《Break My Heart: An Enemies-to-Lovers Coach’s Daughter Sports Romance (Western Wildcats Hockey)》 Break My Heart: Chapter 1
Unknown number: We need to talk.
Those four words hit me like a punch to the gut, and the ground drops from beneath my feet. My sneakers squeak against the tile floor of the corridor as I stumble to a halt. As I stare at my phone, the words blur before my eyes. I really thought this nightmare was finally over. It takes a handful of seconds for my brain to y mental catch up as my fingers hover over the keyboard, and I fight the urge to smash my cell against the wall. It¡¯s so tempting to ignore the message and pretend I never saw it. How the hell did he get my number? Again. Every time I change my digits, he figures it out. My heart ms against my ribcage as a potent concoction of anger and frustration surges through me like wildfire. Screw him. That¡¯s all it takes for something to snap inside me as I stab out a response.
Me: Don¡¯t contact me again. There¡¯s nothing more for us to say.
Nausea roils in my stomach as I hit send. Why won¡¯t he leave me alone? It¡¯s been more than a year. Before I can take a steady breath, my phone vibrates with another message.
Unknown number: We both know that¡¯s not true. There¡¯s quite a bit to say. In person.
No. There¡¯s no way that will ever happen. This time, I don¡¯t bother with a reply. My thumb lingers for half a second before I block the number. Not that it¡¯ll do any good. With a frustrated huff, I pocket the phone in my jacket and shove through the door into the men¡¯s locker room. Transferring to Western was supposed to be a fresh start. That¡¯s one of the reasons Dad took the head coaching positionst summer¡ªto give all of us a break from the mess back home. It seems like no matter how far or fast I run, some things refuse to stay buried in the past. The second I step inside, I¡¯m hit by a wave of steamy moisture, thick in the air with the undeniable scent of sweat, wet gear, and damp towels. My nose scrunches. You¡¯d think I¡¯d be used to it by now, having spent my whole life around hockey teams. But men¡¯s locker rooms? They always reek. I hesitate inside the door, cocking my head and listening for signs of life. The steady drip of water echoing from the showers is the only sound that can be heard. Thank God. Dad would totally lose it if I walked in on the guys undressing. For as long as I can remember, there¡¯s been a strict no-hockey-yers rule in ce. It was never a problem because I was too busy skating to notice them. I¡¯ve been on the ice since I was four. After one of my coaches said I was a natural, my parents signed me up for private lessons. The next thing I knew, we were traveling all over the country. By the time I was twelve, we had uprooted our entire lives so I could train with a world-renowned coach. My life revolved around the rink¡ªpractice,petition¡ªand little else. Untilst year. I shove that depressing thought away as I swing around the corner and stumble to a halt. My eyes widen as I take in the naked guy with his back turned toward me. There¡¯s not even a towel slung around his waist to shield the view. Somewhere in the back of my brain, I realize I should retreat or, at the very least, stop staring, but I can¡¯t pull my attention away from the sight in front of me. His back is broad and rippling with muscles, each one perfectly defined. Before I can stop myself, my gaze dips lower. His ass is just as finely sculpted as the rest of him. Tight. Perfect. Damn. I suck in a harsh breath and almost choke. A coughing fit is thest thing I need right now. The noise is enough to alert him to my presence, and he swings around. His green eyes lock on mine, and there¡¯s a beat of silence as the air thickens with something I can¡¯t quite ce. My heartbeat stutters. And still, he doesn¡¯t bother to cover himself. His eyes scan mezily, as if he catches girls sneaking into the locker room and eating up his naked body with their gazes all the time. Who knows, maybe he does. His gaze never wavers as he lifts the white towel to dry his damp hair. The guy ispletely unfazed that he¡¯s stark naked, dripping, and on full disy. If only my reaction were just as casual. Heat floods my cheeks, as if I¡¯m the one who¡¯s been caught without a stitch of clothing. My eyes do the exact opposite of what I tell them to. They should be locked on his face, but no, they take a slow and thorough tour of his body. First, the broad expanse of his chest¡ªall hard muscle and glistening with droplets of water. My mouth turns cottony as my attention drifts lower. I can¡¯t help but catalogue the ridges of his abs. There are eight of them, by the way. I swear, he¡¯s got abs on top of abs. It would be difficult not to appreciate every contour. My gaze continues to meander until arriving at his?¡ª Oh my God. He¡¯s shaved. Completely. There¡¯s not a single hair in sight. And yeah, I¡¯m staring. Hard. A deep chuckle escapes from him as he breaks the silence. ¡°Like what you see, sweetheart?¡± Unsure how to respond, I remain frozen in ce, my feet rooted to the floor. Much to my mortification, my brain remains on hiatus, unable topute anything beyond the scene ying out in front of me. I should tear my gaze away, but it¡¯s like a train wreck I can¡¯t stop staring at. As if this situation isn¡¯t mortifying enough, he wraps his hand around the thick length and slowly strokes it. My mouth falls open as he stiffens up until his cock is pointing straight at me. ¡°Well,¡± he drawls, voice thick with amusement, ¡°what are you waiting for?¡± I blink and attempt to rouse myself from the daze that¡¯s fallen over me. It takes a handful of seconds to wrap my lips around a response. ¡°Waiting for?¡± I bite back a groan of embarrassment. Under normal circumstances, I pride myself on being quick-witted, always ready with a sharp retort. But right now? My brain has short-circuited. There¡¯s nothing. With his fingers still wrapped around his erection, his lips lift into a smirk. ¡°Why don¡¯t you strip off your clothes so we can get to it.¡± My heart nearly stops. There¡¯s a beat of silence so loud it feels like it¡¯s echoing in the room. Excuse me? I force myself to say something. Anything. But I¡¯m stuck, frozen in disbelief, as my mind scrambles to process what the hell is happening right now. With a tilt of his head, he gives me another slow perusal. ¡°My guess is that you¡¯ll look good on your knees with a mouth stuffed full of cock.¡± The silky words are like a bucket of icy water dumped over my head. They manage to do the impossible and wake me from my stupor. My narrowed gaze slices to his sparkling eyes. Even though I only started at Western in the fall, I know exactly who this yer is. Introductions aren¡¯t necessary. Hayes Van Doren¡¯s reputation precedes him. It¡¯s so tempting to st this guy into next week. Instead, I force the corners of my lips into some semnce of a smile as I prod my feet into movement. As I step closer, it bes necessary to tip my chin upward in order to hold his steady gaze. He¡¯s tall. Well over six feet. I¡¯m lucky if I top out at five foot three. When there¡¯s no more than a handful of inches to separate us, and the heat of his body is enough to singe me alive, I reach out and knock his hand away before wrapping my fingers around his hard length and giving him a long, slow stroke. Fire leaps to life in his green eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds. When a shiver dances down my spine, I stomp it out and drop my voice until it turns husky. ¡°Is this more like what you had in mind?¡± It doesn¡¯t take long for his eyelids to droop and a deep groan to escape from him. ¡°Yeah, baby. That feels so damn good.¡± I give his erection one final stroke before tightening my grip. The yelp of pain he releases is sweet music to my ears. ¡°You¡¯re kind of hurting me, sweetheart.¡± With an arch of my brow, I apply more pressure. ¡°Huh. Am I?¡± He studies my expression for a long beat. ¡°You¡¯re not my birthday present, are you?¡± It¡¯s not really a question. I purse my lips. ¡°No, sweetheart. I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°Hon, is that you?¡± Our gazes stay locked in silentbat as Dad¡¯s voice echoes off the orange and ck cement walls. ¡°Yup,¡± I say, loud enough for him to hear me from inside his office. ¡°Please tell me all the guys have taken off.¡± The corners of my lips tilt upward. ¡°There¡¯s not a single man in sight.¡± His sigh is audible. ¡°Good. I would have really hated if you¡¯d walked in on one of them changing.¡± ¡°No worries there.¡± Hayes winces when I give his appendage one final twist before releasing him. Without another word, I swing toward Dad¡¯s office. I would be lying if I didn¡¯t admit to feeling the heat of Hayes¡¯s stare boring into my back. It takes every ounce of self-control not to turn around and meet his gaze. Break My Heart: Chapter 2 My attention stays pinned to the feisty blonde as she saunters away, half-expecting her to toss a triumphant look over her shoulder for getting the best of me. But it never happens. With a flick of her ponytail, she strides into Coach¡¯s office, dismissing me without a second thought. Who the hell is that girl? I rack my brain, trying to ce her, but I¡¯m certain I¡¯d remember someone like her. With her golden blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a petite, toned frame, she¡¯s not easily forgotten. With a wince, I nce at my crotch. Pretty sure the vise grip she had on my junk is gonna leave a bruise. One thing is for certain, I¡¯m not leaving the locker room until I figure out who the mystery girl is. The low hum of conversation that drifts from Coach¡¯s office only piques my curiosity further. I take a step toward the door before skidding to a halt. Right¡­ I should probably get dressed first. With a muttered curse, I grab my boxer briefs and yank them up my thighs. This is followed by sweatpants, a T-shirt, and my Western U sweatshirt. Add the socks and shoes, and I¡¯m good to go. I sling my duffel over my shoulder and make my way toward the office. Since the door is cracked open, I pop my head in. With a frown, the older man¡¯s brows shoot up, and his conversation dies a quick death. ¡°What are you still doing here? I thought everyone had left.¡± The terse question he fires off only solidifies my sneaking suspicions that he¡¯s not thrilled to see me. I nce at the girl sitting on the other side of his desk. She eyes me with a cool, unreadable expression. It¡¯s a far cry from the heated look she¡¯d given me while staring at my hard dick. When Coach doesn¡¯t immediately introduce us, I take matters into my own hands. ¡°Hey there, I¡¯m Hayes.¡± She barely acknowledges me. Just a halfhearted chin lift and a t ¡°Hi.¡± Awkward silence stretches between us. When she doesn¡¯t give me anything further to work with, I turn my attention back to Coach and wait for him to fill in the nks. With a scowl, he reluctantly mutters, ¡°This is my daughter, Ava.¡± I blink. Well, damn. ¡°You¡¯re Coach¡¯s daughter?¡± I ask, totally thrown off my game. ¡°Yup,¡± she replies, not bothering to borate. ¡°Yes, she is,¡± Coach says, in that tone that clearly means back the fuck off and pretend you never met her. Now I¡¯m even more intrigued. My gaze shifts back to the blonde¡ªAva¡ªand I can¡¯t help the slow smile that creeps across my face. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± One brow slinks upward. ¡°Was it?¡± I chuckle. ¡°Definitely memorable.¡± When Coach clears his throat, I force myself to refocus. ¡°Is there a reason you stopped by?¡± Uh, yeah, there is. But I¡¯m pretty sure he wouldn¡¯t appreciate hearing that I¡¯m here to figure out who manhandled my junk less than five minutes ago. So, I pull the first usible excuse thates to mind out of my ass. ¡°I wanted to double-check the times for the clinic.¡± Coach rxes, and his rigidly held shoulders lose some of their tension. ¡°It¡¯ll run from nine in the morning until one. I¡¯ll send out an emailter in the week with the drills we¡¯ll run.¡± I nod as my gaze slides back to Ava. ¡°Sounds good. Looking forward to it.¡± ¡°Great. Thanks again for volunteering,¡± he adds, leveling me with a hard-edged stare. I¡¯m smart enough to know when I¡¯m being dismissed. I can either walk out on my own or get tossed out on my ass, and I¡¯d rather keep my pride intact. Unable to help myself, I flick one more nce at the cool blonde. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see each other around.¡± Her lips twitch in what could possibly be a smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s hope not.¡± Her icy attitude has a snort slipping free from me. Can¡¯t say I don¡¯t like it. The girl definitely has a bit of bite to her. It¡¯s a refreshing change from the groupies who hang on my every word. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, close the door on your way out,¡± Coach says, interrupting my runaway thoughts. ¡°Will do.¡± I shoot Ava onest grin before pulling the door shut and sauntering from the locker room. Break My Heart: Chapter 3 Dad frowns at the frosted ss before his gaze resettles on mine. ¡°You¡¯re not acquainted with Hayes, are you?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Good.¡± The relief on his face and in his voice is almostical. ¡°Let¡¯s keep it that way.¡± I shift in my chair, eager to steer the conversation in a different direction. ¡°You wanted to see me?¡± ¡°Yeah. I was able to book the ice for six A.M.,¡± he says, a small smile creeping onto his face. ¡°Only the janitorial staff will be around, so you¡¯ll have the ce all to yourself.¡± He opens his desk drawer and pulls out a keycard before holding it out to me. I take it and try not to think too hard about how good that sounds. ¡°Thanks.¡± My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. ¡°I really appreciate it.¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t lose the card, or it¡¯ll be my ass,¡± he warns, but his tone is light. ¡°The only reason the athletic director agreed is because it¡¯s all but certain that we¡¯ve made it to the yoffs.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± I tuck the card into my pocket and rise to my feet, ready to take off, but Dad pulls off his ballcap and rakes a hand through his hair, his expression shifting, as if he wants to say more but isn¡¯t quite sure how. My stomach clenches. Does he know about the texts? There¡¯s no way Nathan would contact him. Not after everything that happened. I thought Dad would murder him with his bare hands after the scandal broke. I¡¯ve never seen him so close to losing control, and I¡¯ve never been so scared. Nathan should consider himself lucky to still be alive. If he has any brain cells whatsoever, he¡¯ll stay far, far away from me. Dad¡¯s voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. ¡°Have you given any more thought to reaching out to a few of the names on the list I gave you?¡± Before I can shake my head, he adds, ¡°Like maybe Nadia Petrovic? I don¡¯t have to tell you what a world-renowned coach she is. The girl who won Nationalsst year trained with her.¡± I drop my gaze as tension coils in my muscles. ¡°What would be the point? I¡¯m not even sure I want to skate anymore.¡± The silence that follows that response is deafening. I force myself to nce up, only to find his blue eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and sadness. ¡°Maybe if you just had a simple phone conversation with her or one of the others, you might change your mind.¡± His voice is quieter now, as if he knows how close I am to bolting. ¡°I hate to see you throw away everything you¡¯ve worked so hard for because of that piece of?¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± I blurt, popping to my feet. I can¡¯t sit here for another moment and pretend like everything¡¯s fine when it¡¯s not. It hasn¡¯t been for a long time. ¡°You¡¯ve always loved to skate,¡± he murmurs, as if trying to remind me of something I¡¯ve forgotten. ¡°I know.¡± My voice is tight, almost strangled. ¡°It was your life.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I repeat, hating just how true the statement is. It was my life. And now? Now it feels like something that belonged to someone else. ¡°I hate that you¡¯re letting what happened take away the one thing you¡¯ve always been so passionate about,¡± he says, his tone low and full of sadness. I open my mouth, but no wordse out. What can I even say? It¡¯s not like he¡¯s wrong. A year ago, everything blew up. My life went up in mes, and after all this time, I¡¯m still sifting through the ashes, picking up the charred pieces. ¡°Dad¡­¡± With a sigh, his shoulders sag. ¡°I¡¯m not going to force you to do something you don¡¯t want to, but would you at least think it over?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The lie slips out easily, even though we both understand that I have no intention of following through with it. I¡¯ve been telling people what they want to hear for months now. It¡¯s just easier that way. Easier than exining how I can barely breathe when I think about the past. How I spent months in therapy trying to process it all, and I¡¯m still not there. Still not okay. If I¡¯d had my way, I would¡¯ve walked away from skating for good. But I just couldn¡¯t do it. The ice is the only ce that makes sense. The only ce where I can find any peace. Irony¡¯s a bitch, isn¡¯t it? The thing I love the most is also the thing that inflicted the most damage. After months of fighting the impulse, I returned to the rink. I still skate, but notpetitively. It¡¯s doubtful I¡¯ll ever do that again. Dad clears his throat, as if unsure how to keep the conversation going. ¡°Have you been out with anyely?¡± The question catches me off guard, but it¡¯s not a total surprise. Mom¡¯s usually the one who wades cautiously into these turbulent waters. For whatever reason, Dad seems to be picking up the ck this afternoon. I shake my head. ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°I just need time to think and figure out what I want to do with my life.¡± What I don¡¯t say is that dating is thest thing on my mind. That I¡¯m too screwed-up to even think about being with someone right now. It¡¯s not something I feltfortable exining to my therapist. How can I tell anyone that I¡¯m still messed-up, that I haven¡¯t been able to find anything that feels good, or that the guys I¡¯ve been with couldn¡¯t give me what I needed? What I secretly craved. Dad would probably keel over if I admitted any of that to him. When it looks like he might say more, I do the only thing I can and rise to my feet. ¡°Sorry, I really need to go. But I¡¯ll see youter?¡± The smile he shes doesn¡¯t quite banish the sadness from his eyes. ¡°Sure. Of course.¡± There¡¯s a pause. ¡°I love you, Ava.¡± Only then does everything loosen inside me. ¡°I love you too.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 4 ¡°Who¡¯s hungry?¡± Colby asks as we shove through the arena doors into the crisp evening air. ¡°Because I¡¯m fucking famished.¡± He pats his belly. ¡°Correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but I do believe it¡¯s Tuesday,¡± Steele adds. Ford grins. ¡°Taco Tuesday it is!¡± He pulls out his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll call the girls. They can meet us there.¡± ¡°Guess I could put away a few tacos,¡± Bridger adds, slinging his bag over his shoulder. A curvy body ms into mine and I find Larsa Middleton hanging off my neck. She¡¯s got dark eyes that always seem to sparkle with mischief, and right now they¡¯re locked on mine. ¡°How about me? Am I invited to Taco Loco?¡± I give her an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry, sweetheart. I won¡¯t be heading over. I¡¯ve got other ns this evening.¡± Her lower lip juts out in a pout that probably works on most guys. ¡°Can¡¯t you change them?¡± I shake my head, not even tempted in the least. ¡°Nope. Maybe next time.¡± She stretches onto the tips of her toes and nips my earlobe with sharp teeth, whispering, ¡°That¡¯s too bad. I was hoping we could spend a little one-on-one time together. Or, if you¡¯re up to it, maybe two-on-one.¡± Before I can respond, movement catches the corner of my eye, and my head swivels so fast that I nearly give myself whish. My attention locks on the blonde striding across campus about twenty yards away. Her ponytail bounces with every determined step she takes. Ava. The girl I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about since our memorable encounter in the locker room. As if she can feel the heat of my stare, she nces up from her phone. Her eyes narrow as soon as our gazes collide. The smile I sh is met with a scowl before she dismisses me and continues on her way. ¡°Hayes?¡± It¡¯s only when Ava disappears around the corner of a building that I nce at Larsa and realize she¡¯s still clinging to me. ¡°As fun as that sounds,¡± I say, untangling her arms from around my neck, ¡°I¡¯m gonna have to pass.¡± ¡°Boo.¡± She swings away, eyeing Ford and Colby for a few seconds before dismissing them. Larsa knows better than to mess with either of my teammates. Carina and Britt both made sure of that. If she crosses the line again, it won¡¯t end well for her. The grin Steele shes her way makes his dimples pop. ¡°You can ride on the back of my bike.¡± She gives it a second of consideration before setting her sights on his cousin. ¡°No, thanks.¡± ¡°Okay, the girls are in. They¡¯ll meet us at Taco Loco in ten,¡± Ford announces, pocketing his phone. I nce back to thest ce I saw the petite blonde. The words are out of my mouth before I can reel them back in. ¡°Did you guys know Coach has a daughter?¡± Ford nces at me with mild confusion. ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a picture of her in his office. You never noticed?¡± I frown. ¡°Nope.¡± With a smirk, Bridger shakes his head. ¡°You¡¯re totally oblivious, dude.¡± ¡°Not when it matters,¡± I shoot back. Colby raises an eyebrow. ¡°And when exactly would that be? On the ice and between the sheets?¡± I point at him and smile. ¡°Correctamundo.¡± Before the conversation can spin any further out of control, our phones buzz simultaneously with an iing text. The air around us shifts as we all exchange uneasy nces. Ever sincest semester, Bridger¡¯s been getting sted by mass messages from the university¡¯s system. Nobody¡¯s been able to figure out who¡¯s behind it. The texts started out as a joke, but now they¡¯re way past funny. More like brutal. I unlock my phone and nce at the screen. Shit. It¡¯s bad. The image might be blurry, but it¡¯s unmistakable. Bridger¡¯s pants are down, and some girl¡¯s face is smashed against his groin. Can¡¯t say she doesn¡¯t have game. But this doesn¡¯t seem like the time to point that out. Even Larsa¡¯s gone quiet as she stares at her phone in disbelief. ¡°Dude¡­¡± Steele mutters, reaching out tofort his cousin. But our teammate swats his hand away before snarling, ¡°I¡¯m so fucking sick of this bullshit.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Colby says, his usual humor nowhere to be found. ¡°We¡¯ll figure out who¡¯s doing this.¡± Bridger pinches the bridge of his nose. ¡°How? I¡¯ve tried. Whoever¡¯s behind it knows what they¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t we talk to the cyber security department at the university? Maybe they have connections who can help,¡± I suggest. Bridger sighs. ¡°My dad already reached out to them. There¡¯s nothing they can do. But I guess it¡¯s worth another shot.¡± When his phone rings, he silences it without even checking who it is. ¡°Is that your dad?¡± Ford asks carefully. ¡°Probably. I¡¯m not really in the mood for an ass chewing right now.¡± Steele nods toward the parking lot. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here and grab some food. It¡¯ll take your mind off it for a while. Then we¡¯ll try toe up with a n.¡± Bridger shakes his head. ¡°You guys go ahead. I¡¯m gonna stop by my dad¡¯s office before he loses it.¡± ¡°Want us toe with you?¡± his cousin asks, a hard glint filling his gray eyes. ¡°There¡¯s always strength in numbers.¡± Bridger¡¯s expression softens. ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll be fine. Catch you guyster.¡± In silence, we watch as Bridger walks away. The poor guy looks like he has the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. Colby sighs. ¡°Who knew his old man was such a dick?¡± We all mutter in agreement. ¡°Guess we should get moving,¡± Ford says, heading toward the parking lot. As we reach my beat-up truck, I realize that Larsa has vanished too. That¡¯s probably for the best. She¡¯s not exactly on great terms with the girls after thest time Carina caught her hitting on Ford. Colby unlocks his shiny new Escde as he and Ford climb inside. Steele beelines for his motorcycle. ¡°Meet you there?¡± Colby asks. I shake my head. ¡°Sorry. Like I told Larsa, I¡¯ve got ns.¡± Fordughs. ¡°And here I thought you were just feeding her a bullshit excuse.¡± ¡°Nope. Real ns.¡± I wave my teammates off and duck into my ancient ¡¯96 Ford Bronco before they decide to pepper me with more questions. Those two are the nosiest bastards I know. I fire up the engine, and the familiar rumble drowns out their voices as I pull out of the lot, driving in the opposite direction of Taco Loco. It doesn¡¯t take long for the quiet to settle around me as I enjoy the hum of the road beneath the tires. Thirty minutester and I¡¯m pulling into the narrow gravel driveway of the single-story house that has seen better days. The moment I park, the front door flies open, and Theoes barreling out like a missile. The screen door ms against the aluminum siding before reverberating on its hinges. ¡°Theodore!¡± Mom¡¯s voice carries from inside. Theo ignores her,unching himself at me with a wide grin. The kid¡¯s only ten, but he¡¯s built like a tank, just like I was at the same age. Ollie, my thirteen-year-old brother, lingers in the doorway, arms crossed against his chest, trying to y it cool. He¡¯s been full of attitudetely. I scoop up Theo in a mock wrestling move. ¡°Missed you, little bro.¡± ¡°What¡¯s it been, like a week?¡± Ollie asks, voice dripping with teenage indifference. There¡¯s the barest glint of humor in his eyes. I set Theo down and grin at Ollie, knowing exactly how to push his buttons. ¡°No¡ª¡± Before he can react, I tackle him, hoisting him up like we¡¯re about to go full-on WWE. He squirms,ughing despite himself. By the time we¡¯re done messing around, both of us are winded and our hair is mussed. Mom stands in the doorway, watching with a smile. ¡°Hello, sweetie.¡± ¡°Hey, Ma.¡± I straighten my clothing and shoot a grin at my brother before giving her a kiss on the cheek. With a re, he gives me the finger. It¡¯s tempting to put him in a headlock. Instead, I turn to my sister, Kia, who¡¯s standing by my side, grinning up at me with a gap in her smile. ¡°Look! I lost a tooth,¡± she says proudly, pointing to her mouth. I crouch down, pretending to inspect the damage. ¡°Looks to me like you lost two teeth.¡± She beams. ¡°The tooth fairy gave me four dors!¡± ¡°Well, you better save it,¡± I say, scooping her up. She¡¯s fine-boned, like our mother, and light as a feather. Her arms tangle around my neck as she clings to me like a baby rhesus monkey. She cups her fingers around my ear and whispers, ¡°I hid it in Dolly¡¯s diaper so the boys don¡¯t take it.¡± I carefully tap the side of her head. ¡°Smart thinking. Probably thest ce they¡¯d look.¡± When she shes a dimpled grin, my heart melts. With her mess of golden curls and big blue eyes, she¡¯s way too adorable for her own good. Dinner is simple¡ªHamburger Helper, one of my childhood favorites. It¡¯sforting in all the right ways. Throughout the meal, my brotherspete for the funniest story, Kia picks at her food, and Mom just looks tired. The dark circles under her eyes never really went away after Dad died five years ago. Even though it¡¯s been a challenge, she¡¯s done her best to hold everything together for us. After dinner, I help clean up while the kids retreat to their rooms. Once she settles at the small kitchen table with a cup of decaf, I pull a wad of cash from my pocket and set it down in front of her. Mom stares at it for a long moment before looking up at me, emotions swirling in her hazel eyes. ¡°You know¡­ if we took them out of hockey, it would help with some of the expenses.¡± I shake my head. ¡°Forget it. They need the structure and discipline.¡± She reluctantly nces at the cash again. ¡°They¡¯d get into trouble without it,¡± I add when it looks like she¡¯ll argue. ¡°You don¡¯t need that stress.¡± She nods as wetness gathers in her eyes. ¡°Oh, Hayes¡­¡± She sniffs, trying to hold it together. ¡°I know I don¡¯t say it enough, but I¡¯m so grateful for everything you do.¡± Thick emotion clogs my throat. ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank me. We¡¯re family. We only have each other to lean on.¡± ¡°Your father would be proud of the man you¡¯ve be.¡± We sit in silence until she dries her tears. Only then do I nce at my phone, knowing I need to get back to school. I still have a pile of work to do before calling it a day. Sometimes it feels like the grind never stops. I jerk a thumb toward their bedrooms. ¡°I¡¯ll say goodbye to the kids and then take off.¡± She swipes at red-rimmed eyes before rising to her feet as I do the same. Her fingers trail over the thick wad of bills. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of cash.¡± She picks it up before flicking a concerned nce my way. ¡°I¡¯m almost afraid to ask how you¡¯re making this much money.¡± I force a smile and keep my tone light. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing illegal.¡± Her teeth scrape against her lower lip before chewing it. ¡°I really hope not. Thest thing I want is for you to jeopardize your future.¡± I press a gentle kiss against her forehead. ¡°You know I¡¯d never do that. The NHL is our ticket to a better life.¡± Some of the tension drains from her thin shoulders. ¡°Good.¡± I spend the next twenty minutes watching stupid videos online with my brothers and then read Kia her favorite book about a hound dog named Charlie before walking out of the house. As I head back to school, I think about how different our lives will be a year from now. We¡¯ll have more money than we know what to do with. It¡¯ll be falling out of our asses. Mom won¡¯t have to worry or put in extra hours so she can make ends meet. All the shit we¡¯ve had to go through will be nothing more than an ugly, distant memory. It¡¯s what keeps me motivated and focused on the things that matter. My family. Hockey. School. In that order. And there isn¡¯t room for anything else. Break My Heart: Chapter 5 At this hour in the morning, the rink is deserted. The hum of the Zamboni has long since faded, leaving behind a wless, ss-like surface. Fresh ice, untouched and perfect. Is there anything better? I draw in a deep breath and hold it captive, savoring the chilly air that fills my lungs. For just a moment, I allow the tension in my body to melt away before exhaling. And then my des are carving a steady rhythm as I ease into my warmup. Each glide sends a satisfying hiss through the silent arena as my breathes out in little clouds before dissipating in the chilled air. I move into some crossovers, feeling the familiar burn in my thighs as I pick up speed. Everything from the past year that normally eats away at me fades to the background, leaving nothingness in its ce. Once warmed up, I glide to the center of the ice and take my starting position. With my knees slightly bent and arms poised, I focus on the music in my head. It¡¯s a piece I¡¯ve practiced more than a thousand times. I visualize each note, each synchronized movement, then I begin. The first few moves are smooth and flowing, a series of elegant spirals that show off both my control and grace. I transition into a camel spin, extending my free leg behind me and holding my position steady as the centrifugal force pulls at my body. Only then do I exit the spin with a flick of my toe pick and push into a series of intricate footwork. My focus narrows as I approach a triple lutz. I dig my toe pick into the ice andunch myself into the air, rotating quickly. My heart stutters as my des touch down in a perfectnding. Even after everything that happened, it¡¯s one thing that never fails to send satisfaction flooding through me. After that, I flow into a sit spin, dropping low and holding the position, as the burn in my legs intensifies. From there, I transition into a flying camel,unching into the air and rotating into the spin mid-flight. The rush of the wind against my face is exhrating, and confidence surges through me as I nail thending. The routine builds to its climax, and I push harder, faster before executing a sequence of jumps¡ªan axel, a loop, and finally a salchow. Each one pushes me to my limits. My body is in perfect sync with the rhythm in my mind, each movement precise and deliberate. For a second, my old coach¡¯s voice creeps into my mind. ¡°Bend your knees!¡± ¡°You¡¯re skating too stiff!¡± I crush it before it takes hold, refocusing on the final spin, feeling the stretch, the release as Ie to a graceful stop. It¡¯s only when I slow that I realize my chest is heaving. My breathes out in small clouds before evaporating in the frigid air. Contentment floods through me. In this moment, I feel lighter, like I¡¯ve finally found the missing piece of myself. That fragile peace is shattered as slow pping echoes through the rink. My eyes snap open, and ice floods my veins. For a terrifying second, I think it¡¯s him. That he¡¯s found me. My eyes lock on green ones, and a potent concoction of relief tinged with irritation rushes through me. Hayes Van Doren loiters near the benches, azy grin tugging at his lips as he takes a swig of coffee. Ourst run-in shes through my mind. The flutter at the bottom of my belly is a shock to my system. I haven¡¯t felt anything like that since?¡ª I m the door on that thought and harden my stance. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m interested in this guy. Not even a little. His manwhore reputation is legendary. He¡¯s exactly the type of guy my dad would lose his mind over if I got anywhere near. Which makes him even more dangerous. Add to that the wreckage of my past, and I¡¯m no longer the girl who can afford a distraction. When I remain silent, his lips lift into a crooked smile as he raises one hand in a wave before raising the container he¡¯s holding in the other to his mouth and taking a swallow. I continue to re, hoping my prickly demeanor will send him scurrying. It¡¯s be a defense mechanism. Even as that thought rolls through my brain, I realize it¡¯s an unlikely scenario. This guy is much too cocksure of himself. When he doesn¡¯t take the hint that I¡¯m not interested in striking up a conversation or anything else he might have in mind, I skate toward him, every movement deliberate, eating up the distance between us until I stop in front of him. That¡¯s when I realize he¡¯s not sipping on his own coffee. He¡¯s enjoying mine. Seriously? My brows snap together. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Still breathing hard from my workout, I nt my hands on my hips and scowl. The smartest thing I can do is shut down whatever this is before it spirals any further out of control. A little voice inside my head wonders if it¡¯s already toote for that. ¡°Have youe to ask me to fall to my knees so you can¡­¡± I pause, as if trying to jog my memory, then continue, ¡°How did you oh so charmingly put it? Stuff my mouth full of cock?¡± A grin moves across his face as his eyes twinkle with humor. He doesn¡¯t look the least bit embarrassed. ¡°Yeah, sorry about that. Thought you were someone else.¡± I roll my eyes at the exnation. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it better.¡± His tongue slides over the front of his teeth as he shrugs. ¡°No, I suppose it doesn¡¯t.¡± My pulse trips as silence thickens the air between us. I hold myself steady, refusing to let him see just how much he gets under my skin. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re Coach¡¯s daughter, huh?¡± I lift a brow. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure we established that already.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t even know he had a kid,¡± he muses, eyes gleaming with something I can¡¯t quite ce. ¡°Color me surprised. Is that because you¡¯re too wrapped up in your groupies to notice?¡± The words fly out of my mouth before I can think better of it. His grin widens. ¡°Ahhh, so you know who I am.¡± I bristle, realizing I¡¯ve given him exactly what he wanted¡ªthe upper hand in this conversation. ¡°Stop drinking my coffee,¡± I snap, spinning away and skating back toward the center of the ice. ¡°See you around, Tink.¡± His low and amused chuckle follows me as the sound vibrates through the empty arena and settles somewhere deep in my core. I refuse to turn around, even as I feel the tug of it. Thest thing I need is to encourage him. After a few silent minutes, curiosity wins out, and I peek over my shoulder, only to find the benches empty. I should be relieved. Instead, disappointment bubbles up inside me, unwanted and annoying. I force myself to skate through my routine two more times, trying to lose myself in the movement, but it¡¯s useless. His easy grin keeps popping into my head. As soon as exhaustion sets in, I skate back to the benches and reach for my coffee, only to find the container empty. Grrr. Break My Heart: Chapter 6 With my duffel slung over my shoulder, I push through the front door of the two-story Victorian I share with Ryder, Bridger, Maverick, Riggs, and Colby. Scratch that. Colby¡¯s off ying house, married to Britt, a singer-sh-reality star who was once in hiding but is now living her life out in the open. There¡¯ve been more plot twists and shocking reveals around here than in a freaking soap opera. Since Colby packed up, Bridger¡¯s cousin Steele moved into the room. The house is still a rotating door of teammates, friends, and, of course, girls. Tonight is no different. A group of the younger guys are kicking back in the living room, cold brews in hand, eyes glued to the video game ying out on the high-def 70-inch screen. Half a dozen girls are mixed in, draped over the furniture. ¡°Hey, Hayes!¡± A hot brte perks up as soon as she spots me walk in, raising a hand in greeting. I give her a chin lift as I head toward the staircase. ¡°Come party with us!¡± she calls after me. Without breaking stride, I shake my head. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got some stuff to do.¡± She pouts, batting hershes. ¡°And here I was hoping to be one of those things.¡± A half-amused snort escapes me. ¡°Maybeter.¡± Even as I throw out the possibility, I know it¡¯s not going to happen. Not tonight. Hell, probably not anytime soon. It¡¯s been a week since I watched Ava skate, and I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about her. I¡¯m not the kind of guy who loses sleep over a chick, but there¡¯s something about her. Normally, it only takes a wink orpliment from me to get a girl interested. But this one? She¡¯d rather throat punch me than return a smile. I probably shouldn¡¯t think that¡¯s hot, but I do. Once I make it to my room, I shut the door and lock it before pulling off my ck Western Wildcats sweatshirt and the T-shirt beneath, tossing them both onto the bed. Barely do I notice the cool air that hits my chest as I fire up myptop and set everything up. I¡¯ve done this enough times to have it down to a science. Once I¡¯m connected and the home screen loads, I enable the camera, making sure only my torso is in the frame. Not my face or any recognizable marks. Nothing that could give me away. Since I don¡¯t have any piercings or tats, I don¡¯t really worry about being identified. If there¡¯s ady¡ªor dude for that matter¡ªout there who can recognize my dick, hats off to them. I shove the chair away from the desk to give myself enough room to maneuver. I¡¯ve been doing these shows since my sophomore year. By now, I understand what my audience tunes in for. Sometimes, I¡¯ll stretch out on the bed. Other times, I sit at the desk. Once or twice, I¡¯ve tried to get creative with a shower scene, but that gets tricky when you live with a bunch of dudes. It tends to raise questions when you saunter out of the bathroom after a twenty-minute shower with aputer tucked under your arm. That¡¯s thest thing I need. I shove the buds in my ears and crank up a little mood music to lose myself in. It¡¯s a trick I picked up early on. It looks way more natural if I forget about the audience tuning in. All I can say is, who knew jacking off online would turn out to be so damn lucrative. Luckily for me, I enjoy rubbing one out a couple times a week. My schrship covers my tuition and books. My online hustle pays for my living expenses and gives me enough cash to send Mom¡¯s way at the end of the month. It¡¯s a win-win for everyone. It wasn¡¯t a lie when I told Mom I wasn¡¯t mixed up in anything illegal. Although, she¡¯d definitely tear into my ass if she discovered how I make my money. And she wouldn¡¯t ept one damn penny if she discovered the truth. Which is exactly why I keep my online activities to myself. No one knows about it. Not even my closest teammates and friends. A few months from now, TenInchesofCocky will retire and be a thing of the past. I fidget with the screen until I have the perfect angle of my chest, abs, and gray sweatpants before tugging the waistband down. I squirt a little lotion on my hands and rub them together before starting the livestream. Already there are a couple hundred viewers¡ªor voyeurs¡ªwaiting patiently in my private room. The little red light on the camera blinks, letting me know I¡¯m live. I lean back in the chair and manspread. Maybe women don¡¯t like it IRL, but they sure as hell don¡¯t mind when I¡¯m on camera and they¡¯re getting up close and personal with the goods. Especially when I drag the material down, freeing my dick, and proving that my screen name is one hundred percent urate. There¡¯s definitely no shame in my game. My hands settle on my chest, sliding with ease thanks to the lotion. That¡¯s all it takes for me to close my eyes and lose myself in the steady thump of the music. It¡¯s something mellow that flows. I pinch my nipples before allowing my fingers to meander downward. I throw a few stretches in, so my muscles bunch and flex, before shifting on the chair. When an image of Ava pops into my head and my dick stiffens right up, I go with it. This is exactly what my fans mor for. Even though my eyes remain closed, I have zero doubts that appreciativements are rolling across the screen. In the beginning, I was more cognizant of them, but that takes me out of the experience. So, I stopped paying attention. The only time I tweak something is when the money dips, but I¡¯ll be honest, that hasn¡¯t happened since the beginning. My audience has only grown over the years. I focus on the sassy figure skater as my hand drops to the waistband of my sweats before sliding over the material and grabbing the thick erection that tents the cotton. I hiss out a breath. The tip is already sensitive. Who would have thought the feisty blonde could get me so hard? My fingers drift lower, tracing the ridge of my erection until reaching my balls. I roll the sac around, massaging it before squeezing. Damn, that feels good. Under normal circumstances, I try to stretch out the show for about twenty minutes before the grand finale, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to make it that long. Fuck it. Instead of waiting, I shove down the sweats and boxers, allowing my erection to spring free. Then I pull out my balls. They¡¯re just as much of a showstopper as my cock. Especially since they¡¯re shaved and as smooth as a baby¡¯s bottom. Don¡¯t believe me? Check out thements section. Maybe I don¡¯t watch them scroll by, but I always read them afterward to see what people enjoyed. With one finger, I circle the crown, gliding over the slit where moisture has beaded, before spreading it around until the bulbous head is slick with arousal. If I lift my finger, a little string of clear fluid woulde with it. Then I tighten my grip around the girth and slowly slide it up and down the shaft. Just when my balls tighten, I force myself to release the length, massaging my sac for a second time. A groan rumbles up from my chest before escaping between my lips as my head falls back and I arch, impatient to feel the slide of my hand against my dick. It¡¯s nothing short of torture. I¡¯m so damn close toing. My teeth sink into my lower lip as I nudge myself closer to release before easing off. Then I do it all over again until I¡¯m dancing on the precipice. When I can¡¯t stand another second, I allow an image of Ava to creep back into my thoughts. I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said she¡¯d look good on her knees with her mouth stuffed full of cock. My cock. That image is all it takes to send me flying over the edge. With a guttural groan, my balls tighten as the first hot spurts of cumnd on my lower abdomen. My orgasm seems tost forever. It¡¯s only when I¡¯vepletely emptied myself that I loosen the chokehold on my dick and sink farther back on the chair. I massage the jizz around my belly since I know the fans love it. With a peace sign, I end the livestream. I pluck a few tissues from the box on my desk and clean up the mess before tugging up my underwear and sweats and then heading to the shower. I nce at the screen, zeroing in on the number of viewers. The corners of my lips tip upward. We¡¯re venturing into record-setting numbers, which trantes into record-setting amounts of money that will hit my bank ount and help pay for Mom to keep food on the table and my siblings in hockey. There¡¯s nowhere else I could earn this kind of cash for twenty minutes of ¡°work¡± a couple times a week. Who knows, I just might miss it when I finally pull the plug at the end of the semester. Break My Heart: Chapter 7 The noise is deafening as I step inside the arena. The sports venue is packed tonight with a sea of fans wearing Western Wildcats jerseys and hats. The hardcore supporters are easy to spot with their orange and ck face paint. Near the plexiss, a group of girls are holding up glitter-bedazzled poster boards in a desperate plea for attention. The way some of these chicks lose their minds over the hockey yers around here is ridiculous. It¡¯s like they forget these guys aren¡¯t out there curing cancer or solving climate change. As I scan the crowd, I spot my new friends. Britt pops up from her seat with a wave. A smile tugs at the corners of my lips, and the knot of tension in my belly loosens as I make my way toward them. When Britt first introduced me to her crew, I wasn¡¯t sure what to expect. Girls like them¡ªtight-knit, supportive, genuinely nice¡ªdidn¡¯t exist in my world. I was always on the ice, too busy training to make real connections. And even when I did get close to people, the rtionships felt catty and filled with jealousy. But these girls? They¡¯ve done the unexpected and weed me with open arms. Britt pulls me in for a warm hug the moment I reach her. ¡°Ava!¡± she chirps, her excitement contagious. ¡°I¡¯m so d you were able to make it.¡± My muscles rx as I settle into the seat next to her. The others¡ªFallyn, Juliette, Carina, Ste, Vi, and Willow¡ªare scattered around, all engaged in various conversations. It¡¯s noisy with the music sting through the loudspeakers, hyping fans up for the game. I try to focus on anyone other than Hayes Van Doren, but my gaze is reluctantly drawn to him. Even with the helmet covering his head and face, I can still pick him out in the crowd of yers. He¡¯s taller and broader in the shoulders than most of the others. From across the sheet of ice, our gazes collide, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. Instead of ncing away, he smirks. Ugh. His ego is so massive, he probably thinks I¡¯m here just for him. It takes effort to sever the connection and turn my attention back to Britt, who loops her arm through mine. Like me, she¡¯s new to this group of friends. The difference is that she¡¯s with one of the hockey yers, so she fits in perfectly. All of these girls are dating¡ªor married to¡ªguys on the team. The only other girl not with one of the yers is Hond. She¡¯s Willow¡¯s bestie and roommate. I¡¯ve only met her a handful of times. What I¡¯ve noticed is that she tends to hang back and feel out the situation before loosening up. She has a razor-sharp sense of humor and seems to detest hockey yers in general. The only time she shows up for games is when Willow drags her along. And she certainly never parties with them afterward. Then again, neither do I. It¡¯s only when Britt nudges me that I blink back to our conversation. ¡°Where have you been hiding? I feel like I haven¡¯t seen you in forever.¡± Funny she would say that. Britt has no idea how close she is to the truth. I shrug, wanting to keep the convo light. ¡°Just busy with sses. You know how it is.¡± She nods. ¡°It¡¯s a juggling act, for sure.¡± ¡°How¡¯s married life treating you?¡± I waggle my brows. ¡°Still enjoying it?¡± Her cheeks flush as a wide smile spreads across her face. ¡°It¡¯s pretty amazing. I couldn¡¯t be happier.¡± It still blows my mind that Britt and Colby secretly tied the knot in Vegas while there to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Wolf and Fallyn. From what I can tell, they¡¯re head over heels in love with each other, and he treats her like a total queen. Honestly, all the guys are that way with their significant others. My guess is that these girls have snapped up all the good ones. I¡¯ve spent enough time around hockey yers to know that most of them are exactly that¡ªyers who enjoy all the perks thate along with being a high-profile athlete on campus. My attention is once again ensnared by Hayes. As much as I try not to stare, I just can¡¯t seem to help myself. He¡¯s way too handsome for his own good. Mine as well. It would be for the best if he lost interest. Although, I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t be long before he moves on to the next warm body. I doubt he has much of an attention span. The lights dim, and a voice booms through the arena, announcing the starting lineup. The energy in the ce kicks up a notch as the Wildcats hit the ice to a chorus of cheers. Hayes is in the center of it all, probably eating up the adoration like sugary candy. This time, I do roll my eyes when a group of girls a few rows ahead scream his name, hoping to snag his attention. He gives them exactly what they¡¯re so desperate for. With a grin, he lifts his gloved hand to wave. He¡¯s the epitome of cocky confidence. Typical. Finally, the coaching staff is introduced, and I whistle, cheering for my dad. He¡¯s always been my rock, and asplicated as life has be, I realize how lucky I am to have parents who love me unconditionally. They¡¯ve supported me through everything¡ªeven when I made the impossible choice to walk away from professional skating. I tamp down the grief threatening to surface, refusing to let it in. The puck drops, and the game explodes to a start in a frenzy of motion. Hockey is fast, aggressive, and chaotic. A well-oiled machine of yers crashing into each other with precision. I remind myself to stay focused on the game, but my attention continually drifts to Hayes. He¡¯s all over the ice, involved in every y, moving with an ease and fluidity that¡¯s mesmerizing. It¡¯s hard not to notice how good he is, how he makes the toughest ys look effortless. It doesn¡¯t take long for him to rack up three goals, securing a hat trick. His teammates surround him, pping his back and grinning through their visors. When he looks up, our eyes lock, and my pulse stutters. Damn him. I tear my gaze away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of thinking I¡¯m impressed by his talent. As I force myself to scan the packed stands across the ice, unease settles in my stomach. There, in the sea of fans, is a man in a ck hoodie, his face obscured. My breath catches, the air freezing in my lungs. No. It can¡¯t be. I rise, trying to get a better look as the visiting team¡¯s fans jump to their feet when a turnover is made. Panic res to life inside me, spreading through my veins like ice, as I search the crowd again, scanning faces, trying to convince myself it was nothing more than a trick of the light. That Nathan isn¡¯t here. He has no idea where I am. ¡°Ava?