Collide: A Hockey Romance

THE FIRST FEW weeks after spring break are my favorite. My professors are relaxed, the students are off Adderall, and the sun is out. Except this year, three weeks in, and I’m losing my hair.

It doesn’t help that Aiden is miles away playing hockey every weekend and practicing on weekdays. On top of that, the school is investigating the break-in after Dean Hutchins received the email about Langston’s professor-student relationship.

Now, lying in bed while Amara is out and the guys are coming back from a tournament, I can’t sleep. However, my lucky stars must be aligned because when my phone rings, it’s Aiden.

I answer his video call, seeing the tired smile on his lips. “Hey. I tried to keep up with Kian’s short vlogs, but they were cut short.”

“We advanced. And Kilner confiscated Kian’s phone when he tried to make him do a dance.”

I chuckle, feeling lighter with just Aiden’s voice in my ears. “Weren’t you supposed to get back earlier?”

“We did, but I had something to do first,” he says quickly. “Are you coming over?”

“Do I look like a booty call to you, Crawford?”

“Depends. What are you wearing?” He smiles innocently. “We can even extend the booty call and get breakfast in the morning.”

“How thoughtful,” I say dryly. “But I’m a bit tired tonight.” There is too much on my mind, but I can’t tell Aiden about the break-in until it’s resolved, or he’ll try to run into action mode.

“Want me to come over instead?”

“You look exhausted, you’ll probably fall asleep at the wheel.”

“Then come to me. I can send you an Uber.” When I don’t answer, he sighs. “Come on, Summer. I’m tired, and I missed you all weekend. I just want you in my bed tonight, please.”

Guilt bites at me. “I’ll be over tomorrow, I promise.”

“You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

That stings. “Of course. Nothing you need to worry about.”

The look on his face is thoughtful. “You don’t have to deal with everything alone, Summer. I’m here. For you. No other reason. I’d like to prove it to you some time.”

I do what I can without breaking down; I nod.

He scans my face before smiling. “So, my booty call canceled. How about we stay on video?”

This is dangerous territory. If we keep talking, he will pry everything out of my head. But Aiden doesn’t need more stress with their final game coming up.

“I think you might have attachment issues, Crawford.”

“As long as you’re the one I’m attached to, I wouldn’t call that an issue.” The ruffle of the covers sounds as he settles into bed.

“Whatever you say, Captain.”

“Say that again.”

“Captain?”

“Yup, that’s it. Talk dirty to me, Summer.”

I laugh. “Shut up.”

“You’re right. I’ll shut up, you keep talking.” He smiles, and when I think he’s asleep he moves again. “Your mom called me this morning.”

Divya Preston has a saying: ‘Clutter in your phone is clutter in your life.’ Finding out Aiden made the cut is oddly satisfying. “What did she say?”

“They’ll be in Toronto soon, so I should visit when I’m there. She even offered me your room to stay in.”

“She’s trying to replace me because you answer her calls.”

Aiden chuckles. “Don’t worry, babe. Eli and I already have an apartment. But I will check out your childhood bedroom.”

“Remind me to have all my posters taken down.”

“Don’t tell me you were a teenage fangirl.”

“Don’t ask questions you’re not ready for. That room holds some dark secrets,” I warn, and he chuckles wearily. “Go to sleep. I can see the dark circles forming.”

“Not true, I’m flawless.”

He actually might be. “Goodnight, my Sleeping Beauty.”

“Night, baby,” he murmurs, sleep overtaking him.

THE CHIMING OF emails hitting my inbox jolts me awake. My call with Aiden must have disconnected because my phone is sandwiched between my mattress and the wall. Groggily wiping my eyes, I fish it out, and when I open my email, I hear a knock.

Amara’s already at the front door, looking at Sampson’s phone. Squealing, she almost hugs Sampson but turns to me. “We did it!”

I have been mentally preparing myself for being taken away in handcuffs since the break-in. “We did?”

Sampson beams. “Someone I know from the committee said she’s fired. They’re talking to Donny now.”

“You think he’ll get expelled?” asks Amara.

The spark of guilt is unexpected, but Donny used to be someone I cared for. It’s too bad he had let his greed win.

Sampson slides his phone back into his pocket. “His parents are loaded, and Langston had all the power in their relationship. But he’ll be punished because students read the article on the gossip page, and they’re pissed,” he says. “And I talked to Müller. If Langston approved your application and you’ve been denied or waitlisted, you can reapply with the dean’s approval.”

Leaving my dreams and all the people I love for Stanford was so painful that I shoved my feelings deep down—until right now. Hope bubbles up. “But what about the investigation?”

