Fake Dating The Hockey Star

(Kendall) I leaned against the wall of Frost Ridge University's hockey rink, watching as the team finished their practice. I tried not to think about my hockey days too much. A year ago, that was me out there with the Frost Ridge Wolves girls team. But things change. One bad check into the boards, a torn ACL, and months of physical therapy later, I wasn't the same Kendall James who had earned a hockey scholarship. The medication for the chronic pain that followed made me gain weight faster than I could handle. Sixty pounds later, I was still Kendall, just not hockey playing Kendall anymore. Now I couldn't look at the old gear without feeling unhappy. I stayed after most practices though. It was masochistic maybe, but hockey was in my blood. "Great hustle today, guys!" Coach Miller yelled as the team stated do come off the ice. "Hit the showers!" I pushed myself off the wall, ready to head back to my dorm when I noticed Chase Ryder staying behind. Chase was the team captain, a junior like me, with the kind of talent scouts drooled over. He'd always been friendly, maybe the only one who still treated me like I belonged around the rink. "Hey, you mind sticking around a minute?" he called out to me. I hesitated, adjusting my oversized Wolves hoodie self-consciously. "Um, sure." What happened next was straight out of some cheesy movie I wouldn't admit to watching. Chase skated to the center of the rink, motioned for the remaining rink attendant to turn the lights down a little, and pulled out his phone. Music filled the arena—not the usual pump-up tracks they played during games, but something slower. And then he started skating. Just for me. His movements were good as he glided across the ice. Chase wasn't just hockey good; he had the kind of natural grace that made everything look effortless. I stood there, mouth slightly open, as he executed a series of turns and jumps that showed off years of training beyond just hockey drills. When he finally came to a stop, breathing hard, his skates sent some ice crystals into the air. He skated over to the bench and grabbed something I hadn't noticed before a bouquet of roses. My heartbeat was faster as he skated to the edge where I stood. "These are for you," he said, handing me the flowers. "I've been working on that routine for weeks." "For me? Why?" I managed to ask. Chase's eyes met mine, intense and sincere. "Because you're the most extraordinary girl I've ever met, Kendall." I clutched the roses, smelling the sweet scent coming from them. I wanted to say something clever or cool, but my mind went completely blank. The moment was disrupted by laughter from the tunnel leading to the locker rooms. A couple of his teammates had come back out, probably wondering what was taking their captain so long. "Yo, Ryder! What's with the flowers? Trying to fatten her up more?" one of them called out. Brad Thompson, defenseman and certified asshole. I started to blush from embarrassment because of what he said. Before I could react, Chase had dropped his gloves. "Shut your mouth, Thompson," he growled, shoving his teammate hard against the wall. "Say another word about her and you'll be drinking through a straw for the rest of the season." Brad's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, man, just a joke..." "Not funny," Chase cut him off. "Now get out of here." After he walked away, Chase turned back to me, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'm sorry about that. Some of these guys are..." "Jerks?" I offered. He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat. "Yeah. Major jerks." "Thank you," I said quietly. "For that. And for." I gestured at the ice, at the roses. "The team's having a party tonight at the Lakeside House," Chase said. "I'd really like it if you came. As my date." I should have said no. After two years of avoiding hockey, social events had become a habit. But standing there with roses in my hand and Chase Ryder looking at me like I was still someone who mattered in this world, I found myself nodding. "Okay. I'll be there." * * * I spent three hours getting ready, something I hadn't done since freshman year. My roommate Zoe helped me pick out an outfit that didn't scream "trying too hard" but still looked nice, dark jeans that actually fit well and a blue sweater that brought out my eyes. "He seriously did a whole skating routine for you?" Zoe asked for the fifth time as I applied mascara. "Yes and no; I still don't know why," I said, trying to keep my hand from shaking. "Because he likes you, dummy. Chase Ryder has been watching you for months." "Watching me what? Struggle up the campus hills, getting out of breath after one flight of stairs?" Zoe rolled her eyes. "Watching you be you. Not everyone is as shallow as you think." I wanted to believe her. I really did. The Lakeside House was actually a large cabin that the hockey team rented for their bigger parties. It was near the lake that gave Frost Ridge University its name. By the time I arrived, the party was in full swing. Music coming through the open windows and laughter. I hesitated on the porch, clutching my coat around me. Part of me wanted to turn around, text Chase some excuse, and retreat to the safety of my dorm room. But then I thought about him on the ice today, about the roses sitting in a vase by my bed. I pushed open the door. The heat and noise hit me suddenly. Bodies packed together, and the smell of beer and perfume made me want to puke. I scanned the room for Chase but didn't see him. A few people glanced my way, surprise showing across their faces. Is Kendall James at a hockey party? Alert the media. I squeezed past a group of girls I hardly recognized from my Anatomy class, heading toward the kitchen to find a drink. Maybe something to calm my nerves. That's when I heard it. My name. "...can't believe Kendall actually showed up..." "...Chase's charity case..." "...dare from the team..." I froze my back to a half-open door leading to what looked like a game room. Inside, I could make out several hockey players, including Brad, laughing together. "Fifty bucks says he can't seal the deal tonight," someone said. "Dude, he's gotta work for that hundred," Brad replied. "Getting her here was just step one." "It's messed up, even for a pledge challenge," another voice said. "She used to be one of us." "Yeah, well, the challenge wasn't my idea," Chase's voice said, sounding defensive. "But the team voted, and..." I didn't wait to hear the rest. My heart beat fast in my ears as the reason why Chase was hanging around me finally came to light. The skating routine. The roses. The date. All of it. A pledge challenge for the hockey team. I turned away, tears burning my eyes as I pushed back through the crowd, desperate to get out before anyone saw me before Chase realized I'd heard everything. I'd been so stupid to think someone like him would ever. "Kendall!" Chase's voice called from behind me. "Wait!" I kept moving, nearly to the door now. Just a few more steps and I could disappear, pretend none of this ever happened. But as my hand reached for the doorknob, Chase caught my arm. I turned, ready to tell him exactly what I thought of him and his stupid challenge when the look on his face stopped me cold. "Kendall, I can explain," he said, breathing hard. "It's not what you think." And that's when Brad appeared beside him, smirking as he raised his phone. On the screen was a photograph of me from two years ago, in my Wolves jersey, lying on the ice after my injury, my face filled with pain. "Ready for round two, James?" Brad asked, his eyes filled with malice.