Sidelined Love: A Hockey Romance (The Crestwood University Series Book 1)

There has been no doubt in my mind that it would all come down to this.

I squeeze Hailey’s hand before letting it go and having it join my other hand on the steering wheel. As I drive down the mostly deserted road, the lights of the arena have long faded from my rearview mirror, but the confrontation with my father is still in the front of my mind.

Enough was enough for a while and it was about time I’d stood up to him. What I hadn’t expected to happen was that Hailey would be there when I did.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” I murmur, breaking the silence between us. It isn’t something I wanted her to witness. Part of me wants to look over at her, but it would be hard to read the expression on her face given how dark it is.

“It’s okay,” she whispers back. “I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself and not letting him continue to walk all over you.”

“Thanks. It was a long time coming and I’m happy that I finally did it.”

The silence that falls in the car after I speak gives me time to dig into my thoughts. Reflecting on the events, I’m struck by the irony of it all. I’ve always stayed in the roles that I was supposed to—the impeccable athlete, the loyal son and brother, the devoted captain. Yet, in the heat of the moment, I tossed all of those things to the side to showcase what I needed to say, without fear of retribution.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I tap along to a beat in my head, quickly figuring out that it’s another Taylor Swift song that I can’t get out of my head. My thoughts drift away from my father because I’ve spent enough time on him.

Instead, they latch onto Hailey, which is where I rather they be. To say seeing her at the game was a surprise is an understatement. I know coming tonight was a lot for her, and while she’s proud of me, I’m the same for her.

Even if she is wearing Asher’s jersey.

I still need to get my payback for that. Maybe the time for it is sooner rather than later. I press my foot down on the gas as I pass the exit that would lead us back to Hailey’s apartment.

“Where are we going?” Her question lets me know that she is paying attention. Good.

“Hmmm?” I pretend like I didn’t hear what she said. It’s the kind of sound that’s more of a vibration in my throat than an actual word.

“Where are we going?” she repeats, but a little more seriously this time.

“Just thought we could use a little detour,” I say, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world to switch things up without explanation. I look at her for a split second before turning my attention back to the road.

“Levi Jamison, are you kidnapping me?”

The way she says my name is all drawn out, but I can hear the laughter in her voice.

I chuckle, keeping my gaze on the dark stretch of road ahead. “Only in the most romantic sense of the term. Is that something that appears in one of your romance novels?”

“Possibly,” she says in a teasing tone. “Have you been reading my books?”

“Not yet, but I’m not opposed to it.”

“Seriously?” she asks as if she doesn’t believe me.

“Yeah, because it’ll allow me to learn more about you, what you like and need.”

Her laughter forces me to take another glance at her. She’s thrown her head back against the headrest and her right hand has landed on her heart.

A thought appears in my mind, something I’ve been thinking of for a while but need to get out now. “You know something? Winning hockey games makes me happy, but seeing you laugh like that blows everything else out of the water. Your smile is my victory, Rook.”

She’s silent for a moment, and when she finally speaks, her voice is softer than I expect. “You can’t just say things like that, Levi.”

“But I did and there’s nothing you can do to take it back,” I say, as I take a left and turn down a road that is covered with trees on both sides. The road eventually opens up to a clearing with a view of Crestwood in the distance. I pull over but leave the engine on to keep the heat low in the car before turning to Hailey.

“What is this place?” Hailey asks as she watches the scene before her.

“A quiet spot that I discovered when I missed a turn one day. I come back here sometimes when I want to think, and I want to share the place with you.”

I unbuckle my seat belt and shift to face her more directly, taking in the expression on her face. The moonlight casts a soft glow on her face and that damn jersey. I’m determined to get it off her as soon as possible.

“You have five seconds to take that jersey off.” My eyes study Asher’s number before my gaze lands on hers once more.

“Wait a minute. I⁠—”

“One.” She’s not going to be happy with me cutting her off, but we’ll deal with it later.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious. Two.”

Hailey folds her arms over her chest. “I’m not doing a damn thing.”

“Three.”

“You can stop counting, Levi.”

“Four.”

“Make me,” she says with a smirk as she changes tactics.

