Page 53 of Devil on Skates
“Someone posted the video online,” he says. “It was already spreading through the athletic department before I got the call.”
He actually watched Xavier throw himself in front of the car to save me, not just heard about it from someone else. The video is probably terrifying.
“I made mistakes,” he says, and my eyebrows shoot up. “For a second there, I thought I was going to lose you, and... when I saw Keith’s face on the news... I’m so sorry, honey. I believed I was doing what was best for you and securing your future.”
His words change my whole view of him. Rather than trying to control me because he felt like it, it seems he simply didn’t know how to give me what I really needed.
“I never expected Keith to be capable of doing something like this.” His eyes widen with disbelief. “I thought he was a good kid. If I’d even suspected any of this... I never would’ve pushed you toward him, no matter who his family is.”
He’s putting my safety ahead of everything else this time, which is really nice.
“And Xavier...” He hesitates. “I misjudged him. I thought your relationship with him was a distraction, and that he was only using you and would break your heart. I didn’t see who he really was. Believe me, I just wanted you to be happy and safe,” he says quietly, his eyes glistening. “So I thought finding a boy from a respectable and wealthy family would give you everything you could possibly want.”
Before I can say anything, a nurse shows up.
“You can see Mr. Gallagher briefly now if you want,” she says.
I’m immediately on the move, my dad quietly following.
In Xavier’s room, the monitors beep steadily, white bandages wrap his injuries, and immobilizers keep him from moving too much. His face is peaceful, but seeing him like this breaks my heart.
I gently take his hand, trying to give him some comfort.
“His recovery will take time but should be full,” my dad says from the doorway. “Maybe he’ll miss out on the rest of the season, but he’s strong. He’ll be back as if nothing happened. You’ll see.”
I nod, hoping he’s right, because the last thing I want is for Xavier to never be able to play hockey again.
“He didn’t hesitate,” my dad says. “Didn’t even think about protecting himself, just you. It’s admirable.”
And that’s why I’m drawn to Xavier. When he does something, he does it from the heart, not out of obligation or anything else. What my dad once might have thought of as a problem now looks like a strength.
Xavier stirs, his eyes fluttering open. He blinks, his brow furrowing. When his gaze finds me, relief floods his face, and then he tenses when he sees my dad behind me.
“It’s okay.” I squeeze his hand. “My dad’s here to help, not cause trouble.”
Xavier’s gaze flicks between us as he’s probably trying to make sense of everything that happened.
“Thank you,” my dad says to him. “You saved my daughter’s life at great risk to yourself. I can never repay that.”
Xavier manages a small nod. “She means the world to me.”
“I get that now,” my dad says. “And I appreciate it more than I can describe.”
As I caress Xavier’s fingers and he smiles at me, I feel like everything’s finally clicked into place.
Chapter 28
XAVIER
SINCE I HAVE TO STAYin the hospital, every little bit of progress, like moving better or feeling less sore, feels like a step closer to getting out of here.
The doctors seem hopeful, which is good. My injuries are healing like they should, and the concussion symptoms are slowly getting better, even though I still get headaches and light really bothers me sometimes. It’s clear this is going to take a while, but they say I should eventually get back to normal and there’ll be no permanent damage.
But no one wants to tell me what this means for my hockey career. Missing training and being stuck in rehab is a huge setback. Scouts want players who are consistent and reliable, not someone who’s been out for months. Even when I’m back, there’ll be questions about whether I can handle the grind or if I’m going to be more prone to injuries.
Still, those aren’t my biggest worries. Keith got arrested, so Irina should be safe, at least until Noel finds a way to bail out his son, which I hope won’t happen, since his face has been all over the news.
But my parents are coming to see me today, since my dad had some important business to deal with and finally found the time to travel, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. We’ve been texting, but it seemed as if they were holding back on what they really thought so they wouldn’t mess up my recovery.
