Ruthless Player: A College Hockey Romance (Westfall U Series)

by R. C. Stephens

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware,” his father says pinching his lips together. “We don’t traditionally have applicants who are entering third year. The scholarship was meant more for high school students entering post-secondary education.”

  “It really isn’t a big deal,” Holland says.

  “No, it is a big deal,” I correct.

  “Cole?” Holland snaps and I can see she’s pissed. “Can I talk to you in private a minute?”

  We stand from the couch and Holland pulls me away out of the room and behind a wall. It takes everything in me not to press her against the wall and claim her lips. I can see by how she looks at me that she wants me, that there is attraction there, but she is too strong-willed to give in, and as her friend I need to respect that.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Holland whispers-shouts scolding me.

  “He was a jerk for not getting back to me,” I say.

  “And do you think I would’ve wanted that scholarship because I knew you? Because I assure you, I don’t want anything I don’t deserve,” she says seething. Angry Holland is sexy as hell.

  “Sorry. I didn’t think of it that way,” I admit.

  She exhales and her breath brushes my lips she’s so close. “I get you’re trying to help me, but I don’t want anything that isn’t mine.”

  “I get that. After we leave here, I can call one of the lawyers at Mom’s firm and ask how we can find out about her will.”

  “I can handle it on my own,” she assures me. “Besides, I may be heading over to my dad’s house at some point and taking my car back.”

  “Stealing is more like it,” I laugh.

  “No, taking what’s mine,” she says, narrowing her brows together.

  “Right,” I say and my gaze drops to her lips. Her gaze drops to mine and it’s the most inopportune moment but all it will take is for me to lean forward and our lips will be pressed together. She wants this. Wants me. But then something happens and her eyes cloud over and her gaze returns to my eyes.

  “Let’s change the direction of conversation and get through this dinner,” she suggests.

  “You’re right. Lead the way back.”

  She goes first and I follow. I quickly adjust my junk because my dick has clearly not gotten the friend zone memo. Damn, what this girl does to me.

  We head back to the living room and one of the housekeepers announces that dinner is ready.

  As expected, we are seated at the table with chairs spread so far apart you’d think we weren’t eating together at all.

  My father starts the appetizers off with asking me questions about school. “Are you taking any science classes this year?” my father asks as he stabs at his mixed greens.

  “No, science isn’t my thing. You know that,” I say.

  “So it’s business and political science then?” he asks.

  “Same as last year and the year before that. This is my last year, Dad. Not going to change my major and minor at this point.”

  “Plus, Cole has an amazing position on Westfall’s hockey team,” Holland adds.

  “Really? What do you mean by that?” my father asks her.

  “Oh, I just mean that he’s a winger for the Westfall Dragons. Not everyone can get on the team. They have the highest number of players entering the NHL,” she says, and she blows me away that she knows that info.

  “I hadn’t realized that,” Dad says.

  “That’s because you’ve never shown interest in my hockey career,” I remind, trying to push down that constant feeling in my gut that lets me know I’ve let my father down.

  “It’s a game,” Dad retorts.

  “Your son spends a lot of time training and honing his skills. He’s considered one of the best in the NCAA,” Holland says. I want to ask her how she knows all this.

  “Where is a hockey career going to get him?” Dad asks.

  “Playing for the NHL,” Holland says. “It’s the National Hockey League. Players get paid substantial sums.”

  “And they end up damaged with concussions and other health issues,” Dad replies.

  “So the reason you didn’t want me playing hockey, and didn’t want to support me, was because you were worried for my health?” I ask feeling flabbergasted.

  “Your role is to take over Davis Enterprises,” Dad retorts.

  Of course it isn’t because he was worried about me.

  “You want to be a player in every sense, but when will you realize that you need to be serious? Become a man of honor? Someone that a girl like this can look up to,” my father says, extending his hand so it’s pointed at Holland. I feel like a little boy again, having my favorite thing in the world made meaningless because my father doesn’t think it has value.

