Page 29 of Devil on Skates
“Avoid? Really?” His eyes narrow, sizing me up. “He actually grinned at me. And you? You didn’t exactly seem grossed out by any of it.”
Ouch. Yeah, I didn’t push Xavier away like I should have. When he pulled me close, I froze for a moment because my body was reacting before my brain kicked in. That tiny hesitation said way more than I wanted it to.
“It’s complicated,” I say, because, honestly, there’s no good way to explain it.
“Actually, it’s pretty simple.” Keith straightens up, slipping back into his usual cool mode. “You’re interested in Gallagher and not me. I’m not going to fight for someone who’s not fully in.”
“I didn’t mean for any of this to—”
“You didn’t have to.” He steps back as a car pulls up, which means his ride is already here. “Good luck explaining this to your dad. Bet he’ll love hearing his star player’s chasing his daughter.”
My stomach does a nervous flip. I didn’t even think about the fallout beyond feeling embarrassed. Once my dad finds out about this, he’ll be furious. And not just about Xavier’s creepy behavior but about how it looked like I encouraged it.
And maybe I did.
“Keith, please,” I say, desperation filling my voice. “It doesn’t have to end like this. We can talk tomorrow when we’re both calmer.”
He pauses with his hand on the car door, glancing at me. “I don’t think there’s anything more to say. You clearly want that bad boy instead of a real man like me. Good luck, Irina. You’re going to need it.”
He closes the door behind him, and I stare after the car until it’s out of sight. It’s cold out here, so I wrap my arms around myself, feeling exposed in more than one way.
Everything’s falling apart. The balance I’d kept between doing what my dad expects and what I actually want is gone. All thanks to Xavier’s interference... and my own reactions, since I hesitated and felt things I wasn’t supposed to feel.
I never should’ve come to this party. I should’ve made an excuse when Dad insisted I bring Keith, or left the moment I saw Xavier and knew he was trouble. Keith only agreed to come to the party with me because I swore up and down the message in Xavier’s book wasn’t meant for me.
But I didn’t do any of what I should have. And now, here I am, alone and cold, while my carefully built life cracks and crumbles.
I turn back to the house. The smart thing would be to go home, but I don’t want to do that, because my dad will be there. I don’t want to roam the streets either, so I head back inside.
The party’s at the point where everyone’s lost their filter and the volume’s cranked up. It’s perfect for blending in.
I stride straight to the kitchen, steering clear of the dance floor where Xavier might be celebrating his win. The liquor selection’s impressively stocked, so I skip the beer and sugary drinks, grabbing vodka instead. If any night calls for the sharp kick of good vodka, it’s this one.
The first shot burns down my throat, snapping me into the moment. I’m not much of a drinker since I’ve always been worried about control, living up to expectations, and being the perfect daughter.
But tonight?
Screw it. I need the release.
I pour a second shot, aware that somewhere in the house, Xavier’s probably plotting his next move. The thought both pisses me off and intrigues me at the same time. I’ve never had someone after me like this, so obsessed and so reckless about the consequences.
“Whoa, going straight for it, huh?” a girl says, and she might be someone from one of my classes, but I’m not sure. “Rough night?”
“You could say that,” I say, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.
“I saw what happened on the dance floor. You and Xavier Gallagher? And the guy who left? Keith Costello, right?”
Of course people noticed. The gossip’s probably spreading fast, and my dad’s going to hear about it soon.
“It’s complicated,” I say again, even though it feels lame by now.
She nods like she gets it. “Men, right? Hey, a bunch of us are doing shots in the back room. You in? It’s the best way to forget all this drama.”
Distraction and anonymity among people who just see me as another college student are exactly what I need.
“Lead the way,” I say, grabbing the bottle.
And just like that, the night turns into a blur of shots, laughter, and conversation. I’m surrounded by people I barely know, but the drinks break down any barriers. We swap horror stories about exams, make fun of pompous profs, and debate which therapy specialization is best.