The look on her face tells me she’s proud of herself, thinking that she’s winning because she refuses to obey my order. That’s okay though. If she wants to act like a brat, I’ll treat her like one.

“Five.”

The smirk on her face dims for a second, showing that she’s suddenly not sure whether she’s made the right choice or not. But she can’t turn back time and now needs to deal with the consequences.

I don’t waste any time unbuckling her seat belt and reaching for the hem of her jersey. She shrieks and tries to stop me, but I’m faster, yanking the offending article of clothing over her head and discarding it on the floor of the front seat.

She’s left in the hoodie that she’s worn underneath it and the rest of the clothes she wore to the game. They will all be gone soon enough too.

“Get in the back seat.”

“What if I⁠—”

“Now isn’t the time to argue with me, Rook. Unless you don’t want me to fuck you until you can’t stand anymore.”

Hailey’s eyes widen before she realizes that they are, and I’m left holding back a laugh because of the new expression on her face. I wonder if she’s going to fight me on this too.

I’m shocked to watch her freak out briefly before almost throwing herself into the back seat, which I’m impressed she manages to do without stepping out of the car. I, on the other hand, know the chances of me making it to the back seat in the same matter are slim to none so I opt to use my doors.

I slide in beside her and once the overhead light is off, we’re surrounded by darkness besides the lights that are coming from Crestwood. The only thing that matters is her.

I move a piece of hair out of her face, allowing myself to stare at her beauty that is illuminated by the soft lights from a world that seems so far away now. Her eyes showcase a mixture of softness and fire, something that makes Hailey uniquely her. I lean closer, letting my lips brush against her, giving her a taste of what is about to come.

“Stop playing with me, Jamison.”

I grin at her use of my last name. “Why, when it’s so fun to do so?”

“Because I want to experience this payback that you speak of. Making me pay for wearing Asher’s jersey.” Lust is evident in her eyes and now I’m more than determined to make her eyes roll into the back of her head before this evening ends.

“Remember you asked for this.” With that, our lips meet in haste as if we’re trying to make up for lost time. Her hands roam over my chest, gripping the hoodie that I’d thrown on after the game while my hands land on her waist and pull her closer.

Hailey pulls away for air as she gasps for breath. “Someone might see us.”

“We’re alone, Rook. And if someone tried to so much as glance at you at this point in our relationship, I’ll knock them the fuck out.”

My mouth trails from her lips down to her neck, enjoying the little gasps and moans that flee her lips because of what I’m doing. My sole purpose right now is to make sure that I keep her on the edge of her seat and make her come.

The sounds she’s making urge me forward and all I want to do is hear her get louder and louder. “Lose the jeans.”

“You can at least say please. Manners are important.”

“The only manners I care about is you screaming ‘please’ while you beg me to fuck you. Lose the jeans, Rook.”

She gives me a look that screams defiance and desire at the same time. She’s not one to back down easily, but tonight, I can tell she’s into playing this game as much as I am. With a playful huff, she undoes her belt and jeans in slow motion, drawing out the moment. Her jeans slip down inch by agonizing inch, but I don’t say a word. Soon, the buckle of her belt clinks faintly as it hits the floorboard, and her pants and shoes are off her body.

Since she’s determined to test my patience, this time I use my hands to move to her sweater and it takes me a second to find the hem and start pushing it up. Hailey is more than willing to help me because she lifts her arms without hesitation, and soon I’m throwing the piece of clothing somewhere else in the car. What I don’t realize until a few seconds later is that I took off the t-shirt she had on underneath as well, saving both of us even more time.

I grab her around the waist, and she squeals as I gently lift her and place her on my lap. Her breasts are now inches from me; the white lace bra cups aren’t doing a thing to hide the fact that her nipples are already hard and begging for my attention. I hook my fingers on the straps, pulling them down with ease and exposing her perfect breasts.

She is mine. All mine.

I brush my lips along her collarbone before putting one of her hardened nipples into my mouth. She moans out my name, gripping the headrest, letting me know this is exactly where she wants to be for the time being. I can do this all night, but Hailey’s rocking her hips against my jeans, begging for more contact between us.

I take the hint and one of my hands finds its way to her hip, guiding her movements. It’s definitely a mistake because this is only increasing the likelihood that I’m going to bust my load in my sweatpants.

