Chapter 14 #2
The arena falls quiet after they skate off the ice and disappear through the tunnel.
The instinct to leave stirs but I know I won’t.
It would be easy enough. Slip out before Kane comes back with some wild reason as to why he tracked me down.
But I already know.
So he can score.
I hate that I love how that makes me feel. The power it gives me. And when he looked at me the way he did, like he’d do anything for me to stay, I felt it in my core. I felt…in control, grounded.
I bite my lip as I glance around the space he invited me to. What’s likely his favorite place in the world.
I don’t have a place like that.
The library may be my sanctuary, but I’ll never feel the same rush of energy the players all feel when they skate onto the ice.
“You’re still here.”
I turn to find Kane standing a few rows behind me, his damp hair curling at the ends.
“Were you hoping I’d jet? Because I can still do that.”
He smirks and heads down in slow strides. “I don’t doubt you can.” He stops two feet away and sweeps his eyes over me.
I hold up my hand. “Before you say anything, I’m not going to tell anyone you’re a creepy stalker, okay? Your secret is safe with me.”
“Uh, thanks, but are we forgetting you’re the creepy stalker?”
I jerk back, a laugh catching in my throat. “I merely participated in a campus-wide app that you created, practically begging people to send you love.”
He steps further down and plucks my backpack from my shoulder, his dimple deepening. “It’s a metaphor, like a cheer sign. You’re the one who took it to the next level.” He quirks a brow.
My face burns because he’s right. I drop my gaze to the floor. Then immediately past his shoulder at how far the exit door is.
“Isla, Isla, I’m kidding.” He chuckles. “Why do you think I grabbed your backpack first?”
I suck in a breath and cross my arms in front of me. “Look, hotshot. I only sent those messages to prove something to myself. Not because I actually want you to…”
“Do those things to you?” He cocks his head to the side, his lip quirked.
“No. I mean, yes. That’s right,” I stammer, and I’m almost sure I got that right.
He nods. “Alright. Now if you’re done calling me out, can I please be upfront with you about the app and…your part in it.”
“Is this a long story? If so, can we do it someplace where it’s not below zero?”
“Oh.” He drops my backpack and shrugs out of his team jacket, draping it around me.
It still holds his warmth, which seeps into my shoulders and travels all through my body. I can’t tell if it’s the jacket...or the fact that he had to step close enough to put it there.
“Better?”
“No.” I glance up at him. “You’re still too close.”
He exhales and steps back. “Look, I won’t bore you with the history of how this app came about.”
“Oh but you’d make me sit through a two hour practice? By all means, bore me with the history,” I deadpan.
He nods, licking his lips like he’s fighting a smile.
“Fair enough.” He looks over my shoulder at the ice.
“My dad was a hockey player.” He grins. “One of the best in his time.” He considers the rest and I can tell he’s choosing to skip details.
Something I often do myself. “I know I’m good.
I’ve got the goal count to prove it. The captain title.
” He takes another breath and I have the urge to spare him the rest...
since I’ve done my research. “But sometimes…I forget. I focus on the comparison. The name on my jersey instead of…well, the game and my talent.”
He unlocks his phone and opens the familiar logo. “This app helped shove all the bullshit out of my head and replace it with…” he trails off, scrolling through infinite comments.
I frown thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Like a Zamboni to your demons.”
His eyes lift to mine. “Exactly. Wipes them away.” He licks his lips again. “Anyway, we had a rough start to the season. Every loss just dug the hole a little deeper.”
My gaze drops to the phone. “It…stopped helping?”
“Guess you could say it wasn’t as effective.” He wiggles the device like it’s a weightless prop, then shoves it back into his pocket. “Until yours.”
“Shadow’s,” I clarify, like it’s an entirely different person.
His lip twitches as he searches my eyes. “Right.”
“And what is it about her?”
He squints. “Not sure yet. In my experience, overthinking something kills the high.”
A laugh slips out of me. “So this private…locker room. Is that just to make sure your good luck charm keeps coming?”
His smile is slow. “To my games?”
I shake my head, confused. “Uh, yes, where else would I—” My eyes flash and another bolt of fire rushes to my cheeks.
He sighs. “It was a joke and a slip of the tongue.” He leans over, playfully. “Cut me some slack.”
I wince. Here I am sending him seductive messages and he makes one sex joke and I’m a mess. “No. I’m sorry. And again, being a hypocrite.”
He laughs. “Don’t apologize. That’s on me. I was…out of line.”
“It’s just that I’m not…well, I’m only comfortable…”
“On the app,” he finishes with a grin. “I get it.” He sweeps his eyes over me. “What’d you do…before the app?”