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Fucking great. The hockey arena is all the way on the other side of campus and I’ve already hauled my heavy books around this far. Bennett will be lucky if I don’t chuck one at his head when I find him. After all, this is his fault. If he hadn’t kissed me in a stadium full of people we wouldn’t have this problem.
But oh, my God, that kiss.
I spent all of last night thinking about it. I’ve never been kissed like that. But what sucks is that I know it wasn’t real. It was all for show. Bennett knew it would be projected on the screen and that it would invariably end up online and in the tabloids. I knew what I was agreeing to, but it still hurts, and that’s what really sucks. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not real. So far, that isn’t working, though. When I agreed to Bennett’s stupid idea to be his fake girlfriend, I thought there was no chance I’d fall for the egotistical hockey player. But I’ve gotten to know him and he’s really not so bad.
I head back across campus to the arena. Since it’s the weekend it’s open to the public. It’s big but I follow the signs and eventually find myself entering into the seated area. I walk down the steps and I can hear the slapping sound of a hockey stick against a puck. Bennett just looks a small speck from where I stand, but the further down I go, the closer I get. He hasn’t heard me. He’s too focused on slinging the pucks into the net. I drop my stuff into one of the seats and then stand in front of the glass so I can watch him better.
Once he’s shot all the pucks into the net, he skates down the ice and climbs over a wall. He tears his helmet off and spits out his mouth-guard. His hair drips with sweat and he pushes the longer strands out of his eyes. He picks up a bottle of water and gulps it down.
I head over to him. “Hey,” I say softly.
He startles and nearly drops his water. “Fuck, I didn’t hear you.” He wipes some water off his jersey.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak in. You were just really into it.”
He flashes me a lopsided smile. “I take it you missed me? Come back for another kiss?”
I push his shoulder but of course he goes nowhere. “Hardly. I came to warn you.”
“Warn me?” He raises a brow and takes another sip of water.
“My dad saw the photo of us and he’s on his way here.”
I expect Bennett to look scared but instead his grin only grows. “Aw, overprotective daddy? I should’ve known Princess would have one.”
I roll my eyes. “Sometimes I think about killing you just to shut you up.”
He laughs. “You’re funny.”
“I was serious.” I cross my arms over my chest. “My brothers are with him too.”
He chuckles and says, “Okay. We’ll take them out to dinner then.”
“Bennett,” I cry. “How can you be so blasé about this?”
He shrugs and takes another large gulp of water. “Because it’s not a big deal. Your dad getting pissed over a photo is the least of my problems. You’re not even my real girlfriend.”
My jaw drops, and before I can stop myself, I slap him right across his too smug face.
He looks at me, stunned, and I stare back.
I can’t believe I just did that. It’s not like me at all but Bennett infuriates me more than anyone else can.
Only seconds pass before I turn and run.
I’m halfway back to my dorm when I realize I left my backpack and books sitting on one of the seats in the stadium.
I halt in my tracks and groan. I feel so incredibly frustrated. I don’t know why I even bothered warning Bennett, because he’s right: this isn’t real so it’s no big deal to him anyway. It is a big deal to me, though, and that’s where the problem lies. I don’t like keeping secrets and I definitely don’t like my dad being mad at me, but it’s not Bennett’s problem, it’s mine, and that’s something I have to come to terms with.
I know I should turn around and go back to get my stuff, but I don’t want to face Bennett again. I hit him—and not a little smack, either. I’ve never been a violent person, but something about what he said struck a chord and it hurt. I know we’re not a real couple but I did think we were friends and what he said isn’t something you’d say to a friend.
I decide to go back to the dorm like I’d originally planned. Thankfully, Elle is still gone. I pull back the covers on my bed and burrow myself beneath them, wishing they’d swallow me whole.
I feel ashamed of myself and I hate that icky feeling. It sucks.
I don’t know how much time has passed in my burrow of shame when someone bangs on the door. I know instinctively that it’s Bennett even before he shouts, “Grace, let me in.”
“Go away,” I yell back, my voice muffled by the sheets.
