Page 103 of Wonderstruck

I heard the soft clunk of his phone landing backon the table. I looked up, letting him see the full force of my grin.

“Apologies for that,” he said smoothly, as if hehadn’t just called me a spoiled brat.

“No apology necessary,” I replied, my voicesyrupy.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he settled back intohis seat, clearly over my existence. “Now, where was I?”

I raised my coffee cup to my lips, flapping myhand dismissively. “Oh, right—your revenge plot. Please, don’t let me interrupt.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thoughthe might actually snap the pen he was fiddling with. “It’s just procedure,” he said, voice clipped. “Where you say revenge, I say justice. There is no way in hell I’m allowing someone like that back onto the team without shaping them to be a respectful player. An honest player. And even if you were a goddamn hockey prodigy and could defeat another team all on your own, I wouldn’t be doing myself, or the Knights, justice.”

He leaned forward, the table yelling under hisweight. “I can guarantee that if you want a spot on the Knights when you're out of that school, you’ll be put through the wringer to prove yourself. Just because they like you doesn’t mean I have to. I’ll make sure it’s not as easy as you think it’s going to be. For the future of the team—and for my reputation.” He arched forward, his tone dripping with the same sour disdain that masked every inch of his face. “Your surname isn’t getting you anywhere. God forbid we end up with another Jack Rhodes. That’s just what we fucking need.”

This guy.I’m genuinely shocked no one’s everpunched him. How Grandpa didn’t, I’ll never understand.

Charles continued, completely unbothered by mysilence. “Every time you’re on the ice now, remember that the Knights are watching you. From what I’ve shown them of your games, they’re extremely interested. More interested than they’ve ever been in a college sophomore before.” His eyes glinted, smug and condescending. “But you’ll need to do a lot more than just keep up your goddamn grades in… whatever it is you’re studying.” He tilted his chin at me. “What are you studying, out of curiosity?”

Oh, irony. You sweet, sexy mistress.

I squared my shoulders, biting back a grin as I stared directly at him. “French.”

Every part of Charles turned grey, whatever colour that existed in his cheekswas long gone by the time the word settled in hishead. But before he could process it, it was my turn to lean forward.

“Now how about you listen for a change?" I said, my voice steady, every word deliberate. "The Knights have been my dream since I couldwalk, and if they’re interested in me, great. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure I earn that jersey. I’ll train harder than anyone else, study my ass off, and speak French fluently every night with the girl I love if that’s what it takes.” My voice dropped, cold and sharp. “But if you think for one second that your little vendetta is going to stop me from chasing what I’ve worked for, you’re wrong. And if that pisses you off? Well, I’ll consider it a bonus.”

Charles’s face flickered—annoyance, maybeeven a flicker of doubt—but I didn’t wait to see if he had more to say.

I shoved out of the booth, my heartpounding—but this time, not with fear.

For too long, I’d let other people try to dictatemy life. My dad, with his guilt and paranoia. Charles Laurent, with his bitterness and childish games.

But not anymore.

I wasn’t scared of failing. I wasn’t scared offalling short.

I was going to get it all. The Knights. Rory. Every single thing I wanted.

And no one—not my dad, not CharlesLaurent, or me—was going to hold me back.

1.No, no, it's fine.

2.Yes, it's him. And he's just as arrogant as I expected. Like he knows it pisses everyone off. Like he's happy being a spoiled brat living in Jack's shadow.

3.He may be good, Guy, but he's nothing but a spoilt brat.

4.I'll be back in town tomorrow morning. We'll talk again then.

chapter twenty seven

louder so my heart can hear the truth

I’ve had butterflies for days.

And Finn Rhodes is to blame.

Well, mostly him. My stomach still flippedwhenever I replayed my skates from regionals. Then the flutters burst like fireworks when I remembered that sectionals were next. And in those gaps between thoughts, I thought of Finn, his text that was waiting for me after my last skate, his smile when I called him to tell him I placed fourth, and the kiss…

All of it.

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