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

by Alexandra Moody

And the simplest kiss now sent my heart and head spinning.

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.

Yayyyy!

“I want to be with him, Mia. I want to be with him for real.”

I wasn’t exactly sure where we stood after our kiss. But I did know I was done with our fake relationship, and I was hopeful he was too.

As much as my heart might resist, I knew I needed to put a stop to this before I got really hurt.

No, I can't believe you listened to him.

I knew it was early days and that Violet and I still hadn’t talked about what we were doing moving forward. But a kiss like that could only mean good things, right?

Wrong

The only thing I liked about Jeremy’s face was his crooked nose.

“I don’t think I can do this anymore,” she said. “What are you talking about?” “This.” She waved her hand between the two of us. “I never wanted to get involved with another hockey player. This was meant to be a simple, straightforward arrangement, but it’s gotten out of hand.”

Omg no

“I know our arrangement was meant to end this weekend, but I think it’s best if we call it off now.” “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.”

“I wish I could believe you,” she whispered. “But I heard a rumor you couldn’t be trusted. And I think it might have been right.” “Violet . . .” “This is for the best,” she said. “I’m done pretending.”

Jeremy, when I catch you Jeremy.

I’d messed up. I knew Violet was scared of getting her heart broken again. I’d been though the same thing, and I’d been protecting myself in just the same way since freshman year. But I couldn’t resist telling her how I felt, and it had ruined everything. I usually knew just how to fix things. It was why I enjoyed working on cars. But our relationship wasn’t as simple as a broken engine. And, for once, I didn’t know what to do.

“I just know that the game is the most important thing to Reed right now.” Grayson’s trademark frown was still creasing his forehead, but his expression somehow seemed softer. “Do you really believe that?” “Why wouldn’t I?” He shook his head, like he was disappointed in me. “Because if you knew Reed at all, you would know that’s bullshit,” he replied. “There’s plenty that matters more to him than the game. Like his family, his friends. And now, you.”

“Look, Violet,” Grayson continued. “I don’t know what you’re feeling, and I’m sure you have your reasons for not being with Reed. But I do know how he’s feeling. He cares about you. He has since the first time he saw you kicking your car.” “How do you know that?” “Because he told me. I’ve known about the fake relationship from the start, and the only reason he agreed to that was because he liked you. Because he knew about your stance on hockey players, and he thought this deal was his only chance at spending time with you.” I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off. “I tried to convince him to tell you the truth, but he wouldn’t. He was worried if he came on too strong he’d scare you away, and it seems that’s exactly what’s happened.”

“I think you should come,” Mia said. “I still refuse to believe Reed didn’t have real feelings for you.”

He really changed after what Jeremy and Natalie did to him. He shut almost everyone out and threw every piece of himself into hockey. The Darling Devil rumors started to build up, and he embraced them, claiming it was good for his reputation on the ice. But really, he was just hiding the real Reed Darling from the world so he wouldn’t suffer similar heartache again. That was until he met you.” “What do you mean?” “I’ve watched him come to life again these last few weeks, and I know it was because of you, Violet. Despite all the walls he puts up, you somehow got through to him, and he fell for you.”

“Everything I felt for him was real,” I whispered. Paige’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Then what are you waiting around here for?” I hesitated. I felt like a baby bird standing at the edge of a precipice, trying to decide whether fear would hold me back or I would jump and try to fly. “Trust me, Violet. Reed would never hurt you. Just give him a chance, and I know he’ll prove that to you.”

Paige was right. After what she’d told me today, the least I could do was give Reed a chance. If he genuinely returned my feelings and he ended up losing his big game because I allowed my fear of being hurt to hold me back, then I would never forgive myself.

I glanced over my shoulder, surprised to find Nicole had emerged from the storeroom and was leaning against the door frame. “Go,” she said as she caught my gaze. “Go get your guy.”

All I did know was that standing here on the ice didn’t give me the same rush as usual because I knew it was part of the reason we weren’t together.

After Violet ended our fake relationship, I was convinced it was because I’d come on too strong. When I’d revealed my feelings to her and kissed her on the ice, the connection between us had been unlike anything I’d ever experienced, and I thought that had sent her running scared. But it seemed Jeremy was the one to push her over the edge by telling her I was exactly the kind of guy she wanted nothing to do with—a hockey-obsessed jerk who only cared about the game.

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.

But then something shifted in Reed’s stance, and he slowly lifted his eyes to the stands. He found me straightaway. The arena was packed, but it felt like I was the only one he could see. A weight seemed to lift from his shoulders as we locked eyes, the corner of his mouth twitched, and a look of determination entered his gaze before he turned to face Jeremy once more.

