Chapter 5 WHO IS MALLORY?

HAZEL

My cheeks burned from how hard I had been blushing. I didn't think the boy I had been dying to see again was my school hockey captain and even my father's student.

My heart skipped a beat at the reminder of my father and I wondered if he would have a problem with it. We never had to worry about me and his players before because I never took an interest in getting to know them, but this time feels different.

Should I speak to him first when we see each other again? What will I say? God! This is why I need Hailey in my life. Why isn't she picking up anyway?

I'm dressed for school and I've been texting her to know if she'll be coming with Brandon to pick me up today too, but there's no response.

I dialed her number once again and she picked this time, panting heavily through the speaker.

“Hey!” She answered almost breathlessly.

“Are you running? Why didn't you reply to my texts? Are you coming or not?” I asked in a single breath.

The clock is ticking and if I want to make it to school early, I cannot wait here for another five minutes.

“My brother fell down the stairs and broke his leg. Since mom and dad are out of town until next weekend, I have to stay with him.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I'll come check you after school.”

“Sure. Take care!”

Good thing I'm kind of friends with her friends now or school would be so boring without her. I rushed downstairs and luckily, my dad hasn't left yet.

“Morning mom!” I yelled from the dining room as I kissed my father's cheeks.

“Hurry so that you can leave with your dad, darling,” Mom said and I nodded.

Saves me the energy from running to the bus station.

“How are you finding your new school?” Dad asked as we got into his car.

“Not bad,” I shrugged. “I already have friends and Hailey being there just makes it a lot easier.”

He hummed in response with his eyes fixed on the road. “I know that I never have to tell you what to do because you've always been a responsible kid,” he started and my heart skipped a bit.

“But you know the rules. No overfamiliarity with my players.”

“I know that,” I let out a defeated sigh. “But what if we're just friends? Hailey happens to be friends with the boys on the hockey team and they've been so nice to me,” I gave him a puppy look and he cleared his throat.

“As long as it doesn't affect your grade then fine.”

I gave my dad a toothy grin as he drove us to school.

Once we arrived, I jumped out of the car before anyone could see us together. The last thing I needed was the entire school labeling me as daddy's girl.

I adjusted my backpack strap and walked towards the main hall where I immediately saw Brandon and Mason standing by Brandon's locker.

A frown fell on my lips the second I realised that they didn't come to pick me up on purpose. A surge of rage coursed through my veins for a weird reason and I walked past them without acknowledging them.

“Hazel?” Mason called the second he saw me.

Ignoring him, I went to my locker to pick the book I'd be needing for my next class.

“Did she just pretend not to have heard us?” Brandon scoffed as they marched towards my locker.

“Hazel…” Brandon reached for my hand and I slapped it away before it could touch me.

“Did we do something wrong?” Mason asked with a teasing smile as he leaned against my locker.

“I almost got late to school because I was waiting for you, but turns out your friend is Hailey and not me.”

Once I picked the textbook for my next class, I slammed the locker shut.

Mason's mouth formed an ‘O’ while Brandon avoided my gaze.

“About that,” he gave me a cheeky smile. “We were afraid coach wouldn't like us picking you up. But that didn't mean you are not our friend,” he chuckled nervously.

“We just didn't want to get on his black book.”

I rolled my eyes at his words. “My father is not that petty if that is what you're trying to say.”

“Oh, trust me, any coach with such a legendary record is always that petty when it comes to his team,” Mason laughed. “And we like our ice time so thank you very much.”

“Whatever,” I muttered, clutching my textbook against my chest.

My father may look scary but he is actually the sweetest once people get to know him. They'd learn that with time but until he officially warmed up to them, I didn't think it was my place to tell.

“I'm going to class,” I announced and Brandon wrapped his arm around my neck.

“Let's go, bestie!”

I rolled my eyes but didn't pull away. Mason gave Brandon a subtle warning look and he retreated his arm immediately.

My eyes followed theirs down the hall to see Jude walking towards us with Jaxon beside him.

He was wearing his official black and gold hockey jersey with the number 8 stitched boldly on the material. His damp hair was slightly pushed back, with a duffel bag swung casually on his shoulder.

His eyes locked with mine just in time and my breath hitched. God, he looked unfairly handsome.

“J-Jaxon…” a girl giggled shyly as she walked past him. I couldn't even blame her. He had that effect on everyone and he didn't even look fazed by it.

“Scary much, huh?” Mason snorted behind me.

My heart did a traitorous flip against my rib from how close he was standing. The vivid memory of his hand gripping my waist in that room flashed through my mind and for three embarrassing seconds, I forgot how to breathe.

I was stuck staring at his jawline and those inviting lips when Jude snapped me out of my reverie.

“Careful, Hazel,” his voice cut through the air, drawing my attention to him since he joined us.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“You're drooling,” he pointed and my face flushed.

“I was just…”

“You don't have to explain,” Jaxon's voice rippled through the air. My eyes locked with his once again and a small smile played on his lips.

“Hey, Hazel,” he said casually and yet just a simple greeting was enough to make my cheeks burn red.

“H-hey,” I stammered, suddenly feeling shy. Brandon shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes and I knew they wouldn't let me off the hook easily when the students suddenly started rushing towards the entrance.

“OMG! She's back,” a student gasped in complete shock as she ran past us.

I looked at the boys to see everyone was just as confused as I was. Jude reached out and grabbed a passing girl by her sweater sleeve.

“Why is everyone running?”

“You haven't heard? Mallory is… back,” her voice died in her throat the second her eyes landed on Jaxon and for a heartbeat, I could have swore that there was a terrifying shift in the atmosphere.

The boys exchanged glances and before I could ask what was happening, the crowd parted ways and a tall girl stood in the middle of the hall.

She had a pretty smile on her face as everyone stared at her. With her designer shoes and bag, one would think she was about to walk down a fashion runway.

She paused as if scanning the corridor until her eyes locked onto our group.

“Shit,” I heard Mason cursed under his breath as she walked towards us with a charming smile. Breeze fanned her long hair with each step and I couldn't help the unsettling feeling that settled in the pit of my stomach.

She walked past Brandon, Mason and Jude without giving them a second glance when she stopped in front of Jaxon.

She threw her arm around his neck like she'd done it a thousand times and leaned up to press a kiss on his cheeks.

The hallway erupted in envious whines and giggles as she pulled away with a proud smile.

“Hey baby.”