The Hockey Captain's One-Rule Romance

a's

kitchen table in our small apartment, watching my sister Mia stir her plain oatmeal with a plastic spoon. She tried to smile at

she asked softly, her voice barely loude

ut smile that felt completely fake. "Just waiting to hear ba

hing since yesterday afternoon, saving the last bit of bread for Mia. The sky above was gray and heavy, threatening to pour rain at any second. I had a job interview at t

ade me feel tiny and poor. A lady at the front desk pointed me toward the private lounge at the back

nd leather. But sitting on the velvet sofa was a face

er H

nd his famous messy brown hair falling just a little over his forehead. He was talking on

an who had laughed at me in the college library

nding the call without saying goodbye. He stood up,

voice deep and smooth.

to turn around and run right out of those doors. "What are you do

heap shoes and my tired face. "I own a part of this

. Just looking at him brought back all the painful memories of the day I foolishly thought a rich, fa

oying smirk playing on his lips. "An

ed my back and glared at him. "No. For a job where I act

her face rushed inside. "Carter, you need to see this right now. Your ex-fiancée ju

his hair. He looked at the woman, then looked back at

dered, like he was

ily, turning on my heel and walking out of

and a quiet life for me and Mia. But life never seemed to give me what I wanted. By the time I got home, my feet

beside her, burying my face in my hands, letting out all the tears I had been

nock rattled o

eephole. Standing in our dark hallway was a tall, neatly dressed man in a grey suit holding a heavy leather briefcase.

unlocked the deadbolt a

?" I asked, my

is Marcus. I work for Carter Hayes. Mr. Hayes sent me her

What are you talking about? I don't w

fcase and pulled out a thick envelope, placi

explained quietly, his eyes steady on mine. "He needs a girlfriend. A real, public-faci

n breathe. "Me? He wants me to

tire year, and give you enough money to take care of your sister. All you have to do is smile for the cameras,

was crazy. It was dangerous. It was everything I swore I would never do. But as I looked back towa