Chapter 1

The ice rink still echoed with the sound of our defeat. I stood in the medical room, checking bruises and cuts on our guys who looked like they'd been through a blender. The scoreboard outside read 4-1, and honestly, it wasn't even that close.

"Brie, can you check my shoulder?" Jake winced as he peeled off his jersey. His left shoulder was already turning purple.

I pressed gently around the area. "Nothing's broken, but you're gonna be sore for days."

The locker room was unusually quiet. Usually after games, win or lose, there'd be some kind of energy. Tonight felt different. This was our fourth loss in a row, and everyone could feel the weight of it.

That's when Chase stormed in, still in full gear except for his helmet. His dark hair was soaked with sweat, and his jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.

"This is bullshit," he announced to everyone. "Did you see their third line? Those guys were flying around like they'd been drinking energy drinks all week."

Trevor nodded immediately. Trevor always agreed with whatever Chase said. "Yeah, man. They were way too energized for the third period."

I kept my head down, cleaning Jake's cut. I'd learned to stay invisible when Chase was in one of his moods.

"I'm telling you, something's not right," Chase continued, his voice getting louder. "Their guys had way too much stamina. Way too much energy."

Here we go, I thought. Chase never could handle losing. There always had to be someone else to blame.

"Maybe they just trained harder than us," I said without thinking.

The room went dead silent. Chase turned to look at me, and I immediately regretted opening my mouth.

"Oh really, Brie?" His voice had that dangerous edge I remembered from a year ago. "You seem to know a lot about their training."

Something cold settled in my stomach. "I don't know anything. I was just saying—"

"Actually, now that I think about it," Chase stepped closer, and I could smell his sweat and anger, "didn't I see you talking to their players after the game three weeks ago?"

Oh no. Three weeks ago, I'd run into Marcus, my ex-boyfriend who played for State. We'd only talked for like five minutes, and it was completely innocent.

"That was just—"

"Just what?" Chase's voice carried across the room now. "Just you getting cozy with the enemy?"

Trevor jumped in like a loyal dog. "Wait, you know guys on their team?"

"I dated someone from State last year," I said quickly. "But we broke up months ago. It was nothing."

Chase's eyes lit up with something ugly. "Dated someone from State. Interesting."

I felt my cheeks burning. Several guys were looking at me now, and I didn't like where this was going.

"You know what I think?" Chase said, crossing his arms. "I think little Brie here has been a very helpful girlfriend. Helping their guys stay... energized for games."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I stood up, Jake's cut forgotten.

"Come on, Brie. Everyone knows what kind of help athletes need." Chase's smile was cruel. "And you work in the medical room. Easy access to all kinds of... performance enhancers."

My mouth fell open. "Are you seriously suggesting—"

"I'm not suggesting anything. I'm saying you've been giving State's players inside information and probably more than that, considering how friendly you looked with that guy."

Trevor laughed like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Dude, that would explain everything. Brie's been playing both sides."

"Both sides of what exactly?" I demanded.

"Both sides of the ice," Chase said. "And probably both sides of their bench too, if you know what I mean."

The room erupted in uncomfortable laughter. My face felt like it was on fire.

This cannot be happening.

"You're out of your mind," I said, but my voice sounded shaky even to me.

"Am I?" Chase stepped even closer. "Think about it, guys. Brie's got access to medical supplies. She knows our game plans. And she's obviously got a thing for hockey players."

"Especially big, strong hockey players," Trevor added with a disgusting grin. "Girl's probably got a serious appetite for athletes."

"I heard she's got a real problem with that stuff," another voice chimed in. I couldn't even see who was talking anymore. "Like, she can't control herself around guys."

"That's enough!" I shouted, but they weren't stopping.

"I mean, if you're gonna hook up with the enemy, at least pick our guys," Trevor said. "We're right here, Brie. Why go across town when you can get what you need right in this locker room?"

Chase nodded. "Seriously, Brie. I'm in great shape, Trevor's in great shape. We could definitely satisfy whatever cravings you've got."

The humiliation was crushing. These guys I'd been helping for months were talking about me like I was some kind of desperate groupie.

But I knew exactly why Chase was doing this.

"You know what this is really about," I said, finding my voice. "This has nothing to do with the game or State's players."

Chase's expression shifted slightly. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do." I felt something fierce wake up inside me. "This is about last year. This is about me saying no to you."

The room got quiet again, but this time it felt different. Some of the guys looked uncomfortable.

Last year, Chase had been so persistent. We'd gone on three dates, and every single time, all he wanted to talk about was my body. How I looked in my jeans. How I'd look without them. The third date, he'd practically dragged me toward his dorm room, and when I'd said I wasn't ready, he'd gotten angry.

"What's the point of dating if we're not gonna have sex?" he'd said.

I'd walked away that night and never looked back.

"You're making up stories now," Chase said, but his face was red.

"I'm making up stories?" I grabbed my bag. "You're the one telling everyone I'm some kind of sex-crazed spy. All because I wouldn't sleep with you when you wanted me to."

Trevor started to say something, but I cut him off.

"And you know what? I'm done listening to this crap. I'm reporting all of you to Riley."

I pushed past Chase toward the door.

"Good luck with that," he called after me. "Riley's got more important things to worry about than your hurt feelings."

I slammed the medical room door behind me and practically ran down the hallway. My hands were shaking, and I could feel tears threatening to spill over.

How could they say those things about me?

I needed Riley to shut this down immediately. As the head of medical staff, she had authority over the team. She'd make them apologize and probably report Chase to the athletic department.

I climbed the stairs to the administrative level two at a time. Riley's office was at the end of the hall, and I could see light under her door.

I was almost to her office when I heard it.

A soft moaning sound.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Oh god, Chase... yes..."

Riley's voice. Definitely Riley's voice.

I stood frozen in the hallway, my hand raised to knock on her door, listening to my boss moan my tormentor's name.