Page 15 of Devil on Skates
“I’m not fighting it,” I say. “I just don’t think college hockey’s his thing.”
Dad’s face hardens. “Histhingis making his dad happy. Noel wants this connection between our families as much as I do. The boy’s coming to the game.”
I should feel mad that I don’t get a say in this, but I’m just tired. This is how it always is. My dad is thinking ten steps ahead while I’m stuck on the current one.
“What about what I want?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
He studies me, his eyes narrowed. “What you want is security. A good match with a respectable family. Opportunities most people would kill for.” His tone softens a bit. “I’m not pushing you toward someone unworthy. Keith is smart, polite, and from a great family. You two could have a nice life together.”
His reasonable tone makes it harder to argue. He’s not forcing me toward a jerk, just someone who leaves me cold. Someone safe who’ll never make me feel like Xavier did.
“Wear something nice to the game, but not flashy,” he says as if I already agreed.
Just fucking great. I’ll be watching Xavier play, which is already complicated, while sitting next to my potential boyfriend.
“I’ll invite him,” I say, aware that there’s no point in arguing.
My dad nods, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Good. Let me know when he saysyes.” He checks his watch. “I should go to sleep. Early practice tomorrow.”
He places a quick kiss on my forehead, which is the closest we get to affection. As soon as he leaves, I lean against the door, letting out a slow breath.
The hockey tickets feel heavy in my hand. Xavier on the ice, in his element, while I fake interest in whatever Keith will be saying. The potential for disaster is huge.
How will I stay calm while watching Xavier, knowing what I know about his strength and focus? How will I sit with Keith, pretending I care, while my mind replays the things that it shouldn’t?
Most of all, how do I deal with this tangled web between my dad, the Costellos, and the guy who made me feel free for a little while?
I go back to my room and stare at Xavier’s gym photo on my phone. The contrast between his crazy confidence and Keith’s shy politeness couldn’t be clearer. One is everything I should avoid, because it’s all passion with no durability. The other is everything I’m supposed to want, like stability, respect, and approval.
But as I close the app and pick up my PT books, I know exactly who’s on my mind. And it’s not the guy my dad picked for me.
Chapter 7
XAVIER
THE LOCKER ROOM’S BUZZINGwith that usual pre-game energy, like gear getting shuffled, tape ripping, and the guys chatting. I’m halfway through lacing my skates when Coach walks in, his clipboard in his hand, his face as unreadable as always.
“Gather up,” he says, and we form our usual semi-circle around him.
Coach scans the room, his eyes pausing briefly on me before moving on. “Our rival’s defense is solid this year. Their goalie has one of the highest save rates, so we’ve gotta be smarter, faster, and way more aggressive on offense.”
I’m only half listening, caught up in this weird vibe I’m picking up from him tonight. He’s more tense than usual, his movements tight as if he’s worried about something other than hockey. Is it something about Irina?
“Gallagher, I want you pushing their defense hard right from the first whistle. Open things up. Make ‘em work,” he says.
“Got it, Coach.”
“The son of the owner of Stonebrook Shadows is coming tonight, along with my daughter.”
My pulse skips at the mention of Irina, but I keep my face blank. Coach’s eyes narrow, as if he’s trying to read me.
“I’m sure you know how important the Costello family is in the hockey world,” he adds, looking at the whole team but keeping his gaze on me. “Let’s show everyone what we’ve got.”
My mind spins. Irina’s going to be there with Keith and watching me play. It feels too perfect to just be a coincidence.But what’s Coach’s deal? Does he know about that night? About his daughter and me?
No way. If he even suspected it, I’d be off the ice. He’s probably just trying to get the Costellos to notice him or to become a member of their family through Irina, which makes my blood boil.
Still, knowing she’ll be there changes everything about tonight’s game for me.
