Crosscheck (Westbridge Series)

People forgave hockey players for almost everything.
At Westbridge University, they worshipped them for it.

Fights were called passion. Arrogance became confidence. Broken rules turned into headlines that disappeared by morning because winning mattered more than consequences ever would.

Arden Mercer learned that during her first week as the university's newest athletic trainer.

And she learned it again the night Rhys Calloway smiled at her like he already knew she'd hate him.

The arena shook with noise as Westbridge lost their minds over another goal. Students slammed against the glass, screaming Rhys's name while he skated backward across the ice with blood on his mouth and triumph in his grin.

Typical.

Arden stood near the bench with her arms crossed tightly over her clipboard, unimpressed.
Mostly.

"Careful," one of the assistant coaches warned beside her. "That look on your face is dangerous."

"What look?"

"The one that says you're about to commit a felony with a roll of athletic tape." She snorted quietly.

Across the rink, Rhys ripped off his helmet.

The crowd got louder.

Unfortunately, the idiot was beautiful.

Dark hair curling damply at the ends. Sharp jawline. Broad shoulders. The kind of face that made people excuse behavior they'd condemn in anyone else.
And judging by the two minutes she'd spent around him earlier that week, his personality was somehow worse than the rumors.

Cocky. Dismissive. Too observant for his own good.
The exact type of athlete Arden avoided.

As if sensing her thoughts, Rhys turned suddenly.

Their eyes locked. It should've lasted a second.

Instead, he slowed near the boards, gaze steady on hers while the entire arena erupted around him. There was nothing playful in his expression now. Nothing charming either.

Just recognition.

Like he'd been expecting her.

Arden's stomach tightened.
Then Rhys Calloway winked.

And somehow that felt less like flirting-
and more like the beginning of a problem.