A

t rule w

Reed's sister the

y brother, my teammate, the guy who had my back on the ice when things

g at a playbook while the rain taps against the glass,

ng," Liam yells from the kitchen, the sound of the blender d

call back, ru

nds me daily that one bad hit, one scandal, or one slip in focus could ruin my draft stock. Scouts are everywhere, watching

t arrived

ironclad focus is

d who used to trail after Liam anymore. She's different. There's a quiet confidence to her now, a sharper edge that makes it impossible to lo

ext last night was reckless. I told myself it was just a courtes

wn, I knew

le. I head over to the student center to drop off some paperwork a

the amber streetlights. Most students have already

the student center, I spot a lone fig

ol

res out at the rain. Her dark hair is a little damp, curling slightly around her face.

re my brain can g

I ask, stepping into t

snapping to mine. A soft pink flush rises on

ss. "Yeah. I thought I could beat the downpour, b

ath. "I have a massive umbrella in my truck, b

, her lips parting, before

silence between us isn't awkward, but it's loaded. It's

" I ask, genuinel

Everyone treats me like I'm supposed to know what I'm doing, bu

e is faking it. Even the seniors. I spent

unters, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "You look l

armor, Vi. Fake it

talking about her classes, the crazy housing rules, the tiny quirks of Maplewood. F

I'm looking at a woman. An intelligent, gorgeous, captivating woman who completely c

irely d

house," Violet says softly, her tone turning serious. "T

a lot of pressure. Sometimes it feels like if

bright, filled with a fierce, unwavering belief that catches me completely off g

r me. No one talks to me like that. Everyone wants something fro

art, taking a

its a slick patch of we

ps, her balan

before she can hit the ground. My hand lands firmly

s moves. Nei

heat of her body against mine, the frantic, rapid beat of her heart against my chest

ike a rubber band. The air changes co

reath coming in short, shallow puffs in the chilly air. Violet's ey

God help me,

r. The team, the rules, the consequences-they all burn to ash. I begin to close the d

ac

oice cuts through the

f we'd been burned. My heart is practically exploding

mbrella over his head, completely oblivious to

ight be caught in the rain," Liam says, grinning as he reaches

and pitch-perfect fake. She won't look at me. She's

ck to Alder," Liam says, throwing an arm around his sister

jaw clenched so tight it

he rain, Liam talking animate

ling from where it had rested on her skin. My mind is

t look at he

st kis