We're waiting in the airport for our flight. I'm going back to California. We're going to be close to Beverly Hills, so I started texting Gina and our friend Stacey that we should meet up and go shopping with the girls on my team. 

Connie, Guy's girlfriend, is so nice. Me, her, and Julie are our own close group due to being the only three girls on the team. We're going to be staying in the same hotel room and such for the trip. 

Dean comes up to me as I stand near a charging port. I've always been uncomfortable in airports. So many people,loud noises, and too much going on at once. With Jordan, I fly private, so I haven't stepped foot in an airport since I was a kid. I forgot about how you need to pretty much puppy guard your phone while it's charging. 

"Hey, you good?" He asks me. I look at him, puzzled, and he nods at my phone. I look down and notice my hands are clinging to it so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I nod, releasing my grip. "Yeah, just not a fan of airports." Dean chuckles, and we start talking about bands and such. 

He says something so funny that I start to laugh, and I grab onto his shoulder for support as I lose my balance. As we both laugh, I don't notice the person behind me until- 

*Click*

Startled, I whip my head toward the man as the camera flashes while he continues taking pictures. Dean looks at me in confusion as I grow angry. "YOU WANT A PICTURE OF SOMETHING, GET A PICTURE OF THIS!" I shout, shoving my middle fingers in the air. I look down at my phone, 93% charged, and decide that's better than nothing. I unplug it and storm off, leaving a confused Dean behind me. 

My outburst cause more paparazzi members to manifest, which confuses me. Why is there paparazzi in Nowheresville Minnesota? Adam notices the paps and comes over, and angry look on his face. "Hey! Fuck off dumbasses! Why you even here anyway?" Gordon also comes over, though a lot more calmly. He tries to get them to back off while our flight is called to begin boarding. Thankful for that, I stand in line, Dean right behind me. 

"Sorry," I mutter to him. He shrugs. "It's fine. Let me guess, those fuckers are going to plaster me on the front page of everything now?" I nod. "Pretty much. You're going to be the "mystery man". Be prepared to have everything about your life thrown in your face," I warn. He shrugs. "As long as I get to be your boyfriend," he whispers. I feel myself blush. "Still a no," I say. 

Thankfully, I sound more convincing than I feel. 

~*~*~*~

Gina and Stacey surprise me at the airport, rushing to hug me as I walk by with the team. As they squeal and hug me, Stacey catches a glimpse of Adam over my shoulder. She runs and jumps into his arms and he catches her, picking her up and spinning her around. 

Gina and I exchange looks as we watch the two of them, then squeal as Stacey grabs Adam's face and pulls him in for a long kiss. Some of the guys on the team whoop and catcall as the two kiss. Dean comes over to me. "They're happy to see each other," he remarks. I smile at him. "She got sick of waiting for him to make the first move." 

Gina pokes me and I mentally shake myself. "Oh, Dean, Gina. Gina, Dean," I introduce. Gina raises a brow at me while she shakes Dean's hand. Over her shoulder, I catch Luis gawking at Gina, and I smile internally. I drag her over to meet the rest of the team. 

"So these are Julie and Connie," I say pointing at the girls. They both offer waves. "That's Guy, Connie's boyfriend. Total golden retriever. Those guys there are Charlie, Goldberg, Dwayne, and Fulton, and over there is Kenny, Jesse, and Averman. And that -" I point at Luis, beckoning him over "-is Luis Mendoza." Gina looks at him, wide-eyed, before she turns to me. "He's so hot!" She hisses before turning to face him. The two start a conversation and I smile, successfully playing matchmaker. 

Dean is still at my shoulder. "Meddling?" I glance up at him. "Of course not! I just did what my stepsister wanted me to do! Introduce her to a hot guy." Dean pouts. "He's not that hot," he mutters. I giggle. "Don't worry," I say, patting his arm. "He's not my type. I prefer guys with tattoos." I walk away, leaving him smiling after me.

I chat with Gina and Stacey for a minute - the latter has my brother's arm securely around her - before Don Tibbles and Bombay start herding us to the exit. It sucks that I'm staying in the dorms rather than at home, but oh well. 

