but there's definitely a good amount. Close to the high hundreds, at least. "Wow," Ari gasps in amazement as Athena passes her a cherry slushy. I can't believe it – there's even a food court here. My jaw practically hits the floor. "I didn't get you one because I figured you'd be in the penalty box, and I didn't think you'd want one," Athena explains as she sips on her blueberry slushie, which matches her vibrant hair. I nod in understanding. "True, but I'll snag one once we win," I declare with a nonchalant shrug. "So, uh, where are we supposed to sit?" Athena inquires, her eyes scanning the vast expanse of the arena. "Wherever the hell you want," I reply with a smirk. "Just steer clear of the enemy's turf." Athena's devilish grin fades at my words as she groans. Leaving them to