¡± The worry woven through Britt¡¯s voice is what pulls me back. ¡°Are you okay? You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡± I swallow hard and force a shaky smile, wanting to alleviate her concern. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just a little lightheaded. I didn¡¯t eat much today.¡± Britt frowns. ¡°Why don¡¯t we grab something from the concession stand? You don¡¯t want to pass out.¡± My heart continues to race as I shake my head. Even as I force the words through stiff lips, fear slithers through me, wrapping icy fingers around my heart before squeezing. It takes effort to keep the tremble from my voice. ¡°I hate to bail, but I¡¯m going to head out.¡± ¡°Are you sure? We¡¯re not even halfway through the game.¡± ¡°Yeah, I still have some work to finish up.¡± Her brow furrows. ¡°You¡¯re really pale. Want me toe with you?¡± The offer is tempting, but I can¡¯t drag Britt into this. More than likely, it was just my imagination ying tricks on me. ¡°No, I¡¯m good. I¡¯ll text you when I get home.¡± She gives me a hug before I say goodbye to the rest of the girls and then slip from the arena. With my shoulders hunched, I weave through the crowd. My senses are on high alert as I scan the corridor for a familiar face¡ªone I never thought I¡¯d see again. The chilly night air hits me as soon as I step outside, but it does nothing to calm the gnawing fear in the pit of my belly. Even though the parking lot is well lit, I can¡¯t shake the ominous feeling that settles inside me. The one that whispers someone is looming in the shadows, watching me. Waiting for the perfect time to strike. Break My Heart: Chapter 8 The bar is packed, loud, and buzzing with energy as we walk into p Shotz. The vibe is electric with people still riding high from our win tonight. We fought hard, making sure every y counted. The thought of not making it to the yoffs had all of us on edge. It¡¯s starting to hit me that every game could be thest one we have as a team. A unit. I scan the dark room, searching the sea of faces. It takes a moment to realize I¡¯m looking for someone specific. Someone petite and pixieish, who reminds me of a prickly little Tinkerbell. My feet stutter to a stop. What the hell am I doing? I¡¯ve never fixated on a girl like this before. Usually, they¡¯re all interchangeable. A pretty face and a body to warm my bed for a couple hours. That¡¯s all it¡¯s ever been. But the blonde figure skater has wormed her way into my head and refuses to be evicted. I don¡¯t like it. I don¡¯t like the way she knocks me off bnce. Especially when I know she¡¯ll cut me to ribbons with her sharp tongue if I step too close. Not only that, but she¡¯s also Coach¡¯s daughter. His only daughter. The fastest way to get benched would be to screw around with Ava. Besides, she¡¯s made it clear that she¡¯s not interested. If I were smart, I¡¯d let it go. And yet¡­ I can¡¯t stop thinking about her. I try to shake off the strange sensations that have taken root inside me, but they refuse to be dismissed. There are plenty of girls here tonight to lose myself in. What I need to find is someone uplicated. I nce around, the shing lights and dark corners of the bar offering more than enough options. All I need to do is smile, and the groupies will be lining up, vying to spend a little time with me. Even as I tell myself that, deep down, I know it¡¯s not what I want. I¡¯m not looking for a tall brte or a fiery redhead. I¡¯m not interested in anyone else except a snarky blonde with sharp blue eyes. And an even sharper tongue. And that¡¯s a problem. I release an irritated breath and spot my teammates already heading toward our usual table in the back that¡¯s reserved just for us. ¡°Shut the fuck up before I do it for you,¡± Bridger snaps, his voice strung tight. Even though Garret smirks, a mean look shes in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just asking a question, man.¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t.¡± ¡°When you can¡¯t make a clean pass, it bes my business,¡± Garret shoots back. ¡°Thatst goal? It was totally on you.¡± Bridger swings toward him with his hands clenched at his sides. Only a couple of inches separate them. I¡¯ve never known Bridger to have a short fuse, but the pressure inside him has been building over thest couple months. He¡¯s be a ticking time bomb. Garret¡¯s an idiot for pushing him. Thest thing we need is a full-on brawl in the middle of p Shotz. It¡¯s one thing to get into it with your opponents and quite another to start with your own teammates. I slip between them, shoving Garret back a few paces. ¡°Hey, we won tonight. Let¡¯s not start shit here.¡± Garret¡¯s eyes sh with irritation as my hand presses against his chest to keep him at a distance. ¡°You¡¯re being a dick.¡± He scowls as tension crackles in the air between us. ¡°You¡¯re always taking his side, huh, Van Doren?¡± I meet his re head-on before lifting my chin. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Garret looks like he might say something else until Wolf steps beside me, his menacing presence enough to shut anyone down. With his tats and shaved head, Wolf¡¯s not someone you want to mess with. Garret¡¯s face pales, and he mutters something under his breath before stalking off in the opposite direction. Wolf raises an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s his deal?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Same as always. Just being an asshole.¡± We settle at the table, and the moment my butt hits the chair, a curvy girl drops onto myp. She beams, shing perfect white teeth. Her hands slip around my neck as she leans in, pressing her breasts against my chest. ¡°Hayes,¡± she purrs, running her fingers through my hair. ¡°You were amazing tonight.¡± I offer up a smile. ¡°Thanks, sweetheart.¡± She¡¯s pretty. The kind of girl I¡¯d usually go for without a second thought. And yet¡­ all I can think about is how she¡¯s not Ava. My brow furrows at the thoughts that have taken up residence in my brain. ¡°Wanna get out of here?¡± Her lips brush against my skin as she whispers the question. Normally, that¡¯s all it would take, and I¡¯d already be out the door with her on my arm. Instead of feeling the usual rush of excitement, there¡¯s nothing. No spark, no heat. My mind drifts back to the other morning at the rink and the way Ava¡¯s eyes narrowed when she caught sight of me watching her. The most hrious part was her feeble attempt at ignoring me. When that didn¡¯t work, she skated closer to verbally spar. Does she feel the same pull I do? It¡¯s the million-dor question that begs for an answer. The girl on myp nips at my neck, her fingers curling into my hair. ¡°So, what¡¯s it going to be? Come back to my ce?¡± I stare into her whiskey-colored eyes, trying to drum up a little bit of interest. But all I see is Ava. Her blonde hair, those piercing blue eyes, the way she gets under my skin without even trying. Fuck. With a groan, I drag my hand down my face, surprising even myself when I gently lift the girl off myp. ¡°Sorry, sweetheart. That game really took it out of me.¡± Her face scrunches. ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I rise to my feet. ¡°Alone.¡± Her lips part in surprise. ¡°Alone?¡± I nod, feeling like I¡¯ve been dropped into some weird alternate reality. This isn¡¯t me. I don¡¯t walk away from girls like her. But tonight? Something¡¯s off. And I know exactly what it is. I force a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ll see you around.¡± Without waiting for a response, I turn and walk out of the bar until the noise and chaos fade behind me. My thoughts are all tangled up in the one girl I can¡¯t seem to forget. The one who wants nothing to do with me. Break My Heart: Chapter 9 The only sound in the arena is the scrape of my des over the ice. It¡¯s one of the few things that usually brings mefort. Today, though? It sets my nerves on edge, like every muscle is stretched tight, ready to snap. I roll my head from side to side, trying to ease the tension, but nothing helps. I¡¯m wound up, and the more I skate, the more Nathan¡¯s voice digs into my brain. ¡°Lazy. Mediocre at best.¡± I can still hear him, criticizing my every move. The triple salchow is one of the hardest jumps to master, but even now, I feel his judgment pressing down on me, making me second-guess every step. And it¡¯s not just the skating. It¡¯s everything. Inded like crap, didn¡¯t get enough sleep, and now, on top of everything else, I¡¯ve convinced myself I saw Nathan at the gamest night. That possibility is enough to turn my stomach. I blow out a slow breath, trying to get my head right, and push off again. My skates slice the ice as I build speed, approaching the takeoff for a triple axel. Even though my legs are tired, I ignore it andunch into the air. The rotations feel right. Thending is solid. It¡¯s perfect. At least for a moment. That moment where everything falls away, and it¡¯s just me, the ice, and the sound of my breath. I miss that feeling. The rush. The power. It¡¯s like Nathan found the smallest thread inside me, pulled it, and unraveled everything. My confidence, my joy, my belief in myself¡ªit all came apart in his hands. Now I¡¯m here, fighting to get it back. I transition smoothly into a triple lutz-triple toe loopbination, nailing both jumps without thinking. My body knows the rhythm, the timing, better than my mind ever could. For a few minutes, everything is simple again. No Nathan, no scandal. Just skating. But it¡¯s fragile. I glide through a Biellmann spin, my signature move. One arm reaches back to grab my de as I spin faster, my body bending and core burning. The announcers used to rave about my spins. But Nathan¡¯s voice would cut through the praise, pointing out the smallest w. ¡°Hold it longer, Ava. That was sloppy. Do it again.¡± With a flick of my toe pick, I exit the spin andunch into a sequence of jumps. The finalbination is a quadruple salchow, the one I always struggle with. My body surges into the air, muscles tense as I twist four times beforending cleanly. My knees bend with the impact, and for a second, I can almost imagine the roar of the crowd. But it¡¯s all in my head. The only sound is the empty arena and my heartbeat pounding in my ears. The peace that follows is short-lived as a chill races down my spine. Just like that, the moment is gone. Vanished into thin air. I whip around, gaze scanning the seats. It¡¯s enough to have my skin prickling with unease. There¡¯s no sign of him, no figure lurking in the shadows, but the feeling refuses to be evicted. It¡¯s like he¡¯s still here, somewhere, watching. I shake my head, trying to shove the paranoia away. But ever since the text messages started, every little thing feels like a warning. A threat. It¡¯s exhausting, and I¡¯m tired of looking over my shoulder. My eyes catch movement by the benches, and I freeze. Hayes. He¡¯s sitting there, watching me, as if he has every right to do so. My stomach flutters with nerves. Seeing him has be a weird kind of relief, even though I don¡¯t want it to be. Even though he¡¯s the person I should be thinking about. I take off in the opposite direction, attempting to ignore him, but it¡¯s useless. His gaze is heavy and distracting. When I can¡¯t stand another moment, I cave and skate toward him,ing to an abrupt stop a few feet away. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Watching you skate,¡± he says easily, his voice calm and brimming with confidence. I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Why am I watching you?¡± His lips quirk into a half-smile, like the answer is obvious. I give him a sharp nod. He leans back, eyes thoughtful. ¡°Maybe because you¡¯re really good, and I find it¡­ soothing.¡± The breath I¡¯d been holding whooshes from my lungs, leaving me speechless. Soothing? My brain is usually quick to fire back with something biting, something that will make him retreat. But this? I don¡¯t know what to do with this. ¡°Do you have a problem if I like to watch?¡± His voice is lower now, a bit rougher, and when I meet his eyes again, there¡¯s something in them that makes my pulse jump. Heat floods my cheeks. I blink, trying to find my footing, but it¡¯s like he¡¯s pulled the ice out from under me. ¡°If you¡¯re just watching me skate,¡± I manage to mumble. ¡°I am.¡± He grins, mischief dancing in his eyes. ¡°Unless there¡¯s something else you had in mind.¡± When I narrow my eyes in response, he changes the subject. ¡°Did you used topete?¡± It¡¯s a challenge to shove the memories back down where they belong. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But not anymore?¡± ¡°No.¡± When I don¡¯t borate, he asks, ¡°Howe?¡± The air feels tight around me, like there¡¯s not enough oxygen to go around. ¡°I just don¡¯t. End of story.¡± His gaze sharpens, and for a second, I feel like he sees more than I want him to. More than I¡¯mfortable with. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that,¡± he says quietly. ¡°Something tells me there¡¯s more to the story. How about you tell it to me over coffee?¡± I blink, thrown off by the casual invitation. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Coffee,¡± he repeats. ¡°It¡¯s a drink. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of it before.¡± I cross my arms tightly over my chest. ¡°Are you seriously asking me out?¡± His lips curl into a smile that has rm bells ring in my brain. ¡°Yeah. I guess I am.¡± I shake my head, trying to clear the sudden fog that has descended. Thest thing I need is for it to cloud my judgment. ¡°No. That¡¯s definitely not a good idea.¡± He doesn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°You do realize who my dad is, right?¡± The reminder should be more than enough to make him back off. But Hayes doesn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°It would be hard not to.¡± I exhale sharply. ¡°Look, I¡¯m not interested.¡± His green eyes stay locked on mine, and I brace for the typical male reaction¡ªannoyance, frustration, anything that might knock him off his axis. Instead, his smile widens as his eyes spark with amusement. ¡°Just out of curiosity, are you always in the habit of lying to yourself?¡± A gurglingugh slips out of me. ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°You¡¯re interested. But for whatever reason, you¡¯re too stubborn to admit it.¡± My jaw drops as I stare at him. How does this guy manage to throw me off-kilter at every turn? ¡°You¡¯re really cocky, you know that?¡± He hops down from the half wall with ease. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that before, Tink.¡± ¡°Why do you keep calling me that?¡± He cocks his head. ¡°Because the way you skate is pretty fucking magical. Almost like you¡¯re flying. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.¡± Thepliment does the unexpected and stuns me into silence. He shes a grin as his gaze remains fastened to mine until he swings away with an easy confidence that¡¯s impossible not to admire. ¡°Give it some thought,¡± he calls over his shoulder, ¡°and get back to me.¡± Ha! This guy is out of his mind if he actually thinks I¡¯d consider going out with him. Instead of telling him that, I remain silent, watching him disappear into the shadows of the arena as the sound of hisughter echoes in my ears. Break My Heart: Chapter 10 ¡°Are you guys excited?¡± Ollie jerks his shoulders, attempting to act indifferent, but the brightness in his eyes gives him away. ¡°Yeah, I guess.¡± I nce at him with a hiked brow. ¡°You guess, huh? Well, I can always call Ma and have her pick you up if you¡¯ve got better things to do with your time.¡± His eyes widen, panic ring for a moment, before he quickly shakes his head. ¡°Nah, that¡¯s all right. I¡¯ll stay and skate.¡± It¡¯s tempting to call him out on his bullshit, but I bite back the sharp retort. Thirteen is a rough age. Everything changes and the world feels like it¡¯s shifting beneath your feet. He¡¯s at that stage where acting like you care is uncool, but I know better. Deep down, he¡¯s still the same kid who used to look up to me like I hung the moon. I remember what it was like, the confusion and awkwardness of trying to grow up. But that doesn¡¯t make it any less frustrating when he gives me attitude. Theo, on the other hand, is practically bouncing off the walls, barely able to contain his exuberance. His wide grin and sparkling eyes are contagious, and I can¡¯t help but ruffle his messy blond hair. ¡°You gonna get out there and show them how it¡¯s done, buddy?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Theo beams up at me, vibrating with enthusiasm. I nce down at Kia, her small hand safely tucked in mine. She¡¯s the youngest but just as determined as her brothers. She already loves the ice, and there was no way she¡¯d let me bring the boys without her. Mom coaxed her to try ballet and ser, but Kia only wants to y hockey. Just like her big brothers. When she looks up at me, I smile. ¡°Ready, squirt?¡± ¡°Ready!¡± she chirps, voice bursting with just as much excitement as Theo¡¯s. We head to the locker rooms to get them geared up for the clinic. I poke my head inside to make sure everyone¡¯s decent before leading Kia in to get changed. She wrinkles her nose at the distinct smell of stale sweat and gear that permeates the space. ¡°It¡¯s stinky in here,¡± she says, her face scrunched with disgust. Iugh and gently flick the tip of her nose. ¡°Trust me, you get used to it.¡± I unzip her bag and pull out her gear, then she steps into her hockey pants, and I strap on her chest and elbow pads. Nexte her socks, which I tape in ce, and finally her skates. I tug her practice jersey over her head, then carefully secure her helmet. ¡°All set, squirt?¡± With a nod, she hops in ce with pent-up energy. Once everyone is dressed, we check in with Maverick at the registration table. He shes a grin when he sees us, fist-bumping the kids. ¡°Man, you¡¯ve all really grown sincest year. What are you eating for breakfast, steroids?¡± Maverick jokes, giving Ollie a teasing look. My brother stands a little taller, trying to look bigger than he is. He¡¯s always been on the shorter side, much to his irritation. After we exchange a few more words, I hustle the kids onto the ice, getting them settled with their age groups. I pat Theo on the helmet. ¡°I¡¯ll be right over there if you need anything, okay?¡± He nods as I take off. The yers will rotate through different stations before scrimmagingter. I¡¯m supposed to help Maverick, but my attention gets snagged by something¡ªor rather someone¡ªon the ice. Ava. Her blonde ponytail swings behind her, catching the light as she skates across the rink. Every time I¡¯ve watched her on the ice, her hair has been pulled tight into a bun. Seeing the golden length flowing down her back has my mind going ces it probably shouldn¡¯t. I can¡¯t help but wonder what it¡¯d be like to wrap it around my fist and feel it in my hands while?¡ª I change direction, my feet moving before I¡¯ve even made a conscious decision. It¡¯s like there¡¯s an invisible thread pulling me to her. One that¡¯s impossible to resist. When I catch her eye, she tilts her head and meets my gaze with a steely look of her own. ¡°Kind ofte, aren¡¯t you?¡± she says, her voice dry. I smirk, unable to resist needling her. ¡°Anxious to see me again, Tink?¡± With a snort, she crosses her arms and nces away. ¡°I think we both know nothing could be further from the truth. And stop calling me that.¡± My mindes up with and then rejects a dozen different responses. I¡¯m not used to ying it cool, and I sure as shit don¡¯t have to try this hard to secure someone¡¯s attention. That realization only makes me want to break down the walls she¡¯s erected to keep me out even more than before. ¡°Have you given anymore thought to grabbing that coffee with me?¡± ¡°Actually,¡± she says with an exaggerated pause, ¡°I forgot all about it.¡± I press my hand to my chest. ¡°Ouch. That stings.¡± She arches a brow. ¡°Doubtful.¡± Even though she¡¯s doing everything possible to keep me at a distance, I refuse to walk away. There¡¯s something here, something that demands to be explored. My guess is she feels it too. Before I can say anything else, Coach skates over, his narrowed gaze bouncing between us. Suspicion darkens his features. ¡°Hayes, help Sanderson with the drills.¡± I blink. ¡°I thought I was with Maverick.¡± Coach¡¯s stare turns a few shades colder. ¡°McKinnon¡¯s got it under control. Assist Sanderson.¡± Trantion: Get the hell away from my daughter. ¡°Sure thing, Coach.¡± I give Ava onest look, but she¡¯s already skating away. I head toward the opposite end of the rink. It¡¯s a challenge to keep my mind focused on the drills and not the blonde figure skater. Every couple of minutes, my attention gets snagged by her. And when she drops the prickly demeanor and smiles at the kids? It¡¯s like a punch to the gut that leaves me feeling even more off-kilter than before. That¡¯s when I realize that whatever this is won¡¯t just fade away. The question is, what the hell am I going to do about it? Break My Heart: Chapter 11 Three hourster and I¡¯mpletely wiped. Parents are trickling in for pickup, and I didn¡¯t expect wrangling a group of hyperactive children would be more exhausting than my own two-hour practices filled with physically demanding jumps and routines. Some of these kids have the attention span of a goldfish. They¡¯re constantly asking questions, wandering off, or worse, encouraging others to do the same. And the ones who can¡¯t seem to focus for more than five seconds? I keep them glued to my side. Their parents must be saints, because there¡¯s no way I¡¯d survive one day in their shoes. ¡°Coach Ava?¡± A small tug on my fingers pulls me from my thoughts. I nce down into the big blue eyes of a little girl. Two teeth are missing from her smile, which only makes her cuteness factor shoot off the charts. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I check the white tape on her helmet that has her name scrawled in ck Sharpie. ¡°Kia?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thirsty. Can I get a drink of water?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She beams before rushing off toward the bench where the bottles are lined up like little soldiers. She¡¯s one of the few girls in the clinic, and definitely the youngest. A couple minutester, she¡¯s back, standing in front of me with that same wide-eyed grin. ¡°Do you y hockey?¡± The question takes me by surprise. ¡°Nope. I¡¯m a figure skater.¡± A small stab of sadness twists inside my chest. That answer used to fill me with pride. Now, it¡¯s a reminder of everything I¡¯ve lost. Before I can wallow, I push the feeling aside, refocusing on the little girl. ¡°Are you here by yourself?¡± She shakes her head, pointing toward a group of boys on the other side of the rink. ¡°My brothers are over there.¡± ¡°Hockey must run in the family, huh?¡± Her dimples pop as she nods. ¡°Yup. My brother says I can y on a team next year.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be fun. So, who¡¯s picking you up? Are they here yet?¡± ¡°My brother drove us,¡± she says. I nce at one of the boys she pointed to and frown. ¡°Isn¡¯t he, like, ten?¡± Kia bursts into a fit of giggles. Before she can answer, Hayes skates over with two boys trailing behind him. One of them looks about twelve, the other younger, maybe eight or nine. When Hayes scoops Kia up into his arms, her face lights up. ¡°Did you have fun, squirt?¡± His tone is gentle in a way I wasn¡¯t expecting. ¡°Yeah! Can wee back next weekend?¡± With a smile, he shakes his head. ¡°Nope. This was a one-day thing, remember? We talked about it.¡± Her pout is immediate, and I can¡¯t help but soften at the exchange. ¡°These are your siblings?¡± The question slips out before I can stop it. His gaze locks on mine, that familiar grin creeping across his face. ¡°Yup. All three of them.¡± ¡°My feet hurt,¡± one of the boysins, sounding every bit the pre-teen he probably is. ¡°I think I¡¯ve got blisters.¡± Hayes pats the top of his helmet. ¡°I¡¯ve got bandages in my bag. We¡¯ll check them in the locker room.¡± As they make their way off the ice, I realize the rink is mostly empty except for the Wildcats yers who volunteered for the clinic. Just as I step onto the rubber mats, a small hand slips into mine. Kia looks up at me with those big blue eyes. ¡°Can Ie with you? The boys¡¯ locker room smells bad.¡± The question catches me off guard, and I nce at Hayes, unsure how to respond. He shrugs, clearly amused by the situation. ¡°If it¡¯s okay with Coach Ava, it¡¯s fine with me.¡± I look down at her again. ¡°I mean¡­ yeah, sure.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± she chirps before pulling me toward the girls¡¯ locker room. A grin simmers around the corners of Hayes¡¯s mouth as we walk away. ¡°I¡¯ll grab her bag,¡± he calls after us. A minuteter, he hands me a pink hockey bag that¡¯s bigger than she is. It could probably fit her and one of her brothers inside. I chuckle at the thought as I lead her into the locker room. There are only a few other girls left, all pink-cheeked and sweaty, slowly peeling off their gear. Kia chatters nonstop as I help remove her helmet, then work on ucing her skates. ¡°Are you friends with my brother?¡± she asks, her tone curious but innocent. I hesitate, my fingers pausing on her skates. ¡°Umm¡­ yes?¡± She doesn¡¯t seem to notice the uncertainty in my answer, and keeps talking,pletely unaware. ¡°I miss him when he¡¯s at college. I wish he lived at our house.¡± ¡°I bet that¡¯s hard. Does he visit a lot?¡± ¡°Yup! Sometimes Mama brings us to his games, and we get to yell his name really loud.¡± She cups her hands around her mouth and shouts, ¡°Hayes!¡± When her voice echoes off the concrete walls of the locker room, Iugh. This girl is way too cute. ¡°I bet he can hear you all the way from the ice.¡± ¡°He says he can.¡± There¡¯s a brief pause and then her voice drops. ¡°Guess what?¡± She doesn¡¯t give me time to respond before blurting, ¡°He¡¯s gonna y in the NHL next year.¡± I raise an eyebrow. ¡°So I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°And when he does, we¡¯ll have lots and lots of money,¡± she whispers, as if this is a big secret she¡¯s sharing with me. ¡°He promised I can have a puppy.¡± I pause, digesting her words. ¡°Hayes gives Mama money so we can skate,¡± she adds quietly, her voice growing solemn. The innocence in her tone is heartbreaking. She says it so simply, but there¡¯s a heaviness behind her words that makes my chest tighten. This is the first time I¡¯ve gotten a glimpse into the weight Hayes carries, the responsibility that must rest on his shoulders. I clear my throat, wanting to shift the mood. ¡°Sounds like he¡¯s a pretty great big brother.¡± Her face brightens again as she bounces on the bench. ¡°He¡¯s the best!¡± As we finish packing up her gear, I can¡¯t help but mentally rey everything she said. It paints a different picture of Hayes than the one I had before. Less cocky center for the Western Wildcats and more protective older brother, willing to do whatever it takes for his family. We head out to the lobby where Hayes and his brothers are waiting. The minute they spot us, Kia runs to him, her small hand clutching his tightly. ¡°Who¡¯s hungry?¡± he asks. ¡°Me!¡± they all shout in unison. I take a step back, raising my hand in a wave. ¡°Well, have fun?¡ª¡± ¡°Can Coach Avae?¡± Kia interrupts, her eyes wide and hopeful. I pause, startled by the unexpected question. I nce from her to Hayes, shaking my head. ¡°Oh, no. I don¡¯t want to intrude?¡ª¡± ¡°Please?¡± Kia pouts, her expression tugging at my heartstrings, making it impossible to say no. This little girl already knows how to wrap people around her finger. Hayes smirks, clearly enjoying my difort. Hisughter is barely contained. ¡°You¡¯re wee to join us, if you¡¯re up for it.¡± With a sigh, I check my watch. ¡°I guess I can go.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Kia hops around, her energy boundless despite the hours spent on the ice. As we head toward the exit, Hayes falls into step beside me. His siblings run ahead, eager to hit the arcade area near the concession stand. I give him a sideways nce as my lips twitch with amusement. ¡°You realize your sister is going to be a handful, right?¡± He snorts. ¡°What do you mean going to be?¡± As much as I hate to admit it, for the first time since I met Hayes, I see him in a different light. Maybe he¡¯s not just an arrogant hockey yer who always seems to have a smirk on his face. Maybe, just maybe, he¡¯s a guy who has a lot more going on beneath the surface. And maybe that makes him someone worth getting to know. Break My Heart: Chapter 12 The drive to Harvey¡¯s Eats and Treats is a quick fifteen minutes from the arena, but with Ava sitting next to me in the passenger seat, it feels like a longer stretch of time. She offered to take her own car, but Kia¡ªGod bless her¡ªbegged Ava to ride with us. There was no way she could say no to those big blue eyes, and I wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook. Without my little sister doing my dirty work, I¡¯m sure Ava would have found an excuse to avoid my beat-up Ford Bronco. The old girl might be rusty and a little worse for wear, but I¡¯d never rece her. Not even with the NHL sry I¡¯m hoping tond next year. I¡¯ve put too much blood, sweat, and tears into this truck, working summers in high school to afford it, then spending weekends fixing her up with my uncle. She¡¯s seen me through a lot, and there¡¯s something grounding about that. Ava sits stiffly beside me, her fingers twisted together in herp, eyes glued to the windshield like she¡¯s trying to will herself to be anywhere but here. Alternative rock hums through the speakers while my siblings chatter in the back seat about their morning on the ice. After we pull into the parking lot of Harvey¡¯s, Ava pops the handle and steps out of the truck before assisting the kids. All three of them scramble from the backseat and race toward the entrance. I chuckle, watching them disappear inside as the bell above the door chimes in their wake. ¡°You¡¯ve certainly got your hands full,¡± Ava mutters. I grin, locking up before we follow them inside. ¡°You have no idea, Tink.¡± Harvey¡¯s is one of our favorite spots. It¡¯s got this old-school diner vibe with pinball machines, a jukebox, and a menu filled with ssic burgers, fries, and the best milkshakes in town. It¡¯s not something we splurge on often, but every now and then, I like to treat my siblings to dinner out just to remind them that things won¡¯t always be this tough. That better days are ahead of us. As we walk in, Shelley¡ªthe waitress who practically watched me grow up¡ªspots the kids and greets them with a wide smile. ¡°Hey! It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen the Van Doren bunch! Want your usual table?¡± She doesn¡¯t bother to wait for a response, already knowing the drill. The kids love the booth near the pinball machines. Her gaze catches mine, and a curious brow arches as she takes in the girl beside me. I can practically see the gears turning in her head. It¡¯s only a matter of time before she calls my mom with thetest gossip. Once we¡¯re seated, Kia scoots close to Ava until she¡¯s practically sitting in herp. Shelley hands out menus even though we don¡¯t need them. ¡°The usual?¡± she asks. ¡°Yeah, that sounds good,¡± I say, ncing at Ava. ¡°Do you need more time to make a decision?¡± She shakes her head, a small smile ying around her lips. ¡°I¡¯m good. My dad and I came herest month. He loves the Salisbury steak. It reminded him of the ce my mom used to work at in college.¡± I lean back, taking in the way her face softens as she talks about her family. This version of Ava¡ªmore rxed, less guarded¡ªis rare, and I find myself wanting to keep the conversation going, to tease out more from her. ¡°Do you have any siblings?¡± With a shake of her head, she tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. ¡°No, but I¡¯ve always wondered what it¡¯d be like.¡± I nce toward my brothers and sister, who are busy bickering over which of them is the better hockey yer. ¡°They can be loud and rambunctious, but I wouldn¡¯t trade them for the world. It¡¯s kind of like having chaos and calm all at once.¡± She smiles, but it doesn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°I bet. I¡¯m sure your parents appreciated the help, especially with such a big age gap between you and them.¡± I pause for a moment, considering how to answer. This is the most we¡¯ve talked about anything personal, and I don¡¯t want to say something that will send her guard shooting back up. ¡°Guess I got the best of both worlds. I had my parents to myself for a while, then got to be a big brother.¡± Before Ava can respond, Ollie breaks away from the pinball machine and rushes over. ¡°Can we get some quarters for the games?¡± ¡°Pleeeeease,¡± Kia adds, stretching out the word for a solid ten seconds. Ava chuckles from beside me before covering it with a cough. I pull a ten and two singles from my wallet before handing them over to Ollie for safekeeping. ¡°Have Miss Shelley break it at the cash register.¡± My gaze settles on Theo. ¡°If I give the three of you twelve dors, how much do each of you get?¡± With a furrowed brow, he looks upward, as if the answer might be magically written on the ceiling. ¡°Ollie and Kia get three each and I get the rest.¡± ¡°Nice try. Everyone gets four bucks.¡± I point at the three of them. ¡°And no fighting.¡± Theo and Kia cheer before running off, leaving me with Ava. If I¡¯m lucky, I¡¯ll get a solid ten minutes alone with her before they¡¯re back, begging for more money. So I need to make the most of it. If Ava has her way, I¡¯ll never get another chance like this again. She stares after them with a bemused expression. With her distracted, it gives me the perfect opportunity to silently soak in the sight of her. She shakes her head and chuckles. ¡°They¡¯re pretty cute.¡± ¡°What they are is a pain in the ass,¡± I correct, though there¡¯s a fondness in my voice I can¡¯t hide. ¡°They keep my mom busy, for sure.¡± Her lips curve as she shrugs. ¡°I can see that. When I was about ten, I begged my parents for a sister or brother. It was always just the three of us, and there were times when it was lonely. That¡¯s when they sat me down and told me that my mom couldn¡¯t have more kids. They¡¯d both been so sad.¡± It¡¯s kind of weird to think of Coach having a life outside of hockey. Maybe even a few unfulfilled hopes and dreams. ¡°Are you close with them?¡± She nods. ¡°Yeah, I am.¡± ¡°They must be pretty protective since it¡¯s just you.¡± Emotion flickers in her eyes before she nces away. Just when I think she¡¯ll evade the question with a change in topic, she says, ¡°They are.¡± There¡¯s a pause before her voice dips. ¡°Thest year has been difficult for them.¡± Everything around me fades to the background as I press closer, wanting to know every detail she¡¯s willing to hand over. ¡°Howe?¡± She shrugs as her teeth scrape across her lower lip. ¡°The move and just everything that came along with it.¡± Even as I nod, I rey her words in my head, trying to make sense of them. I get the feeling there¡¯s more to the story than Ava is willing to tell me. What I¡¯ve already discovered in the little time we¡¯ve spent together is that she¡¯s guarded. If I push too hard, attempting to dig for the truth, she¡¯ll shut down, and I¡¯ll lose the tiny bit of trust I¡¯ve gained this afternoon. I nce at my phone, knowing our time together is running out. ¡°My mom is going to meet me here to take the kids home since they live about thirty minutes away.¡± She picks up the straw wrapper from her drink and smooths it out before folding it ordion style. ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned your mom several times, but not your dad.¡± Her gaze flicks upward, pinning mine in ce. ¡°Are they divorced?¡± It¡¯s a fair question, one I¡¯m used to answering, but it still stings. ¡°He died right before Kia was born.¡± Ava¡¯s hand flies to her mouth as regret floods her features. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have brought it up.¡± I shake my head. ¡°It¡¯s okay. He was a great dad. Life hasn¡¯t been easy without him, but we¡¯re managing.¡± She surprises me by reaching across the table, her fingers curling around mine in a gentle,forting gesture. ¡°Do you mind me asking how it happened?¡± ¡°Distracted driver,¡± I say quietly. ¡°The guy was a few years older than me, and I knew him. It was an election year, and the DA was hellbent on making an example out of him. He went to prison, but it didn¡¯t change anything. It was a tragedy all the way around.¡± Her eyes flicker with sympathy, and for the first time, I see a crack in her tough exterior before she nces at my siblings again as if with fresh eyes. ¡°They¡¯re lucky to have you.¡± The heartfeltment takes me by surprise. I don¡¯t talk about my dad with many people, but somehow, sharing my past with Ava feels¡­ easy. Right. ¡°Kia chattered about you nonstop in the locker room. Just in case you didn¡¯t realize it, she¡¯s your number one fan.¡± My lips quirk. The feeling is entirely mutual. There¡¯s nothing I wouldn¡¯t do for that girl. And that includes burying bodies or taking someone out to the woods if they break her heart. ¡°It¡¯s good to know she was hyping me up.¡± ¡°The entire time.¡± ¡°I should probably slip her a few bucks for putting in a good word.¡± Our gazes cling from across the table as Kia¡¯s excited voice cuts through the air. ¡°Mom!¡± I nce up to see my mom standing near the entrance, talking with an excited Kia while Theo tugs on her sleeve, trying to get her attention. Ollie is still glued to the pinball machine. When she finally spots me, her eyes widen slightly as theynd on Ava. It doesn¡¯t take long for her to recover. She walks over, a smile already forming on her lips. ¡°Ava, this is my mom, Cheryl. Mom, this is Ava.¡± I introduce them quickly, hoping Mom doesn¡¯t say anything too embarrassing. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± my mom says, her smile warm and genuine. ¡°You too,¡± the girl across from me replies politely, her earlier ease slipping away under the older woman¡¯s scrutiny. Mom¡¯s eyes sparkle with interest as she nces between us. ¡°Are you two friends?¡± Ava¡¯s quick to say ¡°No.¡± But I counter at the same time. ¡°Yes.¡± Mom¡¯s brows shoot up. ¡°I see.¡± I suppress augh as Ava¡¯s cheeks flush a deep shade of pink. ¡°We met recently,¡± she rifies. Mom doesn¡¯t push for more info, but I can tell she¡¯s dying to. Instead, she turns back to the kids. ¡°Well, I should get them home. Theo¡¯s got a birthday partyter this afternoon.¡± I stand, giving my siblings a quick hug and then hugging my mom too. ¡°Thanks for taking them.¡± She nces at the three of them. ¡°Seems like they had a great time.¡± ¡°They did.¡± With a smile, she leans in to whisper, ¡°Text meter. I want all the details.¡± I roll my eyes as she herds the kids out of the restaurant. The second they¡¯re gone, the silence between Ava and me grows heavier. As much as I want to spend more time with her, I¡¯ve probably pushed the envelope enough for one day. ¡°Ready to head out?¡± I ask. With a nod, she rises to her feet and grabs her jacket. After taking care of the check, we walk back to the truck. As we approach, I quicken my steps to open the passenger door. Her brow arches as she smirks. ¡°Chivalry, huh?¡± I grin. ¡°You just met my mom. Do you really think I¡¯d survive in that house without at least learning a few manners?¡± Sheughs, the sound light and warm. ¡°Fair point.¡± Once she¡¯s settled, I jog around to the driver¡¯s side and hop in, starting up the truck. Without Ollie, Theo, and Kia acting as a buffer with their incessant chatter, thick tension crackles in the air between us. I rack my brain for something to say. Something that will get us back to where we were earlier at the restaurant when our conversation flowed with ease. Instead, my mind remains frustratingly nk. Every time something pops into my head as a possible topic, I disregard it. When have I ever had this much trouble talking with a chick? The answer is never. As we drive back to campus, I can¡¯t stop reying the way her hand had settled over mine at the diner. The way she¡¯d softened, even if it was just for a moment. We¡¯re halfway back to the arena when her phone buzzes. She pulls it from her pocket and nces at the screen. Fear shes across her expression before it¡¯s quickly masked as tension seeps into her shoulders. I don¡¯t want to pry, but it¡¯s hard to ignore the way her entire demeanor has changed. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± She swallows, slipping the phone back into her pocket. ¡°Just someone from my past who refuses to stay there.¡± It¡¯s so tempting to ask for more details, but I know better than to push. Whatever is going on, it¡¯s clearly something she¡¯s not ready to talk about. At least, not with me. But I can wait. If my past has taught me anything, it¡¯s to stay focused on the long game. Especially when it involves a certain pixie-like figure skater. Break My Heart: Chapter 13 Relief floods my system the moment Hayes pulls up beside my silver Jetta. The parking lot, once bustling with the activity of the hockey clinic, is now quiet, with only a handful of cars left. I¡¯m eager to flee the close confines of the vehicle. The strange mix of emotions swirling inside me makes me desperate for a bit of distance. Before I can pop the door handle and slip away, Hayes swivels toward me. ¡°So, what do you think about a second date, Tink?¡± The intensity in his eyes belies the casualness of his tone. My brows shoot up in surprise. ¡°Second date? That¡¯s strange, I don¡¯t remember agreeing to the first one.¡± A slow grin spreads across his face. ¡°Pretty sure I just bought you lunch. That counts as a date in my book.¡± I narrow my eyes, feeling that familiar pull between us. ¡°Maybe your sister isn¡¯t the only Van Doren who needs to be watched out for.¡± The chuckle that escapes from him is a low and rich sound that does funny things to my insides. ¡°I just want the chance to get to know you better. That¡¯s all.¡± I nce away, knowing I should shut this down before it gets out of control. The rational part of me screams that this is a bad idea¡ªthat nothing good cane from this growing attraction or letting him in. But there¡¯s something about the way he looks at me, like he sees more than just the snippy facade I project, that makes it difficult to say no. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea,¡± I murmur, my gaze flicking back to him briefly before darting away again. ¡°And that¡¯s not me ying hard to get. I¡¯m not someone who ys games.¡± I pause, unsure how to exin without giving away too much. ¡°I just¡­¡± I trail off as the words be lodged at the back of my throat. I hate this. Hate how vulnerable I feel and how tangled up in the past I am. It was so much easier to push him away when I thought he was just another arrogant hockey yer used to getting what he wanted. But now, after seeing how he cares for his family, how he¡¯s stepped up since his dad died, I¡¯m unable to fall back on that excuse. Instead of letting me off the hook, his fingers slip beneath my chin, gently tilting my face toward him. His touch is surprisingly gentle as his eyes search mine with a kind of patience that makes my pulse quicken. ¡°Just what?¡± His voice is soft, coaxing. ¡°Talk to me.¡± I sigh, my breath shaky. As much as I want to look away, I can¡¯t. His gaze holds mine captive, and for the first time in a while, I feel exposed¡ªlike he¡¯s peeling back the protectiveyers I¡¯ve worked so hard to build. ¡°There are things that happenedst year,¡± I say carefully, ¡°and I¡¯m having a hard time moving past them. Whatever you¡¯re looking for, I¡¯m not it.¡± He studies me quietly. It¡¯s like he¡¯s trying to piece together the parts of me I¡¯ve kept hidden. What I don¡¯t like is how close he¡¯s getting and just how easily he¡¯s able to break down my defenses. Before I can retreat, he leans in slightly, his breath warm against my skin. ¡°Does this have anything to do with the person who messaged you earlier?¡± My stomach drops at the mention of the text I received a handful of minutes ago. The way he picked up on that so easily, how he saw through my attempts to brush it off, unsettles me. ¡°Yeah,¡± I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. The shift in Hayes is immediate. His rxed demeanor tightens, concern shing in his eyes. ¡°Is it an ex?¡± I hesitate. There¡¯s so much more to it than that, but I can¡¯t bring myself to spill the details. ¡°Something like that,¡± I mutter. He watches me carefully, and for a second, I think he might press for more. Instead, he inches closer until the warmth of his breath drifts across my lips. ¡°Okay, let me ask you this, do you feel anything for me?¡± The question catches me by surprise. Before I can react, he continues, ¡°Because I feel something for you. And that¡¯s not something I¡¯ve experienced before, so I kind of want to figure out what this is.¡± His voice is steady, sincere, and somehow, that makes it difficult to deflect. I swallow hard, my heart racing in my chest. ¡°Nothing is that easy.¡± A slow,zy smile tugs at his lips. ¡°It can be,¡± he says, his fingers still gently holding my chin. ¡°I promise.¡± Everything inside me screams to shut this down, to retreat before I get in too deep. Instead of saying no the way I should, I find myself blurting out the one word that shocks us both. ¡°Okay.¡± His brows shoot up in disbelief, his eyes narrowing yfully. ¡°Really? You¡¯re not messing with me?¡± I can¡¯t help theugh that bubbles up in my chest as the crackling tension between us dissolves. ¡°No, I¡¯m not messing with you.¡± He grins, and the warmth of his smile makes my insides flip. ¡°Good.¡± The moment stretches between us, a delicate bnce of uncertainty and something else I haven¡¯t let myself feel in a long time. Maybe that¡¯s what terrifies me so much. For the first time since everything with Nathan exploded, I¡¯m allowing myself to feel again. As much as I want to believe Hayes, to let myself be swept up in whatever this is between us, I can¡¯t shake the feeling that nothing is as simple as he makes it out to be. And that¡¯s the part that scares me most. Break My Heart: Chapter 14 I stare at the ceiling, tracing the faint shadows that stretch across the room from the sliver of moonlight sneaking through my blinds. The clock on my nightstand ticks past midnight, and sleep feels as far away as it did an hour ago. Even though I¡¯m physically exhausted¡ªmy body heavy and aching from practice, endless hockey drills, and wrangling kids at the clinic¡ªmy mind is wide awake, stuck on a constant loop. I roll onto my side and try to shove thoughts of Hayes out of my head, but it¡¯s useless. His face, hisugh, the way his gaze catches mine and holds, the nickname he¡¯s given me, it all floods my brain, refusing to be silenced. It¡¯s infuriating. And terrifying. Hayes wasn¡¯t supposed to be anything more than the manwhore I¡¯d pegged him to be after our first run-in. And he certainly wasn¡¯t supposed to get under my skin, making me second-guess everything I thought I knew about him and myself. But here we are. I roll onto my back again, staring nkly at the ceiling, letting the memories from this afternoon wash over me. What did he say earlier? That he wanted to get to know me better? To figure out what this is between us? It¡¯s such a simple sentiment, and yet it¡¯s weighed heavily on me ever since he said it. Because the thing is, I do feel something for him. It would be so much easier to ignore the attraction if he were just a cocky, one-dimensional yer who said all the right things but meant none of them. I¡¯m starting to suspect he¡¯s more than I assumed, and that¡¯s making it harder to keep my walls up. I think back to the clinic and lunch today, watching him with his siblings. The way his little sister clung to him, how he¡¯d made herugh and kept her close. The way he took charge with his brothers, patient and firm but with a tenderness I hadn¡¯t expected. And then there¡¯s his mom¡ªthe way his whole face softened when she walked into the restaurant. There was no hiding the depth of responsibility he feels for them or the pride. It¡¯s a side of him that contradicts everything I thought I knew. He isn¡¯t just some guy who¡¯s used to getting what he wants without putting in the work. He¡¯s carrying more than I ever imagined. Supporting his family. Bncing school and hockey with all the pressure thates with being one of the best yers on the team. It would be so easy to push him away, to use the excuse that I¡¯m too messed-up to be with anyone right now. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing, after all. Every time he gets too close, I freeze up, my instincts screaming at me to protect myself. To run before I get hurt again. But there¡¯s something about Hayes that makes it hard to keep running. Maybe it¡¯s the way he looks at me¡ªnot like I¡¯m fragile, but like he sees me. Like he knows I¡¯m strong enough to handle whatever this is. Maybe it¡¯s the way he¡¯s relentless without being pushy, always giving me just enough space to breathe but never letting me slip awaypletely. