Page 17

Sierra

I can’t pay attention to the conversation Nick’s having with his teammates. I try, but I can’t focus.

I’m too worked up over the fact that Nick fucked one of those bunnies—it’s obvious that’s what they are—that I feel the urge to strangle him.

“I hope you’re all having a great time,” the entertainer of this evening says from his spot on the stage. “I wanted to take a moment and invite here, beside me, the legend of hockey, our international star, Nickolas Hardy.”

A smile—a real one, for once—spreads across my face, as I cheer and clap along with everyone else. Nick rises to his feet, kisses my hand, and walks onto the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the legend, the best player in the world, the one and only… Nickolaaas Hardy.”

The entire ballroom rises to its feet by the time Nick reaches the mic.

“Good evening. Thank you, everyone. It’s a pleasure and a dream to be here tonight as a man who plays hockey because he loves this sport. For a long time, it was my main priority. I breathed and lived hockey, and I’m happy it paid off. To be named the best player in the world for ten years in a row is unreal, and I want to thank my family for supporting and encouraging me, my teammates for always being there on and off the rink, and our entire team for being like a family to us.”

He pauses, letting the applause settle before continuing. “As I said a minute ago, hockey was my main priority for a long time, but now…”

He scans the room and locks his eyes with me, the butterflies in my stomach going wild.

“Now I finally have the girl of my dreams beside me, and she takes the first, second, and third place in my life.”

With that, he leaves the stage to a round of applause.

What? Is this true? Is it just for show?

I need to know, because what he said is everything I ever wanted him to say and feel about me.

My thoughts are a mess and I hope we can leave soon. This night has been too emotionally exhausting for me.

“It’s time to go home, baby,” Nick says from behind me, like he can read my mind. “Guys, I’ll see you at practice on Monday.”

He hugs Aiden and Chase, waves at his other teammates, then grabs my hand and pulls me out of my chair.

“Bye, Ser. It was really nice to meet you. I hope to see you again soon,” Aiden says, giving me a hug.

“Yeah, don’t be a stranger, babe.” Grinning, Chase blows me a kiss.

“Thank you, guys. It was really nice to meet you too. You have my Instagram now, we can keep in touch.”

With that, Nick pulls me towards the exit.

Just as we’re about to step outside, Samantha appears and grabs Nick’s hand.

“Babe. Sorry, Nick,” she says with a smirk that makes my skin crawl. “Don’t forget we have a photoshoot tomorrow. Eleven o’clock.”

He takes two steps back and says calmly, “We’ll be there.” Then walks past her, dragging me along just as that bitch yells, “We?”

The drive home is silent. I’m afraid to speak and say something I’ll regret in the morning. Instead, I stare out the window, replaying every moment I've spent thinking about Nickolas Hardy, only for him to fuck his way through all the women in London.

When we arrive in the underground parking, I’m out of his car before he has the chance to stop it completely.

“Ser, wait,” he says, rushing to catch up with me.

I push the elevator button repeatedly like it personally offended me, but I can’t control myself anymore. I need to be alone in my room to break down in peace.

As the elevator arrives, Nick steps beside me, silent.

I turn my back to him, hot shame and fury churning in my chest. This is all my fault.