Chapter 2 2

Natalie

The idea had seemed logical last night-straightforward, even. Walk up to Jason Carter, propose a fake relationship, get what I needed, and move on. Simple. Now, standing outside the campus arena, waiting for him, doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest.

Hockey wasn't my thing. I had never attended a game, never followed the team's endless string of victories, and definitely never associated with the players. But if we were doing this, I had to play the part.

The cold seeped through my jacket, but I ignored it, focusing on the buzzing excitement around me. Students filed into the arena, some decked out in school colors, others already chanting Jason's name. He had a fanbase, a loud one.

A group of girls passed by, laughing about something he had posted on his Instagram story earlier. I had never checked his socials before, but maybe I should start. If we were pretending to be together, I needed to know what the rest of the world saw.

A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Didn't think I'd actually see you here."

Jason's grin was as effortless as always, his hockey bag slung over his shoulder like he had just stepped out of a sports ad.

"You told me to show up," I reminded him.

His eyes swept over me, taking in my very non-sports-related outfit. "Right. But you don't look like someone who enjoys watching people slam into each other on ice."

"That's because I don't."

He chuckled, shifting his bag to his other shoulder. "Guess I should've expected that."

I glanced at the crowd moving past us. "So, how does this work? Do I sit somewhere specific?"

"You sit in the section for players' girlfriends."

The words sent an uncomfortable jolt through me. "Isn't that a little... fast?"

Jason shrugged. "People will expect it. If we're doing this, we do it properly."

He had a point, but the thought of sitting with girls who actually were dating players made my stomach twist.

Before I could argue, Jason reached for my hand, his grip warm and confident. "Come on. I'll introduce you."

The gesture sent a spark of awareness through me. It was one thing to say we were fake dating. It was another to act like it.

We wove through the crowd, his hand never leaving mine. Some people noticed. A few even whispered.

He leaned in slightly. "Relax, Pierce. You're doing great."

Easy for him to say. He was used to attention. I wasn't.

Inside the arena, the energy was electric. The players' section wasn't hard to find-front row, close to the ice, filled with confident, polished girls who looked like they had stepped out of a campus fashion magazine.

Jason stopped in front of them, his grip on my hand tightening slightly before he let go. "Ladies, meet Natalie."

A few curious glances were exchanged before one of them, a blonde with sharp eyes, smirked. "Didn't know you had a girlfriend, Carter."

"Now you do," Jason replied smoothly.

I forced a smile, ignoring the scrutiny.

Blonde Girl- Ava, judging by the way someone said her name- tilted her head. "You don't seem like his type."

Jason slung an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in just enough to make my skin heat. "She's exactly my type."

Ava's eyes flicked between us, but she didn't push. Instead, she turned back to her friends, clearly deciding I wasn't worth more than a passing comment.

Jason's breath brushed my ear. "That went well."

I resisted the urge to elbow him. He straightened, flashing me a grin. "Enjoy the game, girlfriend."

Then he was gone, heading toward the locker rooms, leaving me surrounded by girls who clearly weren't convinced I belonged here. Fantastic.

Jason

The game should've had my full focus, but my mind kept circling back to the fact that Natalie Pierce was sitting in the girlfriend section, watching. It was weird. Not bad- just unexpected.

Coach barked orders from the bench, and I shook the thoughts away, locking back into game mode. The first period flew by in a blur of sharp turns, fast passes, and the satisfying crunch of bodies colliding against the boards.

Between plays, I stole quick glances at her. She wasn't cheering, wasn't completely relaxed, but she was watching. That had to count for something.

By the second period, we were up by two goals, and I was riding the adrenaline high when a hit from the opposing team sent me crashing into the boards. Pain jolted through my shoulder, but I pushed to my feet, shaking it off.

The referee blew the whistle, and the crowd erupted into boos. Someone yelled my name from the stands, and I caught sight of Natalie, leaning forward slightly, brows drawn together.

That reaction? Unexpected.

She actually cared. By the time the final buzzer rang, we had secured the win. The team skated off the ice, and I made a beeline for the exit, peeling off my gloves and helmet. The second I stepped into the hallway, Natalie was there, arms crossed.

Her gaze flicked to my shoulder. "That looked bad."

"Didn't feel great," I admitted.

She hesitated, then sighed. "Are you okay?"

The concern in her voice caught me off guard.

I leaned against the wall, studying her. "Didn't think you'd be the type to worry."

"I'm not." She huffed, then corrected herself. "I mean, not in general. But if we're dating, I'm supposed to, right?"

A slow grin spread across my face. "Right. Good job, girlfriend."

She rolled her eyes, but a hint of pink touched her cheeks.

The rest of the team spilled out of the locker room, and a few guys clapped me on the back, teasing me about my new relationship. Natalie handled it with a straight face, proving once again that she was fully committed to this act.

Once the crowd thinned, she shifted slightly, brushing hair behind her ear. "This isn't as easy as I thought."

"Backing out already?" I teased.

Her chin lifted. "Not a chance."

I laughed. "Alright, Pierce. Then I guess we keep playing the part."

She nodded once, determination in her gaze. This arrangement was supposed to be simple, but something told me it was about to get very complicated. And I wasn't sure that was a bad thing.