I hug the girls goodbye, promising to convince Connie and Julie to join us in shopping soon. Adam and I join back up with the team. 

~*~*~*~

We get to the hotel, and there is a crowd of screaming fans and reporters surrounding the door already. I roll my eyes as security does crowd control. 

As I step out, I push my sunglasses farther up my nose while pulling the hood of the hoodie I'm wearing over my head. 

Thankfully, it doesn't seem like anybody in the crowd actually recognizes me. It looks like they're just hockey fans.

Once we make it to the dorms, I breathe out a sigh of relief, collapsing on the first bed I see. "God I hate crowds."

Connie giggles. "One would think you'd be used to them by now," she points out. I shrug. "I've never liked them. When I was younger it was just a fear of getting lost or separated, but as I got older it became more because it's just annoying."

We begin to unpack. Connie and Julie happily agree to join me, Gina, Stacey, and Stacey's older sister, Avery for lunch tomorrow after practice, followed by some shopping. 

Julie smirks as I pull out my favorite hoodie. "You know, I would never have guess you love Spiderman that much," she says. I shrug with a smile. "He's my comfort character. My younger step brother and I actually bonded over our mutual Spidey love. I'm more into the movies than the comics, but Xander's a total nerd."

I smile, thinking of Xander. "I wonder if he'll actually watch any of my games. He's addicted to screens, so I wonder if he'll look up long enough to watch." 

Julie laughs. "What about Gina and Stacey? They seemed nice. 

I nod. "Gina is my stepsister, and Stacey is our best friend. I think that moving to LA and being thrown into a new family would have been so much worse if it weren't for those two. Even though they were already best friends, they welcomed me in. I'm really lucky that I got to grow up with them." 

I pull out a picture from a fair last year. It's of me, Gina, Stacey, Xander, Adam, Avery, and her boyfriend, Porter. 

"That's Xander," I say, pointing at the sulky preteen in the picture. He's in baggy jorts and an oversized TapOut T-shirt. "He turned thirteen a few months ago, and right after that he shot up a couple inches. He's almost Portman's height. Not only is he  a superhero nerd, but he's also skater boy and a musical prodigy. He can play any song on any instrument by ear. He also has perfect pitch because of course he does. He skipped a grade in elementary school, so he's in my grade."

I point at Avery, next. "That's Avery, obviously. She's a couple years older than us. Really smart. She's also a cheerleader. She practically has a full ride to NYU already." I point at the guy next to her. He's tall and handsome, and he's flipping the camera off with a grin. "That's her boyfriend, Porter. He's a mega athlete. Pretty much every sport you can think of, he's amazing at. He plays hockey too, but he's too old for the team."

Julie and Connie's eyes widen. "I have no idea what it is about your group, but you're all hot. Xander doesn't even look like a nerd!" Julie exclaims. Connie nods along. "Yeah, when you said he was nerdy, I was picturing another Averman!"

The three of us laugh, chatting about our families and friends, and just getting to know each other. 

As I climb in bed, I smile softly to myself. These girls aren't too bad. The team as a whole isn't too bad. 

After an eventful practice, during which Don Tibbles was knocked out, Adam and I are in the car on the way to his house. We briefly catch up on what's happening in our lives right now before he shoots me a smirk. "So I saw that big guy getting really close to you," he says mischievously. I roll my eyes, but can't stop the blush and smile. "Whatever. It's nothing," I argue. 

Dad, ever the asshole, ruins the moment. "It better be. That boy - if you can even call him one - is not the type of person I'd want my daughter to be dating. You're rich and successful, and if I'm going to be your manager, you need to date someone you can be seen with in the public eye."

I glare at the back of his seat. "What do you mean 'if you're going to be my manager'?" Dad shrugs. "Clearly you've been allowed too much freedom by your mother and Jordan. I think it's better for you to move here, with me, where I can help you better. Besides, your grandparents need financial support, and you are in a prime position to help them."

