The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

ARIA’S POV

Julian didn’t even hesitate.

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“I don’t care about the media,” he said flatly, his grip on my hand tightening just enough to ground me. “She’s with me.”

His mother’s expression hardened slightly. “Julian…” But he was already walking past her. Taking me with him. Just like that.

Like her opinion didn’t matter. Like none of this mattered.

And somehow… that made my chest feel lighter. Even as the stares followed us. Even as whispers trailed behind.

We stepped fully into the event, and I tried, really tried not to feel overwhelmed. It was… a lot.

Laughter. Conversations. Expensive dresses. Expensive people. Everything about this place screamed you don’t belong here.

But Julian didn’t let go of my hand. Not once.

And that helped more than I wanted to admit.

For a while, things were… manageable. We moved through the crowd, people greeting him, nodding respectfully, some of them glancing at me with curiosity.

Some with judgment. Some with interest. I stayed quiet. Observing. Learning. Until I heard a voice.

“Julian.” The voice was soft. Smooth. Familiar.

I turned. And immediately, something in my chest tightened.

She was beautiful. Effortlessly so. Tall, poised, dressed in something that looked like it belonged on a runway rather than a garden event. Her confidence was quiet but undeniable.

And the way she looked at him, it wasn’t casual. It wasn’t distant. It was familiar. Julian’s steps slowed slightly. And for the first time that night, I felt his grip loosen.

Just a little. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone calm, but not cold. Not distant.

Different.

The girl smiled faintly. “That’s how you greet me?”

He exhaled softly, running a hand through his hair. “Leonie.”

So that was her name. She stepped closer. Close enough to stand right between us like I wasn’t even there.

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Chapter 49

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And the worst part? Julian didn’t immediately move her. Didn’t push her away. Didn’t create distance. Something about that made my stomach twist.

“I just got back,” Leonie continued, her voice light. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

“You could’ve called,” he replied.

“And ruin the moment?” she teased.

My fingers curled slightly at my side. Was I invisible? Because that’s what it felt like. Leonie finally glanced at me. Slowly. Deliberately.

A small smile curved her lips. “Oh,” she said lightly. “You brought company.” Company. Not even a name. Just… company.

I straightened slightly, forcing myself not to react. Julian’s jaw tightened. “This is Aria,” he said.

Leonie’s brows lifted slightly, like the name meant nothing to her. “Mm,” she hummed, her gaze sweeping over me in a way that made my skin itch. “Cute.”

The word wasn’t a compliment. It was a dismissal.

And then she turned back to Julian like I had already been dealt with.

“So,” she continued, linking her arm casually with his, “are you going to tell me what I missed while I was gone?”

I froze. She was touching him. And he… let her. Something sharp twisted in my chest. I told myself it didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter.

But it did. God, it did. The conversation went on like that for a few minutes. Light. Easy. Familiar. And every now and then, Leonie would throw in small remarks. Subtle. Polished. But cutting.

“Does she always stay this quiet?”

“She looks a bit overwhelmed.”

“You should’ve warned her what this kind of event is like…” Each one wrapped in a smile.

Each one aimed perfectly. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay composed. Until she said it.

“So,” Leonie tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto mine this time, “what exactly is she to you, Julian?”

Silence. A beat. Then, she spoke again. “Or should I guess?” she added, her tone almost playful. “One of your… hobbies?”

My chest tightened. “Leonie,” Julian’s voice cut in, sharper now. But she didn’t stop.

“Or maybe one of your girls?” she continued lightly. “You always did like variety.”

That did it. “Watch it,” Julian said, his tone low. Dangerous. For the first time, she paused. Just slightly.

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Chapter 49

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But the damage was already done. I stepped back. “Forget it,” I muttered quietly. My chest felt tight. My throat, dry.

I didn’t want to stand there anymore. Didn’t want to be part of whatever this was. “Aria…” Julian started.

But I was already walking away. Fast. I barely made it past the edge of the crowd before he caught up to me.

His hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me. “Where are you going?”

I turned to him, my eyes burning. “Why did you bring me here?”

He frowned. “What?”

“If you were just going to stand there with her and let her talk to me like that,” I snapped, my voice shaking slightly, “then why did you bring me at all?”

His brows pulled together. “You’re overreacting.”

A short, disbelieving laugh left me. “Am I?”

“She’s just.”

“Your girlfriend?” I cut in.

Silence. A beat. Then, he spoke. “Are you jealous?” he asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. My breath caught.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I snapped quickly. “I just don’t like being disrespected.”

The smirk didn’t fade immediately. But then… he saw it. The tension. The frustration. The fact that I wasn’t joking.

And his expression shifted. “She’s not my girlfriend,” he said finally.

I blinked. “What?”

“She’s a childhood friend,” he continued, his tone calmer now. “She’s been abroad for years. Just got back.”

Something in my chest loosened. Instantly. Before I could stop it. Oh. I looked away quickly, trying to hide it.

“Whatever,” I muttered. But it wasn’t whatever. And he noticed. Of course he did.

A low chuckle left him. “You are jealous.”

“I am not,” I shot back immediately.

“Sure.”

I glared at him. “I just don’t like her.”

“Mm.”

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Chapter 49

“And she’s rude.”

“Very.”

“And she should stay away from you.”

That slipped out before I could stop it. Silence.

Then, his smile widened. “You done?” he asked.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I hate you.”

“You don’t.”

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He reached for my hand again. And this time… I didn’t pull away. “Come on,” he said, leading me back toward the crowd.

I didn’t expect to enjoy myself. But somehow… I did. Maybe it was the music. The atmosphere. Or maybe it was the drinks.

“Just one,” I had told myself. Then two. Then… I lost count. A soft laugh escaped me as I held up my glass, the liquid inside catching the light.

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