Praise for R.C. STEPHENS
"A sexy NHL player, a sassy heroine, and a heartfelt romance that kept me engaged from beginning to end!" — NYT bestseller Mia Sheridan- For Big Stick
“I knew in Big Stick I would love Oli’s story, and after getting to know this sexy giant in the pages of Butt Ending, I now think I love him more than Myles… so, therefore, I claim them both!” ~ A.M. Madden USA Today Bestselling Author.- For Butt Ending
“My first R.C. Stephens book and I loved every minute of it! This college sports romance was so unexpected. The story was captivating and the characters had great depth and faced completely surprising challenges.”- Made Me Blush Books on Heartless Player
RUTHLESS PLAYER
R.C. STEPHENS
Copyright © 2021 by R.C. Stephens (Irene Cohen)
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
* * *
Cover Design: Okay Creations
Editing: Barren Acres Editing
To my sweet pea. You got this.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Next in the Westfall U series
Prologue
Chapter 36
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by R.C. STEPHENS
One
Holland
* * *
I can’t believe I agreed to this. I slink back into my chair in Wolfe and Cole’s kitchen. Rebel eyes me and my guess is she’s telepathically telling me to be nice. I nod. I did agree to this dinner, even though she twisted my arm to come here tonight. Last year Cole got mixed up with a girl named Tiffany. She didn’t want Cole; her intention was to break up Wolfe and Rebel. Cole was played and felt really bad about the whole thing, but for me the verdict is still out on him. I have a hard time saying no to Rebel, and she and Wolfe feel it’s super important for their best friends to get along considering how in love they are. Problem is: Cole Davis is a typical jock who hits on me every chance he gets. If I didn’t find him so hot it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not easy ignoring him when he flirts, but I refuse to be another notch on his bedpost or belt or whatever that stupid saying is. I’m better than that.
Rebel is talking about her nonexistent plans for the summer. And I watch as Wolfe takes her hand in his and just holds it resting on the table. Watching them fall in love has made me crave everything Rebel has. Hot sex, a gorgeous boyfriend who really cares. I just don’t have the time for a relationship. My focus is getting into medical school. Nothing can stand in my way, not even the gorgeous hockey player with forest green eyes and the body of an Adonis sitting next to me. Even if he is on his best behavior tonight.
“So what are your plans for the summer?” Wolfe asks me.
I pause mid bite. Wolfe really went out of his way to prepare a nice meal of steaks and mashed potatoes.
“I got an internship working at Westfall General,” I say. I’m pretty sure I told him I got the internship a couple months back, but it was after he won a big game so he doesn’t remember. The only reason I remember that night is because I got a little tipsy and accidentally locked lips with Cole.
“Congrats,” Wolfe says. “So what does that involve?”
“I’ll be interning with their oncology department, shadowing the doctors and participating in their current research programs,” I say.
“Cool,” Cole answers. “It’s really badass that you want to be a doctor.”
“Thanks,” I reply, feeling nervous because I don’t like when people ask me why I chose medicine. I side-eye Cole but he isn’t even looking at me, he’s enjoying his steak.
I take a sip of my wine and place the glass down and exhale. “When are you moving to New York?” I ask Wolfe because I want to change the subject.
“We start summer boot camp end of July,” he says and then he leans in and gives Rebel a kiss. He ended up entering the draft at number five and as expected was snatched up by the Rangers.
“How about you Cole?” Rebel asks.
It’s funny how hard Wolfe and Rebel are working to force a friendship between Cole and me. I just have nothing in common with Cole. We are night and day.
“I don’t know. My father wants me to intern at his company but it sounds so damn unappealing. Plus, I’m going to visit Granny Mae for about a week, which I’m really looking forward to.” He smiles and looks at Wolfe.
Wolfe smiles warmly. “I loved visiting with Granny Mae when we were younger. She’d take us to Myrtle Beach and we’d have the best time. Plus she’s the best cook ever.”
“She is the best,” Cole agrees. How sweet.
“So what is your plan after your visit with Granny Mae?” Wolfe asks Cole.
“I don’t know, but working for my dad is a last resort,” Cole says.
Wolfe and Rebel look at each other and it’s as if unspoken words pass between them. Then Wolfe shakes his head and they turn back to Cole.
“I may do some sort of training camp. I want to enter the draft next year if I can,” Cole says.
“You can do it,” Wolfe says encouragingly.
“I don’t know. I have my doubts,” Cole says, rubbing the back of his hand along the stubble of his jaw line. A very sexy jawline I try not to focus on too much because listening to him being vulnerable does something to my insides.