Adam and I exchange wide-eyed looks. "Uhum... So are you! You're fucking loaded too!" I protest. Dad sighs. "Since Charlotte divorced me, I have to pay her a ridiculous amount of money. And don't swear."

I look at Adam. That's something he forgot to mention. So did Charlotte, now that I think about it. But it's not like I talk to her that often. Typically when something large happens, like a school dance or something, or on birthdays and holidays. You'd think divorcing my dad would be big enough. Dread begins to sink in. 

"So you mean, Charlotte won't be there?" I ask. I groan, throwing my head against the back of my seat dramatically. "She was the most tolerable thing about my visits!" Adam elbows me and I look at him. "besides you of course, Adam." Dad says nothing and I pull out my phone, shooting a text to Gina. 

Aly - So, fun fact, Charlotte divorced my dad

Gina - oh shit

Gina - I mean, good for her for realizing she can do better than that asshole, but that means....

Aly - yeah, it means I'm alone in this. Other than Adam, but you know

Gina - good luck girly 🫡

Gina - subject change, what's the guy situation looking like?

Aly - three really cute ones, but one of them has a girlfriend 

Gina - spill. Names? 

Aly - Guy is the one with the girlfriend, Luis is the one I have a feeling you would like the most, and Dean is the third. Dean's really...

Gina - really ? ? ?

Aly - hot 

Gina - oooooh 😏😏😏

Gina - tell me about Luis

Aly - so far, all I know about him is that he's attractive, a fast skater, from Florida, and cannot stop for shit when he's skating

Gina - hmmm

Gina - well, when I watch you guys play I'll need an introduction 

Aly - bring Stacey along. Lord knows Adam would lose his mind

Gina - he's still in love with her?

Aly - I'm shocked he hasn't asked about her yet

Gina - well, you still have a few months 

The car stops before I can respond and we climb out into the driveway of my childhood home. Adam meets my eyes as he gets out. "Gina says hi," I say. Adam smiles. "Hi back. Hey, how's Stacey doing, by the way?" I start laughing, much to the confusion of Adam. "What? All I did was ask about Stacey." I shake my head, still smiling. 

"She's fine, and single, so maybe you should ask her before that changes?" I suggest. Adam shakes his head, looking at me like I'm crazy. "Are you kidding? She's a fucking goddess! What do I have to offer?"

I shrug. "She's liked you for about as long as you've liked her. You should do something about it before she decides to stop waiting." Adam looks thoughtful as he carries my suitcase into the house. 

My childhood bedroom looks the same as when I last visited. A cold, empty, guest room. Dad said he was going to throw out pretty much all of my stuff that was still there after the divorce, so instead of leaving some things there for when I visited, I had to pack the entire room. He painted it, refurnished it, and basically made it into your generic guest room. There's no trace of a 6 year old girl anywhere in it. 

Adam helps me put my suitcase away and my stomach begins to growl. "I'm gonna make myself something to eat. Hungry?" I ask. Adam nods. "Starving," he says. He picks up his phone. "you may want to order something though," he says. I blink at him and he continues. "Dad has been having me watch my diet, so I haven't eaten any real food in forever," I nod thoughtfully. "There chicken?" I ask. He nods. An idea starts to form in my brain. 

I walk downstairs, and thankfully there's ingredients for homemade pizza dough. I start to mix everything in a bowl, and once it's at the right consistency, I give it to Adam. "Mind kneading this while I grab toppings?" I ask. He nods at me before starting. I dig through the fridge. "Hmm... No. No. No. What the hell even is this? No.... Nope.... Definitely not.... This'll work," I say to myself. 

I grab breaded chicken, olive oil, basil, Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and feta cheese and begin to put them on the pizza. I also sprinkle a little garlic salt for an extra kick. Once I'm satisfied with the pizza, I pop it in the oven. There was enough dough to make two, so I put the toppings on the other one as well and put that in too. 

"One for you, one for me," I say as the smell of the pizza cooking begins to fill the air. Once they're done, I begin to cut the slices. 