“Someone confessed. Müller didn’t say who it was.”

Relief doesn’t set in, and I hope whoever confessed won’t get in too much trouble. Part of me knows that letting someone else take the blame will eat away at me until I make it right.

Amara jostles me into a hug again, distracting me from my thoughts. “You’re not leaving! I was totally getting an army ready to hack admissions for you.”

I hug her tighter. “I should tell Aiden the good news, too.”

“Definitely. You should surprise him. Wear something sexy!”

Sampson groans.

“He has practice. I’m not going to walk in there in lingerie.”

“Wear a trench coat,” she offers.

“She’s going to look like a flasher. Please don’t do that,” says Sampson, looking worried about our decision-making skills.

Amara gives him a look. “What do you suggest then, Tyler?”

“My jersey,” he grins. “Kidding. But you should tell him, he’ll be happy.”

Amara and I exchange a look. “You want him to be happy? Since when?” I’m stunned by the new discovery.

“Since he started making you smile,” Sampson admits. My awestruck expression makes him roll his eyes, but he allows my hug. “Okay, that’s my quota for hugs.” He moves out of my grip.

“Go already.” Amara pushes me, and I’m out of there before she realizes she’s alone with Sampson.

When I arrive, I’m looking through the plexi to find him on the ice when I catch Dylan walking in late.

“Hey Dylan, I need to talk to Aiden. Is he late?”

“You don’t know?” he asks, and I stare in confusion. “Summer, he was kicked off the team this morning. Kilner didn’t want to, but he’s out for the rest of the season. He’s done.”

My heart drops, and shock swirls in my chest. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. Well, as fine as he can be after being told he’s missing his last Frozen Four.” He must see my confusion because he goes on. “Donny caught up with him after we got back from Princeton the other day. Aiden confessed to that break-in.”

My mouth feels dry, and my bones feel weak when I lose my footing and stumble forward.

Dylan catches my arm. “You good?”

“It’s my fault.”

Dylan’s strong hold gives me enough energy to stand on my own. “He would never let you go down for it, Sunny.”

Anger sears my chest. “Why the hell would he do that?”

“He would do anything for you, you know that. Honestly, if he didn’t, one of us would have.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Look, I gotta go practice, but he’s at the house if you wanna talk to him. Think you’ll be okay to get there?”

I nod and head out of the arena, pulling out my phone.

Aiden

Summer: You are so dead, Crawford. I’m going to strangle you!

Aiden: Yeah? What else?

Summer: Don’t play with me! I’m coming over.

Aiden: Pants on or off?

God, he is infuriating. But before I can head over to the hockey house, there’s something I need to do, so I text Amara.

AMARA’S RAGE IS palpable as she storms over to one oblivious guy who startles when she approaches. “Rai! You fuck with my best friend again, and I will crush your skinny little bones with a pillowcase full of your textbooks.”

He smirks. “Bodyguard? Surprised it isn’t your jock.”

“She can call him too,” threatens Amara.

I move forward. “You did all this just to take my co-op spot? There were students whose futures depended on getting into the program. Shannon Lee left because of what you did!”

His face is a mask of indifference. “Last time I checked, Shannon made her own decisions. Besides, with her gone, you had a shot. Though we both know you’ll always come second to me.”

“Really? Because I’m pretty sure you’re the one who had to fuck our professor to secure your spot.”

His jaw tightens. “Maybe I just wanted to have some fun.”

Anger spreads through my blood like poison. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you? Instead of threatening me, you went to Aiden. You’re a fucking coward, Donny.”

“Coward or not, I’m the one who got into the program. Have fun in California, Summer. Maybe you can find another hockey player to fuck your way through your assignments.”

My slap that ricochets off his face, sending a sharp sting to my hand. But the pain doesn’t register because of the rage that boils through me.

Donny steps forward, but Amara blocks him with a hand on his chest. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

His rough exhale is angry before he takes off.

I turn to Amara. “Can you drive me to Aiden’s?”

“After a slap like that, I’ll give you anything,” she laughs.

***

Aiden

YOU DON’T KNOW your girlfriend’s strength until she’s absolutely livid. As soon as I open the front door, I’m pushed back. “How could you?!”

I have to take hold of Summer’s frantic arms. “Listen—”

“No, Aiden!” She yanks her arms away. “You told me not to mess up mine, so why can’t you do the same?”

Her anger is burning hot, and to balance some of that heat, I stay calm. “Because I know how hard you’ve worked for this.”

“So have you! You’re missing your final game because of me.”

Her eyes swim with the hurt I can’t bear to see. The whole point of this was to avoid that. To never see her cry like she did that night in my arms. “Baby,” I start.