“We all have our doubts,” Rebel says.
“That is the truth,” Wolfe chimes in.
I place a piece of steak and potato on my fork when I feel everyone watching me.
Cole announces, “Holland is too smart to have any doubts.”
That’s a really nice compliment. “Very untrue,” I say. “I’m filled with doubt on the daily. Will I have enough experience for my med school applications? Am I good enough to get into medical school? Will I even make a good doctor?” I place my fork down.
“See, doubt is normal,” Rebel assures.
“Maybe for you guys but for me it’s different,” Cole says. “My dad doesn’t support my hockey career.”
“Neither did mine until like five minutes ago,” Wolfe chimes in. Wolfe hadn’t spoken to his dad for years, but they put their animosities aside a couple months back and are now working on their relationship.
“You h
ave your dad’s support now, plus you have Rebel,” Cole reminds him.
“True,” Wolfe says and he lifts Rebel’s hand and brings it to his lips.
“They are so cute, aren’t they?” Cole asks me with a mocking tone.
“They are cute. Drop the sarcasm,” I return, wanting to defend my friend.
“So you’re into all this relationship stuff?” Cole asks.
“Me?” My head rears back like he slapped me. “Hell no,” I blurt quickly and then feel remorse when my knee-jerk reaction kicks in. “No offense, guys,” I say to Rebel and Wolfe. “I have to focus on school. I don’t have time for a relationship.”
“Same,” Cole says. “Between hockey and school I have my hands full.”
“Plus managing all those puck bunnies must be really stressful,” I add.
“Stressful? No. That’s the relaxing part.” Cole grins like the Cheshire cat.
“Gross,” I mumble.
“At least you’d know I come with lots of experience.” Cole winks.
“Easy there,” Wolfe warns.
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ve learned that Cole is all talk,” I quip and I wink back at him. Take that, hot stuff.
I like taking jabs at Cole. It would help if I could erase the kiss we shared from my mind, but the jerk is an excellent kisser. Just the right amount of tongue. And the sparks that erupted in my body. . .
I pick up my cup and take a long sip of water to cool myself down, since the wine seems to be going straight to my head.
“Sure, you keep on believing that, beautiful,” Cole says and places a bite of steak in his mouth.
“Stop calling me that,” I counter.
“Why? I’m just stating a fact,” he says and then he reaches for his glass of red wine.
He is so annoying.
“Rebel was right, you really are a good cook,” I say to Wolfe because my attention needs to be anywhere but the smooth-talking hockey player who sees me as a conquest he hasn’t been able to nail.
“Gah!” Rebel groans. “You two just need to get along.”
Wolfe stands up from the table. “Shit! I forgot the roasted vegetables in the oven.” He walks over to the oven puts an oven mitt on and takes out a dish filled with steaming vegetables.
“That looks really good,” Rebel says.
“Thanks, babe.” Wolfe grins at her. They are so crazy in love. I don’t understand how Rebel converted him from heartless player to perfect man.
Wolfe serves the grilled vegetables to each of us.
“I always knew why you made a good roommate,” Cole says to Wolfe. “How will Dec and I survive next year without you?” Cole looks upset and I sympathize. He and Wolfe have been best friends since grade school. I don’t know what I would do if Rebel moved away, even though that may be our reality, eventually.
“That’s hard. I don’t know what Rebel and I will do two years from now,” I say, trying to extend an olive branch because clearly my friends have worked hard on this evening. I need to put in an effort.
“Or me and Rebel,” Wolfe chimes in.
“I’ll be coming to New York to see you when I can,” she says to him and she leans in to kiss him again. These two really can’t keep their hands off each other.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Cole says. I realize his attention is directed at me.
I feel heat crawl up my cheeks.
“You’re thinking these two are ooey gooey in love and you don’t get it. Am I right?” Cole asks.
“I’m not answering that. It’s rude,” I say.
“Well, I’m not exactly known for being polite.” He shrugs and then scoops a large pile of roasted vegetables into his mouth.
“You should probably work on that then. Word around campus is that you are a ruthless prick,” I retort, and then I slap my hand on my mouth. “Sorry.” I look at Rebel remorsefully. “I can’t believe I said that out loud.” I’ve also heard he’s hung like a stallion. Luckily, I didn’t blurt that.
“It’s fine,” Cole laughs and his shoulders shake with the movement. His laughter is warm and throaty and my eyes drift to his neck where his Adam’s apple bobs. Why does everything about him have to be so… perfect?
