A Hockey Player's Guide To Deception

Chapter Twenty-Six

Psalm 9:1

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

note: listen to lacy by Olivia Rodrigo hehe :, you'll get it once you finish reading this chapter.

Kayla had spent her entire life perfecting the art of pretense, her fake smiles so practiced that they felt genuine even to her. She had managed to fool an entire school of boys into believing she was one of them. Yet, sitting at the table in Louis's clothes, next to Kay, her palms damp with sweat, she realized this was a different kind of challenge. No matter how many times Louis tried to assure her that this kind of wealth was just everyday life, Kayla couldn't wrap her head around it. Each morning, she woke up in this stunning home, she was reminded of one simple truth: she didn't belong in this world of glitz and glamour.

Her heart thudded anxiously in her chest as Louis's mom ushered the guests into the room. Their voices carried an air of regality, matching their poised demeanor. A picturesque family of three, Two parents and their beautiful daughter. As striking as they were intimidating, they stood casually before her. She couldn't quite understand why she felt so jittery. Maybe it was the fear of being scrutinized by new company, people who would instantly recognize that she didn't belong. She stuck out like a sore thumb in their aristocratic world, and even Louis's posh clothes couldn't disguise the truth.

"Lola's pretty, isn't she?" Kay leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Kayla blinked, her cheeks warming as a blush crept in. Kay must have assumed she'd been staring at Lola. And how could she not? Lola's dark, lustrous hair cascaded down her back in lush waves, and her jade-green eyes were mesmerizing. Petite and delicate, she couldn't have been more than five feet tall.

Kayla cleared her throat awkwardly. "Yeah, she's gorgeous."

"She and Louis used to date... so this is a little awkward," Kay said, her tone light but her words heavy with unspoken meaning.

"Date?" Kayla swallowed hard, trying to maintain a neutral expression, but her chest tightened. She couldn't lie to herself; her heart sank at the words.

"Yeah. For two years. They broke up a few months ago," Kay said, glancing at Lola, who seemed oblivious to their conversation as she smiled and chatted with Louis's mother.

"Why?" Kayla asked, masking her interest with a sip of water, trying to sound casual.

Kay didn't seem to notice her feigned indifference and launched into the full history of their relationship. 

"They were high school sweethearts. Everyone thought they were perfect together. But, you know, Louis was always so focused on hockey and school, and it was starting to wear on him. Lola said she didn't want to be a distraction, so she called it off."

Kayla nodded, her mind swirling. "That sounds... considerate of her."

Kay tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. "It was. Lola's classy like that. I think it crushed Louis, though. He'd never say it, but you can tell."

"Crushed him?" Kayla echoed, glancing at Louis, who stood across the room. He looked calm and composed, every bit the picture of poise, but now she couldn't help wondering if it was all just a front.

"Yeah. He's been different since they broke up," Kay replied.

"Different? How so?" Kayla asked before she could stop herself. She didn't know why she cared so much, but the question slipped out anyway.

Kay paused, waving her arms vaguely in the air as if searching for the right word. 

"He used to be so... magnetic. The life of the party. He was always fun to be around, like he could make anything feel exciting. But after they broke it off, it's like he shrank into himself. He's... quieter now. More guarded."