Chapter 2 He cheated

Bella

Tyler Brooks? I remember that name.

The one who beat Asher’s team in the last championship game. They call him ‘Monster’ on the ice.

I clenched my hands as I remembered how devastated Asher was on the ice after he was crushed by Tyler Brooks. My glare fired at him.

If I had another offer, I would have quit the team immediately.

“I’m good enough. That’s why I was chosen.” I looked directly at him. “If you can’t deal with it, go cry to your mommy.”

Someone at the back let out a loud laugh.

Tyler’s jaw tightened. He stood up and walked toward me. We both glared at each other like two wolves ready to tear each other apart.

Coach immediately stepped between us. “Enough.”

Tyler didn’t look away from me. “I can’t accept a girl on my team.”

I scoffed. Like what he thinks matters.

“Fine,” Coach breathed out, and my eyes widened a little.

“Why don’t you test her then? If she passes, she stays,” he said.

I let out a relieved breath. My gaze shifted back to Tyler, and his eyes returned to me. A slow, arrogant smile appeared on his face.

“I don’t play girls,” he replied arrogantly.

I stepped closer. “Afraid I’ll beat you flat on the ice?”

His smile disappeared. “If you lose, you quit hockey.”

The room went silent. I stared at him, and a low gulp went down my throat. After all, he was the best player and the captain of the team.

“Deal.”

Twenty minutes later, I stepped onto the ice. Tyler was already there. I tightened my gloves and lowered myself into position.

The whistle blew, and he shot forward. So did I. For the first few seconds, neither of us gained an advantage.

Every time he accelerated, I matched him. I followed after him stubbornly, refusing to give him space to breathe. Just then, the puck flew between us as we raced across the ice. I stole it by luck.

A collective gasp came from the sidelines.

Tyler stopped, taking off his helmet. He stared at me, probably in awe of my skill.

I smirked. “Something wrong?”

He shook his head. As he turned around, I caught a smile. Not mocking, perhaps admiration. I ignored it and followed after him.

“Well?” Coach asked him.

Tyler stared at me for a long moment. Then he exhaled. “Fine. She can stay.”

I let out a relieved chuckle. Finally, I was officially part of the team. For a second there, I was actually scared I might lose my scholarship.

Now, I could go see Asher.

Coach directed me to the house where the rest of the team was staying. It’s an enormous space and looks too expensive.

I wondered how much the team makes to be able to afford such housing.

“You will live on the third floor with Tyler,” he said.

I frowned quickly.

“I can just stay down with the others,” I said.

Coach chuckled. “That room is the only space left, unless you want to live on campus,” he added.

I exhaled. I can’t afford the money for the hostel or the living expenses. It’s better to suck it up with Mr. Arrogant.

“Fine.”

I took my bags and walked into my room.

It was a beautiful space. The bed was larger than the one I had at home, and the room smelled nice. I fell onto the bed and took in the luxury.

Then, I quickly changed my clothes, picking a lovely pink dress to see Asher. He sent it for my eighteenth birthday last year. As I grabbed my purse, I remembered the present Agnes had given me and thought for a second before putting it on my bed and rushing.

Asher’s university wasn’t far from the team house. The entire way there, my excitement spiked. I had spent months imagining this moment.

I pulled out my phone as I reached the university entrance. I was about to take a picture of myself and text him to ask him to guess where I was.

Just as I placed the camera, about to take the shot, I caught him on the screen.

My heart leaped.

I held my chest, and a smile immediately spread across my face. I turned and raised my hand, about to call his name when I noticed the girl beside him.

My mouth hung open as I focused my gaze on her. She looked beautiful. Her dress was also beautiful and looked expensive.

I clenched my hand slowly as I pursed my lips, taking a low inhale.

Again, I tried to call Asher, but in that moment, I froze.

The girl leaned closer and kissed him on the lips. Asher’s arm wrapped around her in a smooth move, and he pulled her closer. The two deepened the kiss, smiling against each other’s lips.

My phone fell from my hand instantly.

I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it or if it was real. I couldn’t stop my feet as I walked up quickly to meet him.

Asher suddenly looked up. His entire body froze the second he locked eyes with me.

“Bella?” he called like I was a ghost.

My heart pounded as I looked between him and the girl beside him. He quickly tried to push her off.

“Who is she?” I asked in a shaky breath.

The girl slowly looked me over from head to toe, her expression turning amused.

“Oh, is she the one who has been obsessed with you?”

The words made my breath hitch. I turned to Asher. He looked completely stunned, his mouth opening and closing without a word.

“What are you doing here?” he finally asked.

I stared at him in disbelief.

I always imagined him lifting me up in his arms the moment he set eyes on me and kissing me all over. This was far from what I had dreamed of.

“Answer my question first.” I tried to maintain the shiver in my voice. “Who is she?”

Asher remained silent.

The girl beside him stepped forward. She slipped her arm around his. “I’m Kylie, his girlfriend.”

My heart sank fast.

“We’ve been together for a year now,” she stated.

A year? The word echoed inside my head. “No…” I whispered.

Asher quickly stepped toward me. “Bella…” He reached for my arm, but I pushed his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

His expression changed, looking guilty and all. He stared at me like a puppy, but I wasn’t falling for that.

“I came all the way here for you,” I said, my voice breaking. “I thought you were busy because hockey was taking all your time. I blamed myself for not trying hard enough to keep us together.”

I swallowed hard. My tears could not be stopped now. They fell, but I wiped them off almost immediately.

“I worked so hard to be with you. I was so excited to see you again…” My voice broke, and I lost it.

How could he do this to me? I cried as my heart ached.