  “That is ridiculous,” Holland says and suddenly she is standing. “Your son is a good friend, he is honorable, and responsible. If you got to know him then you would see that. He spent the summer working with me and he carried his weight all the time. There were even times he did more than his share. I can’t talk for the Dragons, but I’ve seen Cole with his team. He’s a team player. His teammates know that they can rely on him and he shows up all the time. He’s always there to help a friend out and. . .” Hollands lip quivers and she looks down at me. “I’m sorry, Cole, but I think I need to leave.”

  I stand up. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “You don’t need to leave,” my father says.

  “I think I do,” I reply, because the one person who really believes in me is totally stressed out and it’s my fault for bringing her here.

  “Thank you for dinner,” Holland says politely and heads to the door.

  I’m after her in a jiff, barely having time to turn and see the reactions on my father’s and Amber’s faces.

  When we get outside Holland holds her stomach. “Sorry, Cole. I’m probably too emotional to be dealing with fathers right now. Especially unsupportive ones.”

  “This is all on me,” I say. “I know how he can be. I shouldn’t have brought you here.”

  “I’m happy you did,” she says and I’m confused.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Because that man puts you down and you need to know everything he said in there is a pure lie. He wants to use you for his purposes and that pisses me off,” she clarifies and then she covers her mouth quickly.

  “What’s going on? What’s wrong?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “My stomach must be on empty. I have a burning acid feeling coming up my esophagus.”

  “I’m taking you to eat right now. Tell me what you’re in the mood for.”

  “Anything.”

  “Be more specific,” I say and we head to my car, but Holland stops on her side of the car and suddenly dashes to the bushes where she vomits. “Geez.” I run over to her. “What can I do?”

  She shakes her head back and forth and vomits some more. I feel so bad I don’t know how to help her.

  “I should get you to a doctor,” I suggest.

  “I’m fine.” She straightens.

  We get in the car and I start to drive. “Do you still want to eat?” I ask. I’m freaking starving.

  “Yes, please. Tacos would be great, if there’s something nearby,” she says.

  “I don’t know of any taco places near here. We’d need to get closer to the city,” I say.

  “Okay, then head to the city because I need tacos,” she insists.

  “Tacos it is,” I repeat and drive toward the freeway.

  “Thanks.” She opens her window, despite the cool late August air.

  I watch the wind blowing on her face. Her hair whipping around.

  “You didn’t have to defend me back there.”

  “I did, Cole. Your dad puts you down and you shouldn’t believe a word he says.” Coming from Holland it means a lot because the girl has her shit together all the damn time.

  “I always get this guilty feeling in my gut about wanting to choose hockey,” I admit. “Lately I’ve b
een thinking about it a lot, I guess because it’s my last year playing for the Dragons. Every time I think of myself in some corporate position, I cringe. Hockey is more to me than a game. I like the comradery. How the team works together. How we support each other. I’m pretty sure it was hockey that kept me sane after Mom died.”

  Holland looks over to me and she reaches out like she wants to touch the hand I have resting on my thigh, but then she must think better of it because she pulls her hand away and rests it on her thigh. “I’m glad you had hockey,” she finally says. “I had Rebel. She’s my person.”

  “I could see that you guys have a special bond,” I say.

  “Yeah, and you and Wolfe do too. I had you guys pegged wrong. You’re more than just good-looking jocks.”

  “So you think Wolfe is hot? Does Rebel know?” I ask playfully.

  “You’re something else,” she says and shakes her head at me, but the smile on her face tells me she doesn’t really disapprove.

  “I guess that’s why it was important to them that we became friends,” I say.

  Holland nods and I look out at the street. I run the word friend in my head a few times and realize this girl is so much more.

  Eighteen

  Holland

  “Are we seriously doing this?” Rebel asks, standing on her driveway. Paris and I are beside her and the three of us are all dressed in black.

