Faking It With The Hockey Playboy

Lila POV

"RYAN! PLEASE!" I screamed until my throat burned, my voice cracking with desperation.

My heart was breaking as I watched my stepbrother struggle on the ice below. This wasn't just any game. This was THE game. The one that would decide his entire future. College scouts filled the arena, notebooks ready, waiting to choose the next hockey superstar.

And Ryan was losing.

"Come on, Ryan" I whispered, gripping the cold metal railing so hard my knuckles turned white. "You can do this. You have to do this."

I had been in love with Ryan for three long, painful years. Every morning I watched him eat breakfast, wishing he would look at me the way he looked at his hockey trophies. Every night I dreamed of him holding me, kissing me, wanting me back.

But Ryan only saw me as his annoying little stepsister. Nothing more.

The arena was so loud I could barely think. Thousands of people were on their feet, screaming, cheering, hoping. The championship game was tied with only two minutes left. Ryan's whole life depended on these next 120 seconds.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer's voice boomed like thunder. "This is it! Two minutes to decide who becomes the next college hockey sensation!"

My stomach twisted into knots. Ryan was skating hard, sweat dripping down his beautiful face. He looked so focused, so determined. God, he was gorgeous even when he was exhausted.

Then I saw him.

Derek Stone.

The devil himself gliding across the ice like a predator hunting prey. Derek was everything parents warned their daughters about - dangerous, wild, and absolutely ruthless. He had been kicked out of his last school for fighting, and now he played for our biggest rival.

Derek hated Ryan. Ryan hated Derek. They had been enemies since junior league.

"No, no, no," I breathed, watching Derek move toward Ryan like a shark smelling blood.

In one swift, brutal move, Derek stole the puck right from Ryan's stick. The crowd gasped. My heart stopped beating.

"DEREK STONE HAS THE PUCK!" the announcer roared. "HE'S FLYING DOWN THE ICE LIKE A MAN POSSESSED!"

Time slowed down. I watched Derek dance around our defenders like they were standing still. He was fast, graceful, and completely unstoppable.

"Please miss," I prayed desperately. "Please, God, let him miss."

Derek pulled back his stick. The arena held its breath.

He shot.

"GOOOOOOOAL!"

The sound hit me like a physical blow. Half the arena exploded in celebration while our side sat in stunned, heartbroken silence. Derek threw his arms up in victory, his teammates mobbing him like he was a conquering hero.

I felt tears burning my eyes as I watched Ryan's shoulders slump in defeat. His dream was dying right in front of me, and there was nothing I could do to save him.

"AND DEREK STONE DOES IT AGAIN!" the announcer screamed with excitement. "THAT'S HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE NIGHT! WHAT A SUPERSTAR!"

The clock kept ticking down. Ryan tried desperately