Page 133 of Unsteady

But I don’t have to.

Someone grabs Kelley from behind, yanking him off of me and slamming one fist into his face, sending him down, out cold.

Toren Kane.

His eyes are bright embers of gold, just as unsettling and intoxicating. He glares down at my unconscious coach before looking up at me with a half-smile that’s so fake I’m sure I could peel it off.

“Tell your little boyfriend we’re fucking even.”

I don’t have a single word left in me that’s not a sob or scream so I nod jerkily and nearly trip in my skates over the mats.

FORTY-SIX

RHYS

I’m not sure what makes me turn away from the road leading to the Hockey House. Possibly the weight of our Harvard loss, or the desire to avoid my fellow teammates’ frustrations and sorrows.

But either way, I find myself pulling into my parents’ driveway thirty minutes after the bus dropped us at the arena.

My heart squeezes lightly, the weight of the team’s loss lifting from my shoulders at just the knowledge that she’s here.

When I come in through the garage, I hear cackling laughter of kids in the distance—Liam and Oliver.

In the living room, however, I only find Adam Reiner and Sadie’s brothers playing Xbox—but no sign of Sadie or my parents.

Just as I open my mouth to ask, a figure descends the stairs and turns for the front door. A tall figure I recognize.

“Kane,” I belt out.

My shout gathers the attention of the boys, Liam yelling for my attention immediately. Oliver looks apprehensively at the other, very large hockey player in the foyer.

“Talk to your girlfriend, Koteskiy. Not me,” he says, but he doesn’t move.

My heart rate skyrockets and fear wars with my anger—no matter how irrational, as I look at Toren Kane in my house, talking about my girl.

Oliver steps up beside me. “Who is that? Is he why Sadie was crying?”

Throat closing up, I look down at her brother. “Sadie was crying? Is she okay?”

Oliver shrugs and crosses his arms, glaring daggers at Kane.

“Your mom took her upstairs and then your dad brought that guy in here. Can you just see if she’s okay? Does she need us?” The anxious tone of his voice makes me feel a little lightheaded.

I blow a breath and nod to Oliver. “You’re a good brother. Let me just see what’s going on.”

I walk into the foyer, fists clenched and about to start a real fucking fight with the asshole, but his gaze darts over my shoulder.

“Rhys,” my dad calls.

A wicked little smile takes over Kane's face and he chuckles. “Better answer to your daddy, Cap.” His hand pats my chest condescendingly, shoving a little rough. “And tell your girl I’ll skate with her anytime”

“You motherfu—”

“Stop it,” my dad snaps, grabbing me by the shoulder.

Kane slips out the front door without another word, and I hear what sounds like a motorcycle take off.

“What the fuck? Why was Toren Kane in our house?” I round on my father.

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