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will away the confusion building inside me. Most of all, I didn¡¯t expect him to burrow under my skin, to keep showing up in my thoughts when I should be focusing on other things like school, skating, and keeping myself together. He makes me feel things I haven¡¯t felt in a long time. Things I haven¡¯t let myself feel since¡­ The thought of Nathan slithers in like a snake, coiling around my gut and squeezing tight. My eyes snap open, and I stare at the ceiling again. Don¡¯t think about him. But I can¡¯t stop myself. It¡¯s like my mind is stuck in this endless loop, going back to the ce I¡¯ve spent thest year running from. Every time I see Hayes, every time I hear his voice or feel his presence, that invisible wall I¡¯ve built between myself and the world cracks a little more. And that terrifies me. I sit up in bed, running my hands through my hair, frustrated by my own emotions. This is thest thing I need. Instead of thinking about Hayes, I should focus on getting my life back together. But then I hear his voice in my head, soft and steady, asking me that one question that¡¯s been gnawing at me since we left the restaurant. ¡°Do you feel anything for me?¡± I hadn¡¯t answered him then, too caught off guard by his honesty to respond. But now, in the quiet of my room, I can¡¯t escape the truth. I do. I think about the way he stared into my eyes. The way his warm breath feathered across my lips. My lower belly flutters before the sensation settles deep in my core. My teeth scrape across my bottom lip as my hand slips inside my panties and grazes the top of my mound. I suck in an unsteady breath before allowing my fingers to glide across my slit. It¡¯s a surprise when I find just a hint of slickness. I squeeze my eyes tightly closed and allow thoughts of Hayes to fill my head. A shiver dances down my spine as I shift so my legs can fall open. With soft strokes, I touch my pussy. It doesn¡¯t take long before more wetness gathers. Need blooms in my core as my mind conjures up images of walking in on Hayes after his shower in the locker room. It would be impossible not to remember the hard, sinewy strength of his back that stood out in sharp relief. Even his ass had been chiseled and well-defined, and his thighs bulged with muscles. My fingers pick up their pace as more desire floods through me. It had almost been a disappointment when he¡¯d turned around, his gaze colliding with mine. I could have spent hours soaking him in, visually tracing every dip and contour. In return, he¡¯d given me azy once-over. Unable to help myself, my attention had fallen to the thick length of his cock. And his shaved balls. Sure, I¡¯d seen that in porn before but never in real life. It had been tempting to step closer and get a better look. He¡¯d stiffened up before wrapping his hand around his thickening length and leisurely stroking himself. Everything tightens within me as those images sh through my mind like a slow-motion picture show. This isn¡¯t the first time I¡¯ve touched myself while reliving our initial meeting. As close as I¡¯vee to orgasming, I haven¡¯t been able to get there. I want¡ªno, need¡ªthis time to be different. I need to prove to myself that Nathan didn¡¯t break me. My brow scrunches as my teeth sink into my lower lip. I¡¯m so close. Dancing on the precipice. It¡¯s right there. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve felt an orgasm crash over me, dragging me to the very bottom of the ocean before allowing me to float to the surface. It¡¯s enough to make desperation brew within. The need to sever thest chains Nathan shackled me with so I can free myself from him once and for all. Anxiety spirals through me, and my fingers move faster as I arch my back. I focus on the slide of Hayes¡¯s hand along his thick erection. The memories of what it had felt like to wrap my fingers around his length and stroke him for myself. How hot to the touch he¡¯d felt. ¡°My guess is that you¡¯ll look good on your knees with a mouth stuffed full of cock.¡± Those husky words ignite a firestorm within me. But it¡¯s still not enough to push me over the edge. It¡¯s not enough to make mee. After a few tense moments, frustration bursts through me and my arousal vanishes like a wisp of smoke in the darkness. I let loose an angry cry as I roll onto my side and curl up in a tight ball. Even though tears spring to my eyes, I refuse to let them fall. Last year broke me in more ways than one. What I don¡¯t know is if it¡¯s possible to piece myself back together again. Break My Heart: Chapter 15 I sit perched on the edge of the couch at the Roasted Bean, my eyes glued to the door, scanning every passerby for a glimpse of familiar blonde hair. The moment Ava steps foot inside¡ªor worse, walks past the caf¨¦ and ditches me altogether¡ªI want to be ready. It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if she changed her mind at thest minute. The girl is unpredictable, always keeping me at a firm distance, never allowing me to get too close. I check my phone for what feels like the twentieth time. She¡¯s five minuteste and counting. With a shift, I fidget with my cell. The bell above the door jingles, pulling my attention from the thoughts racing through my head. I nce up, heart stuttering, only to be met with a flirty smile from a brte. She gives me a look that says I¡¯lle over if you want me to. I sh a polite smile and hope she moves on. If I give her the slightest bit of encouragement, she¡¯ll beeline in this direction. That¡¯s not me being conceited. It¡¯s just straight up facts. Scenarios that have yed out hundreds of times in the past. Dismissing the brte, my gaze drifts back to the door. I¡¯m still scanning for Ava, wondering where the hell she is and why she¡¯ste. She¡¯s not the type to make things easy, and it only drives home the realization that I care. When another five minutes slip by, disappointment gnaws at me. It¡¯s official. I¡¯ve been ghosted. How¡¯s that for ironic? The first time I ask a girl out because I¡¯m legit interested, she ditches me. Note to self¡ªstick with the eager bunnies. This sucks. I take a deep breath and force my muscles to loosen. This was always going to be a long shot. Ava isn¡¯t the kind of girl who¡¯s interested in someone like me. She¡¯s got walls higher than I¡¯ve ever seen, and I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m equipped to climb them. ¡°Hi.¡± I blink back to the present and realize the girl who sauntered through the door a few minutes ago is now standing in front of me, with a friend who looks eerily simr to her. They¡¯re both sporting bags with the same Greek letters stamped across the front of them. Sorority sisters. Been there, done that. Her friend beams a blinding smile my way. ¡°We caught thest game and just wanted to stop by and say you were amazing. The hat trick was so impressive.¡± ¡°You make it look so easy,¡± the other adds. ¡°Thanks. Years of training can make anything look simple.¡± My gaze flicks from them to the door when the bell dings and another customer steps inside. Air clogs my lungs. The physical reaction I have to this girl is the strangest sensation ever. I can¡¯t help but want more of it. It¡¯s only been a couple weeks, and already the feelings she rouses in me are more like an addiction. I can just imagine how she¡¯d react if I admitted as much to her. She¡¯d probably take out a restraining order. Would I necessarily me her for that decision? Nope. Is it going to stop me from pursuing her? Probably not. Ava meets my gaze before her own darts to the girls, and she grinds to a quick halt. One brow slinks upward. The thoughts circling around in her head sh across her face before vanishing behind a mask of indifference. My attention never deviates from her as I pop to my feet. When I take a step in her direction, one of the girls reaches out to detain me. ¡°We were wondering if you wanted to grab a coffee. Maybe we could?¡ª¡± Before the rest of the sentence can make it past her pink-slicked lips, I shake my head. ¡°Sorry, I have ns, and she just walked through the door.¡± With matching frowns, they turn and stare at Ava. I take their distraction as my opportunity to leave. Thest thing I want to happen is for Ava to change her mind. I might not know her well, but I can see the indecision written across her expression. It only takes a few long-legged strides for me to eat up the distance between us. ¡°You¡¯rete, Tink.¡± I make a show of ncing at my phone. ¡°By at least ten minutes.¡± Her gaze flicks from mine to the girls, who have their heads bent together and are whispering furiously while staring at us. ¡°Looks like you hadpany while you waited. Am I interrupting a fan club moment?¡± Not bothering to nce in their direction, I shake my head. ¡°Not at all.¡± Unable to keep my hands to myself for another second, my fingers wrap around her elbow as my other hand settles at the small of her back, propelling her toward a couch in the back, away from the girls. Once she¡¯s settled, I nod toward the counter. ¡°I¡¯ll grab us a couple of coffees. Anything specific you¡¯d like?¡± With a tilt of her head, the corners of her lips quirk. ¡°Surprise me.¡± I arch a brow. ¡°Hmmm. Why does this feel like a test?¡± ¡°Not sure.¡± When mischief sparks in her eyes, I narrow mine for a second or two before swinging toward the counter. Once there, I ponder the array of drink options written in colorful chalk until one catches my eye, and I order two of them. The entire time I wait, my attention strays to Ava. I¡¯m half afraid she¡¯ll disappear. Most girls are thrilled if I give them a little bit of attention. This one couldn¡¯t be more different. ¡°That was a hell of a game the other night. I couldn¡¯t be there in person, but I watched the highlights on ESPN.¡± I nce at the barista. ¡°Thanks.¡± He rests his elbows on the counter, as if settling in for a long chat. ¡°Yeah, I used to skate back in the day.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡± With a nod, he puffs out his chest. ¡°I wasn¡¯t half bad.¡± My gaze slides to Ava. Well, hell. The brte sorority sisters have descended, nking her like vultures. My attention stays pinned to them as I clear my throat. ¡°Are the drinks ready?¡± He straightens to his full height. ¡°Cara? Put a rush on the Van Doren order!¡± Less than thirty secondster, a girl bustles around the corner with two cups. Her cheeks are pink and her hands tremble as she sets them on the counter. ¡°Here you go! Sorry about the wait!¡± ¡°No worries. Thanks.¡± As I step away from the register, she raises her voice. ¡°Bye, Hayes Van Doren!¡± Without turning, I lift one of the drinks. ¡°Have a good one.¡± As I make my way to Ava, I notice the girls have settled on either side of her, sandwiching her in. By the look on her face, she¡¯s not thrilled about the situation. Her gaze fastens to mine as I approach. The sorority sisters straighten as their eager expressions lock on me like heat-seeking missiles. One of them shes a sly smile. ¡°We were just getting to know your friend.¡± It would be impossible not to notice the way Ava¡¯s jaw tightens. ¡°Yeah! Now we¡¯re all besties,¡± the other adds, trying to slip her hand around Ava¡¯s smaller one. With a frown, Ava tugs it free. ¡°Thanks for keeping herpany while I was getting our coffees.¡± ¡°No problem!¡± ¡°Now, if you two wouldn¡¯t mind¡­¡± My voice trails off, not wanting to be rude. ¡°I¡¯d love a coffee!¡± the girl on the left chirps. ¡°Me too!¡± the other agrees. ¡°Sure.¡± Their smiles widen before I nod toward the counter. ¡°Mark would be happy to assist you with that.¡± They blink a few times before understanding dawns across their faces. ¡°Oh.¡± That¡¯s all it takes for awkward silence to descend. ¡°Um¡­ I guess we should leave you two alone, then?¡± Her brows draw together, as if that¡¯s not what I could possibly want. My smile widens asprehension finally dawns on them. ¡°That would be great. Thanks for understanding.¡± They take their sweet time vacating the couch, as if they fully expect me to have a change of heart. Yeah, that¡¯s not going to happen. I want this girl all to myself. The sorority sisters hesitate for a long beat before finally rising to their feet, their exit slow and reluctant. ¡°It was nice meeting you,¡± one of them says to Ava, her tone sweet but insincere. Ava watches them go, then turns back to me with a shake of her head. ¡°Do you have a fan club that stalks your every move?¡± I grin, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°Only when you¡¯re around.¡± Once they¡¯re across the shop, I huff out a relieved breath before settling next to Ava and passing over the drink. ¡°Finally,¡± I mutter. ¡°Alone atst.¡± Confusion shes across her delicate features. ¡°Certain that¡¯s what you really want?¡± ¡°One hundred percent. I¡¯m interested in getting to know you. Kind of hard to do that with other people hanging around.¡± She stares at the girls for a second or two before bringing the container to her nose and taking a delicate sniff. With her gaze pinned to mine, she takes a sip. As soon as the hot liquid hits her tongue, her eyes widen before fluttering shut as she savors the rich medley of vors. Pleased with my selection, my muscles loosen as I rx against the cushions. Even though I can tell she likes it, I want to hear her admit that I picked out a winner. ¡°So, what¡¯s the verdict?¡± She takes another drink. ¡°Not bad.¡± Lifting the cup, she stares at it. ¡°Which one is this?¡± ¡°The McNichols Special.¡± There¡¯s a beat of silence before she shakes her head. ¡°Of course it is.¡± ¡°You might not have realized it since you¡¯re new to Western, but Colby McNichols is pretty popr around here.¡± She snorts. ¡°Oh, it would be difficult not to notice.¡± A prick of something foreign blooms in the pit of my belly. It takes a handful of seconds to realize what it is. Jealousy. It¡¯s not a sensation I¡¯ve experienced before. I don¡¯t like it. Even more disconcerting is that it¡¯s impossible to shake off. What doesn¡¯t make sense is that I¡¯ve shared girls before and didn¡¯t care one way or the other who they liked more. So why is this strange emotion rearing its ugly head now? With someone who¡¯d prefer not to spend any time with me at all? My brow furrows as I stare at Ava. The words shoot out of my mouth before I can stop them. ¡°Do you have a thing for Colby?¡± Her face scrunches. ¡°Hardly. For one, I don¡¯t date hockey yers. And two, even if I did, he¡¯s married to my friend.¡± My rigidly held muscles loosen with that acknowledgment as I take a sip of my own drink and attempt to get this runaway conversation back on track again. ¡°Don¡¯t date hockey yers, huh?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± With a shake of her head, she pops the P at the end of the word. ¡°Is that a firm stance or is there room to maneuver?¡± ¡°It¡¯s imprable.¡± I settle on my seat, all the while watching her carefully. ¡°You know, I get the feeling you don¡¯t want to be here.¡± Her gaze flicks to mine as uncertainty shes in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± she says slowly, as if choosing her words carefully. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ not used to this.¡± ¡°To what?¡± ¡°To you.¡± With a shrug, she nces away. ¡°You¡¯re not what I expected.¡± ¡°Good surprise or bad one?¡± I ask, my voice softening. She hesitates, her gaze meeting mine for a moment before darting away. ¡°I¡¯m still trying to figure that out.¡± I lean forward, straining closer. ¡°I can wait while you do.¡± As Ava stares at me, I can almost see the walls she¡¯s built start to crack. She¡¯s unsure, still guarded, but there¡¯s something else there, something that makes me believe I¡¯m getting through to her, even if it¡¯s only a little. ¡°You¡¯re very persistent,¡± she mutters, taking another sip of her coffee. I grin. ¡°You have no idea.¡± With augh, she shakes her head, as if she can¡¯t quite figure me out. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re after.¡± I keep my gaze locked on hers and my tone serious. ¡°I¡¯m after you, Ava.¡± She blinks in surprise, and I can see her inner conflict. As much as she wants to believe me, something holds her back. Something I can¡¯t put my finger on yet. ¡°Nothing about me is easy,¡± she warns. ¡°I know,¡± I say, leaning back. ¡°But I think you¡¯re worth the effort.¡± Instead of responding, she clears her throat and changes the subject. ¡°Did your siblings have fun at the clinic?¡± ¡°They did. The boys have been participating in them since I started freshman year. This will be theirst one.¡± A punch of sadness hits me. As much as I want to move on with my life, I¡¯ve enjoyed living so close and spending time with them. That won¡¯t be the case next year. Plus, Ollie will be in high school. His schedule will be packed with academics and hockey. I¡¯ll probably blink, and Kia will be going off to college herself. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll miss it.¡± ¡°I think we all will.¡± As excited as I am to make my move to the pros, so we have more financial security, I won¡¯t be able to spend as much time with them as I have these past couple years. It¡¯s an unfortunate trade off. ¡°Hi, Hayes.¡± I nce at Larsa Middleton, who has sidled up to us while I was focused on Ava. I¡¯m still getting used to the idea that everything around me ceases to exist when we¡¯re together. ¡°Hey, Larsa. Stopping in for a coffee?¡± Her gaze flicks to Ava before she dismisses her without any acknowledgment. ¡°If you¡¯re not busy, I was thinking we could hang out at my ce for a while. My professor just canceled ss for the afternoon.¡± She shes a knowing smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure we could figure out something to upy ourselves with.¡± I nod toward Ava. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m a little busy at the moment.¡± Larsa¡¯s brows nt together. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Yeah, Ava and I are having coffee.¡± She drops down on the chair situated across from us. When she crosses one long leg over the other, the short corduroy skirt she¡¯s wearing slides higher up her thigh. ¡°I can wait.¡± ¡°Sorry, Larsa. We¡¯re hanging out.¡± Her face scrunches. ¡°Together?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± The petite figure skater shakes her head. ¡°We¡¯re not together.¡± I slip my hand around hers and give her fingers a squeeze. ¡°We¡¯re definitely together.¡± Larsa takes a closer look at the girl sitting next to me. ¡°Wait a minute. Aren¡¯t you Coach Philips¡¯s daughter?¡± ¡°Yup, I am.¡± Spection brews in Larsa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Interesting. Is she tutoring you or something?¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s not.¡± With my hand locked around Ava¡¯s, I rise to my feet, bringing her up with me. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse us, we were just about to head out.¡± ¡°What about my coffee?¡± Ava asks. ¡°Leave it behind,¡± I mutter. ¡°We¡¯ll get you another er. Let¡¯s just get the hell out of here.¡± We¡¯re halfway to the door when a tall,nky guy steps in front of us. ¡°Hayes! That was an awesome hat trick you scored against the Titans.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± When heunches into my stats, I give Ava a bit of side-eye. I don¡¯t need to know her well to realize she¡¯s seconds away from leaving me behind in her dust. I have one chance to change her impression of me, and we¡¯re only fifteen minutes into this date, and I¡¯m already blowing it. ¡°I appreciate your support, but I¡¯m kind of in the middle of something.¡± He nces at Ava, as if seeing her for the first time. What the hell is wrong with people around here? ¡°Oh.¡± I p him on the shoulder. ¡°Thanks for your understanding.¡± ¡°Sure thing, Van Doren!¡± With that, I hustle her ass out the door. It¡¯s only when it closes behind us with a resounding thud and the small group doesn¡¯t follow us out, that I breathe a sigh of relief. Under normal circumstances, I don¡¯t mind shooting the shit and talking hockey with the fans, but that¡¯s thest thing I want to do when I¡¯m with this girl. Before she cane up with a reason to bolt, I blurt, ¡°Can I take you somewhere, Tink?¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 16 Absolutely not. That¡¯s exactly what I should have said. It¡¯s what any smart girl would¡¯ve said, especially one who¡¯s still piecing herself back together. ¡°I guess.¡± The response slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it, and now, here I am, walking beside Hayes Van Doren, hand in hand,pletely unsure how I got myself into this. What is it about this guy that makes me deviate from every instinct I¡¯ve built over the past year? Hayes is everything I should avoid¡ªa major yer on campus, someone who probably views rtionships like a game with easy rules and no attachments. That¡¯s never been my type. Then again, what is my type? It¡¯s not like I have much experience to go on. Nathan didn¡¯t leave much room for learning that on my own. I shove that thought down before it can tank my mood. Hayes¡¯s grip on my hand tightens as he shes a boyish grin, the kind that should set off rm bells in my brain. Instead, my stomach does that stupid swooping thing like I¡¯m on a roller coaster about to plunge over the steepest drop. I nce around as we walk across campus, noticing how people stare. Some wave and call out his name, others throw lingering looks his way. And he just takes it in stride, as if none of it fazes him. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re a celebrity,¡± I mutter, more to myself than to him. ¡°You think so?¡± He shrugs. ¡°I don¡¯t really notice it anymore.¡± That remark catches me off guard. I was expecting him to bask in the attention, to maybe even thrive on it. But he¡¯s indifferent. ¡°How can you not notice?¡± I ask, honestly curious. ¡°People act like they¡¯re waiting for their chance to get your autograph.¡± He slows his pace a bit, like he¡¯s mulling that over. ¡°It¡¯s been like this since high school. Our old college coach recruited me early on, and once that happened, the attention just kind of followed.¡± He gives me a sidelong look. ¡°But it¡¯s never been about that for me. After Dad passed away, I knew hockey was my way to take care of my family. That¡¯s what I focus on. The rest? It¡¯s just noise.¡± That¡¯s not the answer I was expecting. My defenses, the ones I¡¯ve carefully held in ce since Nathan, reluctantly shift. Even if it¡¯s slightly. ¡°They¡¯re lucky to have you,¡± I say softly. His gaze turns serious as his voice dips. ¡°Nah. I¡¯m the lucky one. They mean everything to me.¡± And just like that, the walls I¡¯ve built around myself crack even further. Before I can react, we stop in front of the ice arena, and I blink in surprise. ¡°Are we here to skate?¡± He shes that grin again, the one that makes it hard to stay detached. ¡°Nope.¡± My face scrunches in confusion. ¡°We¡¯re not?¡± Instead of answering, he pulls me toward the building, leading me inside like he owns the ce. Which, given how people treat him around here, maybe he does. It takes me a moment to realize that we¡¯ve been holding hands since leaving the Roasted Bean. No wonder people were staring. Inside, the scent of the rink hits me¡ªcold, crisp, and familiar. It¡¯sforting in a way I can¡¯t quite exin, even though I¡¯m no longerpeting. The ice has always been a refuge, and I guess, in some way, it still is. Hayes walks beside me as we head deeper into the arena, exchanging casual greetings with the employees like they¡¯re old friends. ¡°Hey, Tony!¡± Hayes calls to one of the custodians, who waves back from the concession stand. ¡°How¡¯s the family?¡± ¡°Doing well! I¡¯m taking the wife on vacation next week,¡± the older man replies with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m jealous. I could really use one of those,¡± Hayes responds easily, still leading me forward. I give him a sideways nce, baffled by how he manages to knock me off bnce at every turn. ¡°Are you on a first-name basis with everyone around here?¡± ¡°Most of them. Tony¡¯s wife bakes banana bread and usually sends a few loaves my way. Best damn stuff I¡¯ve ever had. They run an animal shelter, and every year, the Wildcats do a fundraiser for them, and then we spend a weekend in the spring helping with cleanup and repairs. I love the clinics for kids, but the ones for animals hold a special ce in my heart.¡± Everything he just admitted swirls through my head before reluctantly settling deep inside me. I grind to a halt and stare at him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Who exactly are you?¡± He stops too, turning to face me, his expression half amused, half serious. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Ever since I started here, all I¡¯ve heard is that you¡¯re this huge yer who lives for parties. That¡¯s it. But now, you¡¯re telling me you help out at animal shelters and know the life story of everyone at the rink.¡± He lifts a brow, his grin turning a bit more wicked. ¡°Well, it¡¯s true. I do like to party. But there¡¯s more to me than that. I just don¡¯t feel the need to talk about it with every person I meet.¡± I blink, trying to wrap my head around this new version of Hayes. It¡¯s impossible not to state the obvious. ¡°But you¡¯re telling me.¡± ¡°Maybe that¡¯s because I want you to know who I really am.¡± His earnest exnation sends a shiver racing down my spine. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s the chill in the air, but standing here with him suddenly feels like teetering on the precipice of something I have no idea if I¡¯m ready for. When he reaches the doors to the rink, he pulls the handle open and extends his arm in invitation. ¡°Are youing or what?¡± His voice yanks me back to the present as I hustle toward him. When I¡¯m once again within striking distance, he snags my fingers, and instead of leading me toward the locker rooms, he heads to the stands, pulling me up the concrete stairs to the very top row. Uncertain what we¡¯re doing, I settle beside him and survey the quiet arena below. ¡°Looks different from up here, doesn¡¯t it?¡± I shift on the hard stic and stare at the pristine sheet of ice below. He¡¯s right. It does look different from this vantage point. As if it¡¯s miles and miles away. Maybe even a different life. Or someone else¡¯s life. ¡°Yeah,¡± I whisper, taking in the view. ¡°It does.¡± We sit in silence for a few moments as the cold air seeps through my jacket and into my bones. I shove my hands deeper into my pockets, trying to keep warm. What doesn¡¯t make sense is that the quiet between us feels¡­ nice. Like there¡¯s no pressure to fill it with words. There aren¡¯t many people I feelfortable with. How weird is it that Hayes is turning out to be one of them? I nce at him and notice the way his muscles have loosened. ¡°Do youe to the nosebleed section often?¡± ¡°Actually, I do. It¡¯s a good ce to think. There¡¯s always a shitload of people at our house, and it can get pretty noisy. There¡¯s nowhere I can go on campus and just get away. Even in town. So, I¡¯lle here and sit in the cheap seats and just breathe in the icy air. It never fails to clear my head.¡± There¡¯s a pause. ¡°Do you have a ce like that?¡± I turn the question over in my mind. It never urs to me to hold back. ¡°I feel like that when I¡¯m on the ice, running through an old routine.¡± My voice is barely more than a whisper. ¡°Everything bothering me just melts away.¡± Hayes leans back slightly as he continues to watch me. ¡°You¡¯re really good, Tink. Better than that. So why aren¡¯t youpeting anymore?¡± The question sits between us, heavy and suffocating. My chest tightens, and for a second, I¡¯m tempted to shut him down. I¡¯ve been perfecting that move for months, the art of deflecting, of keeping things light and easy so no one probes too deep. Instead of allowing instinct to take over, I let out a gradual breath, the air escaping my lungs like a slow puncture. The words hover on my tongue, but they¡¯re hard to release. Even after all this time, it¡¯s still difficult to talk about. He must sense the weight of my silence, because his grip tightens around my hand, offering something that feels dangerously close tofort. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me,¡± he says softly. ¡°I just¡­ You¡¯re so damn talented. Watching you makes me forget about everything else going on in my life, and I can finally breathe.¡± The unexpected admission hits me hard. His words wrap around me, warm and solid, making it difficult to speak. When I finally find my voice, my wordse out quiet and scratchy. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve probably heard it before,¡± he says with a shrug, like it¡¯s no big deal. My throat tightens as I shake my head. ¡°Not like that.¡± For a moment, we just sit. The weight of unspoken words presses down on me as I stare at the untouched sheet of ice. The girl who used to glide across it with dreams in her eyes and hope filling her heart feels so far away now, buried beneath the heaviness of the past. It¡¯s almost a surprise when I hear myself say, ¡°Something happenedst year¡­¡± My chest constricts as I trail off. His steady gaze never wavers, and for the first time, I¡¯m grateful for the darkness of the arena. It¡¯s safer somehow. Like the shadows give me permission to let the past out, even though every part of me wants to shove it back down and keep it buried. I never intended to tell anyone, least of all Hayes. But there¡¯s something about him that makes it hard to lie or hide. Maybe it¡¯s the way he listens without judgment, his fingers wrapped around mine, grounding me in the moment. ¡°Nathan Covington was my coach,¡± I begin, my voice shaky but determined. ¡°He found me at a localpetition and told my parents that I had something special. He said I was a natural and that he¡¯d take me all the way if they let him. My parents were thrilled. Within months, we uprooted our whole lives and moved to Utah.¡± Even though Hayes remains silent, I feel the tension building in him. His fingers are still wrapped around mine, but his grip tightens just enough for me to notice. I nce at him and find his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp, focused. ¡°I skated all day, every day. I had private tutors for academics, ballet sses, strength training, and cardio¡ªyou name it, I did it. It didn¡¯t take long before I was winningpetitions and moving up the ranks. Ever since I was a little girl, my goal had been to qualify for the Olympics. With Nathan focusing all his time and energy on me, there was no way it wouldn¡¯t happen.¡± There¡¯s a long pause as I gather my thoughts, the memories painful and raw. ¡°But then¡­ things changed.¡± Hayes sucks in a sharp breath but doesn¡¯t interrupt. ¡°It didn¡¯t take long for Nathan to be my everything. He was my coach, my mentor, the person I trusted most in the world. We trained together, traveled together, and ate together. He¡¯d help with homework. And I suppose I had a crush on him. When I turned eighteen and our rtionship crossed a line, it never urred to me to question it. I thought it was just the natural progression of things. I thought it was love.¡± Hayes exhales harshly, his jaw clenched tight. ¡°Ava¡­¡± I force out the rest, because if I stop, I won¡¯t be able to do it. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize Nathan saw me as something he could mold and control. At that age, I was impressionable and desperate for his approval. I trusted him. I believed every word he said, everypliment, every promise. ¡°What hurt was that he weaponized my feelings against me. He was a master at mind games and maniption. He was capable of cutting me down with a few sharp words. A look. That¡¯s all it took for me to spiral. All I wanted to do was please him. It became more important than anything else. By the end, I was a mess. Nervous, high-strung, depressed. It was almost a blessing when people found out about our rtionship. Except that it was like a bomb went off, destroying everything I¡¯d spent my life building. I was a scandal. The girl who had an affair with her coach. ¡°It didn¡¯t matter that I wasn¡¯t even twenty or that Nathan was in his forties, someone I¡¯d looked up to and worshipped for years. It didn¡¯t matter that he¡¯d been grooming me long before our rtionship became physical. The world saw me asplicit. As willing.¡± I shake my head as a wave of confusion crashes over me, and I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, wanting to block out the memories. The guilt. ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe I was.¡± His knuckles are white where his fingers are clenched around mine. ¡°No, you weren¡¯t. You were just a kid. Impressionable. Innocent. He took advantage of you. Of your feelings.¡± I shrug as misery continues to eat at me. ¡°Your parents didn¡¯t know? They didn¡¯t suspect anything?¡± With a shake of my head, I bite my lip. ¡°No. By that time, he was like family. More often than not, he spent the holidays with us. They trusted him.¡± His gaze burns into me, but he doesn¡¯t speak. It¡¯s like he¡¯s waiting, giving me the space I need to finish. ¡°That wasn¡¯t even the worst part of it all. After our rtionship was exposed, I found out that I wasn¡¯t the only girl he¡¯d done this to. He¡¯d had rtionships with other skaters¡ªgirls like me, girls who were younger, who were vulnerable and eager to please. I¡¯d thought he loved me. I hadn¡¯t realized I was just another name on a list, another body in a long line of broken girls he¡¯d left behind.¡± The shame of it still clings to me, suffocating and heavy. No matter how far I¡¯ve tried to run, it¡¯s always there, like a shadow that won¡¯t disappear. It¡¯s the reason why I¡¯ve kept everyone at arm¡¯s length since then. Why I haven¡¯t let anyone get too close. Because trusting someone, letting them in, is dangerous. Hayes¡¯s reaction is immediate. His grip tightens as his eyes darken with unspent fury. ¡°Fuck, Ava. I¡¯m so sorry you went through all that.¡± The raw emotion in his voice takes me by surprise, and for the first time, I feel tears burn at the back of my eyes. It takes effort to blink them away and swallow hard, wanting to keep it all contained. ¡°It came out after one of the other girls saw us and reported it. There was an investigation, and everything fell apart. My parents were devastated. And I¡­ I felt so stupid. Gullible. Used.¡± I look away, embarrassed now that I¡¯veid it all out in front of him. The ugly truth, the baggage I¡¯ve carried with me for so long. ¡°That¡¯s why I stoppedpeting. After that, I just couldn¡¯t do it. I couldn¡¯t hold my head up. I hated that everyone knew what happened and were judging me. The snidements and whispers.¡± For a long moment, Hayes remains silent. His hand rises to cup my cheek as his thumb brushes away a tear I didn¡¯t realize had fallen. ¡°None of that was your fault. Do you hear me? He took advantage of you. Of your age and his position of power.¡± Even though I nod, the words don¡¯t sink in. How could they? I went along with it all. I was happy to hide our rtionship from everyone, including my parents. I lied for him. It still sickens me. ¡°Wait a minute¡­ Is he the one trying to contact you?¡± Hayes asks, his voice tight with barely restrained anger. ¡°Yeah. He sends messages from different numbers. I¡¯ve blocked them all, even changed my number a few times, but he always finds a way.¡± ¡°Jesus Christ.¡± Hayes¡¯s jaw flexes, his anger palpable. ¡°Does Coach know?¡± ¡°No,¡± I say quickly. ¡°And I don¡¯t want him to. He¡¯d lose it. That¡¯s why we moved here¡ªto get away from all of it, to start over. I don¡¯t want to drag my family back into that nightmare again.¡± His expression softens as he pulls me into his arms, holding me tight against his chest. For a second, I freeze, the instinct to pull away, to protect myself, kicking into high gear. But then I force myself to rx and let him hold me, allowing myself to feel thefort of his strength. For the first time in what feels like forever, I don¡¯t feel so alone, so isted. I pull back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. Our faces are so close, his breath warm against my skin. My heartbeat picks up tempo, and for a moment, I think he¡¯ll brush his lips across mine. It¡¯s a shock to realize that for the first time in more than a year, I want someone to kiss me. But just as quickly, he pulls away, his expression unreadable. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. We should probably get moving.¡± The disappointment that crashes over me is unnerving, but I remain silent. Instead, I follow him out of the arena, my heart pounding a steady tattoo as confusion floods me. Despite everything, I wanted Hayes to kiss me. Even more surprising than that, I might just want him to stick around. Break My Heart: Chapter 17 With a quick peek at my phone, I take the stairs to the second floor two at a time. As I round the corner to my bedroom, Bridger steps into the hallway. The purple smudges under his eyes and the tightness around his mouth tell me everything I need to know. ¡°Hey, man,¡± I say, slowing down. ¡°You doing all right?¡± I almost wince. Stupid question. Of course he¡¯s not. It seems like every day a new message is popping up and his father is up his ass about it. His jaw tightens as he drags a hand through his already mussed hair. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Any closer to figuring out who¡¯s behind this shit?¡± I ask, crossing my arms against my chest. His gray gaze flicks to mine. Frustration is written across the tight lines of his face. ¡°No. But when I do, I swear, I¡¯m going to bury them.¡± With a frown, I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Who could hate you enough to do this?¡± Bridger¡¯s one of the easiest guys on the team to get along with. He¡¯s smart, athletic, and popr, but he¡¯s not a dick about it. The idea that someone¡¯s out there with a grudge big enough to go after him like this¡­ it doesn¡¯t add up. He exhales sharply, the tension in his shoulders never easing. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m so fucking tired of it. I¡¯m going through hell while they hide behind a screen like a coward.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s messed-up.¡± I clench my fists. ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can do, just let me know.¡± His lips twitch, but it¡¯s a far cry from a smile. ¡°Thanks. I appreciate it.¡± With a nod, I twist the handle to my door. ¡°Seriously, if you need anything¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± He gives me a grim smile. ¡°A few of us were gonna go out and grab some food. You want in?¡± ¡°Wish I could, but I¡¯ve got a paper due at midnight.¡± ¡°Good luck with that,¡± he mutters, already walking toward the stairs. ¡°I¡¯ll catch youter.¡± I watch him disappear before slipping into my room. After closing the door behind me, I twist the lock and lean against it for a second as Ava¡¯s face shes in my mind. I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about the way she dropped her guard and opened up at the rink. The pain that flooded her voice as she told me about her old coach. The way she was groomed and manipted by someone she trusted. It¡¯s so fucked-up. It takes effort to refocus my attention on the business at hand. I¡¯ve got two minutes to clear my mind. I strip off my clothes in record time, leaving them in a heap on the floor. When I¡¯m wearing nothing but my boxer briefs, I grab myptop and drag the desk chair over to the bed, positioning it before flipping it open. The camera light blinks on, and I adjust the angle until it¡¯s a perfect shot of me stretched out on the mattress. Earbuds in, music filling the silence, I close my eyes and force myself to get into the right headspace. It¡¯s been a routine for a while now, something I¡¯ve perfected over the years. It¡¯s easy money. Usually. But tonight, I can¡¯t shake the heaviness sitting in my chest. I see Ava¡¯s face again. Her eyes, wide and uncertain, the raw pain in her voice when she told me how it all went down with Nathan. How he¡¯d crossed every line and shattered her trust. It makes me fucking sick to my stomach. I¡¯d like nothing more than to find that asshole and make him pay for what he did to her. For the damage he caused, the way he made her feel small and used. Even when the first fewments pop up on the screen, people already tuning in, all I can think about is how much I hate the idea of her still having to deal with him. Still receiving those texts. I flex my abs and shift on the bed, needing to get my head back in the game, but it¡¯s useless. The more I try to push Ava out of my mind, the more I feel this growing need to protect her. To be there for her in a way no one else has been. And that¡¯s the scariest part of all. Since those thoughts aren¡¯t conducive to what needs to happen, I force them from my head for a second time and allow my hand to stroke over my chest. It¡¯s so damn tempting to rush through this, but I refuse to do that. That¡¯s not what these people are paying for. And since I need the money, I force myself to slow my roll and draw out every touch and stroke of my hand. At the end of the day, it¡¯s not about me. It¡¯s about them. The people paying good money to see me get off. Withzy movements, my fingers circle around one nipple and then the other until both stiffen. I¡¯ve given serious consideration to piercing them. I bet the fans would go fucking crazy over that, but I¡¯ve just never found the time to get it done. And now that there¡¯s only a few months left until graduation, there doesn¡¯t seem to be much point. As soon as I sign my NHL contract, my little X-rated performances will be a thing of the past. As the music thumps a steady beat, everything inside me loosens, and I allow both hands to wander, caressing every inch of exposed flesh. They continue their descent before one slides along the thick length of my erection pressing against the cotton of my underwear. The moment I squeeze the tip, thoughts of Ava shove their way back into my brain. What it felt like to wrap her up in my arms and offerfort. Her warm weight nestled against me. How close we came to kissing before guilt mmed into me, and I yanked myself back from the precipice. It had been so damn tempting to brush my lips across hers. The need rushing through my veins had been like nothing I¡¯d ever experienced before. I cup my balls and massage them. A guttural groan escapes from me as I shift, my cock growing even harder. When I can¡¯t stand another second of the torture, my hand slips beneath the stic band of the boxers, and I shove them down until my dick can spring free of the confines. My teeth sink into my lower lip as I fist the hot length, tightening my hold until it turns borderline painful. Even though I¡¯m conflicted about Ava and how to proceed with her, I can¡¯t stop thoughts of her lithe body from rolling through my head. I want to stretch her out naked and lick every silky inch of her skin. I want to run my tongue over her pussy until she¡¯s writhing beneath me and screaming out her orgasm. That image alone is almost enough to make me lose control. Which never happens. I¡¯m always the one calling the shots. A tortured groan makes its way past my lips as I bow my spine, and hot spurts of cum jet from my cock,nding on my lower abdomen. My breathing turns harsh as I strangle the life out of my dick until everyst drop has been wrung from it, and I¡¯m softening in my palm. Only then do my muscles loosen as I rx against the mattress. I stretch my arms above my head as endorphins flood my system, making me drowsy and satisfied. Music pours through my earbuds as I rub the jizz around my belly. I give it a few moments before rolling to the side, throwing up the peace sign, and ending the video. Five hundredments and a whole hell of a lot of emojis greet me from the screen, but I¡¯m not in the mood to go through them. After mming theptop closed, I grab a few tissues and wipe up the cum before tossing them in the trash can near the nightstand and pulling the stic band back over my cock. Once the earbuds have been removed, I sit on the edge of the bed as the sassy figure skater shoves her way back into my brain for the umpteenth time today. I have no idea what to do about her. If I¡¯m honest with myself, she¡¯s be something of an obsession. No matter how hard I try, I can¡¯t stop thinking about her. She¡¯s not what I expected. And that¡¯s the problem. After everything she confided this afternoon, I¡¯m unsure how to move forward. Or even if I should. What can¡¯t be denied is that she¡¯s been to hell and back. Thest thing I want to do is inflict more damage. The funny thing is, she doesn¡¯te across as someone who¡¯s fragile, but deep down, I think that¡¯s exactly what she is. I drag a hand through my hair. I really need to think about this. She¡¯s not a girl I can fuck around with and then flee the scene of the crime. There¡¯s also the fact that she¡¯s Coach¡¯s daughter. If I have any brains whatsoever, I¡¯ll cut my losses and avoid her for the foreseeable future. Graduation is right around the corner, and then I¡¯ll sign my contract and y in the pros. My family will be taken care of. At the end of the day, that¡¯s the most important thing. My family. But¡­ I¡¯m afraid it might be toote to bail. My life has always beenplicated. How the fuck did it get even more so? As those thoughts circle through my brain, my belly grumbles. Only then do I remember that it¡¯s been hours since I grabbed something to eat. With that, I rise to my feet before throwing on a shirt and sweatpants. I make a pitstop in the bathroom to wash my hands and then head down to the first floor. I step inside the dark kitchen and stumble to a halt when I find Willow, Maverick McKinnon¡¯s newly minted girlfriend. Our gazes catch as she tucks a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear. We¡¯ve known each other since elementary school. Her twin brother River and I yed hockey on a lot of the same teams while growing up. My lips settle in a smirk as memories of the first time I caught her sneaking out of our house at the butt crack of dawn after spending the night with Maverick. Given his contentious rtionship with her brother, it had been a shock. Especially since Mav hadn¡¯t known the identity of his one-night stand. I¡¯m not gonna lie, watching their rtionship y out with all the secrets and subterfuge had been hrious. A small smile simmers around the edges of her lips as she rolls her eyes. It¡¯s like she can read the thoughts in my head. I¡¯ve always liked Willow. She was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in high school. She¡¯s been in remission for a couple years now, and it¡¯s nice to see her thriving. I¡¯m d she and Maverick worked out. He¡¯s a good dude, and he seems to genuinely care about her. River, on the other hand? He¡¯s not as thrilled about his twin¡¯s new love interest. From what I¡¯ve seen, they¡¯re both trying to get along for Willow¡¯s sake. I beeline to the fridge and peek inside. Disappointment bubbles up inside me when I don¡¯t find much in the way of sustenance. With my fingers tapping against the door, I throw out the question. ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± ¡°Pretty good. And you?¡± ¡°Same.¡± From the corner of my eye, I watch as she grabs a piece of fruit from the counter before taking a few steps toward the living room. ¡°Willow?¡± Her name shoots out of my mouth before I can think better of it. She nces at me with raised brows from the other side of the threshold. ¡°Yeah?¡± Now that she¡¯s staring at me with curiosity brimming in her wide blue eyes, I¡¯m unsure what to say. All right, that¡¯s a lie. It¡¯s all there on the tip of my tongue. I just need to grow a pair of balls and force out the words. I stare past her into the living room and see Maverick is sprawled out on the couch with a controller in his hand as he stares at the big screen TV mounted on the far wall. I clear my throat and drop my voice. Thest thing I need is any of these nosy bastards eavesdropping on our convo. ¡°Do you, um, have a moment?¡± Surprise shes across her face as she steps back inside the kitchen. ¡°Sure. What¡¯s up?¡± Well, hell. I have no idea how to bring this up without sounding like a total puss. When I remain silent, she hikes a brow. Fuck. Why does this feel so hard? I drag my hand through my hair. ¡°So, I kind of like someone.¡± She blinks, as if that was thest thing she was expecting me to say. ¡°You do?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± A smile curves her lips. ¡°What¡¯s the problem with that?¡± I huff out a breath before sidling closer. ¡°I don¡¯t know. The situation isplicated.¡± ¡°Is it moreplicated than sneaking around behind your twin¡¯s back because you¡¯ve been seeing the one guy he can¡¯t stand?¡± I snort out augh as some of the tension filling my shoulders drains away. ¡°Probably not. It¡¯s more like she¡¯s been through a lot in the past year or so, and I¡¯m afraid of inflicting further damage.¡± Her expression softens. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking along those lines, then you¡¯re probably already being careful with her. Anyone would appreciate that.¡± I let her words settle inside me. ¡°Yeah, I guess.¡± With a nod, I break eye contact. ¡°I¡¯m just not sure if it¡¯s better to walk away now before anything gets too serious between us.¡± ¡°How does she feel about the situation?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Maybe you should talk to her about it first before you make any decisions.¡± There¡¯s a moment of silence before she adds, ¡°After I went into remission, one of the hardest parts was how my friends and family acted like I was made of spun ss. I hated it so much. All I wanted was to be treated like everyone else, not like I was weak or constantly on the verge of rpse. I don¡¯t know anything about this girl, but I can almost guarantee she doesn¡¯t want you to view her through the lens of her past, like she¡¯s breakable.¡± I release a pent-up breath from my lungs. ¡°It¡¯s different with her.¡± ¡°I get that. But don¡¯t you think it might help to have an open and honest conversation with her before you make any decisions? Especially if you have feelings for her.¡± ¡°Thanks for the advice.¡± Everything she just said somersaults through my head. ¡°I¡¯ll give it some thought.¡± She shes an easy smile. ¡°Want to give me a clue as to who the lucky girl is?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Nah. Like you said, I should probably talk to her first and get everything figured out.¡± ¡°All right. Sounds like a n. Good luck.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± I¡¯ll probably need it. Break My Heart: Chapter 18
Unknown number: We¡¯ve been through way too much for you to ignore me like this.
Ince down at my phone, my stomach twisting into knots at thetest message. Another one from a new number. No matter what I do, he continues to find ways to get to me. The words blur on the screen, sharp with hostility. The demanding tone in the message is unmistakable, and the implication makes me sick. His texts used to be sporadic, popping up here and there. Now, theye daily, each one more aggressive than thest. Angrier. Like I owe him something. Unsure what to do, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut until my cell chimes with another one. It¡¯s like I¡¯m being bombarded. Beaten down.
Unknown number: I won¡¯t fucking stand for it.
