The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

ARIA’S POV

77

Something wasn’t right. I could feel it. Even after I walked away from them, even after I told myself to drop it… the feeling lingered. Heavy. Unsettling.

The truth was that Julian had lied or at the very least… he hadn’t told me the truth. And Blake, he had gone quiet too quickly. Like whatever they were talking about was something I wasn’t supposed to hear.

Something that involved me. I tightened my arms around myself as I walked down the hallway of the apartment, trying to shake the feeling off. Fine.

If they wouldn’t tell me, I’d find out myself. One way or another. I didn’t understand why they would talk about that and it was true, my father didn’t mention anything about a company that he owned at all.

I needed to find out the truth one way or the other and I would make sure it would be on my own terms.

The new week came faster than I expected. Revision week. Which meant one thing, exams were close. Very close.

And unlike some people… I couldn’t afford to mess this up. I sat at the dining table early that morning, flipping through my notes with a level of focus I hadn’t had in weeks.

I had missed too much. Being sick had cost me time I didn’t have. And now I had to make up for it.

“Where are you going?”

Julian’s voice came from behind me. I didn’t even look up. “Where do you think I’m going on a Monday morning, Julian? I’m headed to school of course.”

There was a pause before he cleared his throat and replied. “You’re headed to school in this condition?”

That made me lift my head. “What condition?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “Don’t do that, Aria. You and I know you just recovered. You should stay home and rest until you’re strong enough to go back.”

“No.” The word came out sharper than I intended.

But I didn’t take it back. “I’m going,” I said firmly. “I have to go to school because I’ve missed too much and because exams are close, Julian. Not everyone has money to throw around after failing.”

His

eyes

darkened slightly. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” I shot back. “Because I can’t sit here doing nothing while everyone else is preparing.” A brief silence followed.

Then I added, a little calmer this time, “You should focus on your books too. We have exams and I know you’re smart, but even smart people need to study now and then.”

11:43 Thu, May 14 d…

Chapter 36

77

That earned me a look. But I was already standing, grabbing my bag. “I’ll be fine.” And without waiting for his response, I left. I didn’t need his drama.

I hailed a cab and headed to school, not sure about how the day would turn out. When I got to school, I noticed that difference and change in atmosphere immediately.

School felt… different. Not in a bad way. Just intense. Everyone was busy. Heads buried in books. Conversations were shorter, more focused. No unnecessary drama. No noise.

Even better, Serena and her little group weren’t in class. Which made everything feel… peaceful for once. I paid attention like my life depended on it.

Because honestly, it kind of did. If I blew up this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to bear the pain at all. Every word the lecturer said, I wrote down. Every explanation, I forced myself to understand.

But even then, I knew it wasn’t enough. I had missed too much. The moment the class ended, I didn’t waste a second. “Sir, Professor Hensley, a moment please!”

I rushed after my professor down the hallway. He turned, slightly surprised. “Yes Aria. Is there a problem?”

“Not exactly, Sir. I just have a favour to ask. I… I’ve been sick,” I said quickly. “I missed a few classes and I’m really behind. I was hoping, if it’s okay, could you share your lecture notes with me?”

For a second, he just looked at me. Then his expression softened. “Of course.” Relief flooded through me.

“Thank you so much, sir.” He handed over the materials without hesitation, and I clutched them like they were gold. Because to me, they were.

“Keep my notes safe, Aria.” He said, already walking off and I nodded and turned around. The library was my next stop.

My safe place. My favorite corner was empty, just the way I liked it. Quiet. Undisturbed. Perfect. I settled in quickly, spreading my notes out in front of me and diving straight into studying.

For a while, everything else faded. It was just me, the pages, and the pressure to catch up. I was so focused, I didn’t even notice how much time had passed.

Until a familiar sound broke through my concentration. A soft, mocking snort. My head snapped up. And my stomach dropped. Serena. Of course,

But she wasn’t alone. Luca sat beside her. My breath caught for a second. He looked… different. His face was partially hidden behind a book, but I could still see it.

The faint scar near his brow. Still healing. A reminder of what happened. Of what Julian did.

Serena leaned closer to him, saying something I couldn’t hear, but he barely reacted.

He didn’t even look at her properly. It felt… forced.

Like she was trying harder than he cared for. But that wasn’t my business. I looked away immediately, pretending I hadn’t seen them.

11:43 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 36

Pretending they didn’t exist. I forced my attention back to my notes. Focused. Determined. Unaffected. At least, that’s what I tried to be.

A few minutes later, I stood up to grab another book from the shelf. Just one more reference. That’s all. I reached for it, turned and froze. Luca was looking at me. Directly.

My heart skipped. That scar was more visible now. Raw. Real. His gaze didn’t waver. Didn’t soften.

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