Rival Darling: A Charming YA Wholesome Romance Featuring Rival Hockey Players, Fake Dating, and Unexpected Love (The Darling Devils Book 1)

by Alexandra Moody

He looked pleasantly surprised as he took a sip. “Well, it might look like a unicorn threw up in my glass, but it tastes pretty good,” he said as he went back for more. “I do love strawberries, and you can’t go wrong with sprinkles.”

And if we repeated that mistake, I wasn’t sure I would ever think clearly again. Reed’s lips were far too skilled, and I’d enjoyed it far too much.

“I’ve heard a lot of stuff about you is all, and most of it isn’t good. But the few times we’ve met, you’ve gone out of your way to help me. I’m just trying to figure out who is the real Reed Darling.” He laughed softly to himself and shook his head. “Well, now that we’re dating, maybe I’ll get a chance to show you.”

“Did you miss school last year because you had to spend time in juvie?” I asked. “Juvie?” His jaw seemed to clench a little, but he smiled. “Is that rumor still going around?” “That’s not an answer.” “No, I didn’t go to juvie. Last year, my dad had to move my grandma into a nursing home just as my junior year was starting. He needed help getting her settled and for someone to help out at the garage while he took time off. I volunteered, kept up with my classes online, and missed some school as a result.”

Rumor number 1

I’d enjoyed our tactics meeting far more than I should have yesterday, and the little golden rule she’d thrown in at the end had me worried. She didn’t want any feelings involved, but I was already well on my way to breaking that crucial part of our agreement.

“Are you talking about me or the hockey?” “Uh, both?” “So, what you’re saying is, you’re not all that impressed by my hockey skills.” “I didn’t say that. It seems like you know what you’re doing.” “Jeez.” I ran a hand through my hair. “That’s like the nice way of saying I’m simply adequate.” “Well, I meant it in a good way.” I couldn’t hold back my grimace. “Okay.” She slowly started to smile. “What I meant to say is I’ve never had my breath taken away quite like I did when I first saw how you handle that stick. I’ve been swooning ever since . . .” I burst out laughing. “Yeah, that’s much better.”

Love them!

I gave her a quick smile. “I won’t be too much longer,” I said. “Enjoy swooning over my stick skills . . .” “I wasn’t actually . . .” I grinned and skated away before she could finish the sentence. I knew perfectly well she’d been joking. Still, I enjoyed making her worry, for a few moments at least, that I might actually think she’d meant it.

I gave Violet a warm smile and was pleased when she returned it. She might have been tense when I first came up to her, but she’d certainly relaxed since I’d shown up. It felt good to know she trusted me.

I took her hand in mine, just in case Hoffman was still around. At least, that’s what I told myself. It had nothing to do with how much I liked the way her slender fingers fit between mine. Absolutely nothing.

She was sweet and fun, and I couldn’t imagine anyone ever having a reason to so much as look at her wrong. She didn’t deserve to be treated this way by Hoffman or his teammates.

“Dinner?” “You know, that big meal you eat at the end of the day. I was thinking we go to Nino’s. They have the best pizza around here.”

Our dinner date might not be real, and I might have had to coerce Violet into it, but my stupid heart couldn’t help feeling excited because I had a little more time with her tonight.

“So, at what point did your dad turn to a life of organized crime in Minneapolis?” Reed laughed and rolled his eyes. “Is that your rumor of the day?” “Uh, sure.” Having met Danny, I was pretty confident I knew this rumor was false already, but I liked hearing Reed talk about his family. Plus, I couldn’t think of another rumor I wanted to ask about. There were so many I was losing track. I should make a list. “No, my dad has never been involved in organized crime,” he replied, shaking his head in disbelief at the concept. “Although, next time you’re wondering whether someone is the son of a mobster, it’s probably best not to ask them so up front like that.” “I mean, I didn’t actually believe he was a mobster. Where does a rumor like that even come from?” “Beats me.” Reed shrugged. “My dad’s never even lived in Minneapolis. He and my mom met in high school, fell in love, and, aside from a few years in college, they’ve been here pretty much ever since.”

Rumor number 2

I wasn’t sure what it was about Reed, but despite all the negative things people said about him, he had a way of making me feel at ease with just a single word or the slightest touch even when I was panicking on the inside.

“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.”

“Owen can be a bit quiet around new people, and Matt’s great when he’s not trying to embarrass me.”

He’d done exactly what I needed from him. What I wanted. So why did a part of me feel disappointed?

I, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of her. When she was close, like she had been at the restaurant, I found it almost impossible not to try to get closer still. Every time she held my hand, touched my arm, or even just brushed against me, my stomach flipped, and every time I breathed in the sweet scent of her shampoo or watched her tuck her bright red hair behind her ear, I had to remind myself she wasn’t truly mine. I hung off her every word when she spoke, and when she smiled, I could feel myself falling deeper and deeper.

“Well, I’m just glad to see Reed’s finally focused on getting into someone’s pants,” Parker said. “I’m not getting into anyone’s pants!” I yelled.

Bahaha

“Well, hockey aversion aside, she seems cool. And by the way she was looking at you last night, I’d say she’s really into you.”

“I’m talking about the fact everyone thinks you’re some serial heartbreaker when really you’re the one who got—”

Still, I hesitated. What if Reed’s family hated me as much as Jeremy’s? It shouldn’t matter since our relationship wasn’t real and would be over soon, but a part of me still wanted them to like me.

I felt conflicted by the thought of other girls throwing themselves at Reed, and I wished I hadn’t brought it up. It was a strange position to be in. I shouldn’t be bothered about it because he wasn’t really my boyfriend, but those girls didn’t know that our relationship was fake. And all I could think was that they needed to back off.

