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I was shaken from my thoughts as two players collided with a loud thud, sending the crowd wild.

One of the players went flying, but the other stayed on his feet.

He was wearing the number twenty-three, and I glanced back at the shirtless fans who were delirious with excitement.

Clearly this was their favorite player, and it didn’t take long for me to realize why.

With his opponent sprawled at his feet, the number twenty-three took off.

He glided effortlessly across the ice, weaving between rival players like they weren’t there at all.

I knew he was skating at a breathtaking pace, but it almost felt like everything was happening in slow motion and the roar of the crowd seemed to dull around me.

As someone who hated hockey, even I had to admit this guy was impressive.

As if to confirm my appraisal, the number twenty-three dodged past one final defenseman and flicked the puck past the goalie. The siren behind the net blared, and the fans around us screamed. They couldn’t get enough of this guy. Even I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him.

“Uh, Violet?”

“Yeah?” Mia’s tone was urgent enough that I managed to pull my eyes away from the game and focus on her.

“What time did you say Jeremy’s game started?”

“At three. Why?”

“That can’t be right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, I hate to tell you this, but we’re not at the Saints game. This is a Devils game.”

“What?” I quickly glanced at the scoreboard, and my heart sank when I read the two team names displayed there. Mia was right. We weren’t at a Sunshine Prep game. Instead, we’d accidentally turned up to watch their biggest rivals, the Ransom Devils.

“This can’t be right,” I murmured. I’d only been living in Sunshine Hills a few months, but I’d heard all about Ransom, the town across the river.

While Sunshine Hills was full of large imposing mansions, golf courses, and country clubs, Ransom was more industrial and working class.

Ransom High and Sunshine Hills Prep were just as contrasting.

The rivalry between them was entrenched and bitter, and while it impacted pretty much anything the two schools took part in, it started and ended with hockey.

“You’re certain the game started at three?” Mia said.

“Uh, I think so.”

“Are we at the wrong place then?”

I pulled out my phone to double-check the message Jeremy had sent me last night with the details. I’d been half asleep when I first read it, but I was certain I hadn’t got the time or place wrong.

But the moment I opened the message, I swore. “His game was at one, Mia. I missed it…” And Jeremy hadn’t texted me since, which was definitely a bad sign.

“It was an honest mistake, Vi. He’ll understand.”

Another crashing sound pulled our attention back to the ice as number twenty-three slammed a player into the boards surrounding the rink and then stood over his unfortunate opponent for a few seconds, glaring down at him.

This guy seemed to enjoy hitting other players more than actually playing the game.

He didn’t have much time to revel in his aggressive display though because he instantly found himself engulfed by an angry mob of opposing players.

In turn, his teammates quickly rushed to his aid, and the umpires started frantically blowing their whistles and waving their arms trying to stop the ensuing scuffle.

Mia started fanning her face. “That’s hot.”

I shoved my shoulder into hers. “You’ve clearly lived in the cold for too long,” I said. “You’re losing it.”

“What?” she protested. “’I like it a little rough.”

“Uh, Mia, are we still talking about hockey?”

“Of course!” She pressed her hand to her chest in a show of feigned shock and then waved her hand at the crowd around us, who were only cheering louder as the umpires struggled to end the commotion on the ice. “And I’m not the only one who likes it.”

All I could do was sigh in response. I really was out of my depth here.

“My poor, hockey-deprived Violet,” Mia continued.

“How much you still have to learn about living in Sunshine Hills. It’s okay, we’ll get you there eventually.

” She slung an arm over my shoulder and returned her attention to the game.

The brawl had finally ended, and number twenty-three was making his way off the ice.

“Speaking of hot and rough,” Mia said. “That’s one of the Darling Devils. He’s going to the penalty box for the hit that started that fight.”

“The who?”

“The Darling Devils. You know, the Darling brothers.” She spoke like she was stating something painfully obvious.

“And who exactly are they?”

“You’ve really never heard of them?”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I had.”

“Well…” Mia drew the word out, and I could see she was only too happy to explain.

“The Darling brothers are three of the best players in the state. They play for the Ransom Devils, and they’re lethal.

