Faking It With The Hockey Star

Justin’s POV

For the first time in weeks, I woke up feeling like I had actually slept. Not enough definitely not enough but at least two full hours. I stared up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to remember the last time I had managed even that much without waking up with mAy heart pounding against my ribs.

Ever since everything with my father had come crashing down, sleep had become a battle. My mind never seemed to shut off: the company, my mother, Diana, the secrets I had unearthed, and the things I still didn’t know. Layered on top of that were hockey, my final exams, graduation, and my future, all fighting for space in my head.

The only time my brain seemed willing to shut up was when Harper was beside me.

I looked down. She was curled tightly against my chest, one arm wrapped around my waist, her face tucked warm against my skin. I smiled softly. If she hadn’t started sleeping over so often, I honestly didn’t know how I would have survived. She didn’t press me to talk when I didn’t want to, and she didn’t force me to process things before I was ready. She just stayed. Sometimes, that was enough.

Reaching quietly for my phone on the nightstand, I saw a text from my father.

Dad: Good luck on your exams today, son. I know you’ll do well.

I frowned at the screen. Son. That word felt so unnatural coming from him now. I read it once more before locking the screen. Why was he suddenly trying to play father? First the PR manager, then the invitations, the trip, and now this. I didn’t know what game he was playing, but I wasn’t ready to join in. Maybe not ever.

Scrolling back through our chat, I saw message after message: asking about my exams, checking on hockey, offering help, trying to bridge a gap that was already a canyon. A bitter laugh almost escaped my throat. Now you want to be a father? After everything he had allowed to happen to Mom? After what he had put me through? I wasn’t ready to forgive him, and I wasn’t even sure I ever would.

Setting the phone back down, I turned my full attention back to Harper as she shifted softly in her sleep. I reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. God, I loved her. I didn’t even know how the hell I had functioned before she came into my life.

Today was the day: my last final exams, and tonight, the charity game. The sheer thought of it was exhausting after weeks of late-night practices and relentless studying. But playing for a cause that meant so much to Harper’s family gave it purpose. And after tonight, I could finally breathe. No more university, no more exams, no more three-in-the-morning cram sessions. Just hockey, my career, Harper, and a life that actually belonged to me.

My phone buzzed again with a text from Mason.

Mason: Bro. You awake? Me: Unfortunately. Mason: Last exams today. Me: We’re graduating, bro. Mason: Holy shit. Me: We actually made it. Mason: Barely.

I grinned, typing back a quick joke before glancing at another notification: Harper’s family group chat. Her mom, Emma, Noah, and now me. Emma had sent a text about school, Noah replied with a ridiculous meme, and her mother reminded everyone to eat breakfast. It was such a small thing, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere not because of my father’s name or my mother’s money, but just because I was Justin.

I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirred against me, and I kissed her again, trailing my lips down to her cheek. Her eyelashes fluttered open, her sleepy eyes fixing on mine.

"Hey, babe," she murmured, her voice raspy from sleep.

My chest tightened at the sound. "Hey, beautiful."

"What time is it?" she mumbled, burying her face back into my neck.

"Early."

"Why are you awake?"

"Exams."

She groaned, hugging me tighter. "I forgot."

I chuckled low in my throat, pulling her up slightly so she was lying on top of me. "I didn’t."

"How long do you have?" she asked, resting her chin on my chest.

"About an hour."

"Then you need to get up."

"I don’t want to," I groaned dramatically, sliding my hands down to grip her waist, pulling her flush against my body. "I’d rather stay right here."

"Justin," she laughed softly, but her eyes darkened as she felt the heat rising between us.

"I’ve been waiting for this," I whispered, sliding my hands under her top to feel the smooth skin of her back. "For my life to slow down." I leaned in, pressing a hot, lingering kiss to the corner of her mouth, making her breath hitch. "For exams to end." I trailed my lips down the delicate line of her neck, sucking lightly at her pulse point until a soft gasp escaped her lips.

"Justin..." she whimpered, her fingers tangling into my hair, pulling me closer.

I pulled back just enough to look at her, my mouth hovering a breath away from hers. "For me to finally have enough time to completely undo you."

Before she could answer, I captured her lips in a deep, agonizingly slow kiss. I pulled her whole body tightly against mine, taking my time, tasting her fully as my hands slid down to cup her hips, pressing her against the hard evidence of how much I wanted her. She moaned into my mouth, arching into my touch, her hands roaming over my shoulders and chest.

When I finally broke the kiss, we were both breathless, her lips flushed and swollen. I pressed one last, sweet kiss to her nose. "I’m planning a trip for us this weekend. Somewhere quiet. Just the two of us."

Harper smiled, her thumbs lightly tracing my cheekbones. "You look lost in thought."

"Just thinking about you," I smiled back.

"Because I’m the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen?" she teased.

"You are."

"Go and prepare for your exam, bossy," she said, though she didn’t let go of my hair.

"Very."

I finally forced myself out of bed and into the shower. By the time I walked out into the kitchen, dressed and ready, the rich aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Harper was standing by the counter, holding a steaming mug out to me.

I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind, pulling her back against my chest and kissing her temple. "You made this for me?"

"Of course," she turned in my arms, resting her hands on my chest. "Now go destroy that exam."

"I’ll try."

"No trying," she pointed a finger at my chest, smiling up at me. "Go kill it."

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling my head down for another firm, lingering kiss that left my heart racing all over again. "I’ll stay here and wrap up a few loose ends. I’ll meet you at the rink tonight."

"I love you, Harper."

"I love you too."

I grabbed my bag, pausing at the door to look back at her one last time. She was smiling at me from the bright kitchen, and for the first time in my life, I felt completely grounded. My life was still complicated, my father was still a mess, and the future was wide open, but I wasn’t facing any of it alone anymore.

I opened the door, a confident grin touching my lips. "See you tonight, baby."

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