His laughter dies fast and then he’s gripping his neck. “Ah! Guys something is wrong.”
He must be pulling a prank. This guy is never serious about anything.
“What is it?” Wolfe asks him clearly concerned.
“I don’t know. My throat is itchy and it’s hard to breathe,” he gasps.
Shit! He isn’t joking.
I stand up and walk over to him. His lips are blowing up.
“He’s having an anaphylactic reaction,” I inform. I walk over to my purse to get my EpiPen. I’ve been allergic to nuts since I was a kid so I carry it with me wherever I go.
“I need to administer my EpiPen on him and then we need to get him to the ER,” I say to Rebel and Wolfe.
Wolfe curses behind me.
“I-I can’t breathe.” Cole grips his neck. He’s in full-blown panic mode when I walk back over to him.
“You need to calm down and breathe slowly. I need to stick this EpiPen, which is a little needle, in your leg,” I explain. I’ve been through so many first aid courses; I’ve just never actually had to carry out what I’ve learned.
“You aren’t sticking anything in me,” Cole bickers.
“If I don’t there’s a chance you’ll stop breathing,” I clarify.
“I’m calling 911,” Rebel says dialing on her cell.
“Good idea,” I agree.
“Man, just let Holland take care of you,” Wolfe says to him.
“Then I will be indebted to her forever,” he answers, and then he starts making a choking noise.
Fuck this. I take the EpiPen and stab him in the leg. Cole howls and I hold it there for fifteen seconds, as directed.
When I pull it out he watches me carefully. “Are you okay?”
He nods.
Wolfe and Rebel rush to get him his shoes. Rebel passes me mine.
“The EMS should be here in a couple minutes,” Rebel says.
“My heart is beating like a mile a minute,” Cole says, and he looks worried and scared.
“It’s because I just basically injected you with adrenaline. That’s a normal feeling. It is also keeping your heart beating and your airways open until we can get you to the hospital.”
“Give me your hand,” he commands.
I give him my hand because I can see he is seriously freaked out. His hand feels warm and clammy in mine.
“You’re going to be fine,” I assure him, looking into his green eyes.
“You sure about that?” he asks, and I see sweat prickling his forehead too.
“Yes.” I nod.
“The EMTs are here,” Rebel says, and she opens the front door.
I quickly tell the first responder what happened, they check his vitals and then load Cole up on a stretcher.
We follow them outside.
“I’ll drive behind the ambulance,” Wolfe says.
“You’re coming with me, beautiful. I’m not going in that thing by myself,” Cole says. He sounds vulnerable and wait. . .did he just call me beautiful again?
“Is that okay?” Rebel asks me.
“Of course,” I reply. I climb into the ambulance with Cole and take a seat beside his stretcher.
“Hand,” he demands, looking at me.
I give it back to him and he holds on tight. Something inside my chest squeezes but I push it aside. I wanted a hookup a few months back and so I hooked up with someone from the football team. I went in knowing it was just a hookup and it was fun, but it wasn’t mind-blowing and that was enough for me. With two more years left of pre-med, I need to keep myself free and clear of relationships. Not that Cole Davis is relationship material.
“How are his vitals?” I ask the first responder.
“Stable. It’s good you administered the epinephrine. We should be arriving
at the hospital in about three minutes,” he says.
“Thank you,” I reply. Then I look at Cole. “You’re going to be just fine.”
“Thanks to you,” he says, and his gaze lingers on me in a weird way.
“It was nothing,” I assure him. I plan on becoming a doctor. I don’t know what field I want to specialize in, but I plan on saving people every day. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I found out Mom was sick. Then when she died it became like an obsession.
We arrive to the hospital and Cole is carted away to be examined. Wolfe and Rebel walk over to me. “How is he doing?”
I tell them, “He’s being very unCole-like.”
“What does that mean?” Rebel asks.
“His vitals are stable, so take a breath,” I assure both of them.
“So why was he being weird?” Wolfe asks.
I look at my best friend’s boyfriend. “He was being sweet. He called me beautiful and wanted to hold my hand.”
Wolfe blows out a breath. “Oh.”
“Oh?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Wolfe says.
“Well, what is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Wolfe says. He’s being weird and evasive himself.
I look to Rebel for answers and she shrugs but only because I think she doesn’t have a clue either.
Okay, fine then. “I’m going over to my daddy’s department. I might as well say hi since I’m here. Keep me posted on Cole,” I say to the two of them.
Ruthless Player: A College Hockey Romance (Westfall U Series) Page 1