As I stare at the new message, I realize my hands are trembling. My belly pinches at the thought of bringing this up to my parents. But what other choice is there? I can just imagine Dad¡¯s reaction. He¡¯s going to lose it. And Mom will get upset all over again and me herself for allowing us to get so close. For not seeing what was happening beneath her nose. I hate the guilt she carries regarding the situation. They¡¯ll threaten to pick up and move again, and I don¡¯t want that to happen. Not now. Dad loves his new coaching position, and I¡¯ve finally made some good friends. Real ones. I don¡¯t want to lose that and start all over again. I shove my phone into my jacket pocket, hoping it¡¯s possible to block out the creeping sense of dread. But the feeling of being hunted continues to linger. ¡°Ava!¡± I blink out of those thoughts before lifting my hand in a wave. For a split second, the tension in my chest loosens. ¡°Hey, Britt!¡± It takes effort to force a smile to my face. She loops her arm through mine as we walk toward the Union, weaving through the dinner crowd. Britt has be my best friend, the one person I can actually be myself around. She gets it¡ªbeing thrown into the public eye at a young age, her rise to fame, and now her need for something real. Britt left LA to escape the spotlight, and even though I wasn¡¯t a celebrity or household name like her, I understand that craving for a fresh start, for normalcy. She scrutinizes my face for a long moment. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I nce at her and then away. ¡°Yeah, just tired.¡± It¡¯s not a total lie, but it¡¯s nowhere near the full truth. A prick of guilt hits me. I hate lying to her, but I¡¯m not ready to reveal what¡¯s been going on. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve been juggling sses, skating, and everything else. But don¡¯t forget to take care of yourself too.¡± I nod, appreciating her concern, even though I know it¡¯s more than that. After ordering sandwiches, we scan the space, looking for the rest of the group we¡¯re meeting. As soon as Carina pops up and waves, we navigate through the crowd until we reach a long stretch of table where we settle in. ¡°I¡¯m so d you could make it!¡± Juliette says before digging into her sd. She found outst week that she was epted into med school. That girl is always at the library studying her ass off. Well, when she¡¯s not spending time with her hunky boyfriend, Ryder McAdams. Fallyn¡¯s sparkly engagement ring catches the light and nearly blinds me. It¡¯s a gorgeous ring. Wolf did an amazing job picking it out. Her attention gets snagged by it for a second or two. ¡°Sometimes I still can¡¯t believe I¡¯m married.¡± She shes a smile at Britt. ¡°You too.¡± Britt nces at the blingy rock on her own finger. ¡°It¡¯s gone by so quickly.¡± The conversations that buzz around me are all normalforting in a way¡ªbut I can¡¯t help feeling out of ce. ¡°What about you?¡± Britt asks, nudging me yfully. I almost choke on my water as an image of Hayes shes in my brain along with the way he made me feel and how I stupidly opened up to him at the arena. That vulnerability I showed him now feels like a mistake. I haven¡¯t heard from him since, and it stings more than I care to admit. ¡°Are there any prospects on the horizon?¡± Vi asks. She and Fallyn are cousins and live together off campus. I shake my head, forcing a casual smile. ¡°Nope, I¡¯m just focused on school.¡± I never should have entrusted Hayes Van Doren with my secrets. What if he tells his friends, and it spreads like wildfire across campus? That thought is enough to have nausea stirring in the pit of my belly. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a hockey yer even if you did,¡± Ste adds. Juliette nods. ¡°Your dad would probably lose it.¡± I can¡¯t help but grimace. That¡¯s not a scenario I want to imagine ying out. ¡°He definitely wouldn¡¯t be thrilled about it.¡± Even though my parents want me to move on from the past and get involved with a nice boy and have a normal rtionship, there¡¯s no way they¡¯d want me to date one of his yers. As tempting as it is to share all that with my new friends, I keep the truth locked up tight where it can¡¯t see the light of day. When ites down to it, I¡¯m afraid of the judgment I¡¯ll find in their eyes. If only it were possible to blot out thest three years and pretend it never happened. I¡¯d give anything to be the na?ve girl I¡¯d once been. When my phone buzzes in my pocket again, the muscles in my belly contract until it bes painful. My appetite vanishes as I shove my sandwich to the side. If this keeps up, I¡¯ll lose another five pounds. Mommented on my weight loss the other day and asked if everything was all right. The concern in her dark eyes was obvious, and it brought me right back to the past. To the secrets I¡¯d kept from them. The loneliness that had eaten away at me. The sense of being trapped. For a second or two, I considereding clean but decided against it. This situation is different than the one before. It¡¯s nothing more than texting. If I refuse to engage, he¡¯ll eventually get bored and go away. Right? That¡¯s the hope I¡¯m currently clinging to. ¡°Hey, babe.¡± I blink back to the present and find Colby McNichols locking lips with Britt. There¡¯s a besotted expression on her face that matches his when they break apart. ¡°Jeez,¡± Bridger grumbles. ¡°Always with the PDA.¡± Colby grins, throwing an arm around his wife. ¡°You jealous, bro? Want a hug? I¡¯ve got enough love to go around.¡± ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good.¡± Bridger chuckles while shaking his head as the group dissolves intoughter. Colby gives me a chin lift in greeting when our gazes collide, and I scoot over so he can settle next to Britt. ¡°Thanks, Philips. Appreciate it.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Most of the guys from the team are friendly toward me but nothing more. It makes me wonder if Dad fired off warning shots at the beginning of the season. ¡°Is it all right if we crash your dinner?¡± Ryder asks before squeezing in next to Juliette. I have to admit they¡¯re perfect for one another. A few more of their teammates stop by with trays loaded with food. Our group continues to swell as Ford, Wolf, Madden, Riggs, and Steele crowd around the table, pulling chairs up, and the babble of voices esctes. I can¡¯t help but look at each face. Over the past semester, they¡¯ve all be my friends. I try to rx and enjoy the moment, but then I feel it again. A prickling sensation that makes me wonder if I¡¯m being watched. As soon as I nce up, our gazes collide. Hayes. My breath catches. After a few days of absence, I¡¯m hungry for the sight of him. Even though he¡¯s standing with a few teammates, his attention is focused on me. I can¡¯t read his expression, and part of me doesn¡¯t want to. It¡¯s been days since we talked, and not hearing from him after everything I confessed hurts. I can¡¯t do this. Not with everything else going on in my life. Decision made, I push back from the table. ¡°I need to get going.¡± Britt frowns. ¡°What? I thought we were going to hang out after this.¡± Heat floods my cheeks as people turn and stare. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got some stuff to take care of. I¡¯ll text youter, and we can figure out another time to get together. Promise.¡± ¡°You better.¡± I force a small smile and grab my bag before weaving through the crowded building. My heart ms in my chest with the need to distance myself from Hayes. From the awkwardness and the rejection. As soon as I push through the doors and step into the crisp evening air, a mixture of relief and sadness pumps through me. ¡°Ava, wait.¡± I freeze as my pulse thrums in my ears. There¡¯s no point pretending I didn¡¯t hear him. With a sigh, I turn and find Hayes standing in front of me, his expression soft but unreadable. ¡°What do you want?¡± My voicees out sounding sharper than intended. But I can¡¯t help it. I¡¯m hurt, and thest thing I want to do is show it. ¡°Can we talk?¡± I cross my arms, as if it¡¯s possible to guard myself from further pain. ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about? We hung out twice. That¡¯s all it was.¡± His jaw tightens, and for a second, I think he¡¯s going to back off. Instead, he steps closer, his gaze locked on mine. ¡°And here I¡¯d thought it was more than that. Was I wrong?¡± My mouth goes dry as my tongue darts out to moisten my lips. Refusing to answer his question, I fire off one of my own. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± His brows furrow. ¡°Doing what?¡± I shift, impatient to get moving and away from him. Allowing him to get close was a mistake, and I¡¯ve learned my lesson. I was an idiot for thinking he was anything more than a yer. ¡°Acting like there¡¯s something between us.¡± ¡°Because there is, and I want to spend more time together and see where it goes.¡± When he steps closer, bridging the distance between us, it bes necessary to tilt my chin upward. ¡°Is that something we can do?¡± Air escapes from my lungs like a tire with a slow leak. It¡¯s a terrible idea. Nothing good wille from spending more time with Hayes. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I mumble. ¡°What don¡¯t you know?¡± I force my gaze from his, hoping it¡¯s enough to break the spell he¡¯s woven around me. I don¡¯t know how he does it. Every time we¡¯re together, all rational thought flies out the window. A few people walking by stare in our direction with interest. It¡¯s just another reminder that this is Hayes Van Doren I¡¯m dealing with. ¡°Why we¡¯re bothering to do this,¡± I mutter as my cheeks heat. He hikes a brow. ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± With my lips pressed together, I shake my head. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever felt more confused or conflicted in my life. But there¡¯s something else buried beneath those emotions. Something I¡¯d rather not inspect too closely. I¡¯m afraid of what I¡¯ll find if I do. It¡¯s a surprise when his fingers slip beneath my chin, and he turns it until I have no other choice but to meet the steadiness of his gaze. ¡°I like you, Tink. Maybe I haven¡¯t done a good job of showing it, but I do.¡± ¡°Is that the reason you¡¯ve been avoiding me?¡± The question shoots out of my mouth before I can reel it back in. Thest thing I want is for him to think I care. It¡¯s painful to admit that I just might. There¡¯s a moment of silence, as if he¡¯s mulling over the question. ¡°That¡¯s not what I was doing,¡± he says, his tone turning serious. ¡°I just¡­ I needed time to think.¡± ¡°About what?¡± I demand, my frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°About what I told you? Did that scare you off?¡± His eyes soften. ¡°No. It didn¡¯t scare me. But it did make me think. I don¡¯t want to hurt you. Not after everything you¡¯ve been through.¡± There¡¯s something in the way he says it that makes me pause. It¡¯s like he¡¯s genuinely afraid of screwing this up and causing me pain. For some reason, that hits me harder than anything else, and my anger drains away. ¡°So, what now?¡± He exhales slowly, like he¡¯s been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. ¡°I want to move forward. But I want to be careful. I want to do this right.¡± I stare at him, my heart racing. ¡°You want to keep seeing me?¡± The smile he shes makes my stomach flip. ¡°Yeah, I do. If you¡¯ll let me.¡± It¡¯s crazy. Thest thing I should do is let myself fall for this guy. But standing here, looking at him, I realize it¡¯s a risk I¡¯m willing to take. ¡°Okay.¡± A grin spreads across his face as he reaches for my hand and threads his fingers through mine. ¡°Are you free for the rest of the night? I want you toe with me.¡± ¡°Yeah. Are you going to tell me where we¡¯re going?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a surprise,¡± he says, leading me down the path, his thumb brushing against my hand. ¡°Do you trust me?¡± I hesitate for a moment and search his face. It¡¯s almost a shock when I admit what¡¯s in my heart. ¡°Yeah, I do.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 19 The air in the ice arena feels familiar, almost likeing home, as Ava and I weave through the crowded lobby. I grew up in this ce, spent hours on the ice, goofing around with teammates, andter, coaching my little brother¡¯s team to help Mom with the bills. This arena is in my blood, and yet tonight, it feels different. It¡¯s not just about hockey or family, it¡¯s about the girl walking beside me. I steal a nce at Ava. The knot of anxiety that¡¯s been sitting in my chest for days starts to loosen. I want to bring her into my world and share the things with her that matter to me. I¡¯m hoping it¡¯ll help break down some of the walls she¡¯s built around herself, the ones I understand so much better after what she confided. Ollie¡¯s team is already warming up on the ice. When I catch his eye, he lifts his chin in a gesture that makes him seem older than he is. I nod back, feeling that familiar burst of pride every time I see him out there. He¡¯s grown into a hell of a yer. Before I can take another step, small arms wrap around my legs, and I look down to find Kia grinning up at me. ¡°Hey, squirt,¡± I say, hauling her into my arms. She squeals before trying to wriggle away when I blow a raspberry against her neck. Ava watches, a smile tugging at her lips. I nod toward the blonde at my side. ¡°Remember Coach Ava from the clinic?¡± Kia¡¯s face lights up in recognition, but she quickly ducks her head against my neck, giving Ava a shy wave. I almostugh. Kia, shy? Yeah, right. The kid doesn¡¯t have a shy bone in her body. ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± Ava says. ¡°Have you been practicing some of those hockey moves since Ist saw you?¡± Kia straightens in my arms, all bright eyes and bouncy curls. ¡°I had a lesson with Coach Jay on Saturday! It was fun.¡± Ava smiles at her. ¡°I¡¯m d. Having fun is the most important thing.¡± Kia nods before turning back to me. ¡°Can we get popcorn and a pretzel?¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡°Did you eat dinner?¡± She gives me a mischievous smile. ¡°We had grilled cheese.¡± ¡°You sure about that? ¡¯Cause I don¡¯t want Mom yelling at me for feeding you junk food again.¡± Her grin widens, and I get the feeling she¡¯s ying me, but I can¡¯t say no to her. ¡°All right, fine,¡± I grumble, setting her down. ¡°If Mom says otherwise, you¡¯re in big trouble.¡± She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the concession stand as Ava trails behind us. We load up on popcorn, pretzels, and drinks before settling on the bench next to my mom. She greets Ava with a smile, but I can tell she¡¯s surprised to see her again. Mom knows I don¡¯t bring girls to family events. She¡¯s definitely going to have questions. As the game gets under way, I can feel my attention split between Ollie on the ice and Ava beside me. Kia has climbed onto Ava¡¯sp, and Theo is practically glued to her other side, asking a million questions. It¡¯s moments like this¡ªseeing her here with Kia, with my family¡ªthat make me realize how much I want her to be part of my life. Ollie¡¯s skating out there like a pro. He¡¯s definitely got moves. I¡¯ve watched him grow from a wobbly kid, clutching the boards, to a yer whomands attention when he¡¯s on the ice. Every time he gets near the puck, anticipation builds. Then he makes a break for it, weaving through the defense, his eyes locked on the goal. The arena erupts when he scores, the sound deafening in the small rink. Ollie pumps his fist in the air, and for a second, our gazes meet across the ice. All I see is my little brother, beaming with joy as his teammates swarm him in celebration. In that moment, I¡¯m proud of the yer he¡¯s be. If Ollie continues to grow and improve the way he has these past three years, there¡¯s no way that Division I schools won¡¯t be vying for him to y for their programs. It makes all the hustling I¡¯ve done while in college totally worth it. How could I regret any of it when I¡¯ve been able to give my siblings everything they need? Dad would be proud that we¡¯ve managed to hold everything together in his absence. It wasn¡¯t easy, but we¡¯ve done it. A thick lump of emotion rises in my throat. When my gaze gets snagged by Mom¡¯s, her lips lift into a soft smile that doesn¡¯t quite reach her eyes, and I get the feeling she¡¯s thinking about him as well. After Ollie¡¯s team pulls off a win, all the fans flock to the lobby. They talk about the highlights and grab snacks while waiting for the yers to get released from the locker room. I nce over at Ava, who¡¯s still chatting with my mom. It would be hard not to notice that Kia¡¯s hand is wrapped in hers, as if they¡¯ve known each other forever. Fifteen minutester, Ollie finally emerges, grinning from ear to ear. We bump fists. ¡°Good game, little bro. You were on fire out there.¡± He shrugs, trying to y it cool, but I can see how much he¡¯s buzzing from the win. ¡°Thanks.¡± I ruffle his sweat-soaked hair. ¡°Keep ying like that, and you¡¯ll have college coaches knocking down your door.¡± His eyes light up, but he jerks his shoulders again, trying to downy it. ¡°Yeah, that might be cool.¡± ¡°It would be more than cool, dude. It¡¯d be amazing.¡± Momes over, gathering Kia and Theo. She looks at Ava with a warm smile. ¡°Thank you for joining us tonight. I know it meant a lot to Ollie.¡± Ava smiles back. ¡°I had fun. I¡¯d love to do it again sometime.¡± Mom nces between the two of us, and I know she¡¯s filing this moment away forter interrogation. ¡°We¡¯d love to have you.¡± As we say our goodbyes, I slip a little extra cash into Mom¡¯s pocket, and she squeezes my arm, her eyes shining with appreciation. ¡°I love you, Hayes.¡± ¡°Love you too.¡± I hug Theo and give Kia a kiss on the cheek before we part ways. The drive back to campus is quiet, the kind offortable silence I don¡¯t usually experience with girls. The radio hums softly in the background as I nce at Ava. The way she interacted with my mom and siblings tonight¡­ it did something to me. Something I didn¡¯t expect. ¡°I like your family,¡± she says after a while, breaking the silence. ¡°Your mom is really nice.¡± I nod, keeping my eyes fastened to the road. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s the best. It¡¯s been tough since Dad died, but we¡¯re hanging in there. I try to help out as much as I can.¡± Ava reaches over, her fingers gently resting on mine. It¡¯s a small gesture, but it makes something tighten in my chest. ¡°You¡¯re a great big brother. It¡¯s obvious how much they all look up to you.¡± I swallow hard. It would be impossible not to feel the weight of her words. ¡°I¡¯m just doing what I can. After Dad¡­ it¡¯s like we didn¡¯t have anyone else to lean on but each other.¡± There¡¯s a pause before she shifts in her seat, her voice soft. ¡°I noticed you gave your mom money before we left. I didn¡¯t realize you have a job.¡± My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I keep my tone casual. ¡°Yeah, I do some frence stuff online. It helps pay the bills.¡± My muscles remain tense as I wait for her to bombard me with questions. None of my teammates work. There aren¡¯t enough hours during the day when you¡¯re a Division I athlete. Hockey is like a full-time job with school. There¡¯s a lot of guys who refuse to get into rtionships because it¡¯s just another timemitment that pulls them away from their sport. When a handful of seconds ticks by and she doesn¡¯t say a word, I nce at her with a cocked brow. ¡°Not going to ask about the specifics?¡± Our gazes lock for just a heartbeat or two before I force mine to the dark ribbon of road stretched out beyond the windshield. ¡°Nope. I really hate when people stick their nose into my business. So I¡¯m not going to be a hypocrite and do it to you.¡± Her honesty hits me, and before I can stop myself, I blurt, ¡°I hope you realize I¡¯m still going to be all up in your business because I want to know every damn thing about you.¡± She gives me a small smile, but there¡¯s something in her expression that makes me think she¡¯s still holding back. After what she¡¯s been through, I can¡¯t me her. It¡¯s going to take time for her to open uppletely. But I¡¯m willing to wait. As we drive, her hand stays wrapped in mine. The simple contact feels more intimate than anything I¡¯ve experienced in a long time. Maybe ever. ¡°My sister really likes you,¡± I say, breaking the silence again. ¡°I like her too,¡± Ava replies softly. ¡°I like all of them.¡± I nce at her, my heart thudding in my chest. ¡°How about me, Tink? Do you like me as well?¡± The questiones out before I can stop it, but I don¡¯t regret it. I need to know where I stand with this girl. Break My Heart: Chapter 20 My heart races, each beat reverberating in my chest as Hayes¡¯s question lingers in the air between us. Do I like him? It¡¯s not a question I was expecting, but now that it¡¯s out there, there¡¯s no way to avoid it. I take a breath, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Hayes isn¡¯t what I thought he was. He¡¯s deeper, more genuine, and that scares me as much as it excites me. I can¡¯t deny the attraction, the pull toward him that feels impossible to resist. ¡°Yeah, I do,¡± I finally admit. It makes me feel vulnerable to say it, but at the same time, it¡¯s liberating. A slow grin spreads across his face as he nces at me, his fingers wrapping around mine before squeezing. ¡°Good,¡± he says, his voice low and soothing. ¡°You might not have realized it, because I¡¯ve been keeping this under wraps for a while, but I like you too. A lot.¡± His words send a rush of warmth through me. I didn¡¯t expect him to be this honest or direct. Even though a part of me is screaming to guard my heart, another part¡ªthe one that¡¯s tired of being afraid¡ªis desperate to trust him and wants to see where this goes. I bite my lip, hesitating as the familiar walls I¡¯ve built around myself crumble further. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I can give you. My head is still messed-up from everything that happened.¡± His gaze softens in understanding. ¡°I¡¯ll take whatever you¡¯re willing to give, and we¡¯ll go as slow as you need to.¡± I shake my head in confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Why are you doing this? You could have anyone. There are so many girls who would be easier than me.¡± For a moment, he says nothing. The silence stretches, making my nerves tighten. When he finally speaks, his voice is steady and sure. ¡°Did you ever consider that I¡¯m not looking for easy?¡± A few minutester, we¡¯re pulling into the parking lot of my building. Before I can say another word, he¡¯s out of the truck, rounding the front, then opening the passenger door. He extends a hand, and despite the inner voice telling me to push him away, I take it. His fingers are warm around mine. ¡°You don¡¯t have to walk me to my door,¡± I say softly as we head toward the entrance of the building. ¡°I know,¡± he replies, shing me a lopsided smile. ¡°But I want to.¡± When we reach the lobby, we step inside the elevator, and just as the doors begin to close, four girls pour inside, filling the small space. A brte with wavy hair locks eyes with Hayes and then beams at him. ¡°Hey, Hayes,¡± she says, her voice dripping with familiarity. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± The jealousy that res to life in my chest is sharp and unexpected. From the corner of my eye, I watch as Hayes acknowledges her with a casual chin lift. ¡°Hey, Olivia.¡± My heart sinks at how easily her name rolls off his tongue. Before I can dwell on it, his arm snakes around my waist, and he pulls me flush against his side. The heat of his body seeps into mine. It¡¯s enough to dissolve the jealousy simmering inside me. Olivia¡¯s smile falters, the confidence in her gaze wavering as she nces at me for the first time. When the elevator dings and the girls file out without another word, Hayes doesn¡¯t bother saying goodbye. He¡¯s too focused on me, his hand resting possessively on my waist as we step into the hallway. ¡°What¡¯s your apartment number?¡± he asks, his voice cutting through the silence. ¡°406,¡± I mumble, feeling slightly off-bnce from the entire interaction. Why does he have this effect on me? He tangles everything up in my head until it¡¯s impossible to think straight. Especially when he¡¯s this close. Once we reach my door, I swing around to face him. My heart hammers almost painfully in my chest at the intensity that fills his gaze. When his hand rises to cradle my cheek, I find myself leaning into his touch. How is it possible for our closeness to feel so natural and right? It¡¯s terrifying. ¡°Would you believe me if I told you that you¡¯re the first girl I¡¯ve ever wanted to get to know?¡± he murmurs, his thumb gently brushing against my skin. ¡°I don¡¯t care about easy. I don¡¯t care how slow we need to go or what you think you can give me. I just want to be with you while we figure it out. Together.¡± His words hit me straight in the chest, sending a flutter through my stomach. He¡¯s so sincere, so honest, and it leaves me feeling raw. Exposed. His quiet sentiment has a million butterflies winging their way to life within the confines of my belly. And yet¡­ There¡¯s no way to keep the skepticism from my voice. ¡°Are you sure about that? I¡¯ve heard all the gossip that circtes around campus.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you.¡± His gaze is unwavering. ¡°There¡¯s truth in those rumors. I spent thest few years screwing around because it helped me escape everything else going on in my life. But those girls? They were distractions. None of them meant anything to me. The difference is that you do.¡± My teeth sink into my lower lip. More than anything, I want to believe him. I want to trust him. ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± My throat closes up as I force out the rest. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get hurt. After everything that¡¯s happened, I¡¯m afraid to put myself out there.¡± He strums my cheek with his thumb. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯ll take this at a cial pace.¡± ¡°cial?¡± ¡°Super slow.¡± Even though this is noughing matter, a snort escapes from me. ¡°I know what cial means. Won¡¯t you get bored?¡± His lips tug into a smile as his brow arches slightly. ¡°Bored? With you? Never. You keep me on my toes, and I like that.¡± I huff out a softugh, the tension between us easing just a bit. He¡¯s saying all the right things, and I hate how much I want to believe him. ¡°What about my dad?¡± I ask, voicing the concern that¡¯s been nagging at me. ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to be honest with you. I¡¯m not really interested in dating him.¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°I would hope not. What I meant is that I think we should keep this between us. He won¡¯t be happy that I¡¯ve be involved with one of his hockey yers.¡± He releases a long, slow breath. ¡°I get that, but I really don¡¯t like lying to people. Especially ones I respect. And I respect Coach.¡± It¡¯s tempting to shake my head. Could this guy be more perfect? ¡°I just want to make sure this is actually going to go somewhere before we tell my parents.¡± ¡°Okay, I get that. For the time being, we¡¯ll keep everything on the downlow.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Relief floods through me. His heated gaze dips to my lips, and warmth rushes to all the ces that have spent thest year cold and dormant. Hayes is gradually waking my body back to life again. My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. ¡°Any chance we¡¯re going to seal this with a kiss?¡± He smirks, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. ¡°Is that what you want?¡± My heart thuds painfully in my chest as I nod. ¡°Then, yes, Ava. I¡¯m going to kiss you.¡± There¡¯s no rush in the way he lowers his mouth. It¡¯s slow, deliberate, like we have all the time in the world. When his lips finally brush against mine, they¡¯re softer than I imagined. The kiss is gentle at first, a tease, his tongue lightly brushing against my bottom lip. Heat sparks in my core, spreading like wildfire through my veins. His hands tighten on my waist, pulling me closer, and I melt into him as everything around us fades away. There¡¯s only him. His scent, his touch, and the way his lips make me feel like I¡¯m floating. It¡¯s a kiss that makes me forget every reason why I should be afraid. Just as I sink deeper into the moment, he pulls back, his breath mingling with mine. ¡°You taste good. I¡¯m definitely going to want more of your sweetness.¡± I blink, dazed and breathless, as I struggle to form a coherent thought. ¡°Keys,¡± he says, holding out his palm. It takes a second to realize what he means. ¡°Oh,¡± I murmur, fumbling in my purse until my fingers lock around the cool metal. After I drop them in his hand, he unlocks the door and pushes it open. His beachy scent wraps around me, cocooning me in familiarity. It¡¯s so tempting to invite him in, but I hesitate. That feels like a big step. Maybe too big for where we are at the moment. As if sensing my inner conflict, he retreats. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Tomorrow?¡± I echo, still trying to y mental catch up with everything that¡¯s happened this evening. He shes his signature lopsided smile. The one that makes my heart flutter. ¡°Yeah. Tomorrow. We¡¯ve got more to figure out.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± I whisper, feeling lighter than I have in a long time. With that, he turns and heads to the elevator. As I stand rooted in ce, my fingers drift across my lips. I can still feel the soft pressure of his mouth sliding over mine, and it sends a shiver dancing down my spine. He swings around and walks backward, his gaze pinned to mine. ¡°You can think about that kiss inside the apartment. Make sure you lock the door behind you.¡± Heat floods my cheeks at being caught in a daze. A grin shes across his lips, as if he knows exactly what thoughts are running rampant through my head. For the first time in a while, hope fills my heart. Whatever this is between us feels like the start of something real. Something that has the potential tost. Break My Heart: Chapter 21 I bnce the steaming cups in one hand as I rap the knuckles of the other against Ava¡¯s door. My heart¡¯s already pounding, nerves tingling as I wait. After about fifteen seconds, I knock again. It¡¯s possible that I already missed her. Just as I raise my hand to knock onest time, the door swings open, and I find Ava blinking at me from the other side of the threshold. Surprise flickers in her eyes. She¡¯s wearing tiny sleep shorts and a tank top, her blonde hair tumbling down her shoulders in loose, messy waves. My mouth dries. She looks incredible. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Her voice is thick with sleep. I shrug, trying to act casual even though my pulse is racing like I just finished a sprint. ¡°I know you usually practice at six, so I thought I¡¯d drive you to the arena.¡± Her gaze dips to the travel containers. ¡°Is one of those for me?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I hand over a cup, watching as she lifts it to her lips. Fuck. The way her mouth curves around the lid sends a wave of heat straight through me. I shift my weight, trying to focus on something other than how much I want this girl. I promised we¡¯d take things slow. ¡°Thanks.¡± Her eyes linger on mine before she takes another sip. For a second, I think about how good it would feel to kiss her again, but I shove that thought aside. Slow, Hayes. cial. I clear my throat. ¡°Why don¡¯t you change, and then we can head out? I wouldn¡¯t want you to miss your ice time.¡± She nces down at her outfit, as if only now remembering she¡¯s still in her pajamas. ¡°Give me five minutes,¡± she murmurs, turning toward her bedroom with her coffee in hand. As she disappears, I force myself to stay rooted in the living room and take in her private space. It¡¯s neat, minimalist. There¡¯s a small couch, a table, and a few pictures on the shelf. I pick one up and study it closer. It¡¯s a ck-and-white photo of her mid-spin, three or four feet above the ice, with her arms tightly pressed against her chest. She looks powerful. It¡¯s a stark contrast to the vulnerability that lurks in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± I turn, startled from my thoughts. She¡¯s transformed in minutes. ck leggings, a fitted pink sweater that clings to her curves, and her blonde hair pulled up into a tight bun. The change is almost jarring, like a mask she wears to keep everyone at a distance. All I want to do is strip it away,yer byyer, until she lets me inpletely. She tilts her head. ¡°You good?¡± I clear my throat and force a smile. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go, Tink.¡± I hold out my hand, hoping she¡¯ll take it. Her gaze drops to my fingers, and hesitation flickers in her expression. After what she¡¯s been through, I don¡¯t me her for being cautious. It feels like an eternity before she finally slips her hand into mine. It¡¯s a small gesture that has something in my chest loosening. I pick up her duffel bag, slinging it over my shoulder as we head downstairs to my truck. The arena is only a five-minute drive from her apartment building, and the morning is still pitch ck as we pull into the empty parking lot. As we reach the arena, Ava walks ahead, her movements sure as she unlocks the door to the rink and pushes it open. We make our way through the building until arriving at another set of ss doors. Once inside, the air hits me¡ªthe cold, familiar smell of ice. When she drops down onto a bench, I jerk my thumb toward the men¡¯s locker room. ¡°I¡¯ll grab my skates and be back in a minute.¡± She nods, already slipping off her shoes and pulling her white skates from her bag. I cut across the space to the locker room before shoving inside. The lights automatically turn on, illuminating the echoing area. When I return, Ava¡¯s already gliding across the ice with that same effortless grace I caught a glimpse of in the photo. I can¡¯t help but stop and soak in the sight of her. She¡¯s poetry in motion¡ªspinning, twisting, floating across the ice like she¡¯s weightless. I¡¯ve only caught glimpses of her like this when I watched her from a distance. This isn¡¯t the guarded, careful girl who looks at me with uncertainty. This is the real Ava. The one whoes alive on the ice. It pisses me off all over again that her former coach stole something so precious from her. That he tried to ruin this part of her life. She deserves to have the future she worked so hard for. I skate a fewps around the perimeter while she practices jumps and spins in the center. My eyes stay locked on her, mesmerized by the way she moves. The determination etched into her face is sexy as hell, and it makes me want to pull her off the ice and show her exactly how I feel. She transitions into a spin, pulling her leg up until the de of her skate is over her head. The skill and flexibility it takes to execute that trick is mind-blowing. I move closer, drawn to her like a moth to a me. When she finallyes to a stop, I find myself unable to hold back. As soon as my fingers nab hers, I tug her toward me with measured movements, wanting to give her enough time to put a stop to the intimacy. My arms wrap around her, pulling her against me. For a second or two, her muscles stiffen. Just when I consider setting her free and stepping back to give her space, she rxes, her body melting into mine. ¡°You¡¯re too talented not topete,¡± I murmur, my voice low. ¡°You realize that, right?¡± Sadness floods her eyes as she looks away. ¡°There¡¯s no longer a ce for me in that world.¡± I lift her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that. And deep down, neither do you.¡± Before she has a chance to respond, I brush my lips across hers. It¡¯s a gentle kiss, slow and teasing, but it¡¯s enough to set every nerve ending on fire. Her palms settle on my chest before sliding upward until her arms tangle around my neck. A groan rumbles up from deep within my body as she presses against me. This is what I¡¯ve been waiting for. This connection. The feeling of being so close to her that nothing else matters. My hands tighten around her waist as our tongues brush, and I sink deeper into the kiss. Somewhere in the distance a door opens, and a voice rings out. ¡°Ava?¡± We splinter apart, our eyes wide. Coach. I grab her hand and tug her toward the bench. We barely make it to the edge of the ice when she stumbles, crashing into me. I twist at thest second and take the brunt of the fall as we hit the rubber flooring. Shends on top of me with a soft grunt. Our bodies are flush as my arms tighten around her. ¡°Ava?¡± Coach¡¯s voice echoes closer, sending a jolt of adrenaline through me. We¡¯re a mess of limbs, tangled up together, and I¡¯m pretty sure the massive hard-on I¡¯m sporting isn¡¯t helping matters. Even with her dad seconds away from finding us, all I can think about is the way her lips felt against mine. Heat floods her eyes, turning them a deep cerulean hue. The situation turns dire when she wriggles against my groin, creating friction. Instead of giving in to the pleasure flooding my system, my fingers tighten around her slender hips. ¡°You need to stop, or we¡¯re going to get caught. I don¡¯t think either of us want that.¡± Humor res to life in her eyes, mingling with the arousal. Have I ever seen them spark with suchughter? When she continues to squirm, her breath catches and her pupils dte, the ck swallowing up the blue. It makes her look even sexier than before. ¡°That feels so good,¡± she whispers, her voice turning smokey. ¡°Way too damn good,¡± I groan in agreement. ¡°Keep that up and I¡¯lle in my sweats.¡± Her teeth scrape across her lower lip. ¡°I¡¯d like to see that happen.¡± Her hips continue to gyrate as the flush in her cheeks grows and a dazed quality enters her eyes. Each movement forces me closer to the precipice. I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said I¡¯de in my pants. My cock is impossibly hard, and my balls are tightening, drawing up against my body. It wouldn¡¯t take much to shove me over the edge. How embarrassing would that be? I release a steady breath, attempting to get a hold of myself. I have no idea how this situation spiraled so far out of control. She releases a soft whimper as she continues to shift against me. The tortured sound is like a punch to the gut. Fuck. My hands tighten around her again, trying to stop what now feels inevitable. When her eyelids feather closed, my grip intensifies. ¡°Look at me, Ava.¡± Her namees out sounding more like a growl. She cracks her eyes open just enough to meet my gaze. It¡¯s only when I have herplete attention that I mutter, ¡°As much as I want to make youe right here and now, I don¡¯t want it to be like this.¡± I pause for a beat. ¡°The first time I give you an orgasm, I want to take my time with you and draw out your pleasure. You deserve nothing less than that.¡± Her teeth scrape over the plump flesh of her lower lip. ¡°I¡¯m so close.¡± Now it¡¯s my turn to squeeze my eyes tightly closed against the way her blue depths plead with mine. Part of me wants to give her exactly what she¡¯s begging for. But¡­ after what she¡¯s been through, I want her thinking clearly and making good decisions for herself. The man who took advantage of her innocence and abused his position of power didn¡¯t give her that choice. I refuse to be anything like him. It would fucking devastate me if she regretted anything we did together. ¡°I know, baby. But you told me that you needed to take this slow, and that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m trying to do.¡± I search her gaze as it begins to clear. ¡°No regrets.¡± Some of her arousal fades as she releases an unsteady breath. ¡°No regrets,¡± she repeats. When a door ms in the distance, the sound echoing in the cavernous space, I realize we¡¯re once again alone, but it won¡¯tst much longer. Pretty soon the ce will start to fill up. ¡°Ready to get out of here?¡± With a nod, she brushes her lips across mine. Just as my resolve snaps, she pulls away and rolls to the side before rising to her skates and stepping onto the ice. I release a slow breath, willing my boner to dete, before doing the same. Already I know that I¡¯ll be rocking a pair of blue balls for the rest of the morning. Break My Heart: Chapter 22 My hands twist together in myp as we drive back to my apartment. I can¡¯t stop thinking about how good it felt to be stretched out on top of Hayes. Everything about him is hard and sculpted. Especially the thickness of his erection. It had been perfectly nestled against the V between my legs. Even thinking about the way I¡¯d ground against him has arousal pooling in my core like warmed honey. Unable to help myself, I squirm on the seat before clenching my thighs to stymie the need that rushes through me, turning me on all over again. It¡¯s been such a long time since I felt this kind of all-epassing desire. Nathan isn¡¯t the only man I slept with. There were a few others after him. Guys who did nothing to turn me on or give me what I needed. One of them actually made me feel bad about what I like in the bedroom. That thought is like a punch to the gut. Will Hayes react the same way? It¡¯s a scary thought. One that I shove away, not wanting to dwell on it. I chance another peek at Hayes from beneath the thick fringe of myshes, unable to believe I¡¯m sitting beside him in his truck. That a rtionship, if that¡¯s what this actually is, has sprung up between us out of nowhere. If you¡¯d told me a few months ago, even a few weeks ago, that I¡¯d want Hayes Van Doren to kiss me, I would haveughed my ass off and told you toy off the drugs. And yet, I can¡¯t deny the truth of what¡¯s unfolding. I force the air wedged in my lungs from my body. I have no idea if a rtionship can even work between us. We¡¯re so different. And then there¡¯s my father to consider. I wince thinking about what would have happened if he¡¯d caught us in such apromising situation. The man would have definitely stroked out. When I continue staring at Hayes, lost in the turmoil of my thoughts, he flicks a concerned look my way. ¡°Tell me what you¡¯re thinking.¡± The deep scrape of his voice reverberates throughout my body, echoing in every cell of my being, and it brings me right back to what it felt like to be pressed against him. I clear my throat and force myself to admit the truth. ¡°I¡¯m wondering what would have happened if we¡¯d kept going.¡± Fire ignites in his green eyes as his voice turns husky. ¡°I would have made a real fucking mess in my boxers.¡± With a nod, my heart rate picks up tempo. His honesty forces me to reveal my own. ¡°It was the same for me. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve been so turned on. I almost forgot what it feels like.¡± The atmosphere in the truck turns charged as my admission hangs heavy in the air. A few secondster, he turns into the parking lot of my building and pulls into a space before cutting the engine. It would be impossible not to notice the way his hands shake. I¡¯m not the only one who¡¯s been affected by what happened. It¡¯s almost a shock when I blurt, ¡°I want to feel more of that.¡± He shifts until our gazes collide. The longer he studies my face, the more heat scalds my cheeks as uncertainty ms into me full force. Did I make a mistake in allowing myself to be vulnerable with this guy? Just as I consider bolting from the vehicle, he asks, ¡°More of what? Tell me what you need, Tink.¡± It¡¯s so tempting to shy away from this embarrassing conversation. Instead, I force myself to be honest. At least a little bit. ¡°I want you to kiss and touch me like you did at the rink. I want to see if I can¡­¡± My voice trails off as I swallow down another burst of nerves. ¡°Come? You want to see if I can make youe?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± He reaches out to stroke my lower lip with the pad of his thumb. ¡°Has that been a problem for you?¡± Humiliation crawls up my neck as I nce away. ¡°We¡¯re not going to do anything else if you can¡¯t hold my gaze while having this conversation.¡± My cheeks feel like they¡¯re on fire as I force myself to turn back to him. I¡¯ve never admitted this to anyone. Not even my therapist. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a problem since my world imploded.¡± I stare into his eyes as he continues to caress my face. His gentle touch is enough to settle everything that rampages dangerously inside me. ¡°I want to give you what you need. Trust me, I do. But I also want you to be sure about what you¡¯re asking for.¡± A pent-up breath rushes from me as relief courses through my veins. ¡°I don¡¯t need to think anything over. That¡¯s what I want.¡± There¡¯s a beat of silence before I confess, ¡°I¡¯m tired of feeling damaged.¡± His brow pinches, and his lips tten in a tight line. I blink, surprised to find anger brewing in his green depths. ¡°Thest thing you are is damaged. Not by a long shot. And you know what I¡¯m going to do?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Prove it to you.¡± Hope cautiously rises within me. More than anything, I want to believe him. But how can I when the person I trusted most in this world broke his word? It¡¯s only with the passing of time that I understand how Nathan manipted me, wielding the love and respect I felt for him against me. It took months of intense therapy before I came to that devastating conclusion. The idea of opening myself up enough to trust someone else again isn¡¯t an easy one. With shaking fingers, I pop open the door, wanting him to follow through on his promise. I live alone and have the entire apartment to myself. We can take care of business. Maybe a few times and then¡­ who knows? Or¡­ he¡¯ll take a peek inside my head and change his mind about this budding rtionship. Anything¡¯s possible. I want to temper my expectations. As I slide from the seat, I throw a nce at Hayes, who hasn¡¯t moved a muscle. ¡°Are youing up?¡± His attention stays pinned to me as he shakes his head. ¡°Can¡¯t. I have ss in twenty.¡± Well, damn. All the anticipation, excitement, and the little bit of fear swirling around inside me nose dives before erupting into mes. I blink, thrown off by his response. ¡°You do?¡± The disappointment that floods my system is palpable. ¡°Yeah, and I can¡¯t afford to miss.¡± I chew my lower lip and throw out the offer before I can think better of it. ¡°Tonight, then?¡± Warmth enters his eyes as his lips quirk at the corners. ¡°Count on it, Tink.¡± I release a shaky breath with a nod. ¡°Okay. Guess I¡¯ll see you then.¡± As soon as I m the door closed, he backs out of the space and takes off from the parking lot. I stare at the back end of the beat-up truck and wonder what I¡¯ve gotten myself into. But the excitement he was able to rouse within me¡­ A shiver slides through me before settling deep in my core. And that right there is the reason I need to explore this. Break My Heart: Chapter 23 I drop my stick into the holder by the door and head straight to my locker with one thought dominating my mind. Ava Philips. Ever since she walked in on me naked a few weeks ago, she¡¯s been living rent free in my brain. It started out as curiosity, and now it¡¯s turned into something I can¡¯t shake no matter how hard I try. ¡°All right, team, gather around!¡± Coach Philips¡¯s voice booms across the locker room, snapping me back to reality. I turn, joining the guys as we form a loose circle around him. Despite everything between me and Ava, my respect for her dad is unwavering. The man¡¯s a legend. He yed most of his career in Chicago, and now he¡¯s coaching us to the yoffs. But damn, seeing him brings a tidal wave of guilt, knowing I¡¯m thinking about his daughter in ways he wouldn¡¯t like. ¡°We¡¯ve worked hard all season to get here,¡± Coach starts, his voicemanding our attention. ¡°But now it¡¯s time to dig deeper. The yoffs are a different beast. Every shift, every second counts. You¡¯ve all proven you can hang with the best. Now it¡¯s time to prove you are the best.¡± He pauses, eyes scanning the room, and I can feel his words settle over us like a weight. ¡°Remember why you¡¯re here. For the love of the game, for your teammates, for the fans. You wear this jersey with pride. When you hit the ice, leave everything out there. No regrets.¡± A roar rises from the team, our adrenaline already kicking in. ¡°Wildcats on three!¡± Ryder calls out. ¡°One, two, three¡ªWildcats!¡± The chant reverberates throughout the room. Even as we break away, it doesn¡¯t take long for my thoughts to drift back to Ava. She¡¯s been in my head all day, and I need to see her. Need to feel that connection again, like I did this morning. I uce my skates, carefully setting them in my locker, while the other guys toss their gear aside without a second thought. Most of my teammates have no idea what it¡¯s like to hustle for hand-me-down equipment. I don¡¯t take the university¡¯s gear for granted. By the time I strip down and hit the showers, I¡¯m already thinking about heading over to Ava¡¯s ce. Colby knocks my shoulder on my way out. ¡°Hey, Van Doren, you down to grab food with the guys?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Not tonight, man. I¡¯ve already got ns, but thanks.¡± Colby, the nosy bastard that he is, arches a brow, all too interested. ¡°ns, huh? Who¡¯s the chick?¡± ¡°No one you know.¡± I keep my answer vague. Thest thing I need is for the guys to catch wind of this. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust them, but word spreads fast in the locker room. For Ava¡¯s sake, I¡¯d rather keep it under wraps a little longer. I can¡¯t help but nce at Coach¡¯s closed office door. My teammate¡¯s expression turns gleeful. It¡¯s like the guy can sniff out a lie within seconds of it leaving my lips. ¡°Oh, really? Why don¡¯t you give me a name, and we¡¯ll see just how true that assessment is?¡± Yeah, that¡¯s not going to happen. Can you imagine if any of these guys found out I was hanging out with Coach¡¯s daughter? Maybe ¡°hanging out¡± isn¡¯t quite the right term for it. But I still won¡¯t be sharing that with Colby. As soon as I shove my feet into my shoes and grab my bag, I stride from the locker room. ¡°Hey, where are you going? You didn¡¯t answer the question! Inquiring minds want to know who you¡¯re spending time with!¡± I give Colby the finger before disappearing through the door with a sigh of relief. Those fuckers I call my friends can be relentless. Ten minutester, I¡¯m standing at her door, knocking. I¡¯ve never been so impatient to see a girl. My pulse speeds up with each second that ticks by. What if she¡¯s changed her mind? What if she decided this¡ªus¡ªis too much? Before my brain can spin further out of control, the door swings open. Ava stands across the threshold in ck leggings and a cropped pale-blue sweater that shows just enough skin to drive me crazy. Her hair is still up in a bun. My fingers itch to take the tie out and watch the golden mass spill down her back. Every time I see her, I¡¯m bowled over by her beauty. No. Not just her beauty. Everything about her. ¡°You look amazing.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± she murmurs. ¡°Want toe in?¡± It doesn¡¯t take long for the tension we always seem to generate to crackle in the air like an impending storm. She leads me to the couch, and we settle a few inches apart. Her hands twist together in herp as she nces at me and then away. The only need pumping through me is the one that demands I put her at ease. I reach out and cover both her hands with myrger one. ¡°You know we don¡¯t have to do anything, right? I meant what I said the other night. We¡¯ll take this at whatever pace you need. I¡¯m not in a rush.¡± She releases a breath, and her shoulders sag, as if a heavy weight has been lifted from them. ¡°I don¡¯t understand you at all.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she mumbles. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so nice. Or thoughtful. Or understanding.¡± ¡°Well, I guess with the right person, I can be all of those things.¡± When her gaze lifts to mine, her eyes are filled with doubt and something else that pulls at me. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m the right person?¡± Unable to resist, I slide her onto myp until her thighs straddle mine. My hands rest on the gentle swells of her hips before pulling her a little closer so I can feel the heat of her body nestled against me. Her breath hitches, and her lips part slightly as our gazes cling. At every turn, I¡¯m falling deeper for this girl. ¡°I think you might be,¡± I admit, the words feeling more real than anything I¡¯ve said in a long time. Her hands slide upward to my neck before her fingers thread through my hair. ¡°Can I tell you something?¡± I nod as my heartbeat picks up tempo. ¡°Anything.¡± I want to know every little thought that pops into her brain. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about how you kissed me this morning.¡± Her words send a jolt of heat straight through me. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about it too. More than I should.¡± I¡¯ve had plenty of girls whisper the filthiest things imaginable in my ear, but none of them have turned me on the way Ava does while admitting something so innocent. It makes me realize just how different everything is with her. How much she matters. For the first time in my life, I want to take care and make sure the person I¡¯m with doesn¡¯t get hurt. I want to do whatever is necessary to protect her. Even though we didn¡¯t know each other before, I wish it were possible to go back in time and keep her safe. I¡¯ll do the next best thing and put her needs above my own. She leans in and brushes her lips against mine in the faintest, sweetest kiss. It¡¯s as if I¡¯m sinking further into something I didn¡¯t realize I was already too deeply entrenched in to escape from. My hands tighten on her hips, pulling her closer as our kiss intensifies. Her lips are soft, her breath warm as she moves against me, and for a moment, everything else falls away. Her past. Her doubts. My own guilt about Coach. None of it matters at this moment. When she shifts, brushing against my erection, I bite back a groan. There¡¯s no doubt about it. This girl will be myplete undoing. And you know what? I¡¯ve never wanted anything more. Just like earlier this morning at the ice rink, heat shes in her eyes, turning them darker. My cock stiffens as she repeats the movement. ¡°I like the way it feels when I slide against you,¡± she whispers, mouth hovering over mine. ¡°You¡¯re killing me, Tink.¡± Her lips lift into a smile. That¡¯s the moment I realize I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep that expression on her face. There¡¯s never been a girl who¡¯s made me want to think long term, but that¡¯s exactly what happens when we¡¯re together. The scary part is, I might be the only one doing it. I remind myself to slow my roll. We have time to figure out what this is. ¡°Sometimes I think about walking in on you in the locker room.¡± ¡°Tell me what you¡¯re doing when you think about me.¡± She draws her lower lip between her teeth. Just when I think she¡¯ll refuse to answer, she says, ¡°Touching myself.¡± Her brows pinch as frustration flickers in her eyes. ¡°But it¡¯s never enough to get me there.¡± She nces away. ¡°Ever since Nathan¡­ I just can¡¯t seem to¡­¡± Her voice trails off as heat gathers in her cheeks. ¡°Get off?¡± I palm her backside, squeezing and massaging her ass. ¡°That¡¯s nothing to be embarrassed about.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Sadness weaves its way through her tone. ¡°It just sucks. I hate it.¡± I search her face, wondering if there¡¯s more she isn¡¯t telling me. ¡°Are there other issues?¡± When her gaze darts away, I slide my fingers beneath her chin and gently turn her face until there¡¯s no other choice but for her to look at me. ¡°Tell me. Whatever it is, we can work through it together. I promise.¡± She releases a shaky breath. ¡°This is so humiliating.¡± ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be. How can I help if I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re struggling with?