Page 28 of Devil on Skates
I watch her go, feeling more satisfaction than regret. Tonight wasn’t about holding her close. It was about breaking the forced bond between her and Keith.
Mission accomplished.
Ronan approaches me. “Please tell me that wasn’t what it looked like, and you didn’t just piss off Noel Costello’s son while hitting on Coach’s daughter. In front of everyone.”
I shrug, unfazed. “Looked like dancing to me.”
“Dancing?” He laughs. “You were a step away from full-on making out, with her boyfriend right there.”
“Ex-boyfriend.” I grin. “I doubt he’ll stick around after tonight.”
Ronan tilts his head, clearly questioning my sanity. “You’re actually proud of this? Since when do you mess with other people’s relationships?”
Sure, I’m all about competition on the ice or in school, but this? It’s not something I’ve done before, so no wonder he’s surprised. Maybe Iama little too.
“Since I realized she’s with him for the wrong reasons,” I say. “He’s not what she wants. He’s what her dad set up for her.”
“And you think you know better than her?” He shoots me a sideways glance, his voice clipped and a little cold.
“I know she wants me.”
He shakes his head. “Even if that’s true, you’re playing with fire. Coach will come down on you hard if he finds out. The Costellos could ruin you. Is she worth that?”
Is Irina worth risking my hockey career? My family’s connections? My future?
Yes. Absolutely yes.
“She’ll come to me,” I say. “Now that Keith’s seen us together, he’s going to question everything. She’ll have to choose, and I already know who she’ll pick.”
“Your funeral,” Ronan mutters. “Don’t forget that the whole team depends on you. Whatever mess comes from this, it’s not just on you.”
He storms off.
He’s right to worry. If Coach finds out about my chase, it could mess with the whole team and our chances at winning the championship.
But somehow, I don’t care.
I want her, and only her.
Chapter 13
IRINA
I RUSH OUTSIDE ANDclose the door behind me, my eyes darting across the yard, as I try to catch a glimpse of Keith. My heart’s pounding like crazy because my emotions are all over the place. I’m pissed at Xavier for messing with me and embarrassed for getting caught like that, but strangely enough, there’s a tiny spark of excitement inside me.
I spot Keith at the end of the driveway. His shoulders are stiff and his fingers balled into fists.
“Keith!” I yell, jogging after him. “Wait, please!”
He turns around, glaring at me. My hair is probably all messed up from Xavier grabbing me, and my cheeks red from everything that happened. Usually, Keith is so damn composed, but now his guard’s down, and I see the real frustration behind his calm act.
“I think we’re done here,” he says, his voice cool but with an edge to it. “No need to explain.”
“It’s not what it looked like,” I blurt out. “Xavier was being inappropriate. I was trying to get away when you saw us.”
Keith snorts. “Is that why your hands were on his shoulders? Why you looked at him like...” He shakes his head. “I’m not into games, Irina.”
“I’m not playing games,” I say, stepping closer. “Xavier’s my dad’s player. He came at me out of nowhere, and I was just trying to avoid a scene.”
