Chapter 3 Ice-Cold Introduction

The team party was loud and packed. Music blasted through the big house near campus. Red cups and hockey jerseys were everywhere. Jax stood near the entrance wearing a black button-up shirt and dark jeans. He kept checking his phone.

Riley finally walked in ten minutes late. She wore a simple dark green dress that reached her knees and her hair was down. She looked beautiful, but her face said she would rather be anywhere else.

Jax walked straight to her. “You came.”

“Did I have a choice?” Riley said, crossing her arms. “Your boss made it very clear what happens if I don’t show up.”

“Relax. Just one night. We smile, take a few pictures, and leave.”

A tall guy with a goalie jersey came over with a big smile. It was Cal, Jax’s best friend.

“Wow, so this is the famous Riley Voss,” Cal said. “The girl who tamed the beast. Nice to meet you.”

Riley gave a fake smile. “Tamed? That’s funny. I’m just here because they forced me.”

Cal laughed. “She’s got fire. I like her already, Jax.”

“Don’t get too excited,” Riley muttered. “This isn’t real.”

More teammates started gathering around them. One of them, Brooks, smirked as he looked Riley up and down.

“So the girl who wrote all that shit about us is now dating our captain? Life is weird,” Brooks said.

Riley turned to him. “I wrote the truth. You guys act like you own the campus.”

Jax put his hand on her lower back. “Easy. We’re supposed to look like a couple, remember?”

She stepped away from his touch. “Don’t push it.”

Mr. Hargrove appeared from the crowd with a photographer. “Perfect timing. Let’s get the first official couple photo. Stand together, please.”

Riley stiffened. “Now?”

“Right now,” the director said. “Smile nicely. This will go on the team’s social media.”

Jax moved closer and wrapped one arm around Riley’s waist. She forced herself to lean into him a little. The camera flashed.

“Closer,” the photographer said. “Look at each other like you’re happy.”

Jax turned and looked down at her. “Try to pretend you don’t hate me for thirty seconds.”

Riley looked up at him with fire in her eyes. “That’s asking for a lot.”

Flash. Flash.

“Great,” Mr. Hargrove said. “One more. Jax, kiss her on the cheek.”

“What?” Riley said loudly.

Jax leaned in quickly and kissed her cheek. The camera flashed again.

Riley pulled away fast. “Okay, that’s enough.”

Some people around them clapped. A girl from the cheer team shouted, “You guys are so cute together!”

Riley couldn’t hold it in anymore. She turned to the small crowd that had formed.

“Cute? Are you all serious right now?” she said, her voice rising. “This guy smashed a car two days ago like a crazy person and you’re all acting like everything is fine?”

The music seemed to get quieter as more people looked at them.

Jax whispered, “Riley, not here.”

“No, I think here is perfect,” she continued. “Jax Ryder is an entitled asshole who thinks he can destroy anything when he loses his temper. And now the university is forcing me to play his fake girlfriend so he doesn’t get in trouble. How is this okay with everyone?”

Whispers spread through the room.

Brooks laughed. “Damn, she’s spicy.”

Cal looked nervous. “Riley, maybe we should”

Riley kept going. “You all act like he’s a hero. He’s not. He’s just another rich hockey player who gets away with everything.”

Jax’s jaw tightened. “That’s enough, Voss.”

“Is it?” she shot back. “Or do you not like hearing the truth in front of your fans?”

Mr. Hargrove stepped forward quickly. “Alright, let’s all calm down and enjoy the party. More drinks on the house!”

The music got louder again, but the damage was done. People were staring and pulling out their phones.

Jax grabbed Riley’s arm gently. “We need to talk. Now.”

He pulled her through the crowd toward a quieter hallway at the back of the house. Riley tried to yank her arm free but he held on until they reached an empty room. He closed the door behind them.

The moment the door shut, Riley exploded.

“Let go of me!” she said. “What the hell was that? You kissed my cheek without asking!”

“It was for the photo,” Jax said, running his hand through his hair. “We agreed to this. Public affection.”

“I agreed to pretend, not to let you put your mouth on me whenever you feel like it!”

Jax stepped closer. “You think I enjoy this? You just called me an entitled asshole in front of half the team!”

“Because you are!” Riley shouted. “You destroy property, throw tantrums, and everyone rushes to fix your mess. Including me. I have a brother to take care of and now I’m stuck in this stupid lie.”

Jax’s eyes flashed with anger. “You don’t know anything about me or my life. You wrote one article and think you understand everything.”

“I know enough,” she said. “I saw the video. You looked completely out of control.”

“You want to talk about out of control?” Jax moved even closer. “You stood there smiling for the cameras and then stabbed me in the back in front of everyone. That’s cold.”

Riley laughed bitterly. “Oh, I’m cold? At least I’m not pretending to be someone I’m not. This whole thing is fake and disgusting.”

Jax stared at her hard. “You signed the contract too. You need the money for your brother. Don’t act like you’re better than me.”

That hit Riley hard. Her eyes filled with angry tears but she refused to cry.

“Don’t you ever talk about my brother,” she said, voice shaking. “He’s the only reason I’m doing this nightmare. Not for you. Not for your precious hockey career.”

The room went quiet for a few seconds. They were standing very close now, breathing fast.

Jax softened his voice a little. “Look… I’m sorry about the kiss on the cheek. I should’ve warned you. But you can’t blow up like that in public again. We both lose if this falls apart.”

Riley looked away. “I hate this. I hate pretending to like you.”

“Yeah, well I’m not exactly having fun either,” Jax replied. “You’re difficult as hell.”

“Good. Keep remembering that.”

She turned toward the door to leave.

“Riley, wait,” Jax said.

She ignored him and reached for the handle.

In one quick move, Jax grabbed her wrist, stopping her from opening the door. His grip was firm but not painful.

Riley froze. She looked down at his hand on her wrist, then up at his face.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, voice low and dangerous.

Jax didn’t let go. His stormy grey eyes locked onto hers. The air between them felt thick and heavy.

“We’re not done talking,” he said.