Page 75 of Ice Cold Rival

She blushed and raised her shoulders. “I got a call from an acquaintance to keep an eye out if I wanted anything to change. Amanda is in way over her head. Tobias admitted to framing you, he physically threatened you, and he didn’t say anything about stopping. He shouldn’t be allowed to harass other girls.”

“And you’d admit the truth for me? You might get in trouble.”

“I’m tired of feeling sick about my choices. This one feels right. I’ll email the administration right now.” True to her word, her fingers flew over the screen, and in less than a minute, she’d sent an email explaining the situation with the video attached.

“Done. I’ll post to the house chat too. You don’t deserve what they did to you. I’ll bet the president will revoke the vote to evict you if you want to stay here for your last semester. It might be nice to have a friendly face around to discuss the newest Dragon Rider book.”

I was in awe. First my mom, then Kiki. I expected Reece and the boys to stand up for me, but this support came out of nowhere. Maybe I should have spoken up earlier, but I wasn’t ready for the fallout.

I was ready now. Eva was right. I could do hard things, and Toby’s failures weren’t a reflection of me.

“I appreciate the offer, but I found a better place. That doesn’t mean we can’t hang out though, especially if you like the Dragon Rider books. You’d fit in great in my book club. If Amanda comes after you, call me. I know a bunch of bulky hockey players who will run to your rescue.”

She smiled tentatively. “Could you introduce me to Mason Black?”

I huffed out a surprised laugh. “Yes, but the most we’ll probably get out of him is a grunt before he leaves. He doesn’t really like people.”

“That’s okay. He’s my favorite goalie. Every time he plays it’s so intense. Like his whole mission in life is to protect the net.”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah, that’s scarily accurate. He can be very protective.” My phone alarm beeped, warning me I needed to get moving. “I have to go, but thank you. I wish we’d connected earlier in the semester.”

Kiki laughed. “Then you might not be with Reece. Watching you stroll up to him while Amanda seethed was one of the highlights of my year, even if I did end up doing all her kitchen duty after.”

I impulsively hugged her goodbye. “I think he and I would have found each other.”

She stood in the doorway and waved as I started walking. If I hurried, I could make puck drop. I’d call a car on the way.

26

Ishould have stayed. Kenzie needed me, and I’d left her alone to play a game. How did my actions make me any better than Kane? Or my father, who hadn’t risen to a single challenge in his life.

Coach bounced a ball of paper off my face, and I blinked at him. “What? Sorry.”

He gestured at his notes. “I said I like the idea of moving Rafe, but there isn’t a spot for him at the moment, unless you want to switch him out for Vanhauten.”

I shoved my hand through my hair. “No. Vanhauten earned his spot, and he’s been gelling well with me and Cole. Give Rafe another couple months in the weight room, and he’s going to be a formidable power forward. We should be prepping him for it.”

“I agree, but we’re not going to find a solution before the game tonight, which starts in…” He looked at his watch, then at me. “About forty minutes. Go finish getting ready. I need to meditate.”

“Sure.”

We both knew he was going to get his candy stash out and stress eat until we moved to the rink. I chuckled as I left Coach’s office and returned to my gear. The locker room was starting to fill with guys, and without strictly focusing on Coach, my mind wandered right back to Kenzie. The rest of the team joked with each other while they dressed out for the game, but I tuned them out.

I’d spent the last few months proving her opinions and instincts and decisions were valid and only beholden to herself—I couldn’t go back on it now. Which meant I had to accept her stubborn insistence on handling the situation herself. I hated standing by, but I wouldn’t undermine her.

She needed time. I’d give her time. Kenzie had until her sister’s wedding, then I was coming for her. After years of believing I needed to be alone, Kenzie had smashed through all my walls and proven me wrong. I wasn’t letting her push me away, and I sure as hell wasn’t letting Kane’s scheming pull us apart.

As if I’d summoned him, Kane slammed through the doors, still in street clothes, and tossed his bag at his locker. He scowled at the guys laughing and ripped his hoodie over his head.

One of Kane’s sophomore posse slapped his back. “Just in time, man. You almost missed warmup.”

“Who gives a fuck. This team is a joke run by the college fuckboy.”

He jerked his chin at me, but I ignored him as I pulled on my shoulder pads.

Sellers didn’t. He snickered and squared up in front of Kane with his arms crossed. “Having problems with that Chi Omega puck bunny? Or did she get tired of you too?”

“She’s lucky I’m giving her attention at all, and she knows it. Unlike another puck bunny who can’t wait to spread her legs for every hockey player she meets. Have you taken a turn yet, Sellers? I know how close you and Tanner are.”

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