The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

JULIAN’S POV

I didn’t go where I was supposed to.

The moment I left Luca standing there with his empty threats and that smug look on his face, I knew one thing, I needed to get back home. Fast.

I had already dragged my name out once because of that bastard and I refused to do it again.

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Plus, I didn’t trust my anger right now. What I wanted to do was find Luca and smash his face to the wall. That way, my anger would calm down. But I couldn’t do that at all and it was infuriating.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I drove, my jaw clenched, thoughts racing. There was only one thing on my mind. Had he said anything to her?

Because if he had… My eyes darkened. He wouldn’t get another warning.

By the time I got home, I was already on edge. The door hadn’t even fully closed behind me before Aria started talking. Fast. Breathless. Almost frantic.

“Julian, please, if this is about what you saw,

I can explain…”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

But she didn’t stop. She kept on going and I felt my head combust trying to calm the anger in me and the headache I couldn’t explain.

The words she spoke blurred together. Apologies for something I didn’t even understand. Explanations I didn’t ask for. And with everything already boiling inside me… it snapped.

“Everything isn’t always about you.” The words came out sharper than I intended. The effect was instant. She froze. Hurt flashed across her face so quickly it almost made me take it back.

Almost. Before I could say anything else, she turned and walked away. Fast. The door slammed.

And the sound echoed louder than it should have.

I exhaled harshly, dragging a hand down my face. “Damn it.” That wasn’t how that was supposed to go. I walked to her door and knocked. “Aria.”

No response. “Open the door.” Still nothing.

My jaw tightened. “Don’t make me break it down.”

A few seconds passed. Then the lock clicked. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

She was standing near the bed, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes still wet. She didn’t look at me. did something to me.

That…

11:44 Thu, May 14 d.

Chapter 43

I shut the door behind me. “You’re overreacting”

Her head snapped up. “I’m overreacting?”

“I didn’t even know what you were talking about,” I said, keeping my tone even. “You just started going off.”

Her brows pulled together, disbelief written all over her face. “So now I’m the problem?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to,” she shot back.

I exhaled slowly. “You could have just explained it calmly.”

“I tried to!”

“And I tried to understand.” She let out a frustrated laugh, shaking her head as she turned away from me. For a moment, silence settled between us.

Then I spoke again. “I didn’t come home because of whatever you’re talking about.”

That made her pause. Slowly, she turned back to me. “Then why were you so angry?”

I held her gaze for a second. Then shrugged slightly. “Rough day.” She didn’t look convinced. But she didn’t push. After a moment, she walked over to her desk and picked up her phone.

“Before I show this to you, you have to promise me that you won’t get angry until I explain myself to you.” She said, stopping just a few feet from me. I stared at her and nodded.

“This,” she said quietly, handing it to me. “This is what I was talking about.” I took it. Scrolled. And my expression darkened instantly. Headlines. Rumors. Her name. Professor Hensley.

My jaw tightened as I read through them. So that’s what she meant. I handed the phone back to her, my gaze steady. “You need to stop going to him.”

Her head lifted immediately. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“No.” The refusal was immediate. Firm.

I stepped closer. “You don’t need him.”

“I do,” she shot back. “I missed classes, Julian. I’m trying to catch up.”

“Find another way.”

“I already did!” Her voice rose. “He’s helping me-”

“And I’m telling you to stop.”

11:44 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 43

“And I’m telling you I won’t.” Silence. Tense. Thick.

Then I said it.

“You’re putting him at risk.”

She froze. “…What?”

My gaze didn’t waver. “You heard me.”

Her expression shifted from confusion… to disbelief. “You’re not serious.”

“I am.” Her lips parted slightly. “Julian… you wouldn’t…”

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“The ball is in your court,” I cut in calmly. “You stay away from him… or you don’t.” Her breathing hitched.

“You’re threatening him?” she whispered. I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Because she knew exactly what I was capable of. And that was enough.

“Please,” she said quickly, stepping closer now, her voice softer. “Don’t do that. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

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