Page 91 of Icing Hearts

“Well, you certainly act like you have some claim over me.”

“Don’t I? Now?”

“No, I’m nothing but a friend to you.”

“Do you believe your own lies, Charity?” I’m practically shouting. The hallway has grown more crowded now and the first bell rings, telling us we have five minutes to get to class. People slow, then halt.

Clara’s eyes dart at the onlookers. “You said you hated me,” she seethes. “Multiple times over the years.”

“Are you kidding me?” I really am shouting now but can’t bring myself to care or stop. “I never believed my own lies. You know that.”

Jack walks up behind Clara, making his presence known by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Can you stop? People are staring.”

“I don’t care what they think.”

“I care! Okay?I. Care. You’re not the only one who has feelings in this equation, Vic.”

My brows shoot up and shock forces me back a step. “Vic? So, it’s like that? After everything?”

“Yeah, Vic, I guess it is.”

“Clara, this isn’t funny.” My voice reeks of desperation.

“I’m not joking.” She draws closer, hand on my wrist, looking up at me with those endless ocean eyes. “Look, I think we both know this is for the best.”

For the best? How could it be best when I feel as though she’s flaying me alive? As though my chest is constricting—the air is being choked out of my lungs.

“Jack, can you tell me what the hell is going on? Do you know what happened between us last week?”

“All I know is, she’s telling you to stop making a scene and you aren’t listening. Come on, Vic. Let it go.”

“I’m not gonna back off, you know,” I say to Clara.

Jack puts his arm around her shoulders and turns her away, protectively. She calls over her shoulder, “You should.”

And then she walks away.

And my heart breaks.

Shreds. Shatters. Cleaves. Millions of bloody bits fly to every corner of my body. But on the outside, I simply…slump.

I don’t bother going to the tutoring study room that day. I know she won’t be there. Miraculously, Clara and Vince managed to avoid me during school hours, but as soon as the final bell rings, I head to the team study room, knowing he’ll be there before weight training.

Chapter 56

Victory

Vince actually gulps when he sees the murderous look in my eyes. I stand by the door in silence. Waiting. The usual chatter of hockey players “studying” dies out and even the study hall supervisor looks around, wondering what’s going on.

I hover for a few seconds before disappearing from view. Vince appears in the hallway, looking ready for his reckoning.

“Hey, Amato.”

I stare. He shifts on the balls of his feet, reading if I throw a punch. I’d like to say I’ve calmed down since this morning, but that would be a lie.

“Don’t waste my time with niceties. Tell me what’s going on. She won’t just tell me what happened.”

Vince takes a step back and holds his palms up, expressing his innocence. “Look, all I know is Clara called me Sunday night and asked to come over. We talked for a long time. She said she missed me, and we decided to make it official.”

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