Play It Hard

PLAY IT DIRTY PLAYERS OF HANNAFORD U BOOK 1 MICHELLE HERCULES INFINITE SKY PUBLISHING PLAY IT DIRTY © 2023 by Michelle Hercules All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. CONTENTS PLAYLIST 1. NOAH 2. NOAH 3. GIA 4. NOAH 5. GIA 6. NOAH 7. NOAH 8. GIA 9. NOAH 10. NOAH 11. NOAH 12. GIA 13. NOAH 14. GIA 15. NOAH 16. GIA 17. NOAH 18. GIA 19. NOAH 20. GIA 21. NOAH 22. NOAH 23. GIA 24. NOAH 25. GIA 26. NOAH 27. GIA 28. NOAH 29. GIA 30. NOAH 31. GIA 32. NOAH 33. GIA 34. GIA 35. GIA 36. NOAH 37. NOAH 38. GIA 39. NOAH 40. GIA 41. GIA 42. NOAH 43. GIA 44. NOAH 45. GIA 46. GIA 47. GIA 48. GIA 49. GIA 50. GIA 51. NOAH 52. GIA 53. NOAH 54. NOAH 55. GIA 56. GIA 57. GIA 58. GIA 59. NOAH 60. NOAH 61. GIA 62. NOAH Epilogue About the Author PLAYLIST Sweet Child O’ Mine - GUNS N’ ROSES Let’s Go To Bed - THE CURE Kiss - PRINCE Dynamite - BTS If I Can’t Have You - SHAWN MENDES Hold Me Closer - ELTON JOHN, BRITNEY SPEARS Celebration - KOOL & THE GANG Perfect - ONE DIRECTION 11 Minutes - YUNGBLUD, HALSEY, TRAVIS BARKER Think of You - WHIGFIELD Head over Feet - ALANIS MORISSETTE Obsessed - GUCCI MANE, MARIAH CAREY Whenever, Wherever - SHAKIRA CHAPTER 1 NOAH My ears are still buzzing from all the shouting at the end of the game. Jesse Hartnett, the team captain, brought the place down when he sent that puck to the back of the net like he shot it from a bazooka, giving the Warriors the lead at the last second. That poor goalie didn’t stand a chance. I jumped out of my seat right behind their box and banged on the glass, joining in the frenzy. Next year, I’ll be on the other side, celebrating with my new teammates. With that win, the Hannaford U Warriors guaranteed themselves a spot in the Frozen Four finals, and the next semifinal game will determine if they’ll be facing Clayton U, our rival school. Suffice it to say, it’s a madhouse in Tampa’s Amalie Arena. Assistant Coach LaRue, who’s still in the box, looks over his shoulder and signals me to meet them in the locker room. I was invited by the school to attend the championship games since I’m starting next semester, and he gave me a pass earlier that grants me access. I turn to leave, but there are people in my way. As I wait for my row to empty, I look around. And that’s when I see her, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on, exiting a row a couple of levels up from mine. Light brown hair secured into two braids, flawless tanned skin, and a face that belongs on the cover of a magazine. She’s perfect. Someone taps on my shoulder. “Are you going to move?” “Oops. Sorry.” That girl put me in such a trance, I didn’t notice there was no one blocking my way anymore. I walk quickly, hoping to catch up with her, but there are too many people on the stairs, and I lose sight of her. When I finally reach the food court area, I crane my neck, hoping to see her in the crowd. No such luck. I bet she went to the washroom. I head in that direction. There’s a line outside the women’s washroom, but if she went there, she’d be standing at the end. Shit. I lost her. I’ve never been more upset about a missed opportunity than I am today. I shove the disappointment aside. There will be other pretty girls. As I head to the locker room to congratulate my future teammates in person, I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I could hardly believe it when Derek LaRue, former NHL legend and now the assistant coach, reached out to me last year. Other schools were hounding, but it was game over when Hannaford U said they wanted me. I’ve always wanted to play for them. I’m about to round a corner when I hear a female voice shout, “Ryder! Wait.” “Do not follow me, Gia.” I keep walking since the locker room is in that direction. But I stop in my tracks when I see the hottie from earlier grab notorious Warriors D-man Ryder Westwood’s arm. “The hell I won’t. What was that crap in there?” She points at the locker room door. Wait, what was she doing in the locker room? My gaze drops to the lanyard hanging from her neck. She has a pass like mine. I’m damn curious now. Locked in a staring contest, they don’t notice me hovering at the end of the corridor. He yanks his arm free from her grasp, and her eyes widen. Shit. She has pretty hazel eyes, and even from a distance, I can see they’re swimming in pain. Future teammate or not, I already loathe him. It’s crazy. I don’t know them, or why he’s pissed, but how dare he hurt that girl? Logical, I’m not. “I don’t owe you any explanation. You’re not my girlfriend anymore, remember?” Her lips quiver, but instead of wincing, she lifts her chin. “I didn’t forget, asshole. Do you think I’m here to beg you to take me back?” Damn. Gorgeous and feisty. I like her. But hell, why did she date that jerk