Page 28 of Devil on Skates

XAVIER

SINCE I HAVE TO STAY in 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.

Now that I’m mostly fine, my dad’s reaction worries me the most. Will he be furious that I risked my life and everything just to save Irina? Probably.

When I hear his voice in the hallway, my whole body tenses.

It’s like muscle memory. I’m getting ready for the usual criticism, and yeah, it actually makes my ribs hurt despite the meds.

I try to sit up a little, bracing myself for a fight, even though I know being in this condition should at least buy me some peace.

My mom walks in first, her eyes filled with concern. “Oh honey,” she says, coming over and grabbing my hand with a squeeze that says more than words.

It’s the kind of comfort she gives when Dad’s criticism gets too much or when I’m feeling like a total screw-up. I didn’t expect to want it now, but I really do.

Dad comes in next, but there’s something off about him. He stays near the door, his face unreadable, as if he’s hesitating about something. And that man never hesitates.

“The doctors said you’d fully recover,” Mom says. “But we don’t know exactly how long it’ll take. Did they tell you anything?”

I nod along. “I don’t know. It depends on my symptoms, and I’ll have to do some more tests.”

My dad finally moves closer, his attention on the machines next to me. What’s wrong with him? Seeing him like this and not knowing what he’s thinking is even more unnerving than if he was screaming at me.

“When do you think you’ll play again?” he asks, his voice softer than usual, as if he actually wants to know.

My mom’s eyes narrow at him. “That’s not what matters right now. We should be grateful he’s alive and okay.”

I’m ready for Dad to ignore her and try to push the plan and performance stuff back in.

“You’re right,” he says, and I gape at him.

What the hell? Did aliens kidnap my dad and replace him with someone else?

He sits down, staring everywhere but at me, which is strange for him, and he’s way too quiet. Why hasn’t he already exploded at me for all the money he wasted on my career?

“I heard Keith Costello has been arrested,” my mom says. “Even his dad is shocked. Noel made a public statement condemning what happened and said his family would fully cooperate.”

I’m not sure if it’s real or another Costello performance, but I don’t give a damn as long as Keith pays for what he tried to do.

“This could work to your advantage,” my dad says. “Teams care about character as much as skill. What you did to protect Irina shows qualities that scouts value. You could secure a pro contract even before you—”

Now that’s the dad I know.

“Enough.” My mom shoots him a glare, even though she usually doesn’t call him out like this. “We’re proud of you, Xavier. I hope you know that.”

I almost don’t believe it until Dad nods. Wow, really? Maybe there’s hope for our family after all.

There’s movement at the door, and I look up. Irina’s there, and she gives me a small smile. Her presence makes me forget about my complicated family and any pain that I’m still feeling.

If I had to save her again, I’d do it without thinking, because it’s the most obvious choice in the world.

My dad follows my gaze, and my shoulders tense, but he doesn’t say anything when he sees her.

My mom stands up, glancing at Irina before focusing on my dad. “We should go grab something to eat. Let them have some time together before the visiting hours end.”

I expect my dad to argue, but he doesn’t. He just gets to his feet. That’s new too. Maybe almost losing me has made him rethink everything.

When he’s next to Irina, he pauses. “Thank you for being with him when we couldn’t.”

Irina just nods.

Once they’re gone, she comes over and sits on the edge of my bed.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Better now, but I’m still trying to figure out what happened to my dad. He’s different.”

She laughs. “Crisis changes priorities. Sometimes you almost have to lose something to realize how much it matters to you.”

“Right.”

She gently squeezes my hand.

“Come here,” I say, tugging her toward me.

She leans forward and then her lips brush against mine.