” Her voice lowered slightly as she continued, but her eyes were still sparkling with excitement.

“I’m not just talking about hockey either.

They have a pretty bad reputation off the ice too.

People around here have a lot to say about those boys. ”

I frowned down at the Devils player who had just entered the penalty box. I could just make out the name “Darling” printed across the back of his jersey.

“That’s Reed Darling,” Mia said, nodding in his direction. “He’s the Ransom Devils’ captain. He’s destined for the NHL, but people say he’s an even bigger player off the ice.”

“Sounds like a great guy.” My voice was thick with sarcasm.

“Sure, if bad boy is your type,” Mia continued. “I heard he had to miss school last year because he got sent to juvie.”

“Lovely,” I replied. “I’m sure his mother is very proud.”

Mia smirked. “Well, his mother did something right; he is one fine specimen.” There was a slight smile on her lips, and she was gently tilting her head as she looked down at Reed. Despite the fact Mia clearly believed this guy was trouble, she still couldn’t help but check him out.

“Just because a guy fills out a hockey jersey well doesn’t make him hot,” I added.

Mia uttered a shocked laugh. “You’re only saying that because you haven’t seen his face. And he has this scar on his neck that he got from a bar brawl, which only adds to his rugged, rebellious appeal.”

I honestly didn’t think seeing Reed Darling’s face would make me feel any different. This was a guy who played hockey and got into bar fights? I was never going to find a boy like that attractive.

“His brothers are just as bad,” Mia added. “Someone told me they beat up a kid at a party last year just because he looked at Reed the wrong way.”

“Seriously?”

“You’re talking about the Darling brothers, right?”

We turned to look at the girl seated on the other side of Mia as she leaned toward us.

Clearly, she’d been listening to our conversation and was eager to chime in.

“That’s only the start of what happened at that party.

Apparently, after they beat the guy up, one of the Devils made out with his girlfriend. ”

Mia’s eyes widened before she turned back to me, a smug grin plastered across her face. “See. Everyone knows about the Darling Devils.”

I didn’t really feel comfortable gossiping about someone I didn’t know, but it certainly sounded like the Darling boys had more than earned their bad reputation, so I just nodded at my cousin.

Besides, I didn’t have time to worry about how some degenerate hockey players got their kicks.

I had bigger problems right now. “I should call Jeremy and check how his game went.”

“But I haven’t finished telling you all about the Darling Devils. In freshman year, Reed?—”

I waved her off. “You can fill me in later.”

“Aw, come on, Violet.” Mia pouted. “Can’t we stay and finish watching the game?”

I released a sigh. “You stay here. I’m going to find somewhere a little quieter to give him a call. I’ll come find you after.”

“I think it would be way more fun if you stayed and let me further your education on hot hockey players,” she said as I stood up.

“Except it feels like you’re only teaching me about the crazy ones.”

“Crazy hot,” she corrected me before she turned and launched back into conversation with the girl beside her. It seemed they had plenty more gossip to share about the so-called Darling Devils.

I made my way down the bleachers and walked away from the ice rink to the concession stand in the front foyer.

There were only a couple of people milling around with everyone else engrossed by the game.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Jeremy.

It rang twice but then went straight to voicemail.

“That can’t be good,” I muttered as I lowered my phone and started to text him.

I went to sit on one of the benches nearby as I tried to figure out what to say.

It didn’t matter how I put it; he was going to be disappointed I missed his game.

I kept writing and then rewriting my text, but I couldn’t find a good way to say “I’m sorry, I’m a terrible girlfriend. ”

Eventually, I gave up and decided to head back to Mia. Maybe it would be easier if I spoke to Jeremy in person.

As I reentered the arena, a siren blared, and a thunderous cheer shook the building. I glanced up at the scoreboard to see the game had ended, and the Devils had annihilated the other team.

The crowd rose from their seats and started to leave, flooding down the bleachers and swarming toward the exit.

I stood to one side and waited for Mia to pass, but I didn’t catch sight of her.

It was only as the flow of people started to ebb that I was able to get to the seats.

Mia was sitting right where I’d left her, ogling the hockey players who were still making their way off the ice.

“Having fun?” I asked.