¡± After a few silent moments, her shoulders wilt. ¡°I think what I like might be a little fucked-up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s doubtful.¡± My fingers stroke the silky-soft skin of her jaw. ¡°Give me an example.¡± Her teeth scrape across her lower lip before she whispers, ¡°I like when there¡¯s kind of a thrill to it.¡± A thrill? I blurt out the first thing thates to mind. ¡°Like having sex in public?¡± She nods. Her admittance has my cock hardening even more than before. ¡°Okay. Nothing strange about that. Plenty of people do.¡± This time, her wordse a little easier. ¡°I like being spanked.¡± ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡± Even though I¡¯m not bored in the least, I force a yawn. ¡°Anything else?¡± Her brows rise. ¡°Anal. I¡¯ve always wanted to try it.¡± Well, fuck. ¡°Sometimes I like to use toys.¡± It¡¯s entirely possible I just came in my boxers. I shake my head in genuine confusion. ¡°There are a lot of people who enjoy those things. Why would you think any of it makes you fucked-up?¡± Color gs her cheeks. ¡°Because Nathan would tell me what a dirty little whore I was for liking everything he did to me. He made sure I knew no one would ever be able to get me off the way he did.¡± She presses her lips together before admitting, ¡°I think he might be right.¡± Air leaks from my lungs in painful little bursts. If I didn¡¯t already hate the bastard for what he put her through, her soft confession would do the trick. I¡¯d like to wring his neck for nting these ideas in her head. He introduced her to sex and then made her feel bad about it. It¡¯s so twisted. It takes every ounce of self-control not to swear a blue streak. Instead, I cup her cheeks and force her to meet my steady gaze. I need her to see the earnestness in my eyes. ¡°There¡¯s nothing messed-up about you, baby. And there¡¯s certainly nothing wrong with the way you enjoy having sex when it¡¯s between two consenting adults. He¡¯s the one who was messed-up in the head. Not you.¡± I draw her face close enough to brush my lips across her forehead. ¡°Never you.¡± A shuddering breath falls from her lips. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°For what, baby? I haven¡¯t done anything but tell you the truth.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done a lot more than that. You¡¯re the first person to tell me there isn¡¯t anything wrong with what turns me on. That it doesn¡¯t make me some kind of deviant.¡± ¡°Thest thing you are is a deviant.¡± I hold her cheeks in my palms. ¡°Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Her eyes search mine. ¡°I¡¯ve told you all the things that turn me on. What about you? What gets you off?¡± I flex my hips. ¡°I think you can feel that everything you just mentioned gets me hard.¡± For the first time since this conversation began, a small smile lifts the corners of her lips as she rubs herself along my erection. ¡°Do you ever masturbate? Or is that a stupid question because you can pretty much have sex whenever you want?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a stupid question. And yes, I jerk off.¡± Her eyelids grow heavy as she continues grinding against me. ¡°When was thest time you took matters into your own hands?¡± ¡°This morning after ss.¡± ¡°Did you think about me?¡± Her voice dips, bing low and husky. ¡°You¡¯re the only one I thought about. The only one I¡¯ve been thinking about since we met.¡± A devilish glint enters her eyes. ¡°Good.¡± When she shifts again, a tortured groan escapes from me. Whether she¡¯s deliberately trying to or not, this girl shreds every bit of my self-control. ¡°You know what I like most about masturbation?¡± I say more conversationally than I¡¯m feeling. She shakes her head. ¡°That there¡¯s no need to worry about someone else getting off. It¡¯s all about what you like and how you feel. You get to be as selfish as you want with your pleasure.¡± Her smile fades. ¡°I wish it were that easy.¡± ¡°It is. Maybe you just need someone to guide you through it.¡± Her eyes widen. ¡°You would do that?¡± ¡°Only if you wanted me to.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be weird?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Before I have the chance to think about the offer, it¡¯s out of my mouth. ¡°We could do it together.¡± She stills. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. We don¡¯t have to make a big deal about it.¡± When she remains silent, I blurt, ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have brought it up. Thest thing I want to do is make you ufortable.¡± ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to forget about it. I want to do it.¡± She sucks in a deep breath before expelling it from her lungs. ¡°And I want you to help me. But I want you to do it too. Okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, babe. It¡¯s okay. I just want you to be sure before this goes any further. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°I am.¡± She untangles her arms from around my neck before her hands float to the hem of her sweater. In one swift motion, she yanks it up her body and over her head before dropping it to the carpet. Even though it¡¯s tempting to nce at her nearly-naked chest, I keep my gaze focused on her face. I¡¯m trying so hard not to look down that I don¡¯t realize she¡¯s reached around her ribcage and unsnapped her bra until the silky straps slide down her shoulders and arms. She plucks the material away before it joins the crumpled sweater on the floor. My gaze dips. Oh fuck. I force my attention back to her face. One of her hands drifts to my cheek before stroking the line of my jaw. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to look?¡± ¡°Do you want me to?¡± Any moment, my tightly strung control will snap like an over stretched rubber band. At this point, it wouldn¡¯t take much. ¡°Yes, I do.¡± I inhale a sharp breath and almost choke on it. Only then do I allow my gaze to fall again. Holy mother of God, she¡¯s got the most glorious breasts. They¡¯re small and perky. The perfect handful. Before I realize it, I¡¯m reaching out and cupping each one in my palms. My thumbs stroke over her nipples until they stiffen. She whimpers as she arches into my touch. I flick a nce upward to meet her eyes. ¡°Are you one hundred percent positive about this?¡± ¡°I am, Hayes. I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Okay then, hang on.¡± Before she can ask any further questions, I drop my hands from her breasts and slide them back around to grip her ass before rising to my feet. With a gasp, her arms twine around my neck as her legs lock around my waist. Her mouth is so close that the warmth of her breath feathers across my lips. It¡¯s a dizzying sensation. One I want more of. I swing toward the short hallway. Before I can move a muscle, there¡¯s a knock on the apartment door. Our heads swivel toward the tiny entryway. Her brow furrows. ¡°Ignore it.¡± As soon as I take a step, there¡¯s another, more insistent knock. ¡°Expectingpany?¡± ¡°Not that I know of.¡± ¡°Want to answer it?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± When there¡¯s a third knock, Ava swears under her breath. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll answer it.¡± My lips tremble with a smile at the frustration pouring off her in heavy waves. If I¡¯d wanted to rekindle the spark from earlier this morning, that mission has been aplished with flying colors. Our gazes stay locked as she slowly slides down the length of my body before her toes touch the floor. My cock is painfully hard as she swings around and picks up her bra and sweater, slipping both on in record speed. Only then does she pad to the entryway. ¡°Let me see who it is.¡± I step into the hallway, so I¡¯m out of sight, before readjusting my erection. With a huff, she yanks open the door. ¡°Hey! What took you so long? I was just about to have Colby break down the door to make sure you were all right.¡± Recognition ms into me. Britt. ¡°Oh. Ummm¡­ sorry. I was in the bedroom and didn¡¯t hear it.¡± There¡¯s a pause. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°We¡¯re heading to Blue Vibe to dance the night away. You have toe with!¡± And apparently Willow. So not only are Colby and Britt here, but Willow and Mav too. Well, shit. That throws a definite wrench in the works. ¡°Oh¡­ that sounds fun, but tonight¡¯s not good for me,¡± Ava hedges, trying to turn down the invite without rousing too much suspicion from her friends. ¡°What are you talking about? Of course it is. This is exactly why I didn¡¯t bother calling first. I knew you¡¯d try to bail.¡± Before Ava can say anything more, Britt continues. ¡°A guy from my psych ss is going to be there, and I want to introduce you. His name is Jack, and I think you two would really hit it off.¡± Um, excuse me? Over my dead body is that happening. Before I can think better of it, I step out of the shadows and stalk to the door. Maybe Ava wanted to keep this on the downlow because of her father, but her friends need to understand that she doesn¡¯t need help finding a man. She¡¯s already got one. ¡°Plus¡ª¡± Britt¡¯s voicees to an abrupt halt as soon as she catches sight of me. Once I¡¯m directly behind Ava, my hands settle possessively on her shoulders. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± I tell her, just so we¡¯re clear on the situation. Britt¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°Well, this is one plot twist I didn¡¯t seeing.¡± A slow grin spreads across Maverick¡¯s face as Colby mutters, ¡°No one I knew, my ass.¡± Willow beams as she puts two and two together. ¡°Perfect. Now both of you can join us.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 24 I¡¯m tucked beneath Hayes¡¯s muscr arm as we step through the back door of the club. The bouncer takes one look at the guys and waves us in. Blue Vibe is like an assault on the senses. The techno beat pulses off the ck walls as strobe lights cut through the darkness. The interior can only be described as sumptuous. There¡¯s a long stretch of ss bar at the far end of the room with booths and tables scattered around the perimeter. The dance floor is located on the opposite side of the space. Even on a Wednesday night, the ce is jam-packed. There¡¯s a surprising range of people inside, from students in college to adults in their mid-tote twenties. A DJ sits perched high above the crowd in a booth, mixing music. This isn¡¯t the first time I¡¯ve been here, but it¡¯s different walking in with Hayes. Usually, I feel more like a fifth wheel. I keep catching nces from my friends. I haven¡¯t said a word to them about Hayes. As soon as they got me alone in my room, I was bombarded with questions. Ones I didn¡¯t have answers for. My attention is drawn back to Hayes when his warm breath ghosts over my ear, and a shiver dances down my spine. ¡°Have I mentioned how amazing you look?¡± My fingers flutter over the short ck dress that barely skims my thighs. Britt found it in the back of my closet when she was rifling around for something I could wear. Apparently, a sweater and leggings weren¡¯t going to cut it. She threatened to make a pit stop at her apartment to grab something for me. Before I can respond, he adds, ¡°Or how much I love when you wear your hair down?¡± The thick mass has been left long and loose around my shoulders. I¡¯m used to wearing it up so it¡¯s out of the way when I skate. Most days, I forget to style it differently. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Are you cool with your friends knowing we¡¯re together?¡± ¡°Is that what we are?¡± Air gets trapped in my lungs as I blurt out the question. ¡°Together?¡± ¡°I certainly hope so.¡± The tension filling my muscles dissipates as happiness bubbles up inside me. I couldn¡¯t tamp it down even if I tried. I have no idea how everything will y out in the future, but for tonight, I¡¯m going to go with it and just enjoy myself. ¡°Who wants a shot?¡± Colby asks. Willow shakes her head. ¡°Nothing for me.¡± She recently confided that she was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in high school. So she does what she can to keep her immune system as healthy as possible without missing out on the things she wants to do. Maverick also shakes his head. Until this year, alcohol was only something I indulged in when celebrating my birthday or winning apetition. When you¡¯re in training, there¡¯s no ce for it. But tonight, I¡¯m going to make an exception. ¡°I¡¯ll have one,¡± I say. Hayes jerks his head in a nod. ¡°One for me as well.¡± Colby returns with four shots, two in each hand, before passing them out. We all clink our sses before belting back the smooth liquor. The cinnamon vor burns as it slides down the back of my throat. Colby raises a brow. ¡°One more?¡± ¡°Probably not¡ª¡± Hayes begins. ¡°Yes,¡± I cut in. ¡°You sure that¡¯s a good idea, Tink? My guess is that you¡¯re a lightweight when ites to shots.¡± ¡°Oh my God, did you just call her Tink?¡± I break eye contact with him to nce at Willow. A wide grin lights up her face. ¡°That¡¯s so cute.¡± Slow smiles spread across Maverick¡¯s and Colby¡¯s faces. ¡°Yeah, super cute,¡± Maverick adds with augh. Hayes groans from beside me. ¡°Shut the hell up, McKinnon.¡± Colby chuckles as he returns to the bar for a second round. Already I feel the effects of the alcohol warming me from the inside out. Some of the constant worry that¡¯s been gnawing at me ever since the messages from Nathan began popping up with more frequency melts away, and there¡¯s something freeing about that. When Colby returns with another round, we all take them. ¡°Guess there¡¯s no chance we¡¯ll end up married for a second time, is there?¡± Britt jokes. Colby winks at her. ¡°Interested in hopping a flight to Vegas and having a do over?¡± Her shoulders shake withughter. ¡°It¡¯ll certainly be one hell of a story to share with our kids one day.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way, Firecracker,¡± he says before they clink their sses. Colby McNichols was one of the biggest yers on campus. Until Britt came along. Now he couldn¡¯t be more domesticated. They both seem happy. Content. It¡¯s nice to see, and it gives me hope for the future. My gaze unconsciously settles on Hayes, and a zip of electricity sizzles through my veins when I find him watching me. We tap the tiny sses together before throwing back the shots. Our gazes stay locked the entire time. Much like the first one, the liquor sends a fiery trail down the back of my throat before settling at the bottom of my belly. Just as Hayes plucks the ss from me, Britt locks her fingers around my wrist and drags me to the dance floor, Willow leading the way. It doesn¡¯t take long before I lose sight of Hayes. The three of us shove our way through the crush of bodies before carving out a small space. With the alcohol rushing through my system, I forget about everything else and lose myself in the heavy beat of the music. My eyelids feather closed as I tip my face upward, enjoying the sensation of letting go and allowing my mind to wander. How long has it been since I was able to cut loose and feel free? My mind tumbles back over the years. Maybe never. It¡¯s a jarring realization. Ever since I was twelve years old, and started working with Nathan, skating has been my entire world. There was never time for fun or fooling around. There were alwayspetitions to train for. I nce at the two girls I¡¯m with. I¡¯m so grateful for their friendship. Without it, I probably wouldn¡¯t be experiencing any of this, and that would be a real shame. Plus, now there¡¯s Hayes. I have no idea if we¡¯ll actually fit into each other¡¯s lives, but for the first time ever, I can have fun trying to figure it out. I let those thoughts go as one song bleeds into the next. Laughter falls from my lips as Britt grabs my hand and twirls me around before doing the same with Willow. Smiles light up our faces as we shake our asses. It feels good to do nothing more than live in the moment as the mass of writhing bodies presses in on us from all sides. The club is a sprawling space, but there are so many people on the dance floor, it¡¯s impossible to tell whose limbs belong to who. The music echoes off the walls before gradually seeping into my bones as alcohol rushes through my veins, making me feel alive and free. If only this feeling couldst forever. My eyelids fly open when strong hands wrap around my hips and drag me against a steely body. I don¡¯t have to twist around to know who¡¯s snuck up on me. Already I¡¯vee to recognize the beachy scent of Hayes¡¯s cologne as it invades my senses, reminding me of sunshine andzy summer days. I just want to inhale a big breath of him and keep it trapped in my lungs forever. His arms tighten around me as my spine presses against his front. Everything about this guy is hard and sculpted. There¡¯s nothing soft about him. He¡¯s a wall of muscle. I never thought I¡¯d find myself attracted to a guy like him, but that¡¯s exactly what I am. Even though it¡¯s scary and I¡¯m unsure of myself, I love it. Love these new feelings that rush through me when he¡¯s near. All I have to do is think about the hot hockey yer, and my belly swoops. And when heys his hands on me? I forget about the past and all the pain tied to it. ¡°You¡¯re so damn sexy, know that?¡± I shake my head. I¡¯ve never felt sexy before, and it boggles my mind that Hayes Van Doren thinks that about me. ¡°With all these guys checking you out, I knew I¡¯d better stake my im before anyone worked up the courage to shoot their shot. No way I could let that happen, Tink.¡± I twist my head enough to meet his gaze. Even in the darkness of the club, possessiveness shines brightly from his eyes. My pulse thrums an unsteady beat as his face looms closer until his lips can brush across mine. We stay locked together as the music pulses around us. With his arms wrapped protectively around me, I feel safe and insted. His grip tightens as he pulls me close enough to feel the hard length of his erection pressing against my lower back. When his tongue sweeps across the seam of my lips, I open, allowing him entrance. Everything that happened earlier this evening tumbles through my head. As much fun as I¡¯m having at Blue Vibe, part of me wishes my friends hadn¡¯t dropped by and invited us out. Thoughts of how he touched and kissed me earlier have heat exploding in my core before throbbing a harsh beat in perfect rhythm to the music. His hands glide along my ribcage before settling beneath the swells of my breasts. When I whimper, an answering groan works its way up from deep within his chest. Arousal dampens my panties as his mouth roves over mine until our tongues can tangle. Hayes nips at my lower lip, tugging it between sharp teeth before releasing it. My eyelids crack open just enough to meet his heated gaze. The need I find swirling there sets my pulse racing. I can only imagine the same intensity is echoed within my own. This man makes me feel alive in a way I¡¯ve never experienced before, and the rush of sensation through my veins has already be addictive. ¡°Fuck, baby.¡± I whimper when he takes a step in retreat and cool air slides across my bare flesh. Before I can say anything, he slips my hand into hisrger one and then we¡¯re on the move, cutting a path through the thick crowd. Hayes is so tall and broad¡ªa force to be reckoned with¡ªthat people scurry out of his way rather than get run over. Even if you didn¡¯t know he was a hockey yer bound for the NHL, his size and demeanor would be intimidating. We take the stairs to the second floor, where the VIP lounge and a ss bar are located along with a circr balcony that overlooks the dance floor. The lighting up here is muted, making the vibe sexier. It¡¯s difficult to see what¡¯s taking ce in the shadows. I gravitate to the railing and stare down at the mass of writhing bodies below that¡¯s illuminated by the shing strobe lights. Hayes slides directly behind me, his bigger body overshadowing my own. ¡°Wrap your fingers around the railing.¡± His heated breath against my sweat-slicked skin causes a shiver to dance down my spine as I follow the directive. ¡°Good girl.¡± My panties dampen at the praise as my teeth sink into my lower lip. He hasn¡¯t even touched me yet, and already my body is vibrating with excitement. His hands settle on my shoulders before massaging the muscles until they¡¯re malleable. Only then do his fingers drift along my bare arms, goose bumps erupting in their wake. His fingertips sweep across my wrists before hisrger hands wrap around mine. When he presses closer, I feel the insistent length of his erection nudging my backside. A groan escapes me as I tilt my hips, greedy for the slightest contact. ¡°Do you feel how hard you make me?¡± It would be impossible not to. His cock is so long and thick. ¡°Yes.¡± There¡¯s little point in lying. Not when I¡¯ve revealed all my secrets to him. The ones I keep buried deep down inside. He retraces his path along my arms before grazing my sides with a featherlight touch. His knuckles drag against the curve of my breasts and then ribcage, igniting a firestorm of need within me. After his hands settle on my hips, he pulls me close enough to feel the grind of his thick length. There¡¯s no escaping it. And I wouldn¡¯t want to. My eyes roll back in my head with eachnguid movement. One hand glides down my hip before settling on the V between my thighs. Only then does he stroke my center through the thinyers of clothing that separate us. I can¡¯t help but flex, pressing into his hand. ¡°Do you like having your pussy yed with?¡± ¡°Yes. It feels so good.¡± ¡°Oh, Tink. This is just the beginning. I¡¯m going to give this little pussy all the love she deserves.¡± I believe him. Beneath his touch, my bodyes alive, and a moan works its way past my lips. That¡¯s all the encouragement he needs to continue the delicious torment. His fingers spread wide as he squeezes before flexing and repeating the caress. His other hand drifts upward until his palm can cover one breast, and his lips devour my neck, licking and sucking. Nipping at the flesh. All the sensations he¡¯s roused whip around inside me, creating an inferno of need. What I experienced at Nathan¡¯s hands was nothing like this, and I can¡¯t help but glory in every single difference. My former coach tried to tell me no one would ever turn me on the way he did, and for a long time, I was terrified he was right, but Hayes is proving him wrong. And I¡¯m so grateful for that. He kneads me with both hands until my knees weaken, and I¡¯m in danger of sliding to the floor. It doesn¡¯t take long before my body is tightly strung and dancing on the precipice. ¡°I want you to tell me exactly what my touch does to you.¡± I can¡¯t help but squirm against his hold, craving more of the riotous sensations that scratch and w dangerously beneath the surface. Almost as if he¡¯s awoken something inside me, and it¡¯s now fighting to break loose. If I¡¯mpletely honest, I¡¯ve always secretly felt that way. Wanting more. Needing it. But unsure how to ask for it. Or find someone I could trust enough to give it to me. As much as I hate Nathan for what he did, he created a longing inside me that refuses to be suppressed or denied. A craving that is now a part of me. Only now am I trying to make peace with that knowledge. Desire crashes through me as his fingers stroke my lower lips through the thin fabric of my panties and dress. He pinches my nipple. ¡°I¡¯m waiting.¡± ¡°It turns me on and makes me feel achy,¡± I say on a gasp. His mouth drifts across the outer shell of my ear as his voice dips, turning husky. ¡°Where does it make you feel achy?¡± Unable to help myself, I shift against him, looking for more contact. ¡°My pussy and my breasts.¡± When he tweaks me for a second time, I groan. It¡¯s like a straight shot to my core, and my panties flood with more heat. ¡°I bet you¡¯re soaked, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Should I take your word for it or find out for myself?¡± My breath catches at the back of my throat as excitement crashes over me. After a beat of silence, he prods, ¡°Well?¡± ¡°Find out for yourself.¡± ¡°Are you sure? Anyone could look over and see the way I¡¯m ying with you.¡± As tempting as it is to keep my eyes shut and sink into his touch, I force them open before ncing around and then at the mass of bodies below. I hate how much the thrill of someone watching us turns me on. ¡°Yes.¡± A growl vibrates deep within his chest as one hand slips beneath the material of my dress before gliding up my bare thigh to the ce that¡¯s desperate for the stroke of his hand. Right when I think his fingers will slip beneath the fabric of my panties, they drift along the cotton, tracing the seam of my lips. ¡°You¡¯re right. Completely soaked.¡± I whimper as he shoves the fabric to the side, and one finger slides inside me. My body sags against his as he withdraws and circles the entrance before thrusting for a second time. Each pump of his finger forces me closer to the precipice. Closer to tumbling over the edge and into oblivion. I want the orgasm so much; I can practically taste it. I turn my face toward him. ¡°Please.¡± ¡°Mmm, that is such a pretty word falling from those pouty lips. It¡¯ll y on repeat in my dreams tonight.¡± Just as my muscles tighten and it feels like I¡¯ll shatter into a million broken pieces, his finger slips free of my body, and a garbled protest escapes my lips. His dark chuckle tickles my ear. ¡°Just like this morning at the rink, I¡¯m not about to give you an orgasm for the first time in the middle of Blue Vibe. Although, I won¡¯t promise not to do it next time.¡± The thought of there being a next time has my belly spasming. His mouth hovers near my ear as he brings the finger that had been buried deep inside me to my lips before sweeping it across the plump flesh, as if painting them with lipstick. He taps his finger against my mouth. ¡°Open up so you can taste how creamy I make you.¡± It never urs to me not to follow the directive. As soon as my lips part, the digit slides inside. The taste of my arousal explodes on my tongue along with the slight saltiness of his skin. It¡¯s an addictivebination. ¡°Good, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Mmmm.¡± ¡°Now I need a taste.¡± The velvety softness of his tongue licks at my mouth before his lips crash onto mine. Just as I grow dizzy fromck of oxygen, he pulls away enough to ask, ¡°How am I ever going to get enough of you?¡± His mouth hovers over mine before nipping at it. It¡¯s only when his fingers squeeze my breast do I realize that his palm is still covering me. When I¡¯m with Hayes, everything that normally bothers me falls away until it¡¯s just the two of us. Until anything seems possible. As I sink back into his touch, unease prickles at the base of my skull, and I get the strangest feeling we¡¯re being watched. As much as I want to ignore the creeping sensation, I can¡¯t. My gaze travels around the space before narrowing. Movement from the shadows catches my attention, and my heart ms against my chest before pounding into overdrive as I sift through the darkness only to find nothing. It leaves me to wonder if anyone was there in the first ce or if it was a figment of my imagination all along. A shiver skates down my spine, and the mood shatters. As much as I want to make myself believe it was nothing, I can¡¯t. I¡¯m a little freaked out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Tink?¡± It¡¯s tempting to confide my fears about Nathan, but I have no idea if I¡¯m overreacting. I took two shots and am on sensory overload. It¡¯s not difficult in a ce like this. His hand falls away from my breast as I twist in his arms. ¡°Would you mind if we get out of here? I¡¯m ready to head home.¡± One side of his mouth hitches. ¡°That works because I¡¯m more than ready to take you there.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 25 It doesn¡¯t take long before I¡¯m pulling into the parking lot of Ava¡¯s building and cutting the engine. I nce at her, only to find her steady gaze already pinned to me. Even in the darkness, it feels like I could drown in her fathomless blue depths. She studies me, making me feel like she¡¯s seeing way more than I¡¯mfortable with. More than what I project to the outside world. Even my teammates, who I consider more like brothers, don¡¯t know the finer details of my life. ¡°Are you going toe up?¡± I hesitate, turning the question over in my head. I¡¯ve never been the good guy. But for her, that¡¯s exactly who I want to be. ¡°Is that what you want?¡± Her gaze drops to my mouth as she angles her body toward mine before pressing closer. The moment our lips brush, electricity hums through every cell of my being. It makes me feel more alive than anything else ever has. Including hockey. Nothing has ever been able to give me the same rush. ¡°Does that answer the question?¡± I can¡¯t resist the smirk that lifts my lips. ¡°I think it does.¡± With that, we exit my beat-up truck. As much as I¡¯m dying toy my hands on her, I remind myself to let her set the pace. Those thoughts swirl through my head as we meet at the front of the vehicle before walking to the entrance of the building. Unable to stand the distance that separates us, I slip my arm around her waist and tug her close. I love the feel of her slender form pressed against me. The way we fit together perfectly. It¡¯s a jarring thought. I don¡¯t understand how this girl hase to mean so much to me in such a short period of time. It doesn¡¯t make sense. We step inside the elevator. As soon as the doors close, her arms tangle around my neck, and she draws my mouth to hers. There¡¯s the stroke of tongues and the scrape of teeth. It¡¯s like going from zero to sixty in two seconds t. Need spirals through me, setting fire to everything in its path until I¡¯m consumed by it. By her. She presses me against the wall as the car rises through the building. When I can¡¯t stand another second, I spin her around until I¡¯m able to cage in her smaller body. As soon as my hand shoots out to m the emergency stop button on the panel, the elevator jerks to a halt. My mouth coasts over hers before sliding to her jawline and nipping the point of her chin. And then I¡¯m moving along the delicate column of her throat. I lick the pulse that flutters beneath the fragile skin. My hands rise to cup her breasts, squeezing the rounded softness before pinching her nipples through the fabric of her dress. It doesn¡¯t take long before they stiffen right up. Unable to resist, I lean down and bite one and then the other until a moan escapes from her, and she¡¯s shifting against me. Her fingers tunnel through my hair, as if to lock me in ce. It¡¯s totally unnecessary. There¡¯s nowhere else I¡¯d rather be than here with her, giving her as much pleasure as she¡¯s willing to take. I drop to my knees and stare up into her face. Fuck, but she¡¯s so beautiful with her hair mussed and cheeks flushed. She looks wild and free. I love it. Love that I¡¯ve been able to tease out this side of her. I y with her breasts, all the while staring into her eyes. There¡¯s something sexy about being on my knees in front of her. Our gazes hold as my fingers fall to the hem of her short dress before gathering up the material and lifting it until her light-blue pantiese into view. The cotton is damp with arousal. I bury my nose against the V between her thighs and inhale until her scent floods me. Fuck. She smells so damn good. I¡¯m desperate for a taste of her. ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± she whispers. Her voice is low and husky, vibrating with need. ¡°Wasn¡¯t nning on it.¡± I nip at her mound before drawing away. ¡°Hold your dress up for me, baby girl.¡± She doesn¡¯t need to be told twice. Her fingers grip the silky material. ¡°Higher.¡± Her breath catches as she lifts it to her belly button. ¡°Perfect.¡± My thumbs slip beneath the stic waistband of her panties before slowly drawing the cotton down her slender hips and thighs, revealing a shaved pussy in the process. But that¡¯s not the reason why my breath gets lodged at the back of my throat. My attention is riveted on the tiny glint of silver just visible between her pretty pink lips. I drag my gaze upward to meet hers. ¡°You have a piercing?¡± Her teeth scrape across her lower lip. ¡°Yeah.¡± A mixture of emotions crashes through me. ¡°When did you do this?¡± ¡°A few months ago. I was hoping it would help.¡± ¡°Has it?¡± She shrugs. ¡°Have you been with anyone since you got it?¡± ¡°No.¡± Even though it wouldn¡¯t matter, I¡¯m d I get to be the first one to touch her, to y with it. My gaze drops back to the piercing. While I¡¯ve contemted one of my own, I¡¯ve never been with a girl who had one. It¡¯s just as sexy as I imagined it would be. ¡°Step out of the panties.¡± She releases the fabric of her dress as she lifts one leg. I give her mound a little tap. ¡°Don¡¯t let the material fall, baby. Nothing shields this pussy from my view. Understand?¡± She lets out a whimper. I tap her clit again. ¡°That¡¯s not an answer.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Good girl.¡± I flick my gaze upward again. ¡°Once I kiss this sweet little cunt, it belongs to me. Got it?¡± She nods before tilting her hips. ¡°I understand.¡± Once her underwear has been removed, I tuck the scrap of material into my pocket for safekeeping. Then I raise one leg over my shoulder so she¡¯s opened nice and wide, and I¡¯m able to get a better view of the silver circle that pierces the hood of her clit. ¡°So fucking gorgeous,¡± I mutter. Unable to hold back, my tongue darts out to give her pussy a longp. The taste of her honey explodes on my tastebuds, and it¡¯s almost enough to make me dizzy. One lick, and I¡¯m addicted. A moan escapes from her as she opens her legs wider. My tongue dances around the piercing before gently sucking it into my mouth and tugging. I keep my attention pinned to her face, not wanting to miss a single flicker of emotion. ¡°That feels so good.¡± I release the piercing before licking her flesh and dipping my tongue inside the heat of her body. She¡¯s so damn wet, and I¡¯m greedy for her taste. Just when her muscles tighten and her hips pick up tempo, I pull away, sitting back on my heels. Her eyelids fly open. ¡°Why did you stop?¡± ¡°Because there¡¯s not enough time to take care of you properly.¡± I tilt my head. ¡°The rm is going off, and it won¡¯t be long before someonees to check it. I¡¯d rather they not find us with my face buried between your legs.¡± Her eyes widen, as if she just realized the sharp bell is still trilling. With one final kiss against her soaked flesh, I rise to my feet. My gaze settles on the V between her thighs. As much as I love staring at her¡­ ¡°Cover up that sweet little pussy. I¡¯m the only one who gets to see it.¡± She releases the material, and the hem of the dress settles around her thighs. ¡°I was so close.¡± I brush my mouth across hers. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Tink. I¡¯m going to give you all the orgasms you want.¡± Hope sparks in her eyes. ¡°Promise?¡± My lips drift over hers for a second time. ¡°Absolutely.¡± When she opens for me, my tongue slips inside to tangle with hers. Without breaking contact, I p my palm against the button, and the elevator jerks into motion. I pull away just enough to whisper, ¡°Do you taste yourself on me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Just so you know, I¡¯m going to want more of that. Every chance I get, I¡¯m going to lick your pussy until you¡¯re crying, sobbing for relief.¡± As soon as the elevator doors open on the fourth floor, I sweep her into my arms and carry her down the hallway until we arrive at her apartment door. Her fingers tremble as she reaches into her purse to take out her keys. After a few fumbles with the lock, I snag the ring from her hand and insert the key before twisting the handle. I carry her inside and close the door behind me. ¡°Are you still good with this?¡± ¡°Does it seem like I¡¯m not?¡± ¡°No, but I just want to make sure. I promised you slow. This isn¡¯t exactly it.¡± ¡°This pace seems perfect for us, don¡¯t you think?¡± That¡¯s the crazy thing. ¡°I do.¡± ¡°And I appreciate you checking in and making sure I¡¯m good.¡± Our gazes cling. ¡°Even though we haven¡¯t known each other long, I feel safe with you. You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve been with who¡¯s listened and really heard me. I feel like I can be honest, and you won¡¯t judge me.¡± ¡°I would never do that.¡± She drops her purse on the table as I carry her to the bedroom. ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to be judged, and I¡¯d never want to make anyone feel like that. Especially someone I care about.¡± Surprise shes across her features as she searches my expression for the truth. ¡°You care about me?¡± ¡°Yeah, I do. Like you said, it hasn¡¯t been all that long, but I can¡¯t deny what I feel. And I don¡¯t want to y games. Not with you.¡± Her eyes soften as her hand rises to cup my cheek. ¡°It¡¯s the same for me. Whatever this is between us, I want it to be straightforward. After all the head games in my past, that¡¯s what I need most.¡± ¡°I get where you¡¯reing from. And that¡¯s exactly what you¡¯ll get from me.¡± It¡¯s only when we reach her bedroom that I set her down gently on her feet. Her body slides against mine, igniting all those sparks of arousal that had red to life earlier at the club and then in the elevator before our conversation turned serious. ¡°I want you to stay here tonight,¡± she whispers, her warm breath feathering against my lips. ¡°I want you to finish what you started.¡± One side of my mouth rises in a smirk before I press my lips against hers. ¡°I think that can be arranged.¡± ¡°I would be disappointed if it couldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°I¡¯d probably go home and beat off. A few times.¡± Her lips tremble with a smile. ¡°Now that, I would like to see.¡± It¡¯s tempting to tell her about my side hustle, but I decide to save that for another time. Tonight is about Ava. Giving her all the pleasure she can take. I need her to understand that she¡¯s not broken. Or some kind of deviant. She can enjoy what she craves without judgment. I press onest kiss against her lips before murmuring, ¡°Turn around.¡± Instead of questioning the directive, she spins in a semi-circle until the long line of her spine faces me. ¡°Hold up your hair, baby girl.¡± She gathers up the long strands of blonde hair in her hands as I tug the zipper down until the ck material gapes open, revealing the creamy expanse of her back. I didn¡¯t realize she wasn¡¯t wearing a bra. With a nce over her shoulder, she meets my gaze before allowing her hair to spill from her fingers down her back in a golden waterfall. Then she shrugs out of the dress. The material slips down her slender body before puddling around her feet until she¡¯s in nothing but heels. Fuck. This girl is gorgeous. I could soak in the sight of her for hours. And maybe someday, I will. But not tonight. My gaze slides down the length of her before settling on her ass. It¡¯s perfectly heart shaped. She¡¯s tight and muscr from hours spent on the ice. The sight of her has my cock stiffening up even more, until it¡¯s borderline painful. ¡°You¡¯re so fucking beautiful.¡± I close the distance between us before dropping to my knees. My palms settle on each ass cheek, squeezing the firm flesh and massaging it with my hands. Her ass is like a juicy peach, and I just want to take a bite of it. Actually, that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ll do. My teeth sink into the muscle before sucking at the skin. I want to mark this girl as my own. Possessiveness rushes through me. I want every dude on this campus to understand that Ava Philips belongs to me. It¡¯s not an emotion that¡¯s ever coursed through me before. I¡¯ve never liked anyone enough to im them. But that¡¯s exactly how I feel about her. Whether she realizes it or not, she¡¯s mine now, and I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy. To fulfill her needs. Including the secret ones she¡¯s too ashamed to admit out loud. I¡¯ll give her as much pleasure as she can withstand. And then I¡¯ll ply her with more until she¡¯s drunk with it. I haven¡¯t even been inside this girl and already I feel this territorial. I can¡¯t imagine what it¡¯ll be like when the heat of her body is wrapped around my dick like a glove. ¡°You¡¯re way too perfect,¡± I murmur. ¡°You know what you¡¯re going to do now?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Lie on the bed and spread your legs nice and wide so I can see every pink inch. Then I¡¯m going to make a fucking meal of you because the taste I had in the elevator wasn¡¯t nearly enough to satiate me.¡± Her breath catches. When she doesn¡¯t move, I smack her ass. ¡°Now.¡± With a yelp, she jumps and kicks off her heels before scrambling to do my bidding. I stifle a groan as she climbs onto the bed and her little rosebud winks at me. The fact that she admitted to wanting to try anal is enough to make mee all over myself. There¡¯s something different about being buried in a woman¡¯s tight ass rather than her pussy. Something so submissive and intimate about it. As much as I¡¯d love to indulge in that tonight, it¡¯s not going to happen. Maybe things are progressing faster than anticipated, but I¡¯m not going to rush her. Ava is the one who sets the pace, and when she¡¯s ready for that kind of intimacy, she¡¯ll let me know. Once she¡¯s reclined against the pillows, her gaze fastens to mine as her thighs fall open until they¡¯re touching the mattress, and I¡¯m reminded of just how flexible she is. ¡°Damn, baby.¡± As hungry as I am to get my hands and mouth on her, I just want to take a moment and soak in the sight of her stretched out on the bed naked, waiting for me with her legs spread wide. My gaze drops to her pussy. It¡¯s already swollen and glistening from our earlier forey. My mouth waters for a taste. The silver that glints from between her lips is one of the sexiest things I¡¯ve ever seen in my life. No matter how long I live, it¡¯s a mental snapshot I¡¯ll never forget. ¡°When you masturbate, do you y with your titties?¡± Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips as she gives her head a quick shake. ¡°Why not?¡± I know how good it feels when I stroke my hands over my own chest. I imagine it would feel the same for her. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess I never thought about it.¡± I swallow up the space between us before settling on the edge of the bed near her outstretched legs. It takes every ounce of self-control not to reach out and stroke my hands over her center or bury my face between her legs andp up the honey that glistens on her flesh. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s part of the problem. You need to touch yourself and get into the mood. What are you? A seventeen-year-old dude going straight for the goods?¡± She snorts out augh. ¡°I guess so.¡± ¡°I want you to touch your breasts.¡± Her hands rise to cup the soft swells. ¡°Now squeeze them. Massage them.¡± Her expression rxes, and I can tell she¡¯s enjoying it. As much as I want to be the one touching her, it¡¯s more important that she¡¯s able to do it for herself. She should be able to pleasure her own body any damn time she wants or needs. She shouldn¡¯t have to wait for someone else to do it. Or worse, ask someone only to have them judge her or not be able to get the job done properly. ¡°Feel good?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Her eyelids feather closed. As much as I want her looking at me, I want her to get lost in her pleasure even more. ¡°Pinch your nipples.¡± She tweaks the little buds between her thumb and forefinger. ¡°Now tug them.¡± The whimper that slips free from her is like a straight shot to my dick. I¡¯m throbbing. It¡¯s tempting to take out my cock and stroke my hard length. Instead, I keep my attention focused on her. ¡°Tell me how your pussy feels.¡± ¡°Achy.¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯m willing to bet it needs to be yed with.¡± With a groan, she shifts. One hand trails down her ribcage and belly before arriving at her spread legs. Again, it takes effort to hold myself back. ¡°Do you y with the piercing when you touch yourself?¡± ¡°Yes, but it only gets me so far.¡± For the first time since we started, her brow furrows. ¡°I can never quite get there.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± I soothe, not wanting her to stress. ¡°Let¡¯s test that theory. Keep massaging your breasts. Pinch your nipples. I bet they would look beautiful pierced.¡± ¡°I thought about it.¡± That image has a groan rumbling up from deep in my chest. ¡°I want you to rub soft circles around your clit.¡± My gaze stays focused on the wetness that gathers on her lips as she ys with herself. Her back arches ever so slightly off the mattress. ¡°Does that feel good?¡± ¡°It does.¡± ¡°Then keep doing it. Tug the piercing. Not too hard. Just enough to send waves of pleasure through you.¡± I give her time to y. ¡°I want you to caress your lips. Back and forth. Yes, that¡¯s it. Just like that.¡± Fuck. If I¡¯m not careful, I¡¯m going toe. I¡¯ve never been so turned on in my life. And that¡¯s saying something. All it does is make me realize how special this girl is. And how much I want to make her mine. She might not realize it, but I¡¯m already formting ns in my head. ns that would probably freak the fuck out of her if she knew. But that¡¯s all right¡­ it can be my little secret. I¡¯m willing to bide my time. For now. I get lost in the movement of her fingers and all the cream she¡¯s rubbing around. ¡°That feels good, doesn¡¯t it?¡± My voicees out sounding as if it¡¯s been roughed up by sandpaper. ¡°Maybe I should check for myself.¡± My hand wraps around hers before I lean forward and bring the digits to my lips, sucking them into my mouth to savor. ¡°Delicious.¡± My tongue darts out to lick her fingers, not wanting to miss a single drop of her honey. ¡°Do you think you can get there on your own or do you want help?¡± Her brow furrows. ¡°I need help.¡± ¡°Okay. Pretty sure you know I¡¯m happy to assist.¡± I twist and settle between her spread thighs before burying my face against the heat of her center and dragging my tongue from the bottom of her slit to her clit before flicking the silver piece of jewelry with tiny balls on each end. With a groan, her fingers tangle in my hair to hold me in ce. ¡°Mmm, your pussy is drenched. You¡¯re the one who did that, baby. You just need a little more practice, and you¡¯ll be getting yourself off in no time.¡± ¡°I hope so.¡± ¡°You will be. Promise.¡± I lick every inch of her. When her muscles tighten, I know she¡¯s close. I keep my gaze locked on her face, wanting to see the moment she falls to pieces. When I draw the little ring into my mouth and suck it gently, she lifts her hips to press closer. ¡°Oh, Hayes¡­¡± ¡°Just let it happen, baby. You¡¯re safe with me.¡± My soft words are all it takes for her to shatter beneath my mouth. She screams out her orgasm. It¡¯s the best damn sound in the world, and means more than any other girl who¡¯s ever cried out my name. I continue licking and sucking her shuddering flesh until her muscles loosen, and she sinks into the mattress, a boneless heap. It¡¯s only when she¡¯spletely sated that I press my lips against her pussy onest time and then crawl up her body, stretching out on top of her before brushing my mouth against hers. She searches my eyes. ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve orgasmed, and that felt amazing.¡± ¡°No need to thank me. I loved helping you get there.¡± A satisfied smile curves her lips, and I love that even more. It¡¯s the first of its kind that I¡¯ve seen from her, and in that moment, I know I¡¯ll do whatever it takes in the future to put that look on her face. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°What about me?¡± ¡°I¡¯d be more than happy to return the favor.¡± As tempting as it is, I shake my head. ¡°Tonight was all about you, Tink. I¡¯m going to take a raincheck.¡± Her brows rise. ¡°Really?¡¯ ¡°Yeah.¡± I nce at the clock. ¡°In fact, I should probably get moving. I¡¯m sure you need to get up early and be out the door for practice tomorrow morning. I don¡¯t want you to miss your ice time.¡± ¡°What I really want is for you to stay.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Her arms tighten around my neck. ¡°Positive.¡± ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll stay.¡± ¡°Good.¡± When I don¡¯t move, she says, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you be morefortable if you took off your clothes?¡± ¡°It has more to do with what you¡¯refortable with.¡± The corners of her lips quirk. ¡°You just watched me masturbate?¡ª¡± ¡°And loved every minute of it.¡± She chuckles. ¡°And then you were all up in my business.¡± ¡°Have I mentioned how much I love being in your business and that I hope to do it again soon?¡± ¡°I liked it as well. That being said, I think you can take off your clothes.¡± I press another kiss against her lips before rolling from the bed anding to my feet. ¡°Okay. You¡¯ve convinced me.¡± My gaze dips to her core, and I groan. ¡°I¡¯m gonna need you to cover that pretty little pussy, or I¡¯ll be all up in your business for a second time tonight.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you mean third?¡± ¡°Well, they do say the third time¡¯s a charm.¡± ¡°I look forward to testing out that theory.¡± My hands settle at the hem of my gray Henley before dragging it up my body and over my head until I¡¯m just as bare chested as she is. Now it¡¯s her gaze that dips. My muscles tense as I stand in ce, allowing her to look her fill. The heat in her eyes nearly singes me alive. ¡°What about the jeans?¡± I can¡¯t resist teasing her. ¡°I was thinking of keeping them on.¡± ¡°Off.¡± I jerk a brow. ¡°Kind of bossy, aren¡¯t you?¡± A smile tugs at the corners of her lips. ¡°Maybe a little.¡± With a snort, my fingers drop to the button before flicking it open and dragging down the zipper. In one swift movement, I shove the denim down my thighs. Her attention drifts lower. It would be impossible to hide the boner that strains against the cotton of my underwear. I love the feel of her eyes eating me up. ¡°You¡¯re really beautiful,¡± she whispers. ¡°You stole my line. I was just thinking the same thing.¡± She slips between the sheets before tossing them back, an invitation for me to join her. Once I settle beside her, I pull her naked body against mine and wrap her up tight in my arms. That¡¯s when something deep inside me clicks into ce. Afortable silence falls over us, and it doesn¡¯t take long before her breathing turns deep and even. I press my lips against her hair and draw in the subtle scent of the floral shampoo that clings to her. For the first time in my life,plete contentment washes over me. The feeling is just as addictive as she is. And I don¡¯t want it to ever end. Break My Heart: Chapter 26 It¡¯s the bright sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains of my bedroom window that pulls me from the best sleep I¡¯ve had in a long time. As my eyelids flutter open, I¡¯m mmed with two realizations. The first is that I¡¯m naked. The second is that I¡¯m not alone. A warm body is pressed against me. Not to mention, that body is hard. Definitely hard. Since waking up beside another person isn¡¯t a normal urrence for me, I rack my brain to try to figure out what happened. It doesn¡¯t take long to remember making out with Hayes before being interrupted by Britt, Colby, Willow, and Maverick. We ended up at Blue Vibe, dancing the night away. Hayes pulling me up to the second floor and touching me flickers through my head like a slow-motion picture show. The man has magic hands. A shiver slides through me as a burst of heat dampens my core. I crack open my eyelids and cautiously peek beneath the sheets. While I¡¯m naked, Hayes is still wearing a pair of ck boxer briefs that hug his sculpted hips and ass. The man looks more like he was carved from marble than made of flesh and bone. He¡¯s so finely chiseled. I know exactly the kind of time,mitment, and discipline muscture like that takes. His physique wasn¡¯t achieved by spending an hour a day in the gym. More like hours on the ice and a few more spent in the weight room. And then cardio added to the regimen to increase stamina. We didn¡¯t even make it up to the apartment before I¡¯d been on him. As soon as the elevator doors closed, I was pressing him against the wall before he flipped us around. The way he¡¯d knelt in front of me and taken my panties off while I¡¯d held up my dress sends another burst of heat sizzling through my veins. Just when I thought I¡¯d find my release, he popped back to his feet and carried me to my apartment before stripping off my dress and watching me touch myself. Another thick shiver makes its way through me. There¡¯s no way I should feel sofortable with him. But that doesn¡¯t erase the fact that I do. I¡¯ve confided my secrets to this man. More than that, I trust him to keep them safe. For the first time since my life imploded, I¡¯m at peace with myself. And that has everything to do with Hayes. After he gave me the most delicious orgasm, we fell asleep wrapped up in each other¡¯s arms. My gaze slides from his six pack abdominals to the broad expanse of his chest. Even when he¡¯s rxed, everything is well defined. There¡¯s not an ounce of fat on him. It¡¯s so tempting to reach out and run the tips of my fingers over every sinewy muscle. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re considering, you should do it.¡± I squeak as my gaze slices to his. His green eyes twinkle with both mischief and heat. It¡¯s a lethalbination. One that makes my pulse race. He stretches his arms above his head, and all those mouthwatering muscles tighten and lengthen. I wasn¡¯t lyingst night when I called him beautiful. He is. Ridiculously so. He folds his arms behind his head before stacking his hands beneath it. When his attention drops to my chest, I¡¯m reminded of my naked state. As tempting as it is to cover myself, I resist the urge. The desire that darkens his eyes turns them a deep emerald hue. There¡¯s something about the way this man stares at me that ignites a firestorm of need deep in my belly. It¡¯s addictive. Instead of overthinking matters, I pull myself up to a seated position and settle on top of him before straddling his thick thighs. His gaze stays pinned to mine as his hands remain behind his head. The only reactions I¡¯m given are the tightening of his jaw and the tension that fills his muscles. I still can¡¯t get over how much pleasure he showered me withst night, taking none for himself. It makes me want to give him just as much in return. His boxers are tented in the front and already there¡¯s a damp spot on the cotton. I reach down and rub my finger over the wetness. ¡°You look good naked on top of me.¡± I flick my gaze to his. His eyelids are lowered to half-mast as he watches me. Impatience to see every inch of him rushes through me, and I slip my fingers into the cotton before dragging it down so his erection can spring free. His cock is hot to the touch, and clear fluid beads from the slit as I stroke him. My gaze clings to his as I lean forward and kiss the tip of his erection before nuzzling it. He¡¯s hard as steel and yet silky soft. I run the tip of my tongue from the bulbous head, down the length of his shaft, to the root before drifting lower to circle one ball and then the other. They¡¯re shaved clean and are smooth against my tongue. When I suck one into my mouth, another groan explodes from him as he gently brushes the hair away from my eyes before tunneling his fingers through the thick strands. ¡°That feels amazing.¡± His breathing picks up tempo as I y with him. Arousal curls in the pit of my belly like a whisp of smoke, intensifying the ache in my core. I release one ball with a soft pop before licking the other and giving it the same attention. Once my tongue dances over every inch of his sac, I kiss my way back up his cock and draw the tip between my lips. His fingers tighten around the sides of my head as his eyelids droop. Each time I slide along the hard length, I take him deeper, until he nudges the back of my throat. Another groan rumbles up from within his chest as I keep up a steady rhythm. ¡°Fuuuuck.