I hadn’t expected to see Reed today, and I found I was disappointed our meeting had been so brief.

I was delighted to get Betty back though, and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at her. It had been incredibly generous of Reed’s dad to fix my car free of charge and sweet of Reed to drop it off to me.

“There were so pining looks. Reed is totally hot for you.”

My cheeks flushed, and I slowly nodded. Mia didn’t know how much it meant to me to hear her say that. To know I had at least one parental figure in my corner.

I had no intention of doing anything to hurt Violet.

I laughed and led her into the room, trying my best to steady my racing heart, which had taken off at a gallop the moment she intertwined her fingers with mine.

She laughed easily, and the sound made my heart do a small flip.

“Speaking of enemies.” Her expression grew more serious, and her voice grew quiet as she continued. “I have another rumor for you. Is it true you were jumped by a group of players from another team last year and you were the only one to walk away?” I swallowed. It wasn’t a particularly nice memory, and one I didn’t want to recount. But I’d promised I’d be honest with Violet about any rumors she’d heard about me. “That one’s half true,” I muttered. “A few players from Pinecrest High followed me to my car after our game. They weren’t happy about losing and decided they wanted to take out their anger with their fists. I might be bigger than a lot of guys, but sometimes being known as a Darling Devil puts a target on your back. And although some people might try to tell you otherwise, I can’t take on four guys alone.” “So, you were really attacked by four guys.” Her eyes were wide with distress. “Weren’t you scared?” I smiled. Violet was probably the only person in the world, outside my family, who thought I was capable of the emotion. Who might actually worry if I was. “I think the word you’re looking for is pissed. It was right before the playoffs, and I didn’t want to get an injury. They got a few good punches in, and I landed a couple in return, but I still came out of it with some pretty bad bruising. They ran off when they saw my brothers coming though, so they didn’t do too much damage.” “They just ran off? I heard you left them lying unconscious.” “Not quite. But I’m g...

Rumour number 3

“I just don’t know my father, so there’s not much to say. My mom dated him in college. She got pregnant, and then he wanted nothing to do with us. He was a star football player who didn’t want to let anything get in the way of his career. I don’t think he ever did make it to the NFL, but he has his own family now, and I’m nothing more than a dirty secret to him.”

Explanation to why she doesn't date jocks

My mom was right about Violet’s smile; it really was beautiful.

It suddenly felt like the space between us had shrunk. I didn’t know whether I’d edged closer to her or she’d moved toward me, but the gap between us on the bed was gone, and I glanced down at where our legs lightly brushed together. She leaned into my shoulder slightly as she laughed, seeming far more relaxed and at ease than any other time we’d been together.

it felt like the connection between us had grown.

There was no doubt she felt the shift between us too because her cheeks pinkened and her teeth lightly dug into her lower lip. How I wished it were my teeth rather than hers.

I wasn’t sure what had just happened between us, but whatever it was, it didn’t seem like either one of us had been going to stop it. One thing was certain though: I’d never wanted to kill my brother more in my life.

I love Parker and all but he just ruined the moment. Ugh,so lame.

One moment Reed and I were joking around, and the next, it felt like the whole world had shifted. We were staring into each other’s eyes, and my breathing had stilled, but my heart was racing. Something about being with Reed in his home was different from every other time I’d been with him. The connection between us didn’t feel like something we’d contrived. It felt natural, exciting, and safe. Something had changed while our eyes were locked together. In that moment, I’d forgotten Reed was just my fake boyfriend. Forbidden feelings had rippled through my body as though a kaleidoscope of butterflies had been set loose within me.

Still, this wasn’t the first time a moment with Reed had turned my mind a little foggy as to the reasons why.

Cammie argued before turning to Parker again. “You’re such a pig. You know that, right?” “Oink, oink.” Parker grinned.

Even though Paige had said they were best friends, they could easily be mistaken for a couple.

“Sorry, Reed,” I added. “I have to say, I think Danny and his tow truck are the real heroes here. You can’t rescue a girl without a steed.” “Okay. Okay. I’ll make sure I bring one next time.” He grinned at me, and I smiled back.

“Aww, you guys are so cute,” Paige cooed. Reed and I both flushed and glanced away from each other. “See?” Paige continued, turning her phone around to show us. She’d taken a picture of us smiling at one another, and, I had to admit, we looked surprisingly like a couple. Reed’s eyes were soft as he gazed at me, and my own almost sparkled. Was that really how I looked when I stared at Reed?

“I’m sorry about Paige,” Reed said. “She’s worse than the paparazzi.” “Hey,” Paige complained. “Someone had to capture the moment . . .” “Well, I’m very unimpressed,” Reed said before lowering his voice and grinning. “Send it to me.”

“I’ll call it the damsel and her knight in shining armor.” “Look, I think we all know I’m the real knight in this family,” Parker added, making everyone groan. “Dude, you’re the...

It was impossible not to get caught up in the whirlwind energy of the Darling family dinner. One moment, they were bickering, and the next, they were all laughing. It was definitely not boring, and by the time it was over, I was sad to leave.

Reed reached out and took my hand, giving it a light squeeze. It sent gentle tingles racing across my skin, and my stomach dipped like I was about to go over the edge of a rollercoaster’s first drop.

She's starting to fall hard for him! Yayyy!

“Thank you for inviting me,” I said, smiling across at him. “I really liked being your girlfriend tonight, Reed.”

Ah she didn't say fake girlfriend!

But ever since that moment in Reed’s room, I’d been feeling less and less like his fake girlfriend and more like his real one.

Finally, I’ve been waiting for her to say something like this.