  “I have about two weeks until the bill for school is due,” I remind my best friend. Mary sent me a message days ago that the car ownership is in fact in my name, so all we have to do is get the key fob from Mary and take off with the car. All the paperwork is in the glove compartment.

  “And you’re sure your dad won’t be home,” Rebel says.

  “Geez, you really are nothing like your namesake,” Paris asserts.

  “Truth,” Rebel agrees.

  “You don’t need to come if you don’t want to,” I say, giving her an out.

  “Are you kidding me? This may be the most daring thing I have ever done,” Rebel says.

  “And it’s not illegal. Cole checked with a lawyer. If the car is in my name, I have a right to take it,” I clarify, just in case either of them are worried.

  “Holly, I’ve spent the last four years being a mommy. That means working and taking care of my son. This is the most fun I’ve had in eons. Now let’s get this party started. I can’t wait to see what kind of wheels Daddy got you. Do you remember my old car? Well, it wasn’t really old. It was freakin’ awesome. Way better than what I have now.” Paris shrugs.

  “I do remember,” I say. It was some kind of BMW SUV. I’m guessing the car had been in her name too and she probably could have at least taken it with her.

  “I know what you’re thinking, little sister, and it wasn’t on my name. Tobias tried to think of everything he could to get some money before we left,” Paris explains, which makes me wonder why my car is in my name, but who knows what motivates my father. I’ve never understood him.

  “Okay, let’s get moving. Daddy is on call in the ER. Mary has confirmed he isn’t home,” I say, reading Mary’s text message one last time.

  We hop into Rebel’s car, me in the front and Paris in the back, and we are off to my house, or at least the place I used to call home.

  We park across the street and I call Mary to tell her we are here. There’s no way I am ringing the doorbell. Daddy will get a notification and I don’t want him to have a video recording of me.

  Mary comes across the street holding the fob. I get out of the car.

  “Oh, Holly,” she says and she wraps her arms around me. “I don’t know what to do. Your dad wants me to stay on and work for him.”

  “You have to do what’s best for you,” I say. “He’s barely even home.” He probably just wants her to keep the house in order.

  Paris steps out of the car. “Mary,” she squeals and Mary turns to her as tears fill her aged eyes. “Oh, baby girl.” She opens her arms and Paris flies into them. “It’s been so long.”

  Paris sighs.

  “I want to see that son of yours,” Mary says. “I have Sundays off; I can babysit for you.”

  “You’ve got a deal,” Paris replies.

  “I hate to rain on this parade, but my dad definitely got a notification that you opened the front door. It’s 10:00 p.m. He knows you never go anywhere at this time,” I say.

  “You’re right. I best be going.” Mary’s lips turn down. She passes me the fob. “I’m still trying to find those other papers.”

  “Thank you, keep me posted. I appreciate this more than you know.”

  “I know.” Mary blinks and she turns to Paris. “You look so much like your mother.”

  “I know,” Paris says. “I keep that picture you gave me in my wallet. I look at it all the time.”

  “Guys, you better hurry,” Rebel says.

  She’s right.

  My car is parked in the garage and I use the code on the side of the garage door to open the door. At least Dad didn’t change the code. Or maybe he didn’t realize I’d have the guts to take my car back.

  I pull up beside Rebel’s car. “Nice wheels, Sis,” Paris says. “How exactly do you plan on selling such an expensive car in under two weeks?”

  “Good question,” I say to Paris. “Cole mentioned he’d talk to Daniel, Wolfe’s uncle, he’s a mechanic but he also refurbs old cars and sells them. He thinks that he’d be able to help us out.”

  “That’s a really good idea,” Rebel says.

  “We better get out of here. I’m not in the mood for confrontations,” I say.

  They go home and I head back to Cole’s. It’s super weird that we are living under one roof, but I can’t complain. He’s easy to live with. What feels weird is driving my car. I had every right to take back my car, but how will Daddy retaliate, or maybe he won’t and he’ll just accept that it’s mine. I head into the house through the front door and see Declan sitting on the couch watching a movie. Beside him is another guy from the Westfall team.

