Page 22 of Devil on Skates
“We’re not really friends,” I say, trying to sound casual. “More like acquaintances. He plays for my dad.”
“Right.” Keith folds his arms, a hint of doubt in his tone. “He seemed pretty familiar with you.”
“We’ve just run into each other at some events,” I lie, and I hope it’s believable enough. “The book isn’t mine. He probably confused me with someone, since we don’t know each other that well.”
He checks his watch, with just enough emphasis to make sure I see it. “I should get back. I need to compile research for our project.”
The sudden shift from Keith coming here to see me to this tense and weird conversation makes it obvious Xavier’s plan worked. Keith’s unsettled, suspicious, and putting up walls that weren’t there before.
“Sure,” I say, a little relieved that I don’t have to go anywhere with him. “Good luck with the project.”
“Thanks,” he says, hesitating as if he wants to say more but decides against it. “I’ll text you later.”
I watch him walk away, his posture stiffer than usual. When he disappears from view, I look down at the book in my hands.
Why would Xavier go through all this trouble? What’s he trying to pull this time?
I flip through the book and spot a handwritten note.
Last night in the shadows reminded me of what happened at that party. We both know what you really want and that he can’t give it to you. When you’re ready, you know where to find me. -X
My cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger. The note is clearly meant to stir trouble, so the suspicion I saw in Keith’s eyes earlier totally makes sense now. If he found this, no wonder he acted the way he did.
Xavier’s strategy is next-level. He got personal with Keith, planted doubts about us, created tension without even confronting me directly, and forced me to face the fact that he’s still chasing me.
And all that without tipping off my dad or getting a flat-out rejection from me.
It should scare me, because it all seems like a calculated manipulation. But no one’s ever chased me like this, not even Keith with his careful approach.
A prickling feeling crawls up my neck. Someone’s watching me, so I look up, scanning the space around me.
And then I spot him, my breath catching.
Xavier is leaning against a wall, his arms crossed, a mix of amusement and intensity on his face.
My heart rate speeds up. He’s here, on my campus, and watching how his little game played out. The nerve of him...
But fire ignites inside me anyway. I should just ignore him, walk away, and deny him the confrontation that he’s clearly craving.
But I don’t. Instead, I grit my teeth, clutching the book in my hand. He’s in the shadows again, so no one’s around to see us when I storm over to him.
He straightens, smiling like he owns the place, even though he shouldn’t be here. But his dark blue jeans and a tight blue shirt somehow make him look stronger and even more in control.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I ask, my voice low but with an edge.
“Oh, I just came for my book,” he says coolly, reaching out to grab it. “Sorry for the mix-up.”
“Liar,” I spit out. “This wasn’t about the book. You wanted to mess with Keith and me.”
His smile lingers at the corners of his mouth. “Is it sabotage if there’s nothing real to ruin?”
I feel the jab land, but I keep my face expressionless. “You don’t know anything about my relationship.”
He steps closer, his voice dropping. “He and you? That’s not a real connection, and you know it. It’s all fake and forced.”
A few people pass by, glancing at us. Before I can say anything or pull away, Xavier grabs my wrist, his grip firm but not hurting me. I should yank my arm free, cause a scene, or callfor help. But instead, I let him pull me into a narrow passage between the buildings.
Once we’re fully out of sight, I jerk free of him. “Don’t ever grab me like that again!”
