THE HOCKEY CAPTAIN'S SECRET GIRL

FREYA.

My heart refused to slow down no matter how many deep breaths I took. The small bottle of sleeping pills felt heavier every second it stayed hidden inside my hand. I stood near one of the walls, pretending to watch everyone dance while my eyes followed only one person. Maddox was still laughing with his teammates, completely unaware that I was staring at him from across the room. I kept asking myself how my life had turned into this. A week ago, I was worrying about classes. Tonight, I was planning something that could ruin everything.

The music blasted through the hall so loudly that the floor seemed to shake beneath my feet. Students danced without caring who was watching, while others crowded around the food and drinks. Every few seconds another girl walked up to Maddox, hoping to steal a few minutes of his attention. He smiled politely at all of them, but he never stayed with one person for very long. That gave me hope. If I could just get close enough to his drink, I could drop in the pills without anyone noticing.

"You can do this," I whispered to myself.

"No, you can't."

I closed my eyes for a second.

"Stop it," I muttered. "Just do it."

Before I could lose my courage again, I forced my feet to move. I slipped through the crowd, keeping my head low as people brushed past me from every direction. Someone laughed loudly beside me, making me flinch. Another person bumped into my shoulder, but I kept walking until I was only a few feet away from Maddox and his teammates.

I could finally see the table where they had left their drinks.

There.

A clear plastic cup stood beside Maddox's phone.

I swallowed.

Just a few more steps.

My fingers tightened around the bottle hidden inside my purse. I carefully twisted the cap loose without taking it all the way off. The music covered the tiny sound, and nobody looked in my direction.

Almost there.

I reached the table, my hand slowly came out of my purse, then someone crashed into me from behind.

I gasped as my body lurched forward.

The bottle slipped from my fingers and bounced across the table before rolling onto the floor with a loud clatter.

Everything seemed to stop.

"What was that?"

Several people turned toward the sound.

My heart nearly stopped beating.

Before I could grab the bottle, someone bent down and picked it up.

I froze.

Please...

Please don't...

"Freya?"

I slowly looked up.

Draven.

His confused expression lasted only a second before it turned into a deep frown.

"What are you doing here?"

I couldn't answer.

He looked from my frightened face to the bottle in his hand.

Then he read the label.

"Sleeping pills?"

His eyebrows pulled together.

"What is this?"

"I... I can explain."

"Then explain."

"I..."

The words disappeared.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"I told you to go home after classes."

"I know."

"So why are you here?"

"I just..."

"You hate hockey."

"I do."

"You hate parties even more."

"I know."

"Then why are you sneaking around with sleeping pills?"

His questions came so quickly that my head spun.

"I wasn't..."

"You weren't what?"

"I..."

Nothing sounded believable.

Draven let out a frustrated sigh.

"Freya, look at me."

I slowly raised my eyes.

"What are you thinking?"

"I just wanted..."

"What?"

"I can't tell you."

His face became even more serious.

"You can't tell me?"

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry."

He rubbed a hand across his face.

"You've never lied to me before."

"I know."

"So don't start now."

"I really can't."

He stared at me for several long seconds before gently taking hold of my wrist.

"You're leaving."

"What?"

"Now."

"But-"

"Save it," he shunned me.

He started leading me toward the exit.

People moved aside as we walked through the crowded hall. My face burned with embarrassment because I could feel everyone staring at us. I kept my head down, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

Once we reached outside, the cool night air hit my face.

Draven finally let go of my wrist.

"Go home."

I stared at him.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I..."

"I'm serious, Freya."

His voice softened a little.

"This place isn't for you."

"I know."

"So why are you here?"

Tears filled my eyes.

"I wish I could tell you."

He sighed again.

"I don't know what's going on, but I don't like it."

"I'm sorry."

"I'll call Grandpa and tell him you're on your way home."

"No!"

The word came out louder than I meant.

Draven looked surprised.

"Why not?"

"I... I'll walk."

He studied my face for another moment.

"Promise me you'll go straight home."

The lie almost broke my heart.

"I promise."

He nodded slowly.

"Good."

Then he turned around and walked back inside the building. The moment the door closed behind him, I leaned against the wall and covered my face with both hands.

"It's over," I whispered. "I failed."

"You certainly did."

My entire body stiffened.

I turned around.

Cassie stood a few feet away with her arms crossed.

She looked furious.

"I saw everything."

I couldn't even look at her.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

She laughed bitterly.

"That's all you have to say?"

"I tried."

"No, you panicked."

"My brother caught me."

"I noticed."

"I can't do this, Cassie."

Cassie's eyes turned cold.

"Oh, yes, you can."

"No."

"Listen carefully, Freya." She stepped closer until I could smell her expensive perfume. "If you fail to do this, tomorrow morning every person in this college will hear a story about how you were caught trying to drug the hockey captain."

The blood drained from my face.

"You wouldn't."

She smiled. "Try me."

"I wasn't trying to hurt him."

"Do you think anyone will care?"

I couldn't answer.

She smiled cruelly.

"Exactly."

Tears blurred my vision.

"Please, Cassie," I pleaded. "I can't do this."

"No."

"My brother will hate me."

"I don't care."

"My grandfather..."

"I don't care."

"I'll lose everything!"

I could hear the desperation in my own voice now.

She leaned close enough for only me to hear.

"And you'll lose even more if you fail me."

I felt trapped.

There was nowhere left to run.

"What do you want me to do now?" I whispered. "The pills are gone."

"Forget the pills."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Get him alone."

"How?"

"I don't care."

"He'll never come with me."

"Make him."

"I can't."

"You'd better figure it out."

She looked toward the entrance.

"Because this is your last chance."

Before I could answer, the hall doors opened.

Students poured outside for fresh air.

Among them was Maddox.

He held a phone against his ear while walking away from everyone else toward the quieter side of the building.

"Yeah," he said into the phone. "I'll be there in a minute."

He stopped beneath one of the lights near the parking lot.

Cassie grabbed my arm.

"There."

I looked where she was pointing.

"He'll be alone."

"I can't."

"You can."

"What if he says no?"

"Then you're finished."

She let go of my arm.

"I'm watching."

Then she disappeared back into the crowd.

I stood completely still.

My legs felt weak.

My mouth had gone dry.

Every part of me screamed to run away, but Cassie's threat echoed inside my head. I slowly looked toward Maddox again. He had finished his phone call and slipped his phone into his pocket. For a moment, he simply stood there alone, staring up at the night sky as if enjoying the silence away from the party.

This was my chance.

Maybe my only one.

I wiped my sweaty palms against my dress and forced one trembling step after another. Every heartbeat sounded louder than the music behind me. By the time I reached him, I could barely breathe.

He turned his head before I could even say a word.

His bright blue eyes landed on mine almost immediately, and one corner of his mouth lifted into an amused smile.

"Looking for me?" he asked.