"Now he can't yell at you about your diet, because all this came from the kitchen," I say, proudly. Adam nods, shoving another slice into his mouth. The kitchen door opens, and Dad strolls in. 

"What the hell are you eating?" He questions. Adam swallows. "Pizza," he answers around the food in his mouth. Dad frowns. "that's not on your diet plan."

I don't look at him, but I speak up. "I made it. I got hungry and Adam told me that you have him on this diet plan. I made the pizza with only things in the kitchen, so you can't even be all pissed at him. Besides, I think you can go a little easier on him. I'm a supermodel, but I eat like I'm a million pounds. The teenage metabolism works wonders. He can afford a cheat day every once in a while." Dad clenches his jaw before leaving the room. 

Adam and I high-five each other before returning to our meal. 

~*~*~*~

The next day, we head back to practice again. Coach has us tied together, so tightly I can't move. I'm somehow between Dean and Fulton. 

Great. 

"This is more crowded than a truck full of goats!" Dwayne exclaims. I swallow a smile. He's adorable, I can't help it. 

"Someone better watch their hands," Julie grumbles. "Someone just licked me!" I hear Averman shout. 

My brother gags. "I smell something..."

"Goldberg!" Everyone shouts... only... I gag as Goldberg yells "It wasn't me!"

Dean proudly lifts his hands in the air. "It was me!" 

Coach Bombay blows his whistle. "I don't know how to make this any clearer. You guys are a team. In order to win, you have to work as one." He blows his whistle again. "Now, skate."

Everyone tries to skate in opposite directions, causing us all to fall. As I one would predict, this meant I was crushed underneath the combines weight of Dean and Fulton. 

Dean stares into my eyes. "Well, hello there," he grits out, dirty smirk on his face despite his lack of breath. I hit him. "Get off me, you oaf!" 

"Can't, Fulton's on top of me." Fulton groans as he stands. "There, happy?" 

As Dean stands up, he offers me a hand. "How chivalrous of you," I comment, taking it. He smiles back. "I'm full of surprises, babe."

I roll my eyes, turning away from him to help pull Kenny to his feet. I really hope my blush is under control right now. 

We get tied together again, this even tighter. I'm still next to Dean, but now It's Julie on my left instead. We smile at each other. 

"Okay, everyone go right!" Dean shouts. Julie and I start to skate in the direction when Fulton scoffs. "Who died and put you in charge? Everyone go left!"

The original ducks follow Fulton's order at the same time we newbies follow Dean's and we all end up falling again. 

I let out an "oof!" as I land on Julie. "Sorry bout that." I mutter helping her up. "This is going to be a long practice," she answers me. 

"Alyssa!" Mom's voice calls. "Are you packed yet?" I sigh, looking from my closet to my depressingly empty suitcases. "Nooo..." I admit, turning back. It's not my fault though! I mean, I have so many clothes!

My stepsister, Gina, skips happily into my room, smirking at the clothes strewn about. "What, did a tornado wreck your closet?" She asks. I roll my eyes. "Did you need something?" I question. She nods. "Stacey and I are doing brunch today to celebrate you and I was hoping to borrow that one red dress I love?" She looks around the room. "Of course, with how much shit has exploded out of your closet it'll be a miracle if you can find it."

I scoff, quickly locating the dress in question and throwing it at her. She smiles and runs out of the room, flipping me off over her shoulder. Unfortunately for her, she ran straight into Mom. "Gina! Put that finger down!" She scolds Gina pouts. "Okay Evie," she sighs. I laugh, causing Mom to turn toward me. "Alyssa! Go pack!" I hurriedly run into my room. 

In the end, I pack a weeks worth of workout clothes to alternate between, some shirts, jeans, shorts, and skirts, three pairs of sneakers, a cute sundress, and a pair of heels. Plus, bras, socks and underwear of course. I grab some jewelry, mostly things for my piercings. I nod to myself before grabbing my phone, charger, headphones, laptop, and backup charger. I shove those in a bookbag and wheel my suitcase downstairs, where Mom and Jordan are waiting. 

