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August 17 - August 20, 2025
twenty-three
As someone who hated hockey, even I had to admit this guy was impressive.
They couldn’t get enough of this guy. Even I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him.
“Well, from where I’m standing, it looks like the hockey players in Ransom are pigs too.” I thought I’d kept my voice quiet, but Reed Darling turned to face me, and his deep blue-gray eyes flicked up to meet mine. I was somewhat disappointed to realize Mia was right again. He was gorgeous with striking features and the kind of piercing gaze that delved right into the depths of your soul, leaving you a little breathless. No one should look as perfect as this boy, and reputation aside, I could easily see why people loved to talk about him.
He might not be a prince, but apparently, he could be a little charming when he wanted to.
Following her gaze, I turned and found Reed Darling staring across the room at me.
“Just kiss her already,” Parker yelled from the car.
Gone was the sweet boy I’d fallen for over the summer, and out of the shadows emerged a new beast—Jerkemy.
“You look more nervous than a beauty queen who’s waiting for the judges to announce the winner of the pageant.”
“What can I say?” I slowly turned and smiled up at Reed. “I guess I’ve finally found the kind of hockey player whose jersey I want to wear.”
“Oh god. Oh god,” she muttered to herself. “This is such a mess.” “It’s going to be okay, Sunshine.” “Okay?” She spun to face me. “No, it’s not going to be okay. Everyone thinks we’re dating.” I scratched the back of my neck. “Yeah, well, I’m sure there are worse things in life, right?”
“I . . .” His expression was thoughtful. “I guess I’d rather be feared than loved.” His eyes were still distant, and I tried to read the emotion flickering in his gaze. “Really? Why?” “It’s easier,” he replied. “No one can screw you over if you don’t give them the chance.”
“Well, you don’t scare me, Reed Darling.” “Good,” he said. “You’re the last person I’d ever want to scare.”
I’m with Reed now, and we are never, ever, getting back together.”
Even quoting Taylor Swift didn’t get the message across.
By the end of the night, they’ll all think I’m madly in love with you.” If only. Was it too much to hope that might actually happen?
“My girl.”
“A guy can’t swing past his favorite coffee shop for an iced white chocolate mocha with a dash of cinnamon?”
I was more nervous about this party than ever before because maybe
Mia was right. Maybe it was time to take a risk on Reed.
“Despite what everyone says, I’m not some player. There’s only one girl I care about, and she’s standing right in front of me . . .”
As I dashed from the ice rink, all I could think was how perfect this morning had been, how much I liked Reed, and how I’d well and truly gone and broken my golden rule.
“I want to be with him, Mia. I want to be with him for real.”
“I’m pretty sure our arrangement ended when we kissed yesterday,” I replied. “Because everything became real.” “It’s never been real, Reed. It can’t have been.”
“No, Violet. The truth is, it’s never been fake. Not for me.”
“There’s plenty that matters more to him than the game. Like his family, his friends. And now, you.”
“Everything I felt for him was real,” I whispered.
She was here. She had come. And as I stared into her bright blue eyes, I knew what I had to do, how to show her what she meant to me. If there was a choice between winning the game or the girl, she needed to know I’d choose her every time. Even if it spelled the end of the Darling Devils.
“Well, can’t he just tell you that?” Cammie replied before she started shouting at the ice. “Reed, stop! Go back and fight Hoffman now, or I’ll break your nose!”
“You want to be with me?” I glanced down at the Devils jersey I was wearing, before looking back up into his eyes. “That night at the bonfire, I told Jeremy I’d finally found a guy whose jersey I wanted to wear. I didn’t know it then, but that wasn’t a lie. I want to be with you Reed. For real.”
“You can call me whatever you want, Sunshine. As long as you call me yours.”
“Actually.” I turned and held my hand out to her. “I was hoping we could dance.” “I thought you didn’t like dancing,” she replied. “I like dancing with you.”
“Well, I heard a rumor you might like me.” “Interesting.” I grinned before pulling her close to me and, in one swift move, dipping her low to the ground. I was sure we were attracting far too much attention from the students dancing around us. But right now, I felt too light to care. I leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “That one, I’m afraid, is true.”