¡± With a tilt of his pelvis, he thrusts forward. When my mouth turns voracious, his muscles tense before he attempts to shove me away. Instead of allowing that to happen, I stare up at him as I continue sucking his dick. ¡°If you¡¯re not careful, you¡¯ll make mee,¡± he mutters, jaw clenched. His voice is so tightly strung, it sounds as if it¡¯ll shatter into a million jagged pieces. When his balls draw up against his body, I realize he¡¯s seconds away from finding his release. That¡¯s all it takes for me to double down on my efforts. ¡°Ava,¡± he growls as the first drops of cum ssh against the back of my throat, and I greedily swallow them down. His fingers sink into my scalp, holding me close as he orgasms. It¡¯s only after he softens that I set him free. He reaches down, hooking his arms around my upper body, and hauls me upward until I¡¯m fully stretched out on top of his body. The moment his mouth fastens to mine, I open so his tongue can delve inside to tangle with my own. A few secondster, I¡¯m breathless. He draws away just enough to stare into my eyes. ¡°There¡¯s nothing sexier than the taste of me on your lips.¡± ¡°I could say the same.¡± With a grin, he says, ¡°Know what I could go for right about now?¡± ¡°Breakfast?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m definitely hungry. But that¡¯s not exactly what I had in mind.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± I gasp when he rolls us over so he¡¯s on top. A wicked glint fills his green eyes. It¡¯s enough to make my belly swoop. He presses a kiss against my lips before working his way down my naked body. When he reaches my breasts, he draws one hard tip into his mouth until I¡¯m squirming beneath him. My fingers tangle in his hair as he releases my nipple before sucking on the other. Need explodes through me as my core throbs a steady, insistent beat. He descends, licking and sucking my flesh until arriving at the V between my legs. I can¡¯t help but spread them wider, giving him full ess. It¡¯s amazing how free and uninhibited I feel with Hayes. Like we¡¯ve been together for months. He wraps his hands around my inner thighs, spreading them even farther apart as he stares at me. I can practically feel the heat of his gaze sliding over my core as wetness gathers between my legs. ¡°Have I mentioned how fucking beautiful you are?¡± ¡°Maybe once or twice.¡± He flicks his gaze upward to meet my eyes. ¡°Such a smart mouth.¡± ¡°You certainly didn¡¯t have a problem with my smart mouth when it was wrapped around your cock.¡± He smirks before sinking his teeth into the delicate flesh of my inner thigh. A moan breaks loose from me as I wriggle beneath his grip. His hands tighten, holding me firmly in ce. ¡°I loved the way you sucked my dick almost as much as I enjoy eating your pussy.¡± He tongues the little piece of jewelry decorating my clit, circling it before drawing it into his mouth. Barely has he touched me, and it feels like I¡¯ll go off like a rocket. Just when my muscles tighten, he pulls away. ¡°Ready for that breakfast?¡± My eyes widen as I screech, ¡°Are you being serious?¡± ¡°Nope. Not at all.¡± He smirks before burying his face against my drenched flesh. A fewshes of his tongue and a tug of the piercing send me tumbling over the edge as I scream out my orgasm. It¡¯s only when I huff out a contented breath that he presses a kiss against me. ¡°Now I¡¯m ready to feed you.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 27 The second our professor dismisses us for the evening, students scatter from the lecture hall like rats from a sinking ship. I close myptop and shove it into my backpack, trying not to get caught up in the rush. As I sling the bag over my shoulder, a sense of relief washes over me, but it¡¯s quickly reced by unease. It¡¯s always like thistely. My mind is never fully at peace. I push through the ss doors of the building and step into the chilly night air. Even though the days are warming up, the evenings still have a bite to them, and I burrow deeper into the cor of my jacket as I make my way down the path toward my apartment. It¡¯s only a short walk¡ªjust a quarter mile from campus¡ªbut every step tonight feels heavier than thest. As I pass by the humanities building, the sound of quick footsteps behind me makes my heart leap into my throat. My mind jumps to the worst-case scenario before I can stop it. My pulse races as I swing around, half-expecting to find the man who refuses to stay buried in my past. But it¡¯s not him. It¡¯s just a guy from ss jogging to catch up with the girl in front of me. He drops his arm around her shoulders, and they continue walking,ughing and chatting like they don¡¯t have a care in the world. My stomach is a tangle of knots as I force out a slow breath. I¡¯m constantly on edge, waiting for the worst to happen. It¡¯s exhausting. I hate how jumpy I¡¯ve be, how every little thing has me thinking about Nathan, about the messages he keeps sending. I thought severing our connection and moving across the country would be enough. Every time my phone vibrates, I wonder if it¡¯s him again. If he¡¯s still there, lurking in the background of my life, refusing to let me move on. I¡¯m so fucking tired of Nathan controlling my every waking thought when he¡¯s more than likely half a dozen states away, teaching learn-to-skate sses in a small town where no one knows who he is or what he did. The couple ahead of me turns to the left as I move in the opposite direction. My shoulders droop with the realization that it might be time to return to therapy. Clearly, I haven¡¯t worked through everything like I¡¯d hoped. I keep my pace steady, though the prickling sensation of being watched lingers, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The blue safety lights lining the path do little to offerfort. They¡¯re more like spotlights, illuminating my presence as I hurry past. When a twig snaps to my left, fear crashes over me. My heart kicks into overdrive as I whip around and scan the darkness for signs of movement. Could someone be hiding there? My mouth turns bone dry. The thought of Nathan, or anyone, following me, makes my chest tighten until I can¡¯t breathe. Can¡¯t think straight. It¡¯s all too much. I don¡¯t want to continue feeling paranoid. Like I¡¯m always looking over my shoulder, waiting for the past to catch up with me. I¡¯m kicking myself for not taking my car. For trying to prove a point. All I¡¯ve done is freak the fuck out of myself. I quicken my pace, gripping the straps of my backpack tighter, as if that¡¯ll somehow anchor me. The glow from campus begins to fade as I enter the residential area where I live. Greek row is right around the corner. Tons of parties take ce here every weekend. But tonight is Tuesday, and it¡¯s quiet. There¡¯s not a soul on the street. I peek over my shoulder again. There¡¯s no one. But that doesn¡¯t stop the odd sensation of being watched¡ªfollowed¡ªfrom invading my brain. As I reach the next block, I realize that Hayes¡¯s house isn¡¯t far. It¡¯s closer than my apartment. I¡¯ll stop there. Even if he¡¯s not home, I can collect my scattered thoughts and rein in the terror flooding my bloodstream. If I¡¯m lucky, one of the girls will be there, and I can cajole them into driving me back to my apartment. This exercise in trying to take a little control back from Nathan has totally backfired. It¡¯s also made me realize just how paranoid I¡¯ve be. As loath as I am to bring him up to my parents, maybe it¡¯s time to tell them what¡¯s going on. For my own personal well-being and mental health, I can¡¯t live like this. I walk faster, my breathing ragged from the cold air and the adrenaline spiking through my veins. As soon as the two-story blue Victorianes into view, relief crashes over me. Thank fuck. I race across the frontwn before taking the rickety porch stairs two at a time. By now, I¡¯m huffing and puffing. With my heart hammering in my chest, I press the doorbell and nce around. Other than the sound of passing traffic from a street over and the lone cry of a cat, there¡¯s nothing. But still, I can¡¯t shake the odd sensation that someone is stalking me from the shadows. My Spidey senses are on high alert. Is it nothing more than a trick of my imagination? That¡¯s the problem. I don¡¯t know. And I¡¯m unwilling to take a chance and find out. Fear threatens to swallow me whole as I shift from one foot to the other. When there¡¯s no response, I rap the beveled ss with my knuckles. The lights are on, and music andughter can be heard from inside the house. Just as I raise my hand for a second time, the front door swings open, and Bridger Sanderson stares back at me from the other side of the threshold. A chin lift apanies his greeting. ¡°Hey.¡± I nce past him, hoping to spot Hayes inside. ¡°Hi.¡± With a tilt of his head, he narrows his eyes. ¡°Aren¡¯t you Coach¡¯s daughter?¡± I blink, thrown off by the question. ¡°Um, yeah. Ava.¡± ¡°Right.¡± He doesn¡¯t move from where he¡¯s nted in front of the door. ¡°So¡­ what brings you to the hockey house, Ava?¡± Extra emphasis is ced on my name. I shift my weight, feeling the ufortable heat of embarrassment creep into my cheeks. ¡°Is Hayes here?¡± As casual as I¡¯m trying to sound, a thin waver threads its way through my voice. Bridger crosses his arms over his chest as his brows shoot up. ¡°You¡¯re here to see Hayes?¡± It would be impossible to miss the surprise in his voice. ¡°Yeah. Is he here or not?¡± For the first time, it makes me question the impulsive decision to stop by unannounced. He gives me a long, considering look before stepping aside. ¡°He¡¯s hanging out in his room. Go on up. Second door on the left.¡± It¡¯s on the tip of my tongue to ask if he¡¯s alone, but I can¡¯t force the words past my lips. Once the idea pops into my brain, it¡¯s impossible to shake loose. I jerk my head in a tight nod before slipping past him, grateful he doesn¡¯t ask any further questions, but his parting words stop me in my tracks. ¡°Coach wouldn¡¯t like you hanging out here.¡± My spine stiffens before I turn back to meet his brooding gaze. ¡°Then you should probably do us both a favor and keep that info to yourself.¡± He presses his lips into a tight line and res before turning toward the living room without another word. With my heart lodged in my throat, I hurry up the stairs. Each step has more doubt creeping in at the edges. After the closeness we¡¯ve shared, finding him with another girl would be devastating. By the time I reach the second-floornding, I¡¯m positive that¡¯s exactly what will happen. What the hell had I been thinking getting involved with Hayes Van Doren? Maybe he¡¯s turned out to have more depth than I expected, but does that really matter when he¡¯s a known yer? As I swing a left at the top of the stairs, my gazends on his door as it looms in front of me. My hand hovers in the air, but I can¡¯t bring myself to knock and discover the truth. That I¡¯ve been yed. I lean in, pressing my ear against the thick wood. Not a sound can be heard from inside. No voices. Noughter. Just silence. I chew my lower lip before wrapping my fingers around the knob and turning it. The door creaks as I cautiously push it open. It¡¯s entirely possible that my heart is lodged somewhere in the middle of my throat. The sight that greets me has my eyes widening and air stalling in my lungs. Hayes is alone, lying naked on the bed. The terror and concern from seconds ago melt away as my greedy gaze rakes over the length of him. The man really does have a spectacr body. His eyes are closed, and earbuds are shoved in his ears. Even if I¡¯d knocked, he probably wouldn¡¯t have heard me. One of his brawny arms is tucked behind his head while his other hand grips his erection. His palm slides along the thick shaft. It takes a handful of seconds to realize that aptop is on the chair near his bed and angled toward his torso. Wait a minute¡­ Is he jerking off on camera? My hand rises to my mouth as my eyes stay locked on the scene ying out in front of me. I couldn¡¯t yank them away even if I tried. Footsteps on the staircase catch my attention, and I slip farther inside the room before quietly closing the door. My spine hits the wall as I stand perfectly still, afraid to move a muscle. When he arches, I realize how close toing he is, and arousal explodes deep inside me. His grip tightens, and a groan falls from his lips as the first spurts of cum erupt from the tip of his cock andnd on his lower belly. My core shudders as my panties flood with heat. My mind tumbles back to the other morning when I¡¯d taken him in my mouth. Memories of what he¡¯d tasted like whip through me, and the urge to lick up all the pearly white fluid prods me into movement. Before I can act on my impulse, his muscles loosen, and his eyelids flutter open. My heartbeat stalls as his heavy-lidded gaze slices to mine. He freezes, and the energy in the room turns charged. Break My Heart: Chapter 28 I blink. It¡¯s tempting to rub my eyes until the image of Ava dissolves, because there¡¯s no damn way she¡¯s standing in my room, staring at me in shock. After I jacked off. Online. Fuck. That thought spurs me into action as I roll to the edge of the mattress before ending the live feed and mming theptop shut. Unsure what to say, I blurt, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I¡­ needed to see you.¡± Before I cane up with anything else to say, she swallows up the distance between us and reaches out to run her finger through the jizz on my stomach. My breath catches as she brings the digit to her mouth and sucks it. Holy crap. Her eyelids drift closed. ¡°You taste just as good as I remember.¡± That throatyment is all it takes for my cock to stir back to life. She drops her backpack to the floor before unzipping her jacket and sliding the thick material from her shoulders. Then she toes off her shoes before climbing onto the mattress and crawling up my body until she¡¯s hovering over my groin. With her gaze pinned to mine, sheps up the sticky fluid. The velvety softness of her tongue slides over my lower abdomen until she¡¯s cleaned up the mess I made. Holy shit. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been more turned on in my life. Until she kisses the tip of my dick and draws the hardening length between her pouty lips. My eyes roll to the back of my head, and a groan rumbles up from deep within my chest. Fuck, her mouth is heaven. She slides down my cock before returning to the tip. I almost grieve when she allows the head to pop free. Until her tongue dances down the length to my balls. She circles one and then the other before drawing it into her mouth. A garbled sound escapes from me. She releases one with a soft pop before giving the same attention to the other. It¡¯s official. Bury me now. I¡¯ve died and gone to heaven. She licks around my clean-shaven sac before returning to the crown of my cock and drawing it back into the warm haven of her mouth. If I could live in this moment for the rest of my life, I would. It¡¯s that fucking amazing. Unable to stand another second of this torment, I force myself to sit up before wrapping my hands around her ribcage. Once she releases my dick, I drag her up my body until she¡¯s stretched out on top of me. Her gaze stays fastened to mine. ¡°You didn¡¯t like that?¡± ¡°I think we both know I liked it a little too much. When Ie again, it¡¯s going to be inside your sweet little cunt.¡± My dirty words have her pupils dting. And I love that as well. This girl is so damn perfect. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever get enough of her. That thought should have rm bells ringing in my head. What does it mean that they¡¯re not? Instead, calmness falls over me as that knowledge settles deep inside my being. I shove it from my head as I stare into her blue eyes, unwilling to inspect it any closer. It¡¯s always been my family and hockey, without room for anything else. And it was enough. No one ever came close to touching that. But that¡¯s no longer the case. ¡°I think you might be wearing too much clothing.¡± ¡°Hmmm. That sounds like a problem. One you should do something about.¡± I smirk. ¡°There¡¯s that sassy mouth again.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you agree that a sassy mouth is much better at sucking cock?¡± Yup¡­ she¡¯s perfect. In one smooth movement, I flip our positions. She gasps as I hover over her and take control of the situation. My mouth crashes onto hers. One sweep of my tongue against her lips and she opens so I can plunge inside. All I want to do is devour this girl in one tasty gulp. But first things first. I need to strip off the clothing that keeps her gorgeous body from me. My lips trail from her mouth to her chin before I scrape my teeth along the curve of her jaw. As I sink lower, she bares the delicate hollow of her throat. I press a kiss against the pulse that flutters madly like the wings of a hummingbird beneath. When I reach her corbone, I¡¯m met with the soft fabric of her sweater. I rise to my knees as my fingers grip the hem and drag it up her body and over her head. It¡¯s a pleasant surprise to find she¡¯s not wearing anything beneath. I flick a nce upward. ¡°Where¡¯s your bra?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t always wear one.¡± She nces at her breasts. ¡°I don¡¯t exactly have a lot going on there.¡± My attention returns to her chest before my hands settle on the rounded softness, tweaking her nipples until they stiffen right up. ¡°They¡¯re perfect.¡± She arches into my palms as I toy with them. ¡°You like that, baby girl?¡± ¡°I do. They¡¯re sensitive, and I love having them yed with.¡± I used to think my type was top heavy, like a dime. Turns out that¡¯s not the case. I love that Ava is toned and athletic. She might be petite and delicate looking, but it¡¯s misleading. Both her mind and body are strong. And there¡¯s nothing sexier than that. I tease the tiny buds until she¡¯s writhing beneath me. Only then do I suck one stiff peak between my lips before giving the same attention to the other. As tempting as it is to continue tormenting her, I¡¯m hungry for more. It¡¯s been way too long since I¡¯ve had the taste of this girl on my tongue. And I¡¯m fucking famished. I crawl down the length of her body, kissing and licking as I go, until I reach the waistband of her jeans. My gaze settles on hers as I flick open the button and lower the zipper. After tugging the denim down her hips and thighs, I raise one leg and then the other until the thick material is stripped away. The only thing that bars her from my sight is a flimsy scrap of silky material. For just a second, I sit back and allow my gaze to rove over her. She¡¯s gorgeous with her golden hair spread out around her and the tips of her breasts in pouty little points. Her eyelids are lowered to half-mast, and her lips are already swollen from my kisses. My cock throbs a painful beat as my gaze drops to the pale-pink material. I¡¯m impatient to be inside her. I slip my fingers beneath the fabric before lowering them over the gentle ir of her hips and thighs. I want to stretch this moment out for as long as possible. The sweet anticipation of it. As soon as her moundes into view, I ce a chaste kiss against the bared flesh. She shifts, her breath catching in a soft whimper. My guess is that it¡¯s not enough. For either of us. I lower the fabric a little more and repeat the caress. This time, I slip my tongue between her silky lips. Already they¡¯re drenched. I want nothing more than to lick up all that delicious cream. Every fucking drop. And then I want to make her sob all over again. Unable to resist, I tongue the tiny silver hoop. I wasn¡¯t kidding that night at her apartment when I said her nipples would look good pierced. I¡¯d have her in a fucking matching set. And nothing more. ¡°Hayes, please¡­¡± Her voice trails off on a moan. I nce up and meet her gaze. There¡¯s nothing I love more than unraveling this girl. ¡°Please what, baby? What do you need from me? You know I¡¯m happy to give you anything you want.¡± I¡¯ve never meant anything more. Her cheeks are flushed a pretty pink color, and her pupils look as if they¡¯ve been blown out. I fucking love that I¡¯m the one who can put that expression on her face. ¡°Remove the panties. Please.¡± ¡°Well, since you asked so nicely.¡± I straighten before dragging the scrap of material down her legs and tossing it to the floor so she¡¯spletely bared to my greedy sight. My guess is that she¡¯s just as needy as I am. Before I can ask, she spreads her legs wide until her knees hit the mattress, putting her gorgeous pussy on full disy. I can¡¯t resist running my thumb over the silky folds that glisten with arousal. It¡¯s enough to make my mouth water. Have I mentioned how flexible she is? Fuck me. I use both thumbs to pull her delicate lips farther apart so I can peek inside. It wasn¡¯t all that long ago that I jerked off. And now I¡¯m ready to go off like a shot again. It wouldn¡¯t take much. A pump. Maybe two. Especially with that gorgeous view burned into my brain for all eternity. I haven¡¯t even really touched her clit yet, and it¡¯s already swollen. The silver piece of jewelry glints from where it¡¯s nestled. I can¡¯t help but swipe my thumb over it before rubbing it in soft circles. Her hips jerk, and her spine arches until she¡¯s pressing herself into my touch. ¡°So fucking greedy, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A fine tremble weaves its way through her voice. ¡°Tell me, will just any man¡¯s cock do?¡± When she groans, I give her clit a tap. I know exactly how sensitive she is. Especially with the piercing. All I want to do is tease out her pleasure. By the expression on her face, that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve done. I fucking love how responsive she is to my touch. I stroke her clit. ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for an answer.¡± ¡°Just yours.¡± ¡°Good girl.¡± When I swat the top of her slit for a second time, another whimper escapes from her. ¡°You like that, don¡¯t you?¡± Her teeth scrape across her lower lip as I stroke her sensitive flesh. She¡¯s even creamier than before. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be embarrassed about the things you crave in bed. I want to give you all of it¡ªeverything you like. I¡¯m going to take such good care of that little pussy. She¡¯ll cry every time you think about me.¡± Ava squeezes her eyes shut. And that won¡¯t do. I p the top of her slit for a third time. ¡°When I¡¯m ying with your body, I want your eyes pinned to me so you can see the man between your thighs, giving you all this pleasure. When we¡¯re in bed together, there¡¯s nothing to be embarrassed about. Someone stole your power, and now you¡¯re going to reim it. Understand?¡± Her eyelids fly open as intensity brews in her blue eyes, and she jerks her head in a tight nod. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I press a finger deep inside her drenched entrance. ¡°Does your pussy need to be eaten?¡± ¡°Yes. That¡¯s exactly what it needs.¡± I give her a few slow pumps with my finger before withdrawing and lowering my face to her core. By now she¡¯s dripping. With my gaze fastened to hers, I run the t of my tongue from the bottom of her slit to her clit, licking up all the cream before circling the piercing with my tongue. ¡°You¡¯ve made a real mess. All this sticky honey everywhere.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your fault. You turn me on and make me that way.¡± ¡°Mmm. I like the sound of that.¡± A growl rumbles up from somewhere deep inside me as Ip her shuddering softness. When she squirms, I wrap my hands around her inner thighs to hold her in ce. This is exactly how I like her. The only thing better would be if she were pinned to the mattress with my cock. ¡°Please, Hayes¡­ I need more.¡± I circle her swollen clit with the tip of my tongue. When her muscles tighten, I realize how close she is to finding her release. And I love that too. How easy it is to bring her to the precipice. Instead of allowing her toe, I pull back and leave her hanging. A garbled protest catches in her throat. Before she can ask any questions, I flip her over and drag her to the edge of the bed. ¡°On your knees, baby girl.¡± She lies there, breathing hard. I p one firm ass cheek and then the other. The resounding cracks shatter the silence of the room. With a squeak, she scrambles to do my bidding. I rise to my feet and take up my position behind her. I massage her ass cheeks, tugging and stretching the rounded flesh. My palm settles between her shoulder des as I press her chest to the mattress until it bes necessary for her to turn her head so the side of her face rests against the navyforter. My gaze flicks to her backside. ¡°Spread your legs wider. I want to see both of those pretty holes.¡± Even though her breath catches, she does exactly as I ask. She¡¯s so damn beautiful. And mine. Whether she understands it or not, this girl now belongs to me. And I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep her. The tips of my fingers caress her pussy. Even though Ipped up all her cream minutes ago, she¡¯s already soaked again. I continue stroking her flesh, gathering up her arousal before sliding my hand upward until one finger can settle over her tight little rosebud. Her body stills and her breath hitches. I watch her closely while massaging the puckered ring of muscle. ¡°Do you want me to touch you here?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s something you don¡¯t like, it¡¯s important that you tell me. All right? I don¡¯t want to do anything you¡¯re notfortable with.¡± Her teeth scrape across her plump lower lip. I press my face against her pussy and tongue it until her legs are shaking. My warm breath whispers across her drenched flesh. ¡°There¡¯s no judgment here. I want to give you everything you crave. Everything you need. I can¡¯t do that unless you¡¯re honest with me.¡± ¡°I like what you¡¯re doing. It¡¯s been a really long time since anyone yed with my body like this, and I miss it. But there¡¯s a part of me that feels bad for enjoying it. Like maybe Nathan saw something depraved in me.¡± ¡°He couldn¡¯t possibly have known that. Your sexual preferences are what you enjoy, and it¡¯s nothing to be ashamed of. You need to let go of your guilt and simply embrace what turns your body on.¡± My teeth scrape across the curve of her ass cheek before I press my finger deeper inside her body. Her breathing picks up tempo as I advance and then withdraw, gradually falling into a steady rhythm. It doesn¡¯t take long before her muscles rx around the foreign intrusion. ¡°Does that feel good, baby girl?¡± ¡°It feels amazing,¡± she says on a breathless sigh. I fucking hate her coach for what he did to her. The ideas he drilled into her head. The way he made her feel guilty for enjoying the things he introduced her to. It¡¯s so damn twisted. This girl should be worshipped. More than that, she deserves every bit of pleasure she craves. And from now on, I¡¯ll be the one who showers her with it. And I¡¯ll never make her feel bad or guilty for enjoying it. When I remove my finger, a whimper trembles on her lips. I pull her cheeks apart to inspect her perfect rosebud. She has such a tiny gape. ¡°You really are gorgeous.¡± I massage both cheeks as I lean forward and lick her pretty little back hole. When the tip of my tongue slips inside, she releases a soft moan, but she doesn¡¯t try to escape the intimacy. Instead, she strains closer. When her cries turn to sobs, I give her one finalp before rising to my feet. My cock feels more like stone than flesh. Thank fuck she¡¯s so close toing because I have no idea how long I¡¯m going tost. I grab a condom from a drawer in the nightstand and tear the wrapper before sliding it over my hard length. Then I take up position behind her. She hasn¡¯t moved a single muscle. I swat one ass cheek and then the other before fisting my cock and lining it up with her drenched entrance. My finger slips back inside her rosebud as I surge forward and bury myself balls deep. I withdraw and repeat the movement. I¡¯ve never felt anything better than her tight heat strangling my dick. It¡¯s likeing home to a ce I didn¡¯t realize I was missing. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Both my finger and cock fall into the same steady rhythm. It doesn¡¯t take long before her inner muscles contract around my hard length, squeezing the very life out of me. That¡¯s when I lose it, following her over the edge and into the abyss. The way she screams out my name only intensifies my pleasure. Stars dance behind my eyelids, and it¡¯s entirely possible the tip of my cock just blew off. If that turns out to be the case, this experience will have been entirely worth it. Zero regrets. On thest thrust, my muscles loosen, and I copse along the curve of her body. Our harsh breaths mingle together, bing one, as I stay wrapped up in her sweet heat. No matter how amazing the sex I¡¯ve had in the past has been, nothingpares to this. The kind of intimacy we¡¯ve shared isn¡¯t possible with a one-night stand. Maybe I wasn¡¯t ready for it before. But I am now. With Ava. As I crash back to earth, my gaze settles on her face, needing to know I¡¯m not the only one who had an out-of-body experience. Instead of the blissed-out expression I was hoping to find, she stares sightlessly at the far wall. I have no idea what thoughts are tumbling through her head. And that¡¯s scary. ¡°Are you okay?¡± My chest constricts as my muscles tighten, bracing for her response. ¡°Did I hurt you?¡± My voice dips as uncertainty gnaws at me. ¡°Or do something you didn¡¯t want?¡± With a blink, she turns her head just enough to meet my gaze. And then does thest thing I expect. She bursts into tears. Break My Heart: Chapter 29 I have no idea where all the pent-up emotionse from. One minute, I¡¯m enjoying the afterglow of the best sex I¡¯ve ever experienced, and the next, I¡¯m bawling. Hayes¡¯s reaction is almostical. His eyes widen to the point of looking like they might fall out of his head before he pulls out of my body, then wraps the condom in tissue and throws it in the trash can near his desk. Only then does he haul me into his arms. ¡°Tell me what I did, and I swear I¡¯ll never do it again.¡± He rains soft kisses against the crown of my head. ¡°Jeez, Ava. Tell me. Your tears are fucking killing me.¡± Even though I¡¯m overflowing with emotion, I¡¯m not sure how to put any of it into words. At least not ones that will make sense. It continues toe out in a torrent of sobs. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry,¡± I say when I¡¯m finally able to speak. ¡°Baby, you don¡¯t have anything to be sorry about. I just want you to tell me what I did to cause this kind of reaction.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything.¡± I pause and rethink that statement. ¡°Actually, you did everything.¡± ¡°Fuck,¡± he groans. ¡°I knew it.¡± I chuckle weakly. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Most guys would be jumping out of bed and gathering up their clothing to escape the awkwardness of this situation¡ªespecially being the first time we slept together. It would be thest time I saw them before they ghosted me. What they wouldn¡¯t do is attempt to get to the bottom of what¡¯s going on. At every turn, Hayes manages to surprise me. ¡°Ava, please. Would you just spit it out? I¡¯m dying over here.¡± I draw in an unsteady breath, holding it captive in my lungs before gradually releasing it back into the atmosphere. It¡¯s important to take the time to gather my thoughts in order to exin them properly. This man, above everyone, deserves the truth. ¡°Nathan was my first rtionship?¡ª¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a rtionship,¡± he interrupts with a frown. ¡°It was an abuse of power.¡± Everything inside me wilts. ¡°I know.¡± It¡¯s taken a long time for me toe to terms with that knowledge. For whatever reason, it was easier to ept that I was eighteen years old and made the choice to get involved with my coach as a mature adult. I didn¡¯t want to believe that someone I loved and trusted took advantage of and manipted me into doing something I didn¡¯t want. It¡¯s a bitter pill to swallow. ¡°Whatever you want to call it, he was the only one I¡¯d been with long term. There were a few guys after¡­¡± My voice trails off as I jerk my shoulders. ¡°They made me feel bad for wanting certain things. And I began to wonder if I was normal. Especially when I couldn¡¯t get off from just regr sex.¡± His mouth drifts across my forehead. ¡°You know that¡¯s not true. No one should have made you feel that way because you¡¯re more adventurous in the bedroom. I fucking love it.¡± My lips lift into a slight smile as I meet his earnest gaze. ¡°I get that now.¡± He tugs me closer, wrapping me up in his arms. They have the rare ability to make me feel protected and safe. ¡°I like every damn thing about you.¡± That admittance is all it takes for the tension swirling through my body to dissipate, leaving behind something I¡¯ve spent thest year searching for. Contentment. We fall into afortable silence as my fingertips drift across his chest before I still. ¡°So¡­ are you going to tell me about what I walked in on earlier?¡± When he releases a deep breath, I wonder if he¡¯ll bother with a response. It would be a major disappointment considering I just experienced the best sex of my life and spilled my guts to this guy. Honestly, if that happens, then I need to seriously rethink?¡ª ¡°Remember when you asked me about my job, and I said it was something online?¡± My eyes widen as I jerk upright before swiveling to face him. ¡°You get paid to jerk off online?¡± Humor simmers in his green eyes. ¡°If you want to bottom line it like that, then sure, I get paid to jerk off online. Although, I prefer to think about it as empowering people to live out their sexual fantasies.¡± My head spins with this revtion. Some of the humor falls away from his expression as he searches my eyes. ¡°Does it change what you think of me?¡± My brows shoot up before I slowly shake my head. ¡°Of course not. Why would it?¡± He shrugs. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not exactly something to be proud of.¡± ¡°The fact that you¡¯re a full-time college student and a Division I athlete who¡¯s doing everything he can to take care of his family is admirable.¡± I can¡¯t help but sh a grin as I tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve seen the goods up close and personal, I¡¯m sure women are throwing a ton of money your way.¡± ¡°Not to brag, but there are a few men as well.¡± A gurgle ofughter bursts from me. ¡°That doesn¡¯t surprise me.¡± There¡¯s a pause. ¡°Does your mom know?¡± His eyes widen as horror shes across his face. ¡°Hell no! She wouldn¡¯t ept a single dime if she even suspected where the money came from. She¡¯d go out and get a second job just to make ends meet. Then the kids would never see her, and they¡¯d have to raise themselves. That¡¯s thest thing my dad would have wanted.¡± He shakes his head. ¡°Next year, all of this will be a distant memory. I¡¯ll sign my contract with Nashville, and my family will have everything they need. More than what they need. Mom won¡¯t have to work her fingers to the bone, and everything will finally be good again.¡± My heart constricts at the earnestness in his voice. That¡¯s all it takes for thest of the walls I¡¯ve built around myself to tumble. It¡¯s also the moment I realize how hard I¡¯ve fallen for him. My fingers drift across his cheek before tracing his soft lips. His gaze stays locked on mine as he kisses them. ¡°You¡¯re a good man, Hayes Van Doren.¡± ¡°Shhh. Don¡¯t tell anyone.¡± The corners of my lips hitch as I snort. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. No one would believe me even if I did.¡± Break My Heart: Chapter 30 I bring the steaming cup of coffee to my mouth and watch Ava as she glides effortlessly across the ice, her movements smooth and graceful. The way she skates is mesmerizing¡ªalmost as if she was born to do this, her ability innate. She executes a perfect spin, the same one from the photo I saw at her apartment. She¡¯s poetry in motion, a force to be reckoned with. I could stand here for hours and watch her. It¡¯s wild how much I¡¯ve grown to care about this girl in such a short period of time. She¡¯s everything I didn¡¯t know I was looking for. Hell, I didn¡¯t even think I was looking for anything. But Ava is different. The connection between us is impossible to ignore. She¡¯s burrowed beneath my skin, and I can no longer imagine my life without her in it. Does she feel the same? I really fucking hope so. Each time we¡¯re together, I find myself revealing little pieces of who I am. The ones I don¡¯t allow anyone else to see. Not my teammates or my family. I¡¯ve never felt so in tune with another person. It¡¯s like she was made for me. Ava might have doubts when ites to her sexual preferences, but I don¡¯t have any. When we¡¯re in bed together, I try to show her exactly how perfectly suited we are to one another. She doesn¡¯t judge me for my past or for being here on a schrship. I have plenty of teammates who were given money to y hockey at Western, but most don¡¯t need it to attend. It¡¯s more like the sweet cherry on top of a sundae. The difference is that I wouldn¡¯t be here without it. And she doesn¡¯t look down on me for the way I choose to support my family. The fact that she epts me for who I am means more than I ever imagined possible. For the first time in my life, I¡¯ve found someone I can be myself with. I don¡¯t have to pretend everything is a cakewalk or that nothing bothers me. My heart catches when she leaps into the air, spinning beforending on one de like it¡¯s nothing. I shake my head, awed by her talent. There¡¯s no doubt in my mind that Ava should bepeting on a national level. I understand the reasons why she stepped away from the figure skating world. After the scandal broke, the unwanted attention and scrutiny put her life under the microscope. What I hate is that she¡¯s allowed the past to dictate her future and steal her passion and joy. I can¡¯t imagine what it would be like to walk away from hockey. It¡¯s in my blood. A part of me. Isn¡¯tpeting the same for her? Just as I¡¯m about to take another sip of coffee, I catch movement from the corner of my eye, and it draws my attention. For the first time, I notice we¡¯re not alone. There¡¯s a guy standing near the edge of the rink, too far away for me to get a good look at his face. There¡¯s a ball cap pulled low over his brow, and something about him doesn¡¯t sit right with me. He¡¯s definitely not one of the usual staff or custodians who work this early. My gut twists with unease as I watch him pull out his phone and lift it toward the ice. What the hell? Is he taking pictures of her? I jump to my feet, the coffee forgotten as I move toward the guy. As soon as he notices me, he tucks his phone back into his hoodie and walks away. The way he moves is too fast to be casual. ¡°Hey!¡± I shout, but he doesn¡¯t look back. Without thinking, I break into a jog, determined to catch up with him. My heart pounds, not from exertion but from the realization that this could be her former coach. As I push through the exit and into the hallway, I scan the empty space. I grind my teeth, frustration bubbling up inside me as I take off down the corridor. A faint whistling catches my ear, and I whip around the corner just as Tony walks by with his broom. ¡°Whoa!¡± His handsnd on my arms as we nearly collide. ¡°Where are you off to in such a hurry?¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± I mutter, ncing past him. ¡°Any chance you saw a guy walk by?¡± With a frown, he shakes his head. ¡°Nope. I clocked in about fifteen minutes ago, and you¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve run into. Is there a problem?¡± I clench my jaw, unsure what to say. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I saw someone who didn¡¯t look familiar. It just seemed weird this early in the morning. He took off before I could talk to him.¡± Tony scratches his chin as his frown deepens. ¡°You think someone was here messing around? I¡¯ll keep an eye out.¡± ¡°I¡¯d appreciate that.¡± I force a smile, trying to shake off the thick tension that has gathered in my muscles. ¡°Thanks, man.¡± He pats my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. Maybe you should let Coach know. Can¡¯t be too careful these days.¡± I nod, though thest thing I want to do is bring this up to Coach. Not yet, anyway. ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to do that.¡± My mind spins as I walk back to the rink. When I¡¯m halfway there, it urs to me that maybe I shouldn¡¯t have left Ava alone. What if that was Nathan and he drew me away in order to iste her? And I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The thought makes my stomach churn, and it¡¯s enough to have me picking up my pace. By the time I burst through the door into the arena, my heart is pounding against my ribcage. Relief floods me when I catch sight of Ava gliding across the ice, seemingly unaware of what happened. Once she spots me, she skates over. Her cheeks are flushed from exertion as a small smile tugs at her lips. ¡°Where¡¯d you disappear to?¡± she asks, nting her hands on her hips. ¡°Had to use the john,¡± I lie, trying to keep my tone casual. ¡°Are you ready to head out?¡± The arena has always been a safe space for me, but that¡¯s not how it feels at the moment. I just want to get her out of here. ¡°Yup.¡± ¡°Good. Let¡¯s get moving.¡± She raises a brow. ¡°Hmmm¡­ Who¡¯s the bossy one now?¡± Despite my lingering unease, her teasing tone melts the tension coiled tight inside me. I can¡¯t help the smirk that tugs at my lips. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen anything yet.¡± ¡°Promise?¡± ¡°Yeah, Tink,¡± I murmur, stepping closer. ¡°It¡¯s definitely a promise.¡± Herughter echoes through the empty arena as she reaches out and tugs on my hoodie, pulling me toward the bench where she¡¯s left her skate guards and duffel. The easy banter between us feels natural, like we¡¯ve known each other far longer than just a few weeks. The sense of protectiveness I feel toward her settles deep in my chest as she packs up her bag. I debate whether to tell her what I saw before nixing the idea and deciding to keep what happened to myself. At least for the time being. For all I know, it was nothing. A weird coincidence. She¡¯s got enough on her te without worrying about some random creep. But I¡¯ll be more vignt from here on out. I¡¯m not about to let anything happen to my girl. Once we¡¯re out of the arena and walking toward the parking lot, Ava nces at me, her expression softening. ¡°Thanks foring with me.¡± ¡°Anytime.¡± I slide my hand into hers and give it a gentle squeeze. ¡°I enjoy watching you skate. You¡¯re so damn talented.¡± Her eyes sparkle in the early morning light. ¡°I think you might be biased.¡± ¡°Nope. Not at all.¡± As we reach my truck, I realize that I don¡¯t just like being around Ava. I need it. I need her. Break My Heart: Chapter 31 I tap on the frosted ss of Dad¡¯s office door before pushing it open. The familiar sound of game film ys in the background. Dad sits in his chair, eyes glued to the screen as he studies the ys. The moment he sees me, he clicks off the video and turns with a smile. ¡°Hey, sweetheart,¡± he says, ncing at his watch. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be here for another twenty minutes.¡± ¡°The professor let us out early.¡± I drop my backpack to the floor and settle on the seat across from him. ¡°So I came straight over.¡± ¡°Good to know I¡¯m getting my money¡¯s worth for your education.¡± I smirk. ¡°Thanks to your position at Western, I¡¯m getting a free ride, so you really can¡¯tin.¡± ¡°Hmm. Guess you¡¯re right. Speaking of sses, how are they going this semester?¡± ¡°They¡¯re fine,¡± I say with a nomittal shrug, avoiding his probing gaze. His desk is cluttered with papers, the remnants of what looks like an intense game analysis. Hisptop is open next to his desktop, and I can see a familiar spreadsheet on the screen with stats and yer rankings. The disarray makes me itch to straighten it out, but I resist the urge. I learned enough in therapy to understand that controlling my surroundings is one way I cope when everything feels like it¡¯s falling apart. ¡°Any closer to figuring out a major?¡± Dad presses. ¡°You¡¯re almost through your first year. It¡¯s about time to decide, don¡¯t you think?¡± I shift on the chair. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t made any decisions.¡± Even though I¡¯m twenty-one years old, I only started collegest fall, which makes me a freshman. Most of my sses are general education. Biology, English, math, psychology, and a graphic arts ss. The concern lurking in his eyes has guilt mushrooming up inside me for not having an answer. For not having my life figured out. For still being a mess. ¡°You could always visit the career counseling center and speak to someone.¡± I shake my head, brushing off the suggestion. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in talking to anyone else.¡± I force myself to add, ¡°At least not right now.¡± Just as he¡¯s about to push the subject, the door swings open and Mom breezes in, arge paper bag in her hands and a bright smile on her face. ¡°Hi!¡± she chirps, setting the bag down on Dad¡¯s desk. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d beat me here! I thought you had ss.¡± ¡°He let us out early,¡± I repeat, my tone softening as I watch her move around the room. There¡¯s a certain warmth to my mom that makes everything seem a little less overwhelming. ¡°Perfect timing!¡± She nts a quick kiss on Dad¡¯s cheek. They¡¯ve always been so in love. Always holding hands or sitting next to one another. There were times when I¡¯d walk into the kitchen and find them hugging or kissing. When I was younger, their affectionate disys embarrassed me. I remember grumbling under my breath that they needed to keep their hands to themselves. Now, I think it¡¯s sweet that after twenty-five years, they¡¯re still so in love. Mom turns to me, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from my face before kissing my forehead. The gesture is so familiar andforting, that some of the tension drains from my body. She unpacks the subs, cing them on the desk next to the drinks. Turkey and swiss for Dad, tuna for her, and an Italian for me. The smell makes my stomach rumble, and we settle into a familiar rhythm of conversation while eating. Dad doesn¡¯t bring up myck of major again, and for that, I¡¯m grateful. The pressure to figure out my path forward weighs heavily on me. It feels like my entire life has been about skating, and now that it¡¯s gone, I have no idea what to fill the void with. The thought leaves me feeling empty. Adrift. It doesn¡¯t take Dad long to demolish his sandwich, and soon he¡¯s finishing off half of Mom¡¯s as well. The casual banter shifts to hockey, with Dad detailing the uing schedule, and Mom talking about her new job. For a while, I let the conversation flow around me, attempting to ignore the nagging unease at the back of my mind. The restlessness that¡¯s been there for weeks. Ever since Nathan resurfaced. I still haven¡¯t mentioned the messages to them. Thest thing I want is for Dad to fly off the handle or Mom to me herself again. The concern that was a constant presence in her eyes has finally faded. I¡¯m loath to do anything that will disrupt it. I¡¯ve stopped responding to the texts. My hope is that he¡¯ll get bored and leave me alone. I ignore the little voice that nags at the back of my brain, reminding me it has yet to ur. After a quick nce at my phone, I push to my feet. ¡°I should probably head out. Thanks for lunch, Mom. We should do this more often.¡± Her gaze flicks to my dad. A second or two of silentmunication passes between them. I¡¯ve seen it before. Especially after they found out about my rtionship with Nathan. A pit of unease blooms at the bottom of my belly. My gaze shifts from one to the other before narrowing. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± When Dad remains silent, Mom gives him a nod of encouragement. ¡°Tell her.¡± It¡¯s carefully that I lower myself back to my seat as my tone esctes. ¡°Tell me what?¡± Dad clears his throat before balling up his sandwich wrapper and tossing it into the trash. The way his attention stays pinned to me sends a wave of anxiety rippling through me. ¡°Nadia Petrovic reached out to me the other day.¡± My heart stutters in my chest. ¡°Nadia Petrovic?¡± I echo, my voice barely above a whisper. The name alone is enough to send a shiver racing down my spine. The woman is a legend in the figure skating world. Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and coach to some of the greatest skaters in history. I idolized her when I was younger, back when I still believed that dream could be mine. Why would she reach out? Especially now, after all this time? Dad hesitates, and when he speaks, his voice is gentle. ¡°She¡¯s interested in training you.¡± ¡°What?¡± I shake my head, unable to process what he¡¯s saying. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Why would she want to do that? I haven¡¯t skatedpetitively since¡ª¡± I stop, the words catching in my throat. Since everything fell apart. Dad doesn¡¯t flinch or look away. ¡°I might have sent her a video of you skating recently,¡± he admits quietly. ¡°And told her you were ready to make aeback.¡± My heart races as a potent concoction of anger and disbelief rushes through me. ¡°You did what?¡± Before Dad can respond, Mom steps in, her tone soft and pleading. ¡°Honey, we didn¡¯t want to tell you until we knew it was a real possibility. You¡¯ve been so lost this past year, and we just hate seeing you like this. We thought¡­ maybe this could help.¡± I swallow hard, the weight of their expectations looming over me. ¡°You should have talked to me first.¡± Mom¡¯s eyes fill with sadness, but she doesn¡¯t back down. ¡°We were afraid you¡¯d say no before giving it a chance. We just want you to be happy.¡± Her words hit me hard, right in the gut. I¡¯ve been telling myself that I¡¯m fine and don¡¯t need skating anymore. Deep down, though, I can¡¯t help but wonder if she¡¯s right. The thought of returning to that world is terrifying. Dad¡¯s voice drags me from the whirl of my thoughts. ¡°Will you at least meet with Nadia and hear what she has to say?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not inpetition shape,¡± I whisper, my hands trembling. ¡°I just skate for fun now. I¡¯m not¡­ I can¡¯t?¡ª¡± ¡°She knows how talented you are and what you¡¯re capable of, Ava,¡± Dad says, leaning forward. ¡°She¡¯s watched you for years. She believes in you.¡± Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I stand, desperate to escape before they fall. ¡°I need time to think.¡± After more than a year away from thepetitive circuit, I can¡¯t envision what it would be like to train full time again. Nor can I imagine how people would react if I just showed up at apetition. The knowing smirks. The hushed whispers. The gossip would be rampant. Am I willing to subject myself to that all over again? The thought is enough to have me shrinking in on myself. ¡°Take all the time you need,¡± Mom says gently. ¡°But don¡¯t let fear hold you back.¡± With a nod, I grab my bag and head for the door. As I step into the hallway, her final words echo through my mind. As much as I don¡¯t want to admit it, that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve spent thest year doing. Break My Heart: Chapter 32 Seven hourster and Nadia Petrovic¡¯s name continues to repeat in my head. My thoughts are a swirling mess of disbelief and confusion. One of the greatest figure skating coaches in the world is interested in me. It doesn¡¯t feel real. As I step out of the library and into the cool evening air, I pull my jacket tighter around me. My mind is still stuck on everything Dad said at lunch, and my body continues to buzz with all the possibilities. Nadia had always been kind whenever our paths crossed atpetitions, throwing a fewpliments my way, but this isn¡¯t something I ever expected. She can work with her pick of athletes. Skaters who are stillpeting, still relevant. Why would she bother with someone like me, a girl who hasn¡¯t been on thepetitive circuit in over a year? It doesn¡¯t make sense. Lost in my thoughts, I cut a path through the parking lot toward my car. I¡¯d be lying if I didn¡¯t admit that part of me wants to at least speak with the Russian coach and hear what she has to say. But there¡¯s arger part that¡¯s grownfortable with my life at Western. I may not have everything figured out yet, but I¡¯ve found friends¡ªreal friends like Britt¡ªand for once, I don¡¯t feel the constant pressure weighing on me like I did when skating was my entire world. And then there¡¯s Hayes. Thoughts of him send a warm tingle through my chest. I haven¡¯t known him for long, but something about what we¡¯re slowly building feels different. Solid. Real. It¡¯s more than just sex. Although, the sex is incredible. He makes me feel safe, understood in a way no one else ever has. We¡¯ve shared pieces of ourselves, parts of our past we don¡¯t let anyone else see. With him, I don¡¯t have to pretend. I can just¡­ be. ¡°Ava! Wait up!¡± I halt in my tracks and nce around to find Hayes jogging toward me from the direction of the arena. A smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it. Seeing him has that effect on me. As he gets closer, his smile mirrors mine, and his presence puts me at ease. His blond hair is slightly damp from practice, curling a little at the ends, and even in the dim parking lot lights, I can see the energy buzzing through him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d still be on campus thiste,¡± he says as he reaches me, his breath visible in the cool air. ¡°I had a lot of homework to get through, and I¡¯ve got a testing up, so I camped out at the library for most of the afternoon.¡± He tilts his head toward the arena where a few guys are still making their way to their cars. ¡°We just wrapped up practice.¡± ¡°What are you up to now?¡± I ask, shifting closer. ¡°Any interest ining over?¡± I could use the distraction. Something to take my mind off the whirlwind of thoughts surrounding Nadia, and the unexpected decision that now looms over me. My heart stutters. It would mean leaving Hayes. Why didn¡¯t that ur to me before? His gaze drops to the phone in his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to take care of first. How about Ie over around nine?¡± A mixture of arousal and excitement dances in the pit of my belly. ¡°What needs to be taken care of?¡± Humor sparks in his green eyes as he reaches out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. It¡¯s a simple but intimate gesture. His touch lingers on my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin. ¡°You know exactly what needs to be done.¡± My pulse quickens at the intensity in his gaze, and for a moment, I forget about everything else. Nadia. Skating. My parents. Nathan. Right now, it¡¯s just Hayes and me, standing in the middle of an empty parking lot. He leans in, his mouth sweeping against mine in a kiss that¡¯s gentle but full of promise. I tip my head, deepening it, savoring the feel of him. Every time his lips brush against mine, it¡¯s like the world falls away and nothing else matters. When we finally pull apart, there¡¯s a warmth in his eyes that makes my heart flutter. My tongue darts out to moisten my lips as my palms settle on the broad expanse of his chest. ¡°Can I watch?¡± There¡¯s a moment of silence as his brows rise. ¡°You want to watch me jerk off on camera?¡± My mouth turns cottony at the vivid image his words paint in my head. ¡°More than anything.¡± An answering heat ignites in his eyes. ¡°Yeah, all right.¡± He presses a kiss against my lips. ¡°Meet back at my house?¡± I nod as he takes a step in retreat, his hand trailing down my arm before falling away. I can¡¯t help but stare after him as he turns and heads toward his truck. My body hums with excitement. It takes effort to pull myself from my thoughts and slide into my car. Just as I start the engine, my phone buzzes with a text.
TenInchesofCocky: See you soon, Tink.