“Don’t baby me, Aiden. You overstepped.” She jabs a finger at my chest. “This is my problem!”

I take hold of her violent finger. “My girlfriend was crying in my arms, and you expect me to stand by and do nothing? Fuck, no. Your problems are my problems too.”

She lets out a heavy groan as if I’m the one being difficult. “You could have been expelled.”

“But I wasn’t. A suspension isn’t that bad.”

“It is when you’re the captain! Why am I the only one concerned about this?” A look of exasperation takes over her angry one. “You have to retract your confession.”

I move to touch her, but I think better of it. “I can’t do that.”

“You can. Come with me, we can explain. They’ll understand.”

“I’m sure they would, but I stand by my decision.”

She appears indignant. “This could ruin things with Toronto.”

“I’m already signed. But if they want to take action, I’ll deal.”

The crease in the middle of her brows and her glare are hard enough to crack me in two. “You’re being ridiculous. Think about what you’re doing for one second.”

“I don’t need to because it’s the right choice. I’ll be okay.”

“This isn’t—” She inhales. “You can’t make decisions on my behalf because you want to save me. I can save myself without putting you in jeopardy.”

“And I think if I can help my girlfriend with a problem, I will.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“And you’re not? Summer, I did this because I wanted to. Because I love you, and I don’t want anything messing with your dreams.”

She blinks away the moisture welling in her eyes. “What about your dreams? I care about those too, you know?”

It’s hard not to grab her and kiss the lights out of her. “I know, and thank you, baby, but this won’t affect my future as much as it would have affected yours.”

She pushes me again, not nearly as hard as before. “You’re crazy. I’m dating a crazy person!” she exclaims. “Who does that?”

“Your boyfriend. Your hot, sexy, kind boyfriend.” I grin, making her glare harden. “Yell at me all you want, Summer, but I wouldn’t change what I did.”

“This is your career!”

“And you are my future.”

Summer falters, eyes searching my face.

“I told you that you come first. That hasn’t changed. It won’t ever change.”

“But you’ve worked for this your whole life. You don’t potentially fuck that up for a girl.”

A pang of irritation hits my chest. “Why are you fighting me on this? I’m not changing my mind.”

“Because you can’t miss the final. Coach is probably pissed.”

“He is. I’ve been getting angry voicemails all morning because he was too pissed to speak to me in his office. But we’ve already won a Frozen Four. It gets boring after a while.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

I take a step closer. “Is it working?”

“I’m mad at you, Aiden,” she says, trying to keep her distance.

I clasp her wrists. “Okay, but come a little closer and be mad at me where I can hold you.” She doesn’t protest when I tug her forward, and her hug makes the burn in my chest cool. “You smell like me,” I say, noticing she’s wearing my hoodie.

“I’ll have to shower immediately, then,” she mutters.

“What’s the point if I’m showering with you?”

She groans, pulling away. “Where is your hockey stick?”

“Why? You wanna test out a new kink?” I smirk.

“Yeah, let’s experiment by shoving it up your ass.”

“Eh, I’ll have to pass on that one. Though, I do have plans for your ass.” I pull her in, and she rests her head on my chest. A perfect concoction of peach scent and me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I don’t regret a thing if it means you’re happy,” I say.

“I am happy. Always happy with you.” She tiptoes to meet my lips. “But I don’t like that you have to suffer to make that happen.”

“I’m not suffering. The team’s doing great, and Sampson gets to captain a final.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“He’s not so bad.” Finding out he helped with the break-in had pissed me off for all of three seconds. Eli told me about that night, and I couldn’t blame them. They all had Summer’s back when I couldn’t, and that alone is reason enough to take the blame.

“That’s not what you were saying a few weeks ago.”

“People change.”

“Not all people,” she mutters, and I raise a brow. “I slapped Donny. But he deserved it,” she admits.

The reveal isn’t nearly as shocking as it should be. The guy had it coming, he’s just lucky it wasn’t my fist. “I don’t doubt that.”

Her head tilts, assessing me. “What happened to never losing?”

“I’m fine with it if you’re the one winning.”

She sinks her hands into my hair and kisses me so deeply, I melt into her embrace. “I’m sorry, too. I should have told you about the plan,” she says sheepishly.

I rub my nose against hers. “It’s fine, my little criminal.”

She rolls her eyes. “So, you forgive me?”

“Do you even have to ask?”

“And you still mean all that stuff about the future?” she asks, toying with the strings of my hoodie.

“I fully intend to spend the rest of my life with you, Summer.”

“I love you.” She scrunches her nose. “Like, a lot.”

“I love you, too, Preston. Like, a lot.”