Addicted To My Hockey Stepbrother

I’d been in love with Caleb Park for four years. Four years of sitting in hockey stands screaming his name. Four years of making him playlists, remembering his allergies, dropping everything when he called. Four years of being the girl who was always there – steady, reliable, waiting for him to turn around and finally…

“She actually wrote ‘you make the world feel less loud.’ What does that even mean?” “It means she’s down bad, bro. Catastrophically.” I stopped breathing. Caleb didn’t stop them. Didn’t say that’s enough or give it back. He just let them read, let them laugh, let them hold every private thing I’d ever felt up…

“I’m fine,” I said, pushing the drink back. “I have one.” He glanced at my vodka cranberry. “You’re drinking a juice box with a splash of regret. That’s not a drink. That’s a cry for help.” “Do you approach all women like this or am I just lucky?” “Just the ones sitting alone on Valentine’s…

“Don’t you dare.” His hand slid down. Under my dress. Up the inside of my thigh. His fingers found the edge of my underwear and he didn’t tease, didn’t hesitate – pushed the fabric aside and touched me like he already knew the map. My head hit the door. “Oh my God-“ “Not God.” His…

I wore crew necks for three days straight. Sienna noticed. Sienna noticed everything. “You’ve worn that same hoodie rotation since Wednesday,” she said, eyeing me across our dorm room. “You hate that grey one. You said it makes you look like a depressed librarian.” “I’m cold.” “It’s heated in here.” “I’m emotionally cold.” She let…

“The game’s starting,” I said. “Shut up.” “Fine.” Sienna settled back in her seat, but she was grinning – the dangerous grin that meant she was storing this for later. “But imagine – just imagine – if the hot new transfer IS your mystery bar stranger. The one everybody’s losing their minds over.” I laughed….

Because every time Rhys scored – every single time – he didn’t celebrate with the team. Didn’t fist-bump the bench or point to the crowd. He skated past the fourth row. Didn’t look at me. Didn’t need to. The not-looking was worse. The not-looking said I know exactly where you are and I’m choosing not…

Neither of them moved. Neither of them looked away. Coach Harlan’s voice cut through the hallway like a blade. “Maddox! My office. Now.” Neither of them moved for a full three seconds. Caleb’s fists were still curled. Rhys was still watching him with that terrifying calm – the kind that said I’ve already decided how…

“Yeah.” I stepped back from Caleb. “We’re done here.” I walked toward my friends without looking back. I could feel his eyes on me the entire length of the hallway. Watching me leave for the second time in a week. But this time, I wasn’t crying. Outside, the cold air hit my face and I…

I excused myself after the main course. “Just grabbing extra napkins,” I said, standing too fast, nearly knocking my water glass over. Mom waved me toward the back. The restaurant had a service area near the kitchen – a narrow hallway with supply shelves and a staff bathroom. Quiet. Private. I leaned against the counter…