Page 51 of Devil on Skates
“I’m supposed to have practice this afternoon,” I say. “Your dad didn’t say anything to me, so I guess that’s still on. But I can skip my morning classes if I want to.”
She gives me a nod, and then I pull her to me and kiss her.
“Wait, I don’t have anything to wear. My stuff is still at the place where Costello forced me to stay.” Her eyes go wide.
“That’s not a problem,” I say. “I can go to a store and get you whatever you need.”
My dad hasn’t cut me off just yet, so I can still use the credit card he gave me.
“Really? You’d do that for me?” Irina’s mouth parts in surprise.
“Of course. I’d do anything for you.”
And I mean it.
She wraps herself tightly around me, and I can barely believe that in all this mess, I’m actually the happiest I’ve ever been.
ONCE I BRING IRINAeverything she needs and we get ready, we catch the bus to her campus. Some students give us curious looks, and there are some whispers about the hockey captain and the coach’s daughter who’s supposed to be dating someone else.
Irina notices but keeps her cool. Her hand stays tightly in mine, her posture calm and confident rather than apologetic or nervous.
“People are going to talk,” she says quietly as we step off the bus. “About us, Keith, and everything. I deleted all the photos with him, so I hope everyone will realize we broke up.”
“Let them talk.” I shrug. “Gossip doesn’t matter.”
She smiles, and I can tell she’s free from all the pressure.
We walk toward the parking lot. Most students are focused on their own business, barely noticing us holding hands. Soon, everyone’s going to forget about all the drama and move on to something else.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a black car parked not too far away from us. There’s nothing unusual about it, except the engine is still running and no one’s getting out.
Irina stops, and I guess she doesn’t want to say goodbye to me, even if it’s just to go to class. After what happened, any distance between us feels huge.
“I’ll be waiting for you after class,” I say, my hands resting on her waist as we face each other.
She nods, wrapping her arms loosely around my neck, and then she brings her lips to mine. Our kiss is slow and deep, without any rush.
When we break apart, a smile spreads across her face, and I know it’s all real. She starts toward the building, adjusting her bag, as she looks at me over her shoulder.
The revving of an engine pierces the air. It’s that same car I spotted before. What the fuck does the driver think he’s doing? Probably showing off.
Irina steps out into the open, and suddenly, the car speeds forward, tires screeching as it heads straight for her.
My heart leaps into my throat, my eyes bulging.
“Irina!” I yell, lunging toward her.
She turns at my shout, confusion replacing her smile, but it’s too late. Everything seems to move in slow motion. I reach her just as her eyes widen in realization. I throw myself at her, wrapping my arms around her like a shield and shoving her away.
Pain shoots through me as I’m knocked sideways, tumbling across the asphalt. Then everything goes black.
Chapter 27
IRINA
MY HANDS SCRAPE AGAINSTthe ground, and I push myself up, panic squeezing my chest when I notice Xavier’s not moving and blood is seeping through the tears in his clothes.
“Xavier!” I rush to him and touch his face, my hands shaking.