As Reed’s routine came to a close and he fell down onto his knees, the crowd went wild. Even the Saints supporters were clapping. Reed finally looked up, his eyes met mine, and he blew me a kiss. In that moment, I knew beyond doubt that all of it was for me, and it felt like my heart exploded. There was a nervous smile on his lips, and he didn’t seem the least bit worried about the game or what the routine might have done to his infamous reputation. He had sacrificed it all for me.

I can't even explain just how happy this makes me!

He shrugged before nodding his approval. I held it up and smiled when I saw the name and number on the back: Darling, number twenty-three. Reed had just tried to prove hockey wasn’t the most important thing to him. I needed to show him that if it mattered to him, it mattered to me.

When Reed came off the ice after the game, he found me immediately and swooped me up in his arms. I laughed, my cheeks growing warm as he spun me around because it felt like the entire arena was watching us, and I could still hear people cheering Reed on.

He laughed and lowered me to my feet once more. “So, I won the game . . .” “You did.” “I guess that means you’re stuck with me.” “I guess so.” I reached up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips

“Can I come find you once I’m done? If I survive Coach Ray.” “Sure.” I smiled. “I’ll wait out front. I need a ride, and I was thinking I could grab one with my boyfriend if that’s okay?” The beaming smile that lit up his face might have been the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “Yeah, I think that’s okay.”

I was grinning as I watched him go. Apparently, I was a hockey fan after all. I’d just needed the right guy to cheer for.

The storm that had swept through town earlier in the day had blown over, but the entire lot was now covered in a new blanket of snow. It was like a fresh canvas, waiting for new footprints to pave their way across it. And as I looked out at the snow, I couldn’t help but feel like Reed and I were getting a fresh start too. Today felt like a new beginning, a chance to create new memories and leave...

“He’ll be done with you now he’s got what he wanted,” Jeremy said. I didn’t get a chance to respond because Reed arrived at my side, placing his arm across the back of my shoulders. “Actually, I think we’re just getting started,” he said. “Aren’t we, Sunshine?” “I’d say so.” I reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “You were amazing out there, by the way.” “There was a girl in the stands I was trying to impress.”

“Do you know what would feel even better?” “What?” “This.” As he leaned down and pulled me in for a kiss, light flurries of snow began to flutter down around us. The moment was kind of perfect, and for the first time since I’d moved to Sunshine Hills, I didn’t mind the cold. I’d changed my mind about a lot of things today. It turned out the cold had its own beauty, hockey was kind of addictive, and hockey players weren’t so bad after all—well, one of them, at least.

The perfect moment!

“You look incredible, Violet,” I said, stepping toward her and accidentally slamming my shin into the coffee table. Not again. I tripped forward but somehow still managed to keep to my feet. That coffee table was going to be the death of me.

“You can call me whatever you want, Sunshine. As long as you call me yours.” She smiled and kissed me once more. “I’m not going to argue with that.”

“Well, I hope he’s treating you well,” Parker continued. “He’s been the perfect gentleman.”

“You know, after today, they’ve started calling you Reed the Darling Dancer, right?”

“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.” She smiled and took my hand. We’d arrived to the formal reasonably late, and the place was packed with other students. I would have much preferred it to be just the two of us, but I wasn’t going to complain. There was no better feeling in the world than having Violet in my arms.

We reached the center of the dance floor, and I wrapped my arms around Violet. The music was slow, and as we swayed together, she released a contented sigh and rested her head on my chest. I couldn’t help but hold her a little tighter. I’d experienced a lot of highs today and enjoyed some unforgettable moments, but this one seemed to top them all. Because in this moment, Violet felt truly mine.

I glanced over once more to see Paige smiling up at Gray. I’d seen her look at him like that a million times before, but I usually tried my best not to read into it too much. Paige was just a happy, smiley person. “Do you think they’d ever get together?” Violet continued. I shook my head. “Doubt it. He’s too stubborn, and she’s too oblivious.” “Too oblivious to what?” I let out a sigh. “To the fact my brother’s madly in love with her.”

They need to get to get together

“Silly hockey game?” It seemed there were still certain things I needed to convince Violet of. “It’s okay. I’ll make a hockey fan out of you yet.” She smirked as she looked me in the eyes. “Maybe you already have.”

I definitely liked dancing with Violet. In fact, I thought it might just be my favorite thing.

“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.”