Page 38 of Devil on Skates
“You’re not stupid, Xavier.” His hand lands on my shoulder. “Don’t let some girl mess up your future. What happens when she’s gone, and all you’re left with is regret instead of trophies, huh?”
His words are bringing up the fears he instilled in me when I was a child. He taught me that without success, I’m nothing, and that my worth depends on what I achieve.
“I know what truly matters,” I say, keeping things ambiguous.
He studies me, probably trying to read if I’m really on board. After a long moment, he nods slightly, as if I passed some test.
“Good.” His hand moves to my cheek in a gesture that’s both gentle and a warning. “I’ll be at your next home game. There will be a scout in the audience too. Give him a reason to watch, or there’ll be consequences.”
The way he delivers the news that a pro scout is coming to watch me, with a thinly veiled threat in his voice, captures everything about our relationship. Every opportunity I receive comes with conditions, and every success only increases the pressure.
“I understand,” I say automatically, the response drilled into me by years of experience.
“I hope you do.” He steps back, straightening his suit. “Don’t fuck this up. You’re too close to everything we’ve worked for to throw it all away for nothing.”
Without another word, he goes through the door, leaving it open. His footsteps fade down the hallway, but his presence lingers.
I run a hand through my hair and breathe out slowly, trying to calm down. The weight of his expectations feels as suffocating and as crushing as always. For years, I’ve handled him by doing just enough to keep his support while having some independence.
But Irina is different. She’s something I’m not willing to trade for control or approval. I move to close the door, needing to reclaim my space after his invasion. But just as I reach for the handle, my gaze falls on someone in the hallway.
Irina’s face shows she’s heard at least some of what happened, and my dad wasn’t exactly quiet. His threats and insults were definitely loud enough for everyone to hear.
But how much does she know? Which parts? What does she think about the whole thing?
Our gazes lock, and for a moment, we just stand there in silence.
Chapter 19
IRINA
THE HALLWAY FEELS WAYlonger than usual as I stand frozen outside Xavier’s door. The things I heard... Raised voices, a heavy thud that made me jump, and then the older guy who kind of reminded me of Xavier storming past me without a word... It felt as if I was interrupting something private and really, really bad. My heart still beats like crazy in my chest.
Xavier’s in the doorway, his face guarded as he watches me. His usual cool confidence is gone, and what’s left seems almost fragile. Suddenly, he’s not just the cocky guy who’s been chasing me. He’s just... human.
We stand there, as if we’re both unsure what to say. Then, without thinking, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him. He stiffens, but then slowly winds his arms around me. With everything that’s happened, I don’t want him to let go.
“I have nowhere to go,” I whisper. “My dad wants me to either date Keith again or just leave. He said I have to fix what I broke or pay him back for everything he’s spent on me.”
Xavier hugs me tighter, his hand moving in circles over my back. “My dad wants me to stay away from you. He thinks I need to focus on hockey and treat... whatever this is between us... like a distraction I need to forget.”
It looks like he’s been dealing with the same crap as me, which only makes me think we’re meant to be. “My dad said something to you after the fight, didn’t he?”
“Yeah.” His voice is low next to my ear. “But don’t worry about it.”
He’s trying to protect me from more drama because he knows I’ve got enough on my plate. That actually means a lot.
“Hold me,” I say quietly, not thinking about anything else except for what I need right now. “Just hold me for a bit.”
He leads me inside, shuts the door softly behind us, and suddenly the dorm feels like a safe space. We lie down on his bed without talking, my body curling against his side, his arm wrapping around me like a shield from everything outside this moment. It’s not the fiery passion from before, but something calmer and deeper, and it feels just right.
“The two of us... What a combination,” he says, tracing his fingers over my shoulder. “Coach’s daughter and the star player, both stuck dealing with dads who think they know what’s best for their children.”
I laugh. “Well, my dad seems to think kicking me out of the house with nowhere to go is what’s best for me.”
His body tenses. “You can stay here with me for as long as you need.”
“Thank you. I’ve been trying so hard to hate you,” I say softly. “To see you as some player chasing a challenge. It’d be so much easier if that were true.”