  “Hi,” I greet as I walk by. I don’t want to be in their way.

  “Hey.” The guy nods.

  “Holland, this is Liam Bozeman,” Declan says. “This is my new roommate,” he says about me.

  “Cheers,” the guy greets.

  “Sorry, we’re watching this intense show,” Declan says. “Squid Games. Total mindfuck.”

  “Enjoy,” I say and head upstairs to my room. I saw Cole’s car out on the driveway but that doesn’t mean he’s here. Not that it’s any of my business. We’re friends and he has a life of his own. Still, I wonder if he’s out with a girl. The entire time in Cape Cod I didn’t see him hooking up with anyone and since I’ve been living here, which is almost two weeks, there haven’t been any overnight guests. I don’t know why but he strikes me as a guy that’s used to getting laid on the regular, though he may be having a dry spell. As I think the word dry spell my own needs heighten. I wish I could remember the night Cole and I spent together. Maybe we need a redo. No, that is a terrible idea. We’re roommates and destined to be in touch because of Rebel and Wolfe. A night together could ruin a good thing. Yet, my mind drifts to a fantasy of Cole and me having wild sex. An ache grows between my thighs. I head to my room and get undressed and take a shower but as the water pours over my body, heating my skin even more, all I can think about is having Cole’s hands all over me. I need to get a grip. After my shower, I slip into bed and slide a finger between my legs. It’s not something I do often but my body is burning with need. And, yes, I want Cole to put out this fire. I work myself up faster than usual and I come thinking that it’s Cole touching me. I lie flat on my back, shocked how easily I got myself off to thoughts of Cole. Would it be so bad if we hooked up just once? I feel like Cole wants it too. I see him watching me and sometimes our eyes lock and then his drift to my lips, almost in a trance-like state, until he shakes it off or I do. But, no, I can’t go there because Cole and I are like oil and water. We don’t mix.
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  Nineteen

  Cole

  Coach ordered a preseason meeting. He discussed positions and what he’s going to expect from us this season. Bozeman is taking Wolfe’s spot as center, which was expected. Dec is the left winger and I’m right. Coach really drilled home the fact that no team has ever won the Frozen Four two years in a row, which fucking sucks. I need to win. I have to show the scouts that I’m worth it. The draft means everything to me. Hockey has been my entire life since Mom died.

  Feeling a little antsy after the meeting, I came home and felt like I needed to blow off steam so I went for a jog. I was worried about Holland going home and getting her car back, even though I didn’t tell her that. She’ll think I’m going soft.

  When I get back to our street, I see her shiny red car from far away. I head inside but she isn’t around. Bozeman and Dec are hanging out and I’m not in the mood to join them, so I head to my room. I want to knock on her door and see how her little nighttime heist went, but I feel like I may be crossing the roommate line. I have no clue because I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had sex with a housemate. They’ve always been guys.

  I head into the shower and still have Holland on my mind. I think of that cute little skirt she wore to my dad’s house and the way she stood up for me. Even going to get back her car from her dad is a gutsy move. I like her fire. Like everything about her. Her long trim legs, her hair. Before I know it, my dick is hard and aching and I wrap my hand around the shaft and pump as I try to remember what Holland looks like naked. I was totally wasted the night we were together so it’s a blur to me too, but what I can’t recall my mind fills in the blanks. She is so pretty and caring. The way she looks at me with those round brown eyes makes my heart beat faster. I pump my dick harder, envisioning sliding inside her, and before I know it I’m thrusting into my fist, picturing her glorious breasts and her chocolate brown hair askew. I come so hard my body jerks and I lean on the shower wall for support. Fuuuck. I let the warm water run over my back a few more minutes while my heartbeat settles. I quickly wash up and get out of the shower.