Page 34 of Devil on Skates
“I talked to Hunter,” he finally says. “And watched the videos. His side is you attacked him without a cause at the party, but the footage shows a more complicated story.”
I nod, saying nothing.
“My daughter was clearly drunk,” he says. “Hunter was... Well, we both know what he was trying to do. Your reaction was too violent, but it stopped things from getting worse.”
My eyebrows lift before I can stop them. Huh. That actually sounds... reasonable. I thought he’d just rip me apart.
“I talked to some people, so you’re not suspended,” he says, giving me a warning look. “For now.”
I keep my face blank, even though that’s a win. “Thanks, Coach.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” He straightens, his jaw tightening. “This leniency is only because you protected my daughter. Let me be clear. You’re a great player with real pro potential. I’ve backed you because of that. But if you hurt the team again ormy daughter, I’ll make sure you never play another game. Your career will be over.”
I swallow hard. Hockey is everything I’ve ever worked for and wanted, and I don’t even want to think about losing it.
“I understand.” I keep my voice calm, but my chest feels like it’s about to explode.
Threats like this one make me want to fight back, but I hold it down. I’ve forgotten everything while chasing Irina, driven by something raw and uncontrolled.
Once I’m outside, I release a long breath, but the conversation replays over and over in my head. I need a new plan that respects the boundaries but still moves toward what I want.
Going after Irina puts everything I’ve worked for at risk, but walking away means letting others control me and losing something I’m starting to realize I need and not just want.
I’ve never backed down from a challenge or given up when there was still a shot at winning. But this is the first time I’m up against someone with real power to shut me down.
A figure steps out of the administration building, breaking me out of my thoughts because I know who it is.
My dad. He’s impeccably dressed as always, his face neutral but clearly holding back anger. Him being here, outside of family events, means he’s caught wind of last night.
I duck behind a column, my heart pounding despite years of toughening up. I’m not scared of him in the usual way, but the thought of explaining Irina and what happened last night... It makes me want to hide.
Leaning against the cold brick and trying not to be noticed, I realize that, whatever this is between Irina and me, it doesn’t follow the usual rules and it keeps growing even when logic tells me to stop.
The path ahead is tricky. I’ll have to be careful and navigate the lines, but I’m sure of one thing.
Irina is worth the risk.
Chapter 17
IRINA
PUTTING OFF THE INEVITABLEonly makes my anxiety worse. I’ve learned that lesson over and over again, and yet here I am, dragging my feet toward my house, every step heavy with dread. The quiet streets don’t help because there’s no way to escape the loop of thoughts spinning in my head. What’s he going to say? How will I even respond? What’s waiting for me behind that door?
The key turns in the lock with that familiar click, but now it sounds way more threatening. The house is perfectly quiet, but I know my dad’s here and probably waiting for me. I consider slipping upstairs and hiding in my room a little longer before the showdown I know is coming.
But it’s too late. Before I even reach the stairs, he appears in the doorway. His shoulders are rigid, a vein twitching at his temple.
“So you’ve finally decided to come home,” he says, his voice quiet like it always is a moment before he explodes. “After embarrassing me... both at work and personally... you destroyed years I spent working my ass off to turn my players into a real team.”
I stay near the bottom of the stairs, trying to keep some distance. “Dad, I—”
“Do you even realize,” he says, his voice getting louder with each word, “what you’ve done? The damage you’ve caused? Keith—the son of one of the most influential people in the hockey world—has ended things with you because of yourflingwith one of my players!”
My heart pounds in my chest. “It wasn’t like that—”
“Not like what?” He’s shouting so loud it echoes through the house. “There are videos, Irina! Videos of you drunk out of your mind! And my players fighting over you like some... trophy! The whole athletic department is buzzing about it. Noel called me and he was pissed off about how his son got treated!”
His face is flushed with rage, and I force myself not to move, even though all I want to do is run. “I didn’t ask anyone to fight over me. I can’t control what other people do.”