I smile at his contact name, which also happens to be his screen name, biting my lip as I pull out of the parking lot. I might not know exactly what this is between us or where it¡¯s going, but one thing is for certain¡ªI¡¯m not ready to let it go. Anticipation hums through my veins as I follow him back to the old, blue Victorian. By the time I exit the vehicle, he¡¯s standing at the driver¡¯s side door. His arm slips around my waist as he leads me up the front porch stairs and into the house. Now that everyone is home from practice, the ce is bustling with activity and noise. A few of his teammates call out for us to join them. He shakes his head and waves them away with a smile. By the time we reach the second floor, I¡¯m unable to think about anything other than the image of Hayes stroking his hard cock, bringing himself to orgasm. I have no idea why that turns me on so much, but it does. Once he twists the lock on the door and drops his athletic bag on the carpet, he flicks a nce my way. Doubt fills his eyes. ¡°Are you sure you want to stay and watch? You could always chill out downstairs for a while.¡± Wild horses couldn¡¯t drag me away. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± With that, he grips the hem of his sweatshirt and yanks it over his head before letting it drop. The ck Western Wildcats T-shirt is the next to get stripped away before it meets the same fate. Once his gray joggers are shoved down thick thighs, he stands before me in nothing more than white socks and ck boxer briefs. I point to his feet. ¡°Are you keeping them on?¡± He cocks his head and arches a brow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Not sexy?¡± Laughter falls from my lips. ¡°Not in the least.¡± ¡°How do you know? Maybe the fans will love it.¡± I shake my head. ¡°Take them off.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± He lifts one foot and removes a sock and then the other. ¡°Trust me, your fans will thank me.¡± ¡°Guess we¡¯ll never know.¡± My gaze drops to his briefs. ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting something?¡± He slides his thumb beneath the stic band and snaps it against his trim waist. ¡°Nah. I was thinking tonight could be more of a let-your-imagination-run-wild kind of show.¡± ¡°How about you take them off and show me the goods?¡± He lifts his chin. ¡°You want them off so badly, why don¡¯t you do it yourself?¡± I shed my jacket before tossing it over the chair tucked neatly beneath his desk. It only takes a half a dozen steps to eat up the distance between us. My gaze stays pinned to his as I reach out and stroke his cock through the thin cotton material. ¡°That feels good, baby girl. But the fans like to watch me get hard on camera. It¡¯s part of the fun.¡± ¡°Oh well.¡± I slip my hand into his underwear and wrap my fingers around his thick length. It feels more like steel. When the urge to take him into my mouth pounds through me, I drop to my knees. Not once do I release his gaze as I guide the head of his erection to my lips. My tongue darts out to lick the slit. Already, it¡¯s beaded with moisture. He loosens the band holding my hair in a ponytail. As soon as the blonde strands tumble around my shoulders, his fingers tunnel through them, tightening around my scalp to hold me in ce. ¡°Fuck, baby. That feels amazing.¡± Unable to resist, I suck him deep inside until he nudges the back of my throat. ¡°Have I told you how much I love your mouth? Especially when it¡¯s wrapped around my big dick?¡± His dirty words have more arousal gathering in my core. We¡¯ve barely done anything and already my panties are soaked. Just thinking about Hayes turns me on. And I love it. Love how easy everything feels with him. A low groan vibrates through him as he gently pushes me away. When I give him a questioning look, he growls, ¡°If you keep that up, I¡¯lle, and that¡¯s definitely not part of the regrly scheduled programming.¡± My tongue flicks over his swollen tip. It wouldn¡¯t take much for him to lose it, and there¡¯s a part of me that wants to push him over the edge. With another growl, he drags me to my feet. Before I can say anything, his mouth crashes onto mine. ¡°You want to fuck with me, baby? Just remember, turnabout is fair y.¡± A shiver of excitement dances down my spine as my pulse picks up tempo. He smirks. ¡°Somehow, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the punishment I meant it to be. Maybe it would be best if you headed out.¡± He brushes another kiss against my mouth. ¡°You¡¯re too much of a distraction.¡± I force my lower lip out in a pout. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll be good. Promise.¡± He nces at the clock on his nightstand. ¡°I¡¯ve got three minutes to lose the boner.¡± Without thinking, I reach out to stroke his cock. He shakes his head as his hand tightens around my wrist, and he brings my fingers to his lips before pressing a kiss against them. ¡°As much as I love your touch, that¡¯ll only make matters worse.¡± After releasing my hand, he swings toward the desk to grab hisputer. He clicks a few buttons before dragging the chair next to the bed and positioning it. Then he snags a pair of earbuds and settles on the mattress. The boxers are thest to get stripped away, leaving himpletely naked. My gaze licks over every inch of him. He¡¯s so gorgeous. Staring at him is enough to get me all heated up. I drop down on an armchair in the corner of the room that¡¯s out of view from the camera. He shoves the buds into his ears and reclines against the pillows before closing his eyes. His chest rises and falls with every deep breath he draws into his lungs. Once his boner has wilted, he rolls toward the camera and hits a button or two before resettling. I can¡¯t help but watch in fascination as he strokes both hands over his chest. His muscles ripple beneath his fingertips. Arousal gathers in my core like wisps of smoke, and I shift on the cushion, trying to alleviate the growing ache. He tweaks both nipples until they¡¯re hard points before tugging at them. It¡¯s like there¡¯s an invisible thread connecting his body to my core. Who would have thought watching him stroke his chest would be such a turn on? His hands continue their slow descent to his groin. It¡¯s only when he reaches his destination that I notice his cock has stiffened back up again and is standing at attention. Another wave of desire crashes over me, and I shift on the chair as my pussy throbs a harsh beat that vibrates throughout my entire body. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ve ever felt so turned on in my life. It doesn¡¯t take long before my fingers are twitching with the urge to touch myself. When he swirls his fingertip around the tiny slit, spreading clear fluid on the blunt head of his dick, I just aboute undone. Before I realize it, my fingers grip the hem of my sweater and I¡¯m lifting it up my torso and over my head. His gaze snaps to mine, and heat sparks in his eyes when I unsnap my bra and drop it to the floor. Unwilling to overthink my actions, I rise to my feet and remove my jeans and panties until I¡¯m just as naked as he is. Only then do I resettle on the chair. I press my spine against the cushion before spreading my legs wide enough for each one to dangle over the armrests so I¡¯mpletely exposed. He turns his head toward me as his fingers tighten around his cock, and he slowly strokes the hard length. As I watch him pleasure himself, I can¡¯t help but feel the rush of excitement build deep down inside of me. I pinch and tweak my nipples until they stiffen, mimicking the actions of his hands on his own body. Anticipation heightens with each second that ticks by. The intensity in his gaze is palpable as green fire snaps from his eyes, and he picks up speed. My own hand drifts downward, to the part of me that pulses with a life all its own. That first brush of my fingertips against my sensitive lips is enough to have a groan rising from my chest. I force it back, not allowing it to escape. He growls as his fingers loosen from around his erection and slide lower before cupping and squeezing each ball. Holy fuck. Heat floods my core as my fingers circle my drenched entrance before finally dipping inside. He releases another garbled sound as I spread the wetness around before circling my clit withzy strokes and flicking the little piece of jewelry. It¡¯s so tempting to close my eyes and enjoy the sensations that ripple outward to the very tips of my fingers and toes. This is the first time I¡¯ve touched myself and actually felt like I was about toe. My gaze stays locked on Hayes. I couldn¡¯t look away even if I wanted to. The sight of him ying with himself is so damn hot. I can understand why women pay good money to watch him. When a scream builds within me, my teeth sink into my lower lip to keep it trapped inside. I¡¯m so damn close to shattering into a million broken pieces. With a tilt of my hips, I spread my legs wider. Even from here it would be impossible not to notice the way his pupils dte, the ck swallowing up the green, as they smolder with heat. When I can¡¯t stand another second, my eyelids flutter shut as I tweak my nipple with my fingers while the other hand ys with my pussy, pushing me closer to the edge and into oblivion. It¡¯s almost a shock when a deep growl erupts from him. My eyelids fly open just in time to see him roll toward theputer and m the lid shut before jumping to his feet and swallowing up the distance between us with three long-legged strides. I gasp when he drops to his knees between my parted legs, his eyes focused and intense. His strong fingers grip my inner thighs as he spreads the lips of my pussy apart, exposing my delicate flesh. Without hesitation, he leans in and kisses my center, his tonguepping up the wetness. He teases my clit with quick flicks of his tongue, sending bursts of pleasure through my body. I arch, wanting more, as he moves his tongue around my piercing. Just when my inner muscles begin to tighten, he pulls away and the cool air hits me, making me shudder. Before I can protest the loss, he gently ps my clit with his fingertips, creating a delicious mix of pain and pleasure that only pushes me closer to release. ¡°You distracted me.¡± He swats me again. Only this time, I anticipate it and press closer, craving the sting before pleasure rushes in to drown it out. ¡°You love it, don¡¯t you?¡± he asks, a tortured groan following the question. ¡°I do,¡± I admit as the familiar ache between my legs intensifies. ¡°I love it all.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so fucking perfect.¡± His lips fasten on me again as he sucks the tiny ring into his mouth. With his thumb, he gathers up some of the wetness before pressing it against my rosebud and prating the tight ring of muscle. It doesn¡¯t take more than that for me to splinter apart. And then I¡¯m lost in an intense sea of pleasure. A scream tears from my throat before I can think of tamping it down. At this point, I don¡¯t give a damn who hears me cry out my orgasm. I only care about the spasms that rack my body. As soon as thest tremor fades, Hayes rises to his feet until his hard cock bobs inches from my face. His fingers tangle through the thick strands of my hair to hold me in ce. ¡°How about you finish what you started earlier?¡± My lips quirk as he pulls me closer. When the bulbous head of his cock brushes my lips, I open wide, but he only gives me the tip. When my lids drift shut, he snaps, ¡°Eyes on me, baby girl. Pretty sure we already had a conversation about this. I want your gaze pinned to me the entire time you suck my dick.¡± He continues to tease me, inching farther inside. With a moan, my eyes plead with his. ¡°Need more?¡± With one smooth thrust, he nudges the back of my throat. The stretch of it feels amazing. So does theck of oxygen. The way tears prick my eyes. Maybe it shouldn¡¯t. Maybe it should be painful, and I should hate it. But I don¡¯t. ¡°Damn, that feels so good. Can you take more, baby?¡± With his thick erection down my throat and his hands in my hair, it¡¯s impossible to nod my head. I moan around his girth, hoping he understands he has my consent. In the short time we¡¯ve known each other, I¡¯vee to trust that this man will take care to walk that fine line and push my limits without stepping over any boundaries. That knowledge has the shackles falling away so I can free my mind and allow my body to soar. I want to give him the same gift. My attention stays locked on him as he presses so deep down my throat that my face is flush against his groin. I focus on drawing air in through my nostrils as he holds me in ce. ¡°From the first moment I saw you, I knew you¡¯d look beautiful with your mouth stuffed full of my cock.¡± Even though I just came, heat floods my core. The possessive light that fills his eyes is my undoing, and I moan around him. He withdraws, allowing me to suck in a shuddering breath. ¡°Ready, baby? Ready to take me back inside?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± When I raise my hand to wipe away the spittle, he shakes his head. ¡°Leave it. I like the way you look when you¡¯re all mussed-up.¡± His thumb swipes across my swollen lips, gathering up the wetness before pressing it to my mouth. ¡°Open.¡± I draw his finger inside before sucking it. It¡¯s only after his lids turn heavy that he slips it free before wrapping his hand around his erection and bringing it to my lips again. ¡°Beg for it, baby. Beg to suck my cock.¡± ¡°Please. I want to taste you in my mouth.¡± He lifts a brow. ¡°That really the best you can do?¡± I shake my head as desperation floods through me. ¡°Please, Hayes. Please let me suck your big dick. I need it.¡± There¡¯s so much truth in the plea. I do need it. I need him. ¡°I love the way my lips stretch around it and the way it feels to take you deep into my throat. I want to feel youe so I can drink down everyst drop.¡± ¡°Fuck. You¡¯re such a good girl. Know that, baby? Now, open wide. I¡¯m going to give you exactly what you begged so prettily for.¡± I do as instructed as his fingers tangle in my hair, and he slides between my lips. I never thought I¡¯d enjoy the feel of it, but I do. With one continuous movement, he glides all the way down my throat until my nose is buried in his groin and breathing bes impossible. ¡°A few more strokes and I¡¯m going to give you exactly what you crave. What you need.¡± I moan as he retreats. This time there¡¯s no reprieve or chance to catch my breath. He uses my mouth for his own pleasure, and I revel in every single second of it. On thest thrust, his hips stay flexed as he draws me closer. He groans as thick jets of cum erupt from the tip of his cock and hit the back of my throat. I greedily swallow down every drop just like I promised. His release seems tost forever as my gaze stays pinned to him. With his head thrown back, I¡¯m only able to see the bob of his throat and the rigidly held muscles. Tears stream down my face as he huffs out a breath and carefully slips free. His hands loosen from around my scalp as he crouches in front of me. That¡¯s when I realize my legs are still thrown over the armrests of the chair. His gaze drops to my syed pussy before he presses a kiss against the wet flesh. The velvety softness of his tongue slides between my lips and a whimper breaks loose from me. No matter how much I have of this man, I¡¯m still hungry for more. Just when I think he¡¯ll make me orgasm for a second time, he rises until we¡¯re eye level with each other before searching my gaze carefully, as if looking for signs of remorse. He won¡¯t find any. ¡°Open.¡± My lips part enough for him to peer inside. ¡°I love seeing your throat painted with my cum.¡± One hand snakes around the nape of my neck before he pulls me forward, and his mouth presses to mine. He licks deep strokes until it feels as if he¡¯ll devour me in one tasty bite. A tangy vor fills my mouth, and I realize it¡¯s the taste of my pussy on his lips. He pulls away just enough to press his forehead against mine as we look at each other. ¡°There¡¯s nothing better than the taste of ourbined arousal on my tongue.¡± My belly swoops as my core tightens. That¡¯s the moment I realize just how deep I¡¯m in with this guy. Break My Heart: Chapter 33 With my back facing the hot spray, I allow the water to pound my shoulders, easing the tension from two grueling hours spent on the ice. Physically, I¡¯m wiped. But mentally? My brain refuses to shut off. I¡¯m struggling with a dilemma. Part of me realizes I need to tell Coach what¡¯s going on with his daughter. He should know in order to keep her safe. But another part realizes that Ava will be pissed when she discovers I took matters into my own hands. I know that creepy fucker is still bombarding her with messages. I sneak peeks at her phone when she walks out of the room. Is that an invasion of privacy? Probably. But I¡¯m concerned that she¡¯s downying the situation. I have no idea if the guy at the rink taking pictures was Nathan. I couldn¡¯t get a good look at him, but I¡¯ve got a bad feeling about the way it all unfolded. It¡¯s too much of a coincidence. If some dude was messing with Kia, I¡¯d want to know about it. So I could bury him six feet under. Every morning, I drive Ava to the rink and then stick around to watch her practice. I¡¯ve also been picking her up after her night sses. There¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m going to let her walk home alone. Whenever I bring up the subject of her former coach, she brushes it off like it¡¯s nothing, even though we both know that¡¯s not the case. By the time I twist the shower knob so the spray bes more of a trickle, I¡¯ve arrived at a decision. No more procrastinating. I need to tell Coach. Ava might hate me for it, but I¡¯d rather beg her forgiveness than have this guy take his obsession to the next level. With a towel in hand, I make quick work of drying myself off before wrapping the damp material around my waist and heading back to my locker. ¡°Hey, Van Doren,¡± Colby calls out from a few lockers down. ¡°Are we grabbing something to eat after this? I¡¯m fucking famished. I¡¯ll call the girls. They can all meet us at Taco Loco.¡± ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good.¡± He waggles his brows. ¡°I¡¯m sure Britt will invite Ava.¡± I give him the finger. ¡°I¡¯ll call her myself.¡± Bridger, who¡¯s changing nearby, smirks as he pulls on a pair of boxers. ¡°Seems like shit¡¯s getting serious around here.¡± ¡°It is.¡± He cocks his head and studies me. ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting bored?¡± He throws a quick look at Coach¡¯s office before dropping his voice. ¡°Or does this have more to do with the thrill of sneaking around behind the guy¡¯s back?¡± His words hit an unexpected nerve, and I re at him. ¡°This has nothing to do with sneaking around, man. I like her.¡± The word is too small for what I feel for Ava, but I say it anyway. Bridger arches a brow, clearly not buying it. ¡°Really? You sure about that?¡± ¡°Yeah, I am,¡± I say, more forcefully than intended. Thest few weeks have changed everything. Ava isn¡¯t just some girl. She¡¯s the girl. He shrugs. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, Coach isn¡¯t gonna be thrilled when he finds out. You¡¯ve got a reputation, and it¡¯s not exactly squeaky clean. If he catches wind that you¡¯re with his daughter, he¡¯ll probably bench your ass.¡± He¡¯s right. Coach would flip if he knew. Which is one reason to keep silent. But I just can¡¯t do it. This situation has be dangerous, and I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep Ava safe. Even if that means taking the brunt of Coach¡¯s ire. Ford pops his head around the corner. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want toe with us? Tacos sound pretty good right now.¡± I shake my head, knowing exactly what I need to do. ¡°Maybeter.¡± Ford takes off, and soon, the rest of the guys trickle out of the locker room, leaving me alone. I pull on my clothes and mentally prepare myself for what needs to happen. With onest look at my reflection in the mirror, I suck in a deep breath and make my way to Coach¡¯s office. Each step feels heavier than thest. As I knock on the office door, the sound of game film drifts through the frosted ss before he calls out, ¡°Come in.¡± My heart pounds as I push the door open and step inside. ¡°Coach?¡± There¡¯s no turning back now. He nces at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. ¡°Hayes? What are you still doing here? I thought everyone cleared out.¡± I stuff my hands into the pockets of my joggers, unsure where to start. ¡°Yeah, they did. I just¡­ needed to talk to you.¡± He clicks off theputer screen and swivels in his chair to give me his full attention. ¡°Take a seat. What¡¯s going on?¡± My mouth turns cottony as I drop down on the chair opposite him. ¡°It¡¯s about Ava.¡± ¡°My daughter?¡± His brow furrows, and I can feel the weight of his scrutiny. ¡°What about her?¡± Fuck. This is more difficult than I anticipated. I hate that I¡¯m betraying her trust. Especially when it wasn¡¯t easily given. I drag a hand through my damp hair, trying to figure out the right way to say this. My gaze bounces around the room before settling on a photo of Ava with him and her mother. They¡¯re all smiling, looking as if they¡¯re on top of the world. ¡°Hayes?¡± he prompts, drawing my attention back to him. ¡°Her former coach has been texting her,¡± I blurt, needing to get it out. ¡°It¡¯s been going on for a while now, and he won¡¯t leave her alone.¡± There¡¯s a long silence, the kind that stretches and twists in the air between us. Coach¡¯s face goes stone-cold, his expression unreadable. ¡°How do you know about this?¡± he asks, his voice tight. ¡°Ava told me,¡± I admit, knowing this conversation is about to take a turn. ¡°Why would she do that?¡± His gaze sharpens, like he¡¯s piecing something together. ¡°Because¡­¡± I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the fallout. ¡°Because we¡¯ve been seeing each other.¡± ¡°Let me get this straight.¡± His jaw tightens. ¡°You¡¯ve been seeing my daughter?¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± I say, my voice steady. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to find out this way, but I¡¯m concerned. He¡¯s sending harassing messages every day.¡± He leans back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face. ¡°Why didn¡¯t shee to me herself?¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t want to worry you,¡± I say quietly. ¡°But it¡¯s bad. The other day, at the rink¡­ I saw a guy taking pictures of her. When I went to talk with him, he took off.¡± Coach¡¯s hand falls from his face, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Taking pictures of her?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t be sure who it was, but it looked suspicious.¡± He swears under his breath, pulling off his ballcap and dragging a hand through his hair. ¡°Does Ava know you¡¯re here?¡± ¡°No.¡± Even though his shoulders rx just a bit, thick tension continues to vibrate off him in heavy waves. ¡°I appreciate you making me aware of the situation.¡± ¡°Keeping her safe is my number one priority.¡± Coach studies me in silence. ¡°It sounds like you really care about my daughter.¡± I meet his gaze with an unwavering one. ¡°I do. And I don¡¯t want to see anything happen to her.¡± He nods, his eyes softening. ¡°I believe you.¡± I stand, ready to leave, but Coach¡¯s voice halts me in my tracks. ¡°Did Ava mention that a very prestigious skating coach is interested in training her?¡± I blink, thrown off by the shift in conversation. ¡°No, she didn¡¯t.¡± Coach leans back in his chair, his expression turning thoughtful. ¡°This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her. More importantly, she¡¯ll be in Colorado, and there¡¯ll be security. Ava will be safe there. With everything going on, I think that¡¯s the best option for her. Don¡¯t you?¡± The words hit me like a kick to the nuts. Colorado. That¡¯s far away from here. From me. ¡°Nadia will be with her night and day, helping her get back intopetitive shape. There won¡¯t be time for anything else,¡± Coach adds, his meaning clear. Trantion: there won¡¯t be time for me. I open my mouth to argue, but the words stay trapped inside, refusing to budge. When I remain silent, at a loss, he continues, ¡°Skating has always been Ava¡¯s life. You have no idea how much it broke her to walk away. Not only is this her chance to reim it but to be safe.¡± There¡¯s a pause as his tone gentles. ¡°If you really want what¡¯s best for Ava, you¡¯ll let her go.¡± The heavy weight of his words presses down on me, crushing the air from my lungs. As much as it kills me, I think he might be right. I have to let her go. Break My Heart: Chapter 34 I stare at my phone, thetest text from Nathan shing on the screen like a ticking bomb.
Unknown number: Answer me! I won¡¯t be ignored any longer! What we had was special.
My hands shake as I read the message for a second time. He¡¯s changed his number. Again. The next message makes my stomach twist into a series of painful knots.
Unknown number: I¡¯m the one who made you what you are today!
I clench my jaw, forcing back the bile rising in my throat. Before I can close the app, another message pops up. This one feels like a knife to the gut.
Unknown number: There¡¯s no way that kid can give you what you crave. I know how you like to be touched. I¡¯m the one who created the need. And I¡¯m the only one who can feed the monster that lives deep inside you.
I stop dead in my tracks, the chill of the air no match for the icy fear that floods my system. The only way he could know about Hayes is if he¡¯s here at Western, watching my every move. That thought sends a violent shiver racing down my spine. I nce around the quiet campus, scanning the shadows, as paranoia tightens its grip on me. I can¡¯t resist throwing cautious nces over my shoulder. I¡¯m terrified that I¡¯ll spin around and find Nathan standing there. I pick up my pace, nearly breaking into a jog, as I make my way toward Hayes¡¯s house. I texted him half an hour ago, and normally he¡¯s quick to reply. But there¡¯s been nothing. I have no idea when it happened, but he¡¯s be my safe space. My pulse hammers in my ears as I cross the street toward the hockey house, my thoughts swirling. I can¡¯t ignore this anymore. I¡¯ll tell Hayes about everything. The relentless texts and the creeping fear that Nathan might be closer than I suspected. That he¡¯s here. On campus. For a second or two, I consider texting Hayes and telling him what¡¯s going on. But I¡¯m so close to his house. Only a few more blocks. I¡¯d rather tell him in person. I know he¡¯s going to be pissed. I suck in a deep breath as I arrive at another decision. And then we¡¯ll talk to my parents in person. We can tell them about what¡¯s happening with Nathan and that we¡¯ve been seeing each other. I¡¯m fed up with all the secrets and lies. By the time I reach Hayes¡¯s house, my heart is pounding for an entirely different reason. The blue Victorian looms in front of me like a sanctuary. If I can just get to Hayes, everything will be okay. I hurry up the steps and knock on the beveled ss, my pulse still racing. A momentter, the door swings open and disappointment rushes through me. Instead of Hayes, I find Bridger Sanderson. This feels like d¨¦j¨¤ vu. His piercing gray eyes remind me of the embarrassing messages that have been broadcast to the university atrge. If there¡¯s someone stalking my every move, I imagine he must feel the same way. Strange that we would have that inmon. ¡°Hey, Ava,¡± he says, leaning casually against the doorframe. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Loud music and voices spill from inside the house, and I catch a glimpse of peopleughing, the sounds of a party in full swing. Bridger blocks most of the view, standing in front of me like a bouncer. ¡°Is Hayes here?¡± I ask, shifting from foot to foot. I want to get inside, out of sight, but something in Bridger¡¯s expression makes my anxiety spike. He hesitates, guilt flickering in his eyes before it¡¯s quickly masked by indifference. ¡°Yeah, but he¡¯s kind of got his hands full at the moment.¡± Hands full? My stomach plummets. What does that mean? ¡°He¡¯s too busy to talk?¡± My voice wavers as I try to peek past him into the house. It¡¯s difficult to keep my cool when every instinct inside me is screaming that something isn¡¯t right. Bridger¡¯s muscles tense, his jaw tightening. ¡°Yeah. Should I let him know you stopped by?¡± I bite down on my lip, trying to keep it together. Hayes hasn¡¯t responded to my texts, and now he¡¯s too busy to see me? With everything going on, he¡¯s supposed to be the one person I can count on. ¡°Just tell him to call me as soon as he can.¡± I hesitate before adding, ¡°It¡¯s important.¡± His muscles loosen. I¡¯m sure he was expecting more of a fight. ¡°Will do.¡± I make a move to turn as if I¡¯ll go back down the stairs to the sidewalk. Instead, I bolt toward the door, pushing him aside and slipping past. ¡°What the fuck!¡± Bridger barks, reaching for me, but I¡¯m already halfway across the entryway. I make it five steps, just enough to see into the spacious living room before Bridger¡¯s fingers lock around my upper arm, halting me in my tracks. When his hand tightens, I give him a death re before jerking free. My heart spasms painfully beneath my breast when I find Hayes sprawled on the couch, two girls curled up against him, their hands trailing over his chest. I recognize them immediately¡ªthe brtes from The Roasted Bean. The ones who couldn¡¯t take a hint. One of them leans in, whispering something in his ear, and he smirks, his eyes heavy-lidded withzy amusement. Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I watch them, my body frozen in ce. Bridger steps up behind me, his voice low and mocking. ¡°Have you seen enough, or do you want to stick around and see what happens next? Spoiler alert¡ªyou¡¯re not going to like it.¡± He gives me a considering look. ¡°Unless you¡¯re cool with sharing?¡± There¡¯s a beat of silence. ¡°Some chicks are.¡± He shrugs. ¡°Hayes¡¯s motto has always been ¡®the more the merrier.¡¯¡± I whirl around and re at him, trying to hold back the tears. ¡°Screw you.¡± Betrayal and humiliation crash over me. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m still standing. How I haven¡¯t copsed under the crushing weight of the emotion. How could I have been so stupid? How didn¡¯t I see him for the yer he truly is? Was he sleeping with other people the entire time we were together? The acidic taste of bile rises in my throat. I need to get out of here before I throw up. That would be the icing on the cake. I stumble toward the door, grateful Hayes hasn¡¯t caught sight of me. Every step feels like I¡¯m walking through quicksand. I thought Nathan¡¯s texts were the worst thing that could happen today. I was wrong. ¡°Still want me to tell him you stopped by?¡± I blink back the tears before refocusing my attention on Bridger. If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d think there was a mixture of sorrow and remorse filling his eyes. But how can that be? ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡°Probably for the best.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± It takes effort to hold the sob inside as I keep moving. Even though I¡¯m frightened about what waits for me out there, there¡¯s no way I can stay here for another second. Just as I open the door, someone steps in front of me, blocking my path. ¡°Ava?¡± Concernces Britt¡¯s voice. She takes one look at my face and her own expression hardens. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡± I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it¡¯s no use. Tears spill over, and before I know it, Britt¡¯s arms are slipping around me and holding me tight. ¡°Oh my God,¡± she whispers. ¡°What did Hayes do?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not really fair. How do you know Hayes did anything?¡± Colby mumbles from behind her. She shoots him a sharp look before turning back to me. ¡°Sorry. Stupid question,¡± he says grudgingly. ¡°What did the jackass do?¡± ¡°Can you please drive me back to my apartment?¡± My voice cracks as I try to speak. ¡°I need to get out of here.¡± Britt doesn¡¯t release her grip on me. ¡°Of course. We¡¯ll grab something to eat, and you can tell me everything. Okay?¡± With a nod, I let her lead me out the door. Even though it feels like my heart has been ripped out of my chest, I know one thing for sure. I was a fool for ever trusting Hayes Van Doren. Break My Heart: Chapter 35 ¡°It¡¯s done, dude.¡± Bridger¡¯s words hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest. The weight of them sinks in, adding to the mixture of sorrow and grief swirling inside me. I¡¯ve done a lot of hard things in my life¡ªbncing school and hockey, supporting my family¡ªbut this¡­ Hurting Ava like this? It¡¯s on apletely different level. It feels like I¡¯ve ripped out my own heart. Unaware of my inner turmoil, Cassidy¡¯s and Kendall¡¯s hands continue drifting over my chest. Their touch makes me sick to my stomach. I fucking hate that Ava saw them doing it, and that she believes I¡¯m just another yer who used her for a good time. Without a word, I shove up from the couch, needing to get away from them, from everything. All I want to do is take a hot shower and scrub away the shame that clings to me like sweat. ¡°Come on, Hayes.¡± Cassidy pouts, reaching for my arm, but I jerk it away before she can touch me again. ¡°What¡¯s your deal?¡± My deal? My deal is that I just destroyed the best thing that ever happened to me. And now all I want is to forget this entire night ever happened. When I arrived at the house earlier, Cassidy and Kendall were all over one of the younger guys. He¡¯d looked like he¡¯d died and gone to heaven. Ever since my conversation with Coach, I¡¯d been bouncing back and forth all day, trying to figure out what to do. ¡°Pretty sure you just broke her fucking heart, man.¡± He¡¯s right. I did. I just didn¡¯t think it would break mine in the process. Making Ava think she was just another girl I¡¯d hooked up with seemed like the only way to create a clean break. I figured it would be easier for her, that she¡¯d hate me and move on. From the corner of my eye, I saw her face crumble and the pain in her eyes. That¡¯s all it took for doubt to creep in at the edges. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why you had to hurt her like that.¡± Bridger¡¯s voice is low but pointed. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen the fucking look on her face.¡± I wince as a fresh wave of guilt ms into me. Thest thing I want to do is picture Ava¡¯s expression again, but Bridger¡¯s right. It¡¯s impossible not to see it. The way her eyes filled with tears, the disbelief, the betrayal. If I let myself dwell on it for too long, I¡¯ll be in my truck, speeding over to her apartment to beg her forgiveness and spill the truth about everything. But then I think about what Coach said¡ªthat the only way to keep Ava safe is to let her go. To let her leave for Colorado, where Nathan can¡¯t get to her. Fuck. My mind races as I rake a hand through my hair and pace the length of the living room. I know what I did was for her safety and for her future. She deserves this shot with Nadia Petrovic, and she needs to focus on skating. Ava has too much talent, too much potential, to let Nathan ruin it all. She needs to be far away from him¡­ and me. If only knowing all of that made it easier to stomach. It certainly doesn¡¯t stop the ache that gnaws at my chest or the urge to go to her, tell her everything, and promise that I¡¯ll protect her. The sad truth is, I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. I¡¯ve never been so conflicted in my life. ¡°I had to make sure she¡¯d leave,¡± I mutter, more to myself than to my teammate. ¡°She needs to be safe. And she won¡¯t be if she stays here.¡± In order to get his help, I had to let Bridger in on what¡¯s been going on with Nathan. He releases a long breath and crosses his arms over his chest. ¡°Yeah, I get that. But did you have to be so brutal about it? Now she thinks you don¡¯t give a shit. That you never gave a shit.¡± ¡°I do care.¡± My tone is harsher than I intend. ¡°I care about her more than anything, which is why I had to do it. If something happens to her because of that asshole¡­¡± ¡°So what now? You¡¯re just going to let her think you¡¯re the world¡¯s biggest dickhead and hope she¡¯s better off without you?¡± I grind my teeth and stare at the floor. ¡°If it keeps her safe, then yeah. Do you have a better idea?¡± With a shake of his head, he remains silent. He might not like how everything went down, but we both know this was the only way. Ava needs to get out of here, away from Nathan¡¯s obsessive bullshit, and the only way to make sure she goes is if she thinks there¡¯s nothing left for her here. But God, the thought of her leaving, of never seeing her again¡­ It feels like my insides are being ripped apart. ¡°I¡¯m gonna head out,¡± I say abruptly, beelining for the front door. ¡°I need to clear my head.¡± ¡°Maybe what you really need to do is figure out a way to fix this mess before it¡¯s toote,¡± Bridger mutters, his tone sharp. I don¡¯t bother with a response. I don¡¯t know if there is a way to fix it, or if I even should. Maybe the best thing for Ava is for me to stay out of her life, no matter how much it fucking kills me. Break My Heart: Chapter 36 I wipe another tear from my face. My reflection in the window tells me everything I need to know. My eyes are red and my cheeks blotchy. For the second time in eighteen months, my world feels like it¡¯s crumbling around me. The pain and betrayal are all too familiar, and I hate it. Hate that I let myself trust someone again. Hayes said all the right things, and I fell for it. I should¡¯ve known better. Britt rubs soft circles on my back. ¡°Aw, babe, I can¡¯t stand to see you like this.¡± I nod, choking back another sob, though it feels pointless at this stage. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being such a mess,¡± I mutter, embarrassed by how much I¡¯ve cried tonight. I¡¯ve been like this for over an hour, and yet the tears keeping. Who knew a person could cry so much? ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize,¡± she says softly, but the words do nothing to stop the ache gnawing at me. Across the room, Colby cracks his knuckles, his expression serious. ¡°Want me to take him out?¡± I blink, momentarily distracted from my grief. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± he presses, raising a brow. ¡°Hayes is one of my best friends, but I¡¯d still do it.¡± Despite the hollowness in my chest, a tiny smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary.¡± Colby shrugs. ¡°Just saying. It¡¯s an option if you change your mind.¡± ¡°Thanks, I appreciate the offer.¡± I try to sound lighter than I feel, but ites out t. Britt nibbles on her lower lip as she stares at me in concern. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should talk to him? Maybe there¡¯s more to what you saw.¡± The memory of Hayes, surrounded by those girls,ughing with them, as if nothing else in the world mattered, shes in my head. In that moment, I felt invisible. Something I¡¯ve never felt in his presence. He has the rare ability to make me feel like I¡¯m all he sees. All that matters. My heart constricts. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I want to hear whatever excuses he has. I saw enough to know I don¡¯t mean anything to him.¡± As detached as I try to sound, like I¡¯m already past it, the truth is, it¡¯s ripping me apart. How could he so easily dismiss everything we found together? The intimacy we shared felt so real. At least it did to me. But now¡­ I don¡¯t know what to believe. Maybe none of it was real. ¡°You meant something to him,¡± Britt says quietly. ¡°I know you did. I could see it.¡± Even though her words are meant to offerfort, they only make me ache more. If I meant something to him, why did he let me think I didn¡¯t? Why did he let me walk away without a fight? I swallow hard, pushing back more tears. ¡°I¡¯m going to head over to the rink and clear my head.¡± I nce around my apartment. Everywhere I look is a reminder of Hayes. His smile, hisugh, the way he made me feel like I mattered. I need to escape. Britt¡¯s worried gaze stays pinned to me. ¡°Are you sure? Do you want us toe with you?¡± With a shake of my head, I rise from the couch. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I just need some space.¡± I feel like I¡¯m suffocating. I can¡¯t even go in the bedroom without being mmed with memories. Maybe I¡¯ll sleep at my parents¡¯ house tonight. Or for the next week. Thoughts of Nadia Petrovic flood my brain. In light of my current situation, I don¡¯t have anything to lose by talking with her and hearing what she has to say. As I step into the cool night air, the silence surrounds me. The weight of everything that just happened presses down on me. It takes effort to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. I need the ice. Even when my world is falling apart, it¡¯s the one ce that still makes sense. I part ways with Colby and Britt outside my apartment building. My friend pulls me in for onest hug before squeezing me tight. I can¡¯t help but sink into the warmth of her embrace. I feel bad for not telling her about what¡¯s going on with Nadia. But what¡¯s the point when it might not turn out to be anything? ¡°Call me if you need to talk, okay?¡± She pulls back just enough to search my face. ¡°I mean it.¡± I offer a weak smile. ¡°I will. Promise.¡± She nods as Colby slips his arm around her waist. Those two are so perfect for each other. They mesh so well. And here I¡¯d hoped?¡ª As soon as the sly thought tries to sneak inside my brain, I cut it off. Nope. I refuse to go there. With one final wave, I slide behind the wheel of my car and start the engine. I hadn¡¯t realized howte it was until we¡¯d walked outside. During the short drive to the rink, the sight of Hayes with those girls ys on a constant loop in my brain. It¡¯s enough to make me sick. Even though it¡¯s only nine o¡¯clock, there¡¯s not much traffic on the street, and when I pull into the arena lot, three cars are parked there. It¡¯s a relief that Dad¡¯s SUV is one of them. I grab my bag from the trunk and rush toward the entrance. Unease prickles at the bottom of my belly. I can¡¯t help but nce over my shoulder and search the shadows for anything that looks out of ce. The rink feels different at night. Almost eerie. It¡¯s the kind of silence that wraps around you and makes your skin crawl. The lights overhead buzz softly, casting a dim glow that barely reaches the edges of the rink. The ice glistens, untouched and perfect. I¡¯ve skated here a hundred times, but tonight, with no one around, it feels like the arena is holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. And that only ratchets up my own nerves. The familiar routine does nothing to soothe my paranoia. I came here tonight to clear my head, not to let my imagination run wild. The hum of the refrigeration system is the only sound that fills the space. It¡¯s a low, constant drone that vibrates through the floor and into my bones. My fingers tremble as I slip off my shoes andce up my skates. That¡¯s when footsteps catch my attention. My head jerks up, gaze locking on a solitary figure as my movements stall. ¡°Hey, sweetheart. I wasn¡¯t expecting to run into you thiste. Weren¡¯t you here this morning?¡± Dad. It takes a moment for my heartbeat to settle. I shake my head. ¡°No, I was upte studying, so I thought I¡¯d get a quick skate in.¡± He nces at his watch. ¡°Don¡¯t stay too long. They¡¯ll be locking the ce up soon.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± He searches my eyes. ¡°Have you given anymore thought to meeting with Nadia?¡± I draw in a deep breath and hold it captive. It¡¯s only when my lungs begin to burn that I release it back into the atmosphere. There¡¯s a good possibility that my life will change if I agree to this meeting. When I remain silent, his gaze softens. There¡¯s an intensity to his voice when he finally speaks. ¡°Ava, this could be your chance. You¡¯ve got so much talent, and I know you¡¯ve been through hell, but Nadia could help you get back to where you¡¯ve always belonged¡ªon the ice,peting again. At the very least, hear her out.¡± Competing. It¡¯s what I¡¯ve wanted for so long, but everything is so uncertain now. And I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m ready to open that door again and step back into that world. ¡°Meet with her,¡± he urges gently. His words circle through my brain. It¡¯s almost a shock when I blurt, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll listen to what she has to say with an open mind.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking. Just give it a chance.¡± It¡¯s only when his lips lift into a smile and relief floods his eyes, easing the heavy lines of tension, that I realize how stressed he appears. My brow furrows as I search his face. ¡°Is everything all right?¡± ¡°Oh, you know¡­ just heading into the yoffs with a new team.¡± I nod, epting the response. There¡¯s no reason for him to lie. Plus, I know how much he enjoys his position at Western. If the team doesn¡¯t do well, there¡¯s the possibility his contract might not get renewed. And then he would be on the hunt for a new coaching position, which means more upheaval in our lives. As tempting as it is to tell him about Nathan, now doesn¡¯t seem like the right time. ¡°You guys are going to crush it.¡± I force a smile. ¡°You¡¯ll probably end up winning the championship.¡± ¡°From your lips to God¡¯s ears.¡± He nces at the watch wrapped around his left wrist. ¡°Do you want me to hang around until you¡¯re done? I don¡¯t like the idea of you being here alone.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll be fine.¡± I shake my head, knowing he probably has a ton more work to do before he goes to bed tonight. ¡°I won¡¯t stay long.¡± Indecision shes across his face before he gives me another tight smile and heads toward his office in the locker room. When he¡¯s about a dozen or so feet away, he swings around. ¡°Text me when you get back to your apartment, all right? I won¡¯t sleep well unless I know you¡¯re safe.¡± My rigidly held muscles loosen. ¡°I will.¡± ¡°Love you, sweetheart.¡± ¡°Love you too.¡± Once he disappears, I turn my attention to the ice. The familiar chill of the air settles around me, soothing the tension in my body. This is exactly what I need. An escape from everything gnawing away at the back of my brain. As soon as my des cut through the smooth surface, a sense of calm washes over me. The rink has always been my sanctuary. Even after everything that happened with Nathan, it still feels like home. It¡¯s the one constant in my life. But it¡¯s still not able to fully erase the pain of a broken heart. Not tonight. As I glide across the ice, my mind drifts back to the conversation with Dad. As much as the thought of skating under Nadia excites me, the idea of leaving everything I¡¯ve built here at Western¡ªthe friends I¡¯ve made, the life I¡¯m trying to piece together¡ªis terrifying. No matter if I return to skating or not, I can¡¯t shake the feeling that something just as important has slipped through my fingers. Hayes. As I push off and glide forward, a chill runs down my spine. It¡¯s colder than usual. Or maybe it¡¯s just me. I pick up speed and try to shake off the strange feelings by losing myself in the rhythm of my skates as they cut through the ice. Breathe in. Breathe out. The movementse easily at first, the familiarity of my routine taking over. A spin, a turn, a jump that Ind perfectly. The sound of my des hitting the ice echoes in the empty rink. No matter how fast I go or how many times I push my body to its limits, the disturbing sensation that I¡¯m not alone continues to linger. I remind myself that there¡¯s no one else here. As much as I don¡¯t want to admit it, the shadows at the edges of the rink seem darker tonight. Deeper. Almost as if something is hiding just out of sight, watching me. I spin again, harder this time, hoping that if I go fast enough, I can blur out everything around me. But the sound of my skates isn¡¯t enough to drown out the silence. I keep expecting to hear something. A footstep. A creak. Anything. But there¡¯s nothing. Just the empty arena and the weight of my thoughts pressing in on me. I attempt a triple lutz. It¡¯s a jump I¡¯ve done a thousand times before. As I rise in the air, there¡¯s a split second where it feels like the ice pulls away from me. Mynding is solid, but my heart is pounding in my chest, louder than the scrape of my des. I force myself to keep moving, to focus on the steps, the jumps, the spins. But it¡¯s hard. My mind keeps wandering back to everything I¡¯ve been trying to forget. What I walked in on at the hockey house. Nathan¡¯s refusal to leave me alone. And Nadia. What if she decides that my best years are already behind me? Even though I¡¯m not sure if I want the chance, I want to be the one who makes that decision. Another jump that flows into a spin. I¡¯m desperate to quiet my mind. It seems like the harder I push, the more the rink pushes back at me. The ice feels too smooth, too slick. Almost as if it¡¯s ying tricks on me, waiting for me to crash and burn. My breathes in sharp bursts as I slow down, finally coasting to a stop near the center of the rink. The hum of the lights seems louder now, like they¡¯re buzzing right in my ears. I nce around, half-expecting to see someone standing at the edge of the rink, watching me. But there¡¯s no one. Just the shadows. I exhale sharply, trying tough it off, but ites out shaky. I¡¯m being ridiculous. I¡¯ve been skating alone for years. Why does it feel so different now? I take onest deep breath and close my eyes, trying to force everything from my mind. The cold. The shadows. The fear that Nathan is actually stalking me. Not from across the country but from here at Western. I focus on the sound of my breath, the feel of the ice beneath my feet, the familiar tension in my legs. I push off onest time, gliding across the rink in a long, sweeping arc. The cold air rushes past my face, and for a moment, I lose myself in the motion. It¡¯s just me and the ice, nothing else. But when I stop, the silence presses in again. It¡¯s heavier now, more oppressive. I stand alone in the middle of the rink, my breath misting in the air. And I realize that no matter how fast I skate, no matter how hard I try, I won¡¯t be able to outrun the feelings eating at me. My breath is ragged, chest heaving, as I stare out across the rink. The shadows at the far end seem darker, like they¡¯re closing in. I blink. It¡¯s just my mind ying tricks on me. My heart skips a painful beat when I spot him. For a second, I want to believe I¡¯m imagining things. It can¡¯t be him. Not here. Not now. But it is. My old coach stands half-hidden in the shadows, just outside the reach of the dim light. His silhouette is unmistakable¡ªthe tall, broad-shouldered frame. The way he stands with his hands shoved in his pockets, as if he¡¯s waiting for me to acknowledge his silent presence. ¡°You still look good, Ava.¡± His voice is low, almost conversational, but it sends a shock of fear through me. ¡°It¡¯s a shame you quit.¡± The terror that slides through me is icy and sharp. My mouth turns cottony, making it almost impossible to force out the question. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± With a shrug, he takes a step forward, his shoes crunching against the ice. ¡°You refused to talk to me. What was I supposed to do?¡± I swallow hard as he moves closer, his steps deliberate. The thin barrier of space between us feels like nothing. My skates wobble beneath me, making it impossible to escape. My heart flutters in panic as the frigid air around us turns suffocating. ¡°You¡¯re not really going to work with that woman, are you?¡± he asks, his voice smooth as the whiskey he was always partial to, as he takes yet another step in my direction. ¡°You have to realize we were meant to be together, right? We were so perfect. And we could be again.¡± ¡°No.¡± I shake my head, stepping back instinctively, my des scraping against the ice. ¡°You crossed so many lines¡­ and you don¡¯t even realize it.¡± Nathan¡¯s lips lift. It¡¯s a patient, infuriating smile that makes my skin crawl. ¡°It sounds like your parents filled your head with lies,¡± he says softly. ¡°I was able to unlock something in you because of our emotional connection. Every move you made was like watching arte to life. It was effortless, fluid, beautiful.¡± ¡°What you did was wrong,¡± I snap, my voice trembling but firm. His smile never falters. ¡°Did it feel wrong when we were together?¡± His tone is calm, almost condescending. ¡°I molded you into the perfect skater. No one will ever understand you the way I do. Only I know how to tease out a wless routine. Deep down inside, you know it¡¯s the truth. You¡¯re nothing without me.¡± My breath escapes in shallow bursts as I try to hold my ground. ¡°You manipted me.¡± ¡°No,¡± he says quietly, shaking his head. The unwavering smile on his face feels like a taunt, the kind of patience that makes me want to scream. ¡°I brought out the best in you. We could be on top again.¡± ¡°Stop.¡± My tone turns desperate. ¡°You¡¯re a predator. You belong locked up behind bars.¡± His smile breaks, but only for a second, as his eyes darken, and he takes another calcted step. ¡°You don¡¯t really believe that,¡± he says, voice hardening. ¡°You¡¯ve been brainwashed.¡± I force myself to retreat, but the ice feels unforgiving. The cold, hard surface beneath my trembling legs makes it impossible to feel grounded. He pulls his hand from his pocket and a glint of metal snags my attention. I¡¯m so transfixed by the small object that I barely notice when he takes another step forward. My breath hitches and my blood turns to ice as I stare at the gun, unable to tear my eyes away from it. ¡°Nathan¡­¡± My voicees out sounding as if I¡¯m being strangled from the inside out. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple. If I can¡¯t have you, no one will.¡± His chilling response hangs heavy in the air as it echoes through the arena. Or maybe it just reverberates hollowly in my head. Icy tendrils of fear and panic wrap around my heart, constricting it until movement bes impossible. Even as he approaches, my brain screams at me to flee. But my feet are slow, the ice beneath me too slick, and my stilted movements are clumsypared to his steady approach. ¡°Nathan, please.¡± My voice cracks as it turns pleading, and my hands shake. I lift them, trying to make him see reason. ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡± He doesn¡¯t respond as his eyes stay locked on me. Only now do I realize how empty and emotionless they are. He takes another step and raises the gun, pointing it directly at me. My knees turn to jelly as my body quakes. As much as I want to nce around and get my bearings, I can¡¯t take my eyes off him. I¡¯m afraid of what he¡¯ll do if I look away for even a second. I¡¯m running out of space and options. A cry escapes from me when my back hits the boards at the edge of the rink, and I realize there¡¯s nowhere left to go. The cold metal of the barrier presses against my spine, but it¡¯s nothingpared to the icy terror that spreads through my veins. ¡°Nathan,¡± I gasp. ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡± ¡°I made you.¡± His voice remains low. Eerily calm. As if what he¡¯s saying makes perfect sense. ¡°No one will ever push you to be the best the way I did. You need me, Ava.¡± My teeth chatter as my heart jackhammers against my chest. There¡¯s nowhere for me to run. He has me trapped. The only thing I can focus on is the gun in his steady hand. My tongue darts out to lick dry lips. ¡°Nathan, please?