"Have a blast, Kiddo," Jordan says, pulling me in to a hug. Mom gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek and Gina comes bounding down the stairs. "Give me a hot guy's number!" She squeals, squeezing me in a hug. I giggle, but nod in agreement. My step brother Xander looked up from his phone long enough to give me a hug before turning and running back up to his room. I laugh. "Love you too!" I yell sarcastically. "Miss you already!" He shouts back down.

I step outside to where Jordan's limo is waiting, a driver holding the door open for me. I smile at him, thanking him as he takes my bags. He smiles back at me and closes my door. I pull out my phone and scroll to my twin's contact. 

Aly - hey! Omw to the jet now!

Adam - great! So I have bad news 

Aly - oh God

Adam - Dad's tagging along

Aly - 😑

Aly - Why?

Adam - Something about scouts and how he STILL doesn't trust coach and it's a huge opportunity and blah blah blah 

Aly - Bombay better be the miracle worker you're saying he is

Adam - he is. Trust me

I look at those words as we pull up to Jordan's private jet. He doesn't want me to be late or chance my flight being cancelled, so he arranged for his jet to take me to Minnesota. I sigh as I look out the window at the sky. Dad and I don't have the best relationship. 

He didn't want me. He always wanted a son. So when I was the surprise twin that was born, he was not happy. He was always colder towards me than Adam when we were kids. When Dad started training Adam in hockey, I wanted to play too. Dad always said I was 'too delicate'. Jokes on him. I'm an enforcer.

People are always shocked when I say that, because I'm a supermodel. I may not have the bulk, but I pack quite a punch into my frame. Especially for how skinny I am. But I'm also 5'9, so it's not like I'm super tiny. 

I'm a famous supermodel at age 14, because Jordan pulled some strings. Growing up, my mom started putting me in different clothing commercials and modeling, but as I started to get older, my natural beauty shone through. Long, golden hair with a natural curl, large, expressive blue eyes, full lips, straight teeth, and a sharper face. I built quite the name for myself already as a supermodel, and I'm recognized places I go now too. Hockey's more of a hobby to me, rather than something I would base a career on, but a chance to play for team USA is a huge opportunity, and I plan to take advantage of it. 

I jolt out of my thoughts when the jet starts to signal that it's landing. I quickly unplug my phone and text Adam a quick "landing now", before standing up and grabbing my backpack. I walk down the steps of the jet and am met with a waiting limo and a guy with a smile that is much too big for his face standing nearby. "Hi! You must be Alyssa Banks! I'm Don Tibbles from Hendrix Hockey Apparel. We spoke on the phone!" I almost smile at that. 

He called while we were eating dinner one night and I put him on speaker phone. We sat there trying not to laugh, but his voice is so stupid sounding. Now, looking at the man behind the voice, I think that it suits him. 

"Hi. Um, so I'm not staying in the hotel you were providing. I believe my mother and father worked out that I would be staying at my father's house?" Don quickly glances at his phone and nods. "Yes, yes. Of course. So here's what I'll tell you. We're going straight to meet the rest of the team, as you were the last arrival. We go to the rink, where your father said he would be, and we just give him your bags while you practice. Sound like a plan?" I nod and he claps his hand. "Great! That's fantastic!" He ushers me into the limo and I look out the window at Minnesota. 

We arrive at the stadium, and I'm quickly ushered into the locker room. I look around, noticing nobody in there but me. I'm already wearing leggings, so I take off my jacket, revealing my tank top, and start to strap on my pads. I finish tying my skates as the door slams open. 

"Well well well. What do we have here?" I hear a voice boom. I turn to see a tall, handsome guy around my age standing in the doorway. He's also wearing pads and a jersey, though he has a bandana over his head too. I smile at him. "Alyssa Banks. And you are?" He grins at me. "Dean Portman," he winks. "Your new boyfriend." I roll my eyes. "In your dreams, you neanderthal." He grins even wider and I find myself smiling back at him. 