“Levi, please,” she says when I switch nipples, making sure I give it the same amount of attention.

I stop sucking on her breast to say, “Ah there are those good manners.”

She starts to laugh, but it quickly turns into a gasp when her nipple ends up back in my mouth. Point one to me for making her speechless.

My hand drifts down until it touches her panties. I can feel her wetness through the fabric, and she grinds into my hand. I debate whether I want to tease her through her underwear, but I’m too impatient. I want her on my cock as much as she wants to be on it, and the teasing would only prolong the inevitable.

I push her panties to the side and slide a finger between her slick folds, drawing a long moan from deep in her throat. Hailey arches her back, thrusting her tits into my face. I can’t resist and flick one of her nipples with my tongue.

As I continue to explore her with my fingers, a sudden realization hits me. The heat of the moment almost made me forget about safety precautions. I pull back reluctantly because I’m not as prepared as I thought I was. “Fuck. I’m going to need to get a condom out of my bag.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m clean and have the shot.”

“I’m clean as well. Got checked about a week before we met. Are you sure about this?”

She responds by pulling my face to hers for a searing kiss that says more than words ever could. When we surface for air, she whispers against my lips, “I’ve never been more certain of anything.”

It’s all the convincing I need. My hands reach the front of my sweatpants, and once Hailey lifts up, I push them and my boxer briefs down just enough to free myself.

I can’t take my eyes off her as she positions herself above me. I hold my breath as I guide myself to her pussy, and once I’m in position, Hailey sinks down onto me slowly. She begins to move, and I can tell she’s trying to pace herself, but her body is betraying her. Her hips start moving involuntarily, and I get the feeling that she’s about to try to take all of me at once.

“Fuck,” I groan out, my hands instinctively gripping her hips to steady her and to control the pace. Being inside her without a condom is a completely different feeling, something I know I’ll be addicted to. “You’re so damn tight.”

All she can do is moan as she continues to move, finding a rhythm that forces both of us to lose our breath. I watch her, first her tits as she bounces up and down on my dick, before my stare makes its way up to hers. Her eyes are locked on mine, and there’s a wildness in them that makes me want to toss her on this seat and fuck her harder.

Instead, I decide she’s in control and this is her show. But I can’t stop myself from meeting her halfway, thrusting up into her from below. The chokehold her pussy has on me is driving to the brink, but I’m trying to hold back in order for this to last for both of us.

“Faster,” she whispers hoarsely, and I comply without hesitation.

Our movements become more frantic, desperate even. The sound of skin slapping against skin grows louder, but I can barely hear it over the sound of our panting and moans.

Her hands find my shoulders, giving her something to hold on while she’s riding me. I’m drunk on the feeling of having her on top of me. With every move, she matches my intensity like she does in life. This is why we fit together so well, and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make this work.

Her breaths are short now, like she can’t catch her breath. “Levi,” she throws out, “I’m close.”

Hearing her say that is my undoing. I tighten the grip I have on her waist with a newfound determination for us both to reach our orgasms, but she needs to get hers first. Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I welcome the sting they leave behind.

“Come for me, baby. Come for me,” I say, demanding that she gives me the orgasm she more than deserves.

As if my words start the revolution, her whole body shakes as she comes undone above me.

Her climax triggers mine, and I follow right after her, a low groan tearing from my throat as pleasure washes over me in waves. We cling to each other, our bodies still joined as aftershocks ripple through us both.

For a long moment afterward, we’re too spent to move. Hailey’s head rests against my chest while her breathing slowly returns to normal. My fingers trace lazy circles on her back, skin slick with a thin sheen of sweat from the activities we partook in. The heat in the car is almost suffocating now, but neither of us makes a move to change anything.

There’s some cleaning that will need to be done and clothes that will need to be put back on, but for now, the only thing I care about is having her in my arms. It’s at this moment I realize how hard I’ve fallen for her.

There’s no doubt in my mind that I love her, but I can’t tell her right now because she’s going to think it’s because we’ve just had sex. So I keep the words to myself, promising to tell her sometime soon even though the thought of her not feeling the same is terrifying.

But not ever telling her feels a whole lot worse.