¡ª¡± His finger hovers over the trigger, and time slows. My chest constricts until breathing bes impossible. Until thought bes impossible. Until there¡¯s nothing left for me to do but pray. Break My Heart: Chapter 37 My foot is heavy on the gas pedal as I speed through the quiet streets, gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles ache. I fumble with the phone, redialing her number, trying to get a hold of her. Just like the previous times, it goes straight to voicemail. As I pull into the parking lot of her building, I look for her apartment on the fourth floor. The ce is shrouded in darkness. Only then do I nce around for her silver Jetta and realize it¡¯s not here. Fuck. I shouldn¡¯t have pushed her away. I told myself the right thing to do was to let her go so she could follow her dreams. Just like Coach said. But right now, all I can think about is how I screwed everything up. And now I can¡¯t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Where would she go at this time of night? I rack my brain, trying to think, as my heart hammers in my chest. Then it hits me. The rink. I rev the engine and squeal out of the lot, taking the turn sharply and flying toward the arena. Skating is her refuge, the one thing that has the power to calm her. But as I pull into the parking lot, something feels¡­ off. Ava¡¯s car is here, parked in its usual spot, along with a few others. My gaze settles on a vehicle I don¡¯t recognize with out-of-state tes, and a cold wave of unease rolls over me. I cut the engine and rush inside the arena. As soon as the ss door ms shut behind me, the familiar chill hits me, but it does nothing to calm the rising panic in my chest. The rink, the ce that¡¯s always felt safe, now feels too quiet. Unnaturally still. My footsteps echo off the walls as I move through the building. The need to find her pounds through me like a steady drumbeat. Each step only intensifies the feeling. As Ie to the second set of doors, I catch sight of her. Ava¡¯s at the far end of the ice, backed up against the boards. She¡¯s pale, and even from here, the stark terror written across her expression is palpable. And she¡¯s not alone. Nathan is on the ice, standing too damn close, with a gun pointed at her. My heart stutters before beating into overdrive. ¡°No one will ever push you to be the best the way I did. You need me, Ava.¡± The chilling calmness of his voice has my blood freezing in my veins. ¡°Nathan, please¡ª¡± she whispers. My body moves before my brain can catch up, slipping toward the benches. I need to find a way to get him to stop pointing the gun at her. I crouch lower, keeping behind the boards, moving quickly but quietly. Ava shifts, turning slightly, and Nathan follows her movement. His back is to me, the gun remaining trained on her. This is my chance. It might be the only one I get. I leap over the boards and hit the ice hard. It doesn¡¯t take long for me to regain my bnce. Nathan is too focused on Ava to notice me just yet. Even though he continues to talk, I barely hear him over the rush of blood that pounds in my ears. ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to be like this,¡± he says, his voice cracking as it rises. ¡°But you let them twist everything. Do you have any idea how much I loved you?¡± I¡¯m closer now. His grip tightens on the gun, and I see the barrel shift, moving away from Ava. My heart seizes when I realize where it¡¯s now pointing. He¡¯s turned it on himself. ¡°Nathan!¡± I shout, but it¡¯s toote. He squeezes the trigger just as I crash into him, my body mming into his with every ounce of my strength. The gun goes off, the sound splitting the air. We hit the ice hard before sliding across the smooth surface. The gun flies out of his hand and spins away. My ears ring as my breathes out in short, sharp gasps. Ava screams my name, but it¡¯s distant, muffled. Almost as if I¡¯m underwater. ¡°Get your phone!¡± I yell, my voice hoarse as I push myself up. My hands shake as adrenaline rushes through me. ¡°And call the police!¡± Ava¡¯s frozen for a second, her face leeched of all color, but then she snaps into action, rushing toward her bag at the edge of the rink. I refocus my attention on Nathan. He¡¯s lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling as blood pools beneath him from a wound in his shoulder. His chest heaves with ragged breaths, and his eyes are wide, unfocused. ¡°You¡­¡± Nathan¡¯s voice is barely audible now, broken and full of pain. ¡°You¡¯ll never love her the way I do.¡± My hands shake as I press down on the wound and try to stem the bleeding. I nce over my shoulder to see Ava is talking on the phone. It would be impossible not to notice the way her body trembles. From the corner of my eye, I see Coach rush from the locker room and onto the ice. It doesn¡¯t take long before he has her wrapped up in his arms. Our gazes lock for one moment as he turns her away, shielding her from the view. Nathan¡¯s breath rattles, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling. ¡°I loved her,¡± he whispers, voice fading. ¡°I made her what she is.¡± I don¡¯t bother with a response. There¡¯s nothing left to say. Police and EMTs burst through the doors with a flurry of activity as I press harder on his wound, trying to keep him alive. I have no idea if he¡¯ll make it. After everything this man has done, I honestly don¡¯t know if he deserves to. But one thing is clear¡ªhe¡¯ll never hurt Ava again. Not ever. Break My Heart: Chapter 38 The harsh fluorescent lights of the police station make everything feel surreal, like I¡¯m watching my own life unfold from the outside. It¡¯s a peculiar sensation. I sit in the small, stiff chair, with my parents on either side of me. Their hands sp mine, offering silent support. My body still hums with nervous energy, but my mind feels distant. Numb. I still can¡¯t believe this happened. That Nathan would?¡ª The officer sitting across from us closes his notebook, his expression remaining neutral. ¡°We¡¯ll be in contact if we have any further questions,¡± he says. ¡°Nathan is at the hospital. The guy is lucky to be alive.¡± ¡°What happens now?¡± my dad asks, his voice low and steady, but I can hear the tension fighting to break through. ¡°A psych evaluation, for starters,¡± the officer replies. ¡°And then, depending on the results, he¡¯ll be charged. Stalking, assault, illegal possession of a firearm. He¡¯s not walking away from this.¡± His words should have relief flooding through me that it¡¯s finally over, but instead, all I feel is exhaustion, a bone-deep tiredness that makes it hard to think, hard to breathe. I just want to go home and pretend this nightmare never happened. It¡¯s almost difficult to believe there was ever a time when I thanked my lucky stars that Nathan Covington found me, saw something in me that I didn¡¯t realize was there, plucking me from obscurity. Now the opposite is true. ¡°Thank you, Officer,¡± my mom says softly, squeezing my hand. I nod, my eyes fixed on the door, only wanting to get the hell out of here. I want to fall face-first into bed and sleep for days. Long enough to forget about the terror pumping through my veins when he¡¯d pointed that gun at me. I never believed it when people said their lives shed before their eyes, but that¡¯s exactly what happened. We stand to leave, and I follow my parents out of the room. I appreciate theirforting presence now more than ever. As we walk into the lobby, my heart stutters in my chest when I catch sight of Hayes. I wasn¡¯t sure if he would take off after the police were done talking to him. He jumps to his feet the moment he sees us, his face a mix of relief and something else. Guilt, maybe? My pulse quickens, and it takes everything I have inside not to run to him. To throw myself into his arms and forget about everything that happened. But I don¡¯t. I can¡¯t. We¡¯re not together. Maybe we were never really together. That thought cuts as deep as a knife. Hayes shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans as his gaze searches mine. ¡°Do you have a moment to talk?¡± Dad steps forward, his protective instincts kicking in. ¡°I think it would be best if you and Ava spoke another time,¡± he says. ¡°She¡¯s pretty shaken up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I didn¡¯t get there sooner,¡± Hayes whispers, his voice low and thick with regret. He looks at me again, and the weight of his words presses on my chest. What if he¡¯d gotten there ten minutester? Or not at all? A shiver scurries down my spine, not wanting to imagine either of those scenarios ying out. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡± I nce at my parents as guilt threatens to swallow me whole. ¡°I should have told them about the texts. Or that I thought I saw him following me.¡± I shrug, wishing it were possible to go back in time and make different decisions. Better ones. ¡°I thought I was just being paranoid.¡± When a heavy silence falls over our group, Dad¡¯s hand settles gently against my back, attempting to steer me toward the exit. It¡¯s a surprise when Hayes steps in front of us, desperation flooding his green eyes. ¡°Please, Coach? It¡¯s important.¡± Dad hesitates before shooting a nce at me. ¡°Is that what you want?¡± I nod, unable to trust my voice, as my mom brushes a kiss against my forehead. ¡°All right. We¡¯ll wait in the car.¡± Dad squeezes my hand before wrapping an arm around my mother. She leans her head against his broad shoulder. Barely do I hear the soft sob that escapes her as they walk out, leaving me alone with Hayes. The moment the door swings shut behind them, I feel the weight of Hayes¡¯s gaze pinning me in ce. He looks wrecked. His eyes are full of an apology that doesn¡¯t need words. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ava. For everything,¡± he says, his voice hoarse. ¡°I thought I was making the best decision for both of us, but it turned out to be the wrong one.¡± I frown as confusion mixes with the swirl of emotions I¡¯m still trying to manage. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Your dad told me about the coach who wants to work with you.¡± Remorse clouds his face as he looks away. ¡°I thought if I ended things, you¡¯d move to Colorado to focus on skating, and that you¡¯d be safe there.¡± ¡°He did?¡± With that, understanding dawns. I exhale as the pieces finally click into ce. ¡°Is that why you were with those girls? Why you pretended we were nothing more than a hookup?¡± He drags a hand through his mussed hair, and I get the feeling I¡¯m not the only one trying to keep it together. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re too damn talented not topete. I didn¡¯t want to be the reason you didn¡¯t reach your full potential.¡± I shake my head as frustration bubbles up inside me. ¡°That wasn¡¯t your decision to make.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he says, his voice rough. ¡°It wasn¡¯t. And I¡¯m sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you. I just¡­¡± He pauses, his jaw clenched. ¡°I only wanted what was best for you.¡± Silence stretches between us as the tension turns oppressive. I search his eyes, desperate to see the truth behind his words. ¡°Did you ever consider that you¡¯re what¡¯s best for me?¡± As soon as the question is out of my mouth, Hayes steps forward, bridging the distance between us. My breath catches when his hand rises to cup my cheek, and his thumb brushes against my skin. ¡°If that¡¯s true,¡± he admits, seriousness shining brightly from his eyes, ¡°then I would consider myself the luckiest bastard in the world.¡± Unable to hold back for another second, I lean in so my lips can drift over his. The kiss starts off soft, almost tentative, as if we¡¯re both testing the waters. It doesn¡¯t take long for the floodgates to open, and everything I¡¯ve been holding back¡ªthe fear, the pain, the longing¡ªpours out into that one caress. Hayes tugs me closer before wrapping his arms around me, as if he¡¯ll never let go, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I finally feel safe. Really, truly safe. And I know with every fiber of my being that this is exactly where I¡¯m supposed to be. Break My Heart: Chapter 39 The roar of the crowd fills my ears as I line up at center ice, my heart already thudding with the adrenaline that surges before the puck drops. yoff games are always tense and electric. But tonight is different. I look up into the stands and scan the crowd until I find her. Not only is Ava sitting with all the other girlfriends¡ªJuliette, Carina, Fallyn, Vi, Ste, Britt, and Willow¡ªbut she¡¯s wearing my jersey. Seeing her there has something tightening in my chest. I never expected to find someone who made me feelplete. It¡¯s crazy. She crashed into my life when I least expected it, and now I can¡¯t imagine being without her. Nor would I want to. Even Willow¡¯s roommate, Hond, is here tonight. I stifle a grin. That girl scares the hell out of me. She¡¯s all sharp edges and attitude, the kind of person who won¡¯t hesitate to cut you down with a single look. I don¡¯t know what it is, but she gives off this vibe, like you never really know what¡¯s going on in her head. Bridger nces at the stands, and his gaze narrows when it locks on Hond. There¡¯s something between those two, but for the life of me, I can¡¯t figure out what it is. He¡¯s been dealing with a lottely¡ªthe BS with the messages and his father¡ªand it¡¯s been weighing on him. You can see it in the way he moves and his sullen demeanor. Bridger¡¯s a good friend. I wish there were more I could do to help, but there isn¡¯t. The only thing I can do is be there for him if he needs me. I shove those thoughts from my head and refocus my attention. I¡¯ve got a game to win and a girl to impress. My mom, Ollie, Theo, and Kia are also here, cheering me on. I want my siblings to see that anything is possible with enough hard work and a shit load of determination. As soon as the puck drops, everything around me fades to the background. I y hard. Every shift, every pass, every check feels like it¡¯s propelling me toward my future. And knowing that Ava¡¯s in the stands, wearing my number, cheering for me, makes me push myself past my limits. I want to win, not just for the team but for her. It doesn¡¯t take long before I¡¯m locked into the rhythm of the game. The feel of the puck on my stick, the way my legs burn as I skate up and down the ice. It¡¯s when I catch a clean pass and break away from the defense that everything slows. The goalie shifts, trying to anticipate my shot. I see my opening and fire the puck. A second ticks by. Then another. When it hits the back of the with a satisfying thud, the arena erupts. The roar is deafening, and I can barely hear my own thoughts over the sound of the crowd. I skate toward the ss and point at Ava. She¡¯s on her feet, grinning from ear to ear. The sight of her has something clicking inside me. Even though the fans are going crazy, shouting my name, she¡¯s the only one I¡¯m cognizant of. I¡¯ve never been in love before. Never even thought about the possibility. But seeing her there, wearing my name, my number, cheering like I¡¯m the only guy on the ice¡­ It¡¯s like the world finally makes sense. This has to be what love feels like. The undeniable pull toward someone who makes everything brighter and better. The feeling manages to ground me while lifting me up at the same time. As the game continues, I nce up at her whenever I can. It¡¯s like she¡¯s my anchor, the one thing that keeps me steady in all this chaos. I have no idea how I got lucky enough to find her, but I do know one thing¡ªthere¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m letting her go. Not now. Not ever. Break My Heart: Chapter 40 By the time the team arrives at p Shotz, the ce is packed to the gills. Everyone is still riding high from winning our first yoff game. It¡¯s tradition¡ªafter a win, this is where we go to celebrate. Fans are sporting jerseys and buzzing from the game, as if they were the ones on the ice tonight. There¡¯s a fric energy that charges the air and is impossible to ignore. I should be soaking it all in, enjoying the glory of the win and the attention. Hell, there are a few groupies hitting on me right now, tossing out flirtyments and batting their eyshes, hoping I¡¯ll give them a bit of attention or a word of encouragement. But there¡¯s no way in hell that¡¯s going to happen. I can¡¯t take my eyes off Ava. And if I¡¯m being truthful with myself, that¡¯s the way it¡¯s been from the very beginning. She¡¯s across the room, talking with Fallyn and Juliette,ughing, her smile bright enough to light up the whole damn bar. In a short period of time, she¡¯s be my everything. I never expected to feel this pull toward her. Now that I do, I can¡¯t imagine a single day without her. She¡¯s still wearing my jersey, and every time she nces at me, my heart skips a beat. As soon as our gazes collide, she rises to her feet and cuts a direct path to me. The moment she¡¯s within striking distance, I nab her fingers and pull her close enough to wrap up in my arms. It¡¯s exactly where she belongs. It¡¯s the best feeling in the world to be here with my girl and my teammates, celebrating our first yoff win. Ryder was just on stage with Juliette, singing some ridiculous duet that makes the whole ce swoon and cheer. Wolf jumped up there after them, crooning a love song to Fallyn. I flick a nce at his wife to see she¡¯s eating it up. Even Bridger¡¯s here, which is a surprise. There¡¯s a ck Western Wildcats ballcap pulled low over his eyes, and he¡¯s sitting off to the side, nursing a beer and looking like he¡¯d rather be anywhere else. The poor bastard can¡¯t seem to catch a break. ¡°Last song of the evening,¡± Sully, the bar owner, announces. A slow grin spreads across my face as Ava¡¯s eyes widen, and she shakes her head. ¡°No way. You¡¯ve heard me sing. It¡¯s not good. We¡¯ll get booed off the stage for sure¡± ¡°We have to, Tink.¡± I nce around at my teammates. ¡°Apparently, it¡¯s another tradition. Are you really going to be the one who breaks it?¡± She huffs out a breath before muttering, ¡°I guess not. But consider yourself warned if things go south quickly.¡± The second I pull Ava onto the stage, the noise of the bar fades away, leaving only the thud of my heartbeat to fill my ears. Her gaze darts nervously at the crowd as I give the song selection to Sully, and he cues it up. When John Legend¡¯s ¡°All of Me¡± starts, her expression softens, and something shifts in the air. It¡¯s like the world narrows down to just the two of us as the soft melody fills the space. I hold the microphone close, and when I start to sing, it¡¯s not just to the crowd¡ªit¡¯s to her. As soon as she joins in, her voice intertwines with mine, and the room seems to disappear. Her lips curve slightly as she sings. I can¡¯t help buty it all out there for everyone to see. There¡¯s no hiding how much this girl means to me, especially when I came so close to losing her. Each nce, each note shared between us, is a promise, something deeper than we¡¯ve dared to voice out loud. My throat tightens, not from the lyrics but from the weight of what¡¯s passing between us. The world could burn down, and I wouldn¡¯t notice. It¡¯s just me and Ava, the connection between us tangible, like a thread we¡¯re holding on to in the quiet pauses of the song. By the time the final notes ring through the air, I realize the bar has gone silent. Emotion rushes through my veins as I tug her into my arms, and my lips brush across hers. Ford leaps to his feet and whistles, and the crowd bursts into catcalls and apuse. Ava shakes her head as our gazes hold. ¡°I think you¡¯re it for me, Tink.¡± She cups my cheeks with her palms. ¡°I can¡¯t begin to imagine my life without you in it.¡± ¡°Guess it¡¯s a good thing that you¡¯ll never have to.¡± Just as the night hits its peak with everyoneughing, singing, and soaking in the irrepressible energy from our win, there¡¯s a sudden buzz. When my pocket vibrates, I pull out my cell. That¡¯s when I realize the same mass text has hit everyone¡¯s phones at the same time. It¡¯s a picture of Bridger at the bar, and there¡¯s a girl standing close to him with her hand on his chest. The caption beneath says Make sure someone sends the hockey ho penicillin in the morning. We all know she¡¯s gonna need at least one dose. Maybe two. ¡°Shit,¡± I mutter. The mood shifts as everyone stares at their phones. I nce at Bridger and see his expression has darkened. He swears under his breath as his narrowed eyes scan the bar, like he¡¯s trying to figure out who the culprit is. He clenches his hands as tension vibrates off him in suffocating waves. This is thest thing he needs. I see the exact moment his gazends on Hond, who¡¯s parked at a table next to Willow. Whatever she¡¯s thinking is hidden behind a mask of indifference. You would have to be blind not to see the sparks that fly between them the second their gazes collide. Bridger¡¯s jaw tightens, looking as if it¡¯s in imminent danger of shattering, as Hond flips him the bird and goes back to her drink like nothing happened. Ava catches the exchange, her brow furrowing as she nces between them. ¡°Any idea what their deal is?¡± she asks, tone curious butced with concern. Now that Willow is dating Maverick McKinnon, her roommate and bestie, Hond, has been hanging out with the girls. She and Ava have be fast friends. ¡°Not sure,¡± I say with a shrug, watching as Bridger¡¯s eyes narrow at Hond as she continues to ignore him. I¡¯m almost afraid to voice the thoughts that have crept into my head. ¡°I really hope she¡¯s not the one behind all the messages. Bridger will make her life hell if that turns out to be the case.¡± Ava frowns, biting her lip like she¡¯s trying to figure out a puzzle. Thest thing I want is to get drawn into whatever drama¡¯s brewing between them. That¡¯s his mess to handle. All I care about is the girl standing next to me, looking up at me with those wide, blue eyes that are capable of making me forget my own name. I drop a kiss on the top of her blonde head. The floral scent of her hair teases my senses and turns me on like nothing else. ¡°You ready to get out of here, baby girl?¡± She looks up at me, the corners of her mouth lifting in a soft smile, and nods. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡± My grip tightens around her hand as I lead her through the crowd, away from the chaos of the bar, and into the night. The only thing I have on my mind is getting Ava alone and showing her exactly how much she means to me. And I¡¯ll do it with my mouth. My hands. And my cock. Exactly the way she likes it. Break My Heart: Epilogue It¡¯s hard to believe almost a year has passed since I started working with Nadia Petrovic. To say that it¡¯s been grueling would be an understatement. She demands perfection every second I¡¯m on the ice. What can¡¯t be denied is that I¡¯ve be a better skater with her coaching. The long hours, the sweat, the exhaustion¡ªit¡¯s all been worth it. I didn¡¯t realize how much I missed the thrill ofpetition until I was back in it. Every jump, every spin, every glide across the ice feels like I¡¯ve found a part of myself that I¡¯d long forgotten. The hardest part is being separated from Hayes. He¡¯s ying for Nashville now, and the NHL season runs for nearly eight months, sometimes longer if the team makes it to the yoffs. If I¡¯d been secretly worried that a long-distance rtionship might be the end of us, the opposite has turned out to be true. When we¡¯re able to arrange our schedules and fly to the same city, it¡¯s always explosive between us. We can¡¯t keep our hands off each other and end up spending most of our time in bed. There¡¯s no other ce I¡¯d rather be than wrapped up in his arms. Our connection has only flourished, deepening over the past year. When we¡¯re together, nothing else in the world exists. I¡¯ll see him again in two weeks at apetition, but right now, I miss him so much, it hurts. I grab myptop and open it, settling on the queen-sized bed in my apartment. Anticipation hums through my veins as I stare at the darkputer screen, waiting for him to start a private show just for me. It¡¯s be our thing, a way to bridge the distance when we can¡¯t be in the same city. One of my favorite things is to watch him get off on camera. I love the way he runs his hands down his chiseled chest and over his defined abs, each movement causing his muscles to flex and ripple. I can¡¯t stop from touching myself, imagining his hands are the ones bringing me pleasure as I watch him fist his thick erection with precision and control. What we¡¯ve found together is raw and intimate, a part of our rtionship that we¡¯ve grown into, where we can explore our needs without judgment. Hayes indulges me in ways I never thought possible, turning all my fantasies into reality. With him, I feel free. And safe. I grow impatient as the screen remains nk. With a frown, I scoop up my phone and call him. He answers on the second ring. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± I click a few more keys, only wanting to see his gorgeous face. ¡°Hold on, babe.¡± His voice crackles through the line. ¡°I¡¯m having some technical difficulties on my end. Just give me a second or two to work through the kinks.¡± A few more minutes slip by, and still nothing. I sigh as disappointment creeps in at the edges. Today was rough. Nadia had me practicing one part of my new routine over and over until it was perfect. My legs ache, and my body feels like it¡¯s been through a war. The thought of seeing Hayes tonight, even if it¡¯s just through a screen, was what got me through it all. But now¡­ It doesn¡¯t look like that¡¯s going to happen. My head snaps up when there¡¯s a knock on the apartment door. ¡°Someone¡¯s here,¡± I mutter with a frown. ¡°Expectingpany?¡± ¡°Not that I know of.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll wait while you go check who it is,¡± he says as I slide off the bed and pad barefoot to the door. With a twist of the handle, I pull it open. A gasp catches in my throat, and my heart stutters before beating into overdrive. Standing on the other side of the threshold is Hayes. A smile lights up his face. My eyes widen, and before I can even think, Iunch myself at him with a small squeal of happiness. He catches me easily, his strong arms banding around me as I bury my face against his neck and inhale his masculine scent. God, I¡¯ve missed it so much. I¡¯ve missed him so much. A heavy wave of emotion crashes over me. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s standing at my door. After spending weeks apart and trying to coordinate our schedules, I didn¡¯t think it was possible. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I ask, my voice muffled against his shoulder before I pull back just enough to search his handsome face. ¡°We talked about it. You said you wouldn¡¯t be able to make it this weekend!¡± His grin widens as his eyes twinkle with amusement. ¡°I wanted it to be a surprise. Are you surprised, baby?¡± Tears well in my eyes as I pull him closer. ¡°You have no idea.¡± I¡¯ve missed him so much, and now that he¡¯s here, everything feels right again. Like I can breathe again. He¡¯s changed so much since college. He¡¯s more muscr, his body harder and thicker, and I love it. I can¡¯t stop my hands from roaming over the firm nes of his chest and arms, feeling the strength that lies tightly harnessed beneath his skin. As soon as I wrap my legs around his waist, he palms my ass cheeks. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± I whisper, kissing him again, this time slower, savoring the taste of him. He chuckles against my lips, carrying me toward the bedroom without breaking our connection. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too, babe. I couldn¡¯t go another day without seeing you. Holding you. Kissing you.¡± Once we¡¯re in the bedroom, he lowers me onto the mattress, his body hovering over mine. The warmth of his presence seeps into me and chases away the exhaustion of the day. Now that he¡¯s here, everything else fades to the background. Nothing else matters but this man. He¡¯s be my everything. The reason I draw air into my lungs. And I can¡¯t imagine that ever changing. He presses a kiss against my lips before pulling away and staring deep into my eyes. ¡°You know how much I love you, right?¡± I nod. He shows and tells me every single day. Not once have I ever doubted it. Even when I watch his games on TV, and I see all the women sporting his jersey and cheering for him. One even held up a sign that said she blew him in college. I really hope she enjoyed it because that¡¯s not something that will ever happen again. I¡¯m the only one who gets to blow my husband now. Oh, did I forget to mention that we¡¯re married? We tied the knot three months ago. It was during a weekend trip to Vegas to watch him y. A bunch of his college teammates flew out to the game. Afterward, we went out to celebrate and had a few too many drinks. One thing led to another, and an Elvis impersonator presided over the nuptials. We haven¡¯t told anyone else. For the time being, it¡¯s our little secret. The only time I wear the wedding band he bought for me is when I¡¯m alone in the apartment. I can¡¯t wait until next July when we have a formal ceremony, and I can wear his ring all the time. In his eyes I see every drop of love he feels for me. It¡¯s always shining brightly from his green depths. ¡°I do. And I love you just as much. Thank you for nning this. You have no idea how much I needed to see your face in person.¡± My fingers trail over the light stubble on his cheek. ¡°I know, babe. It won¡¯t always be like this. Hopefully, if the trade happens, we¡¯ll be living in the same city.¡± I squeeze my eyes closed and pray with every fiber of my being that his agent can work a little magic. Hayes Van Doren is a hotmodity in the league. We won¡¯t know for another month or so if they were able to hammer out the finer details of the contract, though. His gaze trails down my body. ¡°I think you might be wearing a bit too much clothing.¡± Before I can say a word, he grips the hem of my shirt and drags it up my torso before dropping it to the floor beside the bed. His attention stays fastened to my chest as he palms the soft flesh. ¡°I love when you don¡¯t wear a bra. Easy ess.¡± With a whimper, I arch into his touch. It¡¯s been so long since his hands have been on me, branding me as his own. And I¡¯ve missed it. Missed him. He tweaks my nipples until the little peaks stiffen before tugging them in tandem. It¡¯s enough to drag another moan from me. His face lowers until he can suck one pert tip between his lips, drawing it deep inside the warmth of his mouth. My core dampens with arousal as I squirm. My fingers tunnel through his thick blond hair to hold him close. He releases my nipple with a soft pop before giving the same attention to the other one. ¡°Hayes, please¡­¡± My voice trails off as pleasure floods every cell in my body. He lifts his head until his gaze can capture mine. ¡°Please what, baby girl? Tell me what you want. You know I¡¯ll give you exactly what you need. All you have to do is ask.¡± It¡¯s not an empty promise. He means every damn word. He proves it to me every time we make love. And that¡¯s exactly what it is. Love. ¡°I want you to flip me over and take me hard.¡± ¡°Fuck, baby. That¡¯s sweet music to my ears.¡± With a growl, he yanks my leggings down my hips and thighs before they meet the same fate as the shirt. He spreads my legs wide and stares at my pussy. ¡°No panties, huh?¡± I shake my head. His thumb glides over my slit. A deep rumble of approvales from his chest. ¡°Already wet for me.¡± ¡°I was so excited to see you that I would¡¯ve fucked you in the hallway.¡± ¡°Mmmm. Don¡¯t care if you would¡¯ve given all your neighbors a show, huh?¡± The idea is thrilling and only sends my arousal spiking. ¡°Let them watch. All thedies would be drooling over your big cock, wishing they had something half the size.¡± He smirks. ¡°You¡¯re the only one I want drooling anywhere near my cock. Preferably all over my dick while you¡¯re choking on it.¡± More wetness gathers in my core. ¡°I think that can be arranged.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m counting on it, Tink.¡± He smears my arousal around, rubbing soft circles against my clit before flicking the little piece of jewelry. I can¡¯t help but arch my back and widen my legs, needing more. Needing everything. ¡°Always so fucking greedy.¡± ¡°For you.¡± ¡°Better only be for me.¡± When he slides one finger deep inside my body, my inner muscles clench around him. With his other hand, he toys with my nipple while leisurely pumping inside my pussy until my eyelids are fluttering shut as waves of pleasure pummel my senses. It wouldn¡¯t take much to make mee. A second finger joins the first, filling me even more. Stretching me for his girth. My eyelids crack open when he pauses. I find his gaze locked on my spread pussy. Only his fingertips remain inside me. ¡°Such a gorgeous cunt. I¡¯m going to enjoy fucking and eating it this weekend. I¡¯ve missed the taste of you on my tongue. I hope Nadia gave you the day off tomorrow, otherwise you¡¯ll be calling in sick.¡± ¡°She did,¡± I say with a gasp. The thought of him doing all those delicious things to me only gets me wetter. I¡¯m probably drenched right now. He smirks. ¡°You love the dirty talk, don¡¯t you, baby girl?¡± ¡°You know I do.¡± A slow grin spreads across his face. ¡°Yup, I do. I just love hearing you admit it.¡± We couldn¡¯t be more perfectly suited. His appetites match my own, as if we were made for each other. ¡°How much does this pussy need to be fucked?¡± I spread my legs impossibly wide as he caresses my lips. ¡°Please, I need you.¡± ¡°Trust that I know exactly what you need.¡± ¡°I do, Hayes. I trust you to always take care of me.¡± His eyes soften before he leans down and licks my slit from the bottom to my clit before sucking the silver ring into his mouth. I can¡¯t help but shift, silently begging for him to push me over the edge and into oblivion. It certainly won¡¯t be thest time tonight. And I can¡¯t wait. I gasp when he pulls back and ps my clit with the tips of his fingers. Pleasure explodes in my core before reverberating throughout the rest of my body. His hands settle on my hips before tightening. It doesn¡¯t take much for him to flip me over and drag me to the edge of the bed. He swats one ass cheek before doing the same to the other side. It¡¯s not hard. Just enough to have pain blooming into pleasure. ¡°Ass in the air, baby girl. You know how I like to see both your pretty little holes.¡± My belly dips at his dirty words. I press the side of my face into the sheets. My back arches, raising my ass in the air, as I spread my legs nice and wide. Just the way he likes it. The way I like it too. I wouldn¡¯t do anything I didn¡¯t enjoy. And Hayes wouldn¡¯t ask it of me either. ¡°So damn beautiful,¡± he whispers as his hand drifts across the curve of my ass before his fingers separate the flesh even more so he can stare at the most secret part of me. He pumps one finger in my pussy before sliding it over my rosebud, massaging the tight ring before gradually pressing inside. My breath catches and my eyelids feather shut at the delicious intrusion. He strokes in and out of me until every muscle loosens, and my body turns pliant. ¡°You have the most perfect heart-shaped ass. I miss it so damn much when we can¡¯t be together.¡± ¡°I miss the way you y with me too.¡± I suck in a breath as he pushes in deeper. He crouches down until his warm breath can ghost across my delicate flesh as he presses a kiss against me. ¡°I wish I could wait longer, but I can¡¯t. I¡¯ll take my time with youter.¡± ¡°Well, I did ask you to take me hard.¡± With a strained chuckle, he rises to his feet. In one swift movement, his cock slides deep inside my body, filling me to the brim. Another groan falls from his lips. ¡°Right here, baby. Pure bliss.¡± It doesn¡¯t take long for our bodies to fall into a natural rhythm. And then we¡¯re both falling over the edge. Together. The way it was always meant to be. How to Break My Heart: Prologue 8 Years Ago Did you hear that?¡± Maddy tightens her grip on my arm, halting her steps as an owl hoots among the tall, overgrown trees. The haunting yet gentle sound echoes around us in the dark woods, while her hold on my arm is so tight she¡¯s nearly cutting off my cirction. You¡¯d think she was about to be eaten alive by the harmless creature. A small huff escapes my lips. ¡°This was your idea, remember?¡± I had better things to do tonight than sneak into a secret high school graduation party thrown by her older brother, Aston, and his jerky friends. ¡°I know,¡± Maddy whispers, eyes wide as she scans our surroundings. She starts to move again, taking small, cautious steps. ncing down at her sparkly teal cowboy boots, I wonder what she was thinking when she chose that footwear and shake my head. Maddy will use any asion to dress up. ¡°I refuse to miss out on the most epic party of the year just because we weren¡¯t invited.¡± I pause mid-step, shifting my gaze onto her while crossing my arms. ¡°Madelina Eleanor Beaumont,¡± I say, raising my voice. ¡°You said we were invited, but your parents said no. Did you seriously just lie to me all because of some guy?¡± Maddy forces a small smile. ¡°I may have embellished the truth a little. Don¡¯t hate me, okay? Once we¡¯re there, you¡¯ll forget all about it, and we will have the best time. Besides, he isn¡¯t just some guy¡­ Camden Winters is the guy of all guys.¡± It takes a lot of effort not to roll my eyes. She can be in love with Camden all she wants, but the guy has serious red gs. Of course, being my best friend, she chooses to ignore my warning. The moment Maddy turned sixteenst spring, she suddenly got a case of boyitis. ¡°Maddy! You¡¯re going to get in so much trouble with your father. What if he grounds you over summer break? We can kiss all our ns goodbye. Have you forgotten our week in Europe with your aunt? I need to eat cheese in some ridiculously expensive castle in France.¡± ¡°Will you just rx?¡± ¡°Says the person ready to shit their pants over an owl,¡± I mumble. I should have known Maddy was telling half-truths. Unlike my parents, who have no idea what the word discipline means, Maddy¡¯s parents are strict. Her father is the mayor, and God forbid Maddy or her older brother do anything to ruin his reputation. The mere fact I¡¯m best friends with her is a problem. At least, it seems that way to me. Mr. Beaumont is always cold around me, as if I¡¯m unworthy of his time or energy. My very presence is an inconvenience to him. But as my mom always reminds me, you can¡¯t please everyone. It exins why this party is being held at the abandoned house by Peppermint Lake¡ªno one will find us here. Rumor has it the ce is haunted¡­ but maybe now isn¡¯t the best time to remind Maddy of that fact, since she just held on to me tighter when something rustled behind the trees. ¡°We¡¯re almost there, ording to my map,¡± Maddy informs me, ncing down at her phone. The rustling behind the trees grows a little louder, and she casts a nervous nce over her shoulder. Suddenly, she lets out a terrified scream, breaking away from me, and begins pping at her face. Her phone flies out of her hand, smacking into my chest. I catch it, my eyes widening. ¡°What the heck? What¡¯s happening right now?¡± I yell over her incessant shrieking. ¡°It¡¯s attacking me. Get. It. Off!¡± With a quick swipe, I switch on the phone¡¯s shlight. A tiny mosquito is buzzing around her face, and I can¡¯t help but burst outughing. Reaching forward, I grab her iling arms to calm her. ¡°Maddy, get a grip. It¡¯s a mosquito.¡± She stops panicking, and a look of what the hell crosses her face. Maddy reaches out to take her phone. ¡°I knew that. I was just messing around.¡± ¡°Uh-huh, sure. Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± I reply. The first time my dad took my older brother, Elliot, and me fishing was to this exact spot. While theke was beautiful, fishing was not. Still, there is something about this part of theke that is mesmerizing. The water is crystal clear blue and shines in the moonlight, reflecting gentle ripples and sparkles that take my breath away. That day, we sat on the rusty old pier, with our rods in hand, as Dad told me and Elliot this town would be good for us. It¡¯s destined to leave a mark on our soul, and our future will alwayse back to this humble ce. He said it with wisdom in his eyes, but honestly, all I saw was this beautifulke in front of me. Elliotined the town was boring, but of course he was older and ready for adventure. I smile briefly at the memory, then suddenly get distracted by music. The sound of the Calvin Harris and Rihanna song ¡°This Is What You Came For¡± bes louder as we finally step into a clearing. I reach for Maddy¡¯s hand and pull her through the bushes. Tonight is a full moon¡ªwhich my mother says symbolizes a time of release andpletion, whatever that means¡ªand it¡¯s so bright I can see the state of the dpidated home from where we¡¯re standing. The roof appears intact, as does therge porch surrounding the house, but even from this distance, the broken ss, which was once stained-ss windows, exposes the ws of this once-beautiful property. Most of the kids, at least thirty, are gathered around the bonfire or dancing beside therge speaker, celebrating freedom. Suddenly, the idea of retreating back through the woods seems tempting. Senior girls can be cruel, even though I¡¯ve avoided most of them at school, being in eleventh grade myself. There¡¯s this tension between the two grades, and frankly, I¡¯m so d they¡¯re graduating. Seniors always think they rule the school. ¡°Oh my God, can you see him? He¡¯s so beautiful,¡± Maddy gushes. I nce over to where Camden is standing. He¡¯s wearing his letterman jacket, arm around a girl, and drinking what I assume is beer since there¡¯s a keg only a few feet away. Sure, he¡¯s good-looking, but the guy is a 100 percent bona fide jerk. I have no idea why Maddy obsesses over him, especially since he¡¯s her brother¡¯s best friend. He does this thing with a toothpick in his mouth, chewing it like he¡¯s a badass, which annoys me, but Maddy finds it ¡°sooo hot!¡± Her words, not mine. My eyes wander toward where Aston is sitting. Unlike the other boys, he appears subdued. The girls around him try to touch him, but he¡¯s uninterested. I hold my breath, watching him intently, trying to ignore the butterflies creeping in. Yeah, okay, Aston is hot. But not once has he shown any interest or spoken more than two words to me. When I sleep over at their house, he stays in his room and ignores me. About two months ago, I ran into him in the bathroom when he¡¯d just gotten out of the shower. He yelled at me, and given that I was still in shock from seeing him half naked, things got awkward from there. A six-pack, a towel barely covering his lower body, and water cascading down his chest¡­ I was speechless. Before that, he was just Maddy¡¯s older brother. I bite the corner of my lip, observing him quietly until Maddy tugs on my arm. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± she pleads as we walk down the slight embankment toward the bonfire. Aston immediately spots us, shaking his head in disapproval. As he stands, the girls clinging to him nearly tumble off. He towers over all of them, his stance intimidating. Maddy rushes over with her arms crossed, ready for battle. ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to say¡­¡± she begins. ¡°But Daddy won¡¯t find out.¡± ¡°He better not, or it will somehow be my fault. It always is,¡± Aston warns her. Maddy grins, then makes her way to the keg. One of the other guys hands her a red cup, but Aston quickly swipes it away from her. ¡°I¡¯ll let you hang. But¡­ there¡¯s no chance in hell you¡¯re going home drunk. Deal?¡± ¡°Fine.¡± She sighs heavily before turning to face me. ¡°Eva, let¡¯s go get something to eat.¡± I avoid everyone¡¯s stares and have this sudden urge to chill by the snacks since no one else is there. It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t know most of the kids here from school, but seeing them here is a whole other scenario. ¡°Okay, we need a game n,¡± Maddy gushes through a mouthful of chips, and a few crumbs fall out the side. ¡°How do I get Camden alone?¡± ¡°Alone for what?¡± Maddyughs. ¡°Eva, what do boys and girls do alone? You can¡¯t be that naive.¡± Are we really having this conversation? I¡¯m not exactly a prude, but losing our virginity should be memorable, not at some senior party with a douchebag and his annoying toothpick. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve thought this through¡­¡± I say gently. When did she be so careless? ¡°This is a big deal, and Camden is¡­ well, he¡¯ll just take what he needs, and that¡¯s pretty much it. Please don¡¯t tell me you think he¡¯s going to give up going to college and stay with you.¡± Maddy bows her head, and her brows furrow. ¡°No. I¡¯m not stupid.¡± ¡°Okay, d we cleared that up,¡± I mumble. ¡°Look, kiss him, fool around if you must, but don¡¯t make a big decision based on the fact that you think he¡¯s hot.¡± My reality check drives a wedge between us¡ªI see it in her face. Maddy wanders off to talk to some of the girls she knows, leaving me to mingle on my own. Some guy tries to carry on a conversation while stuffing his face full of pretzels, but it¡¯s obvious he¡¯s had too much to drink¡ªhe¡¯s been talking for a solid five minutes about the brilliance of the person who invented the shape of the pretzel. This is why I¡¯m single. The boys at our school are so¡­ meh. Bored and ready to abandon thisme party, I walk toward the other side of the house and away from the noise. It¡¯s much quieter near the water, and as I slow my steps to take it all in, I trip on a small broken branch and fall onto the dirty ground. ¡°Crap!¡± I whimper as my knee begins to sting. With great effort, I struggle to pick myself up, but a pair of ck jeans appears in front of me. Slowly, I nce upward as Aston crouches to my level. His curly dark hair falls over his eyes, but he quickly slicks it back with his fingers to reveal his beautiful face. ¡°Already hitting the keg, huh?¡± I shake my head, trying to cover my embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m not Maddy.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not my sister.¡± His smirk is annoyingly sexy. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± ¡°A little.¡± Aston extends his arm as I reach out for support. At a slow and agonizing pace, I manage to stand. Not only does my knee sting, but the fall also tore my jeans, so now there¡¯s a big rip exposing a lot of skin. ¡°Sit down here.¡± He motions to arge log near the edge of the water. ¡°Let me take a look.¡± I take a seat while Aston kneels in front of me. My pulse quickens at the smell of his cologne, making the simple act of breathing impossible. His deep green eyes trace my body, causing me to shiver. Then, his eyes gaze upon mine while a smile graces his lips. He has one of those smiles that lights up his entire face. Not that I¡¯ve seen it often. Around me, he¡¯s usually annoyed. ¡°I think you¡¯ll survive. A little broken, but still pretty perfect.¡± ¡°I never was perfect,¡± I inform him as he takes a seat beside me. ¡°Far from it.¡± ¡°We all see things differently,¡± he murmurs, then tilts his head slightly as if to better observe me. ¡°Everleigh.¡± I¡¯m not fond of people calling me by my full name, but the way he slowly drags it out leaves me speechless. As we stare out over theke, I fidget nervously with my hands. Maddy told me her father insisted Aston spend the summer in London to work with a business associate before starting college in the fall. I decide to bring it up since London sounds pretty cool, and sitting here in silence is awkward as fuck. ¡°So, tomorrow is the big day, huh?¡± His shoulders slump as he leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. ¡°Yeah, the big day.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t seem too excited. I¡¯ve only read about London, but it looks like a beautiful city.¡± ¡°Well, when you¡¯re following your father¡¯s directions, it¡¯s hard to get¡­ excited,¡± he answers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°What are you sorry about? The fact that I¡¯m his firstborn son and heir to our family¡¯s fortune? Or how he controls every aspect of my life for his benefit?¡± I turn to face him, filled with this sudden urge to pull him out of whatever negative space he¡¯s in. London is amazing, but no one should be allowed to dictate your life. At least my parents always taught me to follow my own dreams. ¡°So¡­ say no?¡± I blurt out. ¡°What¡¯s the worst that can happen?¡± Aston sighs dejectedly. ¡°You underestimate my father¡¯s control over our family.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you let him.¡± I raise my voice. ¡°Come on, you have everything going for you. You¡¯re smart, a straight-A student without even trying. Coach loves you. Your athletic ability is the best the school has seen. I mean, I¡¯m not one to watchcrosse, but so I¡¯ve heard. Not to mention, you¡¯re pretty. So tell me, why on earth do you think your father should dictate your life?¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m pretty?¡± Aston cocks his head with a yful smile on his lips. ¡°Unusual choice of words, Miss Woods.¡± ¡°You know what I mean.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I do.¡± ¡°Handsome, hot, sexy. But that¡¯s beside the point. What I¡¯m really trying to say is¡ª¡± Warm lips smash against mine, and I gasp. It takes me a second to realize Aston Beaumont¡¯s kissing me. Oh. My. God! Aston Beaumont is kissing me. His tongue gently pushes through my lips, and my heart beats like a drum inside my chest. A million thoughts are running rampant through my head, but the only thing I can focus on is how he tastes like perfection. We find ourselves in perfect harmony, slow, sensual kisses igniting my entire body. Then, he explores every inch of my mouth with desperation. Desire travels right between my thighs as his hand slides beneath my sweater and against my stomach. The tips of his fingers rub against my belly, causing me to gasp as he inches closer to the button of my jeans. Am I about to lose my virginity? I have only just lectured Maddy on being responsible, yet here I am, about to have sex with her brother. With a desperate need to ignore any rational thoughts, I reach out to caress his face. My bold move causes him to moan inside my mouth as the pop of my jeans button sounds between us. Savoring the touch of his skin, I try to bring him closer to me, but then he pulls away, out of breath. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t h-have¡­¡± he stammers, quickly rebuttoning my jeans. ¡°I¡¯m leaving tomorrow, and you¡¯re Maddy¡¯s best friend.¡± I shake my head slightly to bring myself back to reality. But the reality is my best friend¡¯s older brother just kissed me, and we were moments away from something more. I¡¯ve been avoiding my feelings for thest year. Denial is a vicious game I y with my emotions, because it¡¯s easier than getting hurt. The moment I admit to myself that I have a crush on Aston Beaumont will be the moment my life changes forever. Surely, if he kissed me first, he must feel something. I can¡¯t be imagining all this. And it¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to get married or anything. Though we would make cute kids. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I barely manage to say, trying to catch my breath with this sudden burst of confidence. ¡°I want this to happen. I think¡­ um, I like you, Aston. I mean, I¡¯ve had feelings for a while.¡± A gentle wave crashes against the sand bank, shifting my attention momentarily. This kiss, in this spot of all ces, is something I will never forget. I want to savor it all¡ªthe way the water glistens under the moonlight and how, if you listen carefully, the frogs be quiet as if they are at peace listening to the thrum of my heartbeat. ¡°Everleigh¡­¡± The warning in Aston¡¯s voice and the weight of his gaze make my heart stop abruptly, and suddenly the creatures surrounding us are loud and obnoxious. It¡¯s as if they know something is wrong and are warning me of what¡¯s about toe. What the hell did I just do? Did I admit I wanted him to kiss me? Did I admit my feelings to the one boy who ispletely off-limits to me? Maddy would kill me if she found out. Her stern words about Penelope Anderson ring in my head. After Penelope moved to Cinnamon Springs and insisted on bing friends with Maddy, it didn¡¯t take long before she was showing up at all of Aston¡¯s games¡ªand the truth came out. It was ugly, Maddy was furious, and to this day I don¡¯t know if Penelope sessfully got with Aston. She ended up moving back to the West Coast before senior year, and we never heard from her again. I¡¯m far from a mean girl, but if someone befriends me just to get with my brother, the gloves are off and ws will be out. It was all very dramatic, but still, those words stuck in my head and it often ys on repeat just to remind me my crush can go nowhere. ¡°I have to go.¡± I ce my hands on my stomach to try to control this overwhelmingly bad feeling, I stand and run back toward the bonfire before he can say anything else. Suddenly, I want to be as far away as possible from Aston. No one seems to notice my flushed cheeks or my torn jeans. Everyone is happily dancing away, even Maddy, who¡¯s busy with some other guy now. And that doesn¡¯t seem to bother Camden, who is making out with a girl who had her hands all over Aston earlier. I sit beside the fire with a soda can in my hand, staring into the mes. Aston¡¯s lips felt like pure bliss. Every part of me ached for his kiss. My body felt like it was possessed, and nothing could stop me. Until¡­ Aston pulled away. ¡°Here he is.¡± Jake, another senior, chuckles as Aston returns to the bonfire. He avoids my gaze, taking a seat in an empty chair. I steal a careful nce at him. He doesn¡¯t look happy. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Jake asks Aston. ¡°It¡¯s so barbaric,¡± Tiffany, the girl kissing Camden,ins loudly. ¡°It¡¯s a ritual, and who are we to break tradition?¡± Jake moves toward Aston with a needle and a small bottle. Aston removes his shirt as I watch in confusion, with a sudden thickness in my throat. ¡°What are they doing?¡± I quiz the guy beside me. ¡°He¡¯s getting inked. To symbolize the end of an era.¡± With the needle in his hand and some ink beside him, Jake begins to carve into Aston¡¯s chest. Most of the girls are unable to look, squeamish at the sight of the needle grazing his skin. Aston doesn¡¯t flinch, not even when Maddy turns pale and almost passes out. Instead, he is staring directly at me. My weakness has always been his eyes, the same green eyes that consumed me and drew me into a kiss I¡¯ll remember for the rest of my life. But something about his stare is worrying. ¡°Ready to leave this town, Beaumont?¡± Camden teases with an obnoxiousugh. ¡°London has interesting women, not boring girls like this godforsaken ce.¡± Tiffany smacks his arm. ¡°I¡¯m not boring. You¡¯re such a jerk.¡± ¡°Sweetheart, you weren¡¯t calling me that ten minutes ago, when I gave you the best orgasm of your life.¡± What a fucking loser. Thank God Maddy didn¡¯t touch him. I nce over at her to make sure she¡¯s okay, and, judging by her rxed smile, I think she¡¯s realized she avoided a walking STD. ¡°I¡¯m done with this ce,¡± Aston deres with a look so cold it makes me shiver. ¡°And you¡¯re right, I need a real woman. There¡¯s no one left for me here.¡± My lips begin to tremble, but I force myself to keep it together, refusing to show him just how much I despise him right now. Aston Beaumont knew how to win my heart¡­ ¡­ and break it. All in one night. A mastermind, some may call him. But not me. He¡¯s the biggest asshole to ever exist. I could leave this party right now and allow my tears to get the better of me, or forget Aston Beaumont ever existed. Out of sight, out of mind. Tomorrow, he¡¯ll be on a flight to London and gone from my life forever. The perfect cure for my broken heart. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!