I grab my helmet and stick, starting to walk out of the room. "come on," I say. "If everyone's waiting on me, I suppose we should probably go." Dean nods, following me, though he pauses to grab a walkman. "I haven't seen one of those since I cleaned my stepdad's basement," I remark. He shrugs. "It was my dad's, so it's kinda important to me. Besides, it still works." I nod. 

We step out to the rink, where four other people are standing. Three guys and a girl. One of them instantly catches my eye as the kind of guy Gina would like, and I instantly smile. The girl sees me and comes over. "Hi! I'm Julie!" She says, holding her hand out for a shake. I grin at her. "Alyssa," I say, taking it. I go to say more, but Don Tibbles clears his throat. I look over at where he is and see my brother and his hockey team all watching us carefully. I also see my dad standing next to Coach Bombay. I roll my eyes internally. 

"So tell me about my new kids," Bombay says. Don gestures to the guy I thought Gina would like. "This is Luis Mendoza. He's from our Miami club. A real speedster - incredible skater. I clocked him with 1.9 seconds blue line to blue line." 

"Good looking skater," a girl comments. A guy with glasses nods in agreement. "Very good looking. Wouldn't you say so, Guy?" Guy, who the guy was talking to, gives glasses a dirty look. "Shut up, Averman," he says, shoving him. I smile. He's cute, but clearly he's dating the girl. 

"There's just one problem," Don says. "He has a little trouble stopping." As he says that Luis slams painfully into a board. I wince as a few skaters help him up. "I almost had it that time!" He says. I smile at him sympathetically. 

Don gestures to me next, and I skate forward. "This is Alyssa Banks, from Beverly Hills. I believe you know her twin," he gestures to Adam, and the team turns to him. The girl looks at me then back at him. "Your twin sister is Alyssa Banks? Youngest supermodel in the world, already rich and successful?" Adam shrugs. "Didn't think it was important to mention. You know I have a twin. I didn't know I had to give you her life story." I start laughing. Gordon turns back to Don. "So if she's a famous supermodel, why's she here?" They both look at me expectantly. 

"I like to play hockey. I don't know. I got the phone call and thought this sounded fun." I shrug and I see a look cross my dad's face. I pointedly ignore him. Dean skates over to me. "You're a supermodel, huh?" He asks. I shrug. "It's fun and sometimes I get to keep the clothes. Plus, the money fuels my shopping addiction." He laughs. 

We go through the rest of the introductions and begin to scrimmage. Dean and I start to get into our positions, and he notices where I'm headed. "You're an enforcer?" He asks. I smile at him. "I like hurting people," I say. He grins. "You're something else, you know that?" 

As the scrimmage starts, Dean and I both flip my brother. "Hey there, Adam," I say. He smiles up at me. I laugh and help him to his feet. He wraps me in a hug before skating off. "It's good to see you!" He calls over his shoulder. 

"Alyssa Joanna Banks! Get over here now!" I start to hear to my left. I roll my eyes and decide to stop ignoring him as I skate over. "Hey dad," I say. I look him over. He hasn't changed since that disastrous Christmas three years ago. The last time I spoke to him before today. 

He never wanted to visit me in California, and I never wanted to come here because he made me feel unwelcome, even as a little kid. He'd send Adam to California alone before Mom found out and flipped. Jordan started sending the private jet for him so that this way he wasn't always sitting in an airport. 

Mom made me visit Dad for Christmas, because dad had just gotten remarried and my new stepmom wanted to meet me. Plus, Gina and Xander were spending the holidays with their mother, so she and Jordan were taking a vacation that week. 

It was a miserable experience. Nothing against my stepmom, Charlotte, who is amazing, but my dad made the whole thing horrible. And don't get me started on my grandparents who think that Jordan should pay them money because he 'married their daughter in law'. Jordan always gets a laugh out of that one. 

Meet the Characters...

~*~ Chapter One ~*~

~*~ Chapter Two ~*~

~*~ Chapter Three ~*~

~*~ Chapter Four ~*~

~*~ Chapter Five ~*~

~*~ Chapter Six ~*~

~*~ Chapter Seven ~*~

~*~ Chapter Eight ~*~

~*~ Chapter Nine ~*~