The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

ARIA’S POV

I didn’t sleep much that night. After Julian walked out of the kitchen, the apartment felt strangely hollow. Too quiet. Too

empty.

I stood there for a long time, staring at the sink where I had dumped the untouched bowl of cereal.

My chest still felt tight.

The words I had thrown at him replayed in my head one after another. You’re my landlord, Julian. That’s it. You’re not my father. You’re definitely not my boyfriend.

At the time, the anger had felt justified. Now… It felt harsh. Too harsh. I leaned against the counter and rubbed my forehead. The truth was, I had liked the way he stepped in at the hospital.

The way Serena’s hand never reached my face.

The way Julian’s voice had gone cold when he warned her. Touch her and you lose the hand. A strange warmth spread through my chest just remembering it.

But that warmth came with something else too.

Fear. Because I had spent the last few years learning one very important lesson. Depending on people only ended in disappointment.

My parents were gone. My brother was gone. And Luca… the one person I thought might stay… had chosen someone else. Hope was dangerous.

Dependence was worse. So somewhere between gratitude and fear, I had lashed out at the one person who actually helped me. I sighed quietly.

“Great job, Aria,” I muttered to myself. Morning came faster than I expected. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, soft and pale against the walls.

I got dressed quickly, tying my hair into a loose ponytail and grabbing my backpack. When I opened my bedroom door, Julian was already in the living room.

Keys in hand. Like he had been waiting. I paused. “You’re still here?” I asked.

“I live here.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” He gestured toward the door casually.

“I’m heading to campus.”

Trowned. “And?”

‘I’ll drive you.”

I blinked. “After last night?”

“Yes.” Just like that. No anger. No sarcasm. No grudge. Just… yes. Something in my chest twisted a little.

1/4

“You’re unbelievable.” I muttered.

He opened the door. “Are you coming or not?” I hesitated for only a second before following him. The ride to campus was quiet. Not tense like last night.

Just quiet. The city rolled past the windows while Julian drove, his expression calm and unreadable like always. I watched the road ahead for a while. Then finally sighed. “Julian.”

He didn’t look at me..“Hmm.”

My fingers twisted slightly in my lap. “I’m sorry.”

That made him glance at me briefly. “For what?” he asked.

“For last night.” The words felt awkward leaving my mouth. “I shouldn’t have said those things.” His gaze returned to the road. Silence filled the car again.

For a moment I thought he might ignore the apology completely. Then he spoke. “You meant them.”

“I didn’t mean them like that.” He raised one eyebrow slightly.

“That’s very specific.” I exhaled slowly.

“I was angry.”

“You were.”

“I didn’t like how you stepped in.”

“You mentioned that.”

“But…” I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t grateful.” His fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

He didn’t say anything.

“I’ve just been on my own for a long time,” I continued quietly..“I’m used to handling things myself.”

“I noticed.” The dry comment made me glance at him.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” Another pause passed. Then Julian finally spoke again. “Let me protect you.”

I frowned. “What?”

His voice stayed calm. “It’s not just the Morettis.”

He turned onto the road leading toward campus.

People are watching you now.”

I didn’t understand. “Why?” His eyes flicked toward me briefly.

“Because you live with me.”

2/4

Chapter 17

I blinked.” So?”

“Aria,” he said patiently, “I’m Julian Vance.”

“Yes… I noticed.”

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“That name attracts attention.” The car slowed as we approached the campus gates. “You’re not invisible anymore,” he continued. “You’re not the girl no one notices.”

I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms. “I didn’t bargain for that much attention when I moved in with you.”

“Well,” he said calmly, “the deed has been done.”

I stared at him. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You said that already.”

I sighed. “So what now?”

He parked the car. “Now you let me protect you.” I rolled my eyes slightly.

“We’ll see.” The moment I stepped onto campus, the whispers started. They always did. Students gathered in small groups along the pathways, their voices dropping as I walked past.

Some stared openly. Some pretended not to. Others just whispered. I kept walking. Ignoring them had become a skill. By the time I reached the classroom building, the noise faded into background chatter.

I pushed open the classroom door. And stopped.

Serena stood directly in front of my desk. She wasn’t alone. Three of her friends stood behind her like a little audience. Their arms were crossed. Their expressions smug.

Great. Serena tilted her head slightly when she saw me. “Well look who decided to show up.”

I walked forward slowly. “Move.” She didn’t. Instead she smiled sweetly.

“You know,” she said loudly enough for the entire class to hear, “people are talking.”

My patience was already thin. “I don’t care.”

“Oh, you should.” Her eyes gleamed. “They’re saying you’re sleeping with Julian Vance.” The room went quiet.

A few students pulled out their phones immediately.

Recording. Of course. I felt my jaw tighten. Serena stepped closer. “That’s how you got him to attack Luca, right?” she continued mockingly.

“Little pillow talk?” My hands curled into fists.

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