Chapter 2.

Chapter 2

Darcy

“What?”

“I’m cutting you off.” he repeated firmly.

“Like…from money?” I sputtered.

“Yes, like from money.” He mimicked me. “And from your inheritance too.”

I leaned back on the wall and placed my hand on my forehead. Was this a joke? His tone was cheery, like he didn’t even realize what he was saying.

I forced out a laugh. “Wow Dad, you really got me. Can you fix my card now? I owe a coffee shop $18.”

“You’re not listening. I won't be giving you any money from now on.”

“Why?” 

“Because you don't have a mate or even a boyfriend.” 

Yeah, he's definitely joking.

“Come on Dad, I have to fix my car. I had to walk to class today.”

“The sooner you get a boyfriend, the sooner you can start using your car again.”

“Why do I even need to get a boyfriend?” I snapped. “I have way too much on my plate to be entertaining some stupid–”

“Hold on sweetie. I have to go for a meeting.” He interrupted. “I’ll call you later. Love ya. Bye.”

The line went dead.

I barked out a short, dry laugh. This has to be a joke. He was probably just bored. I had already told him I'd visit this year too. There's no need for this.

I sighed and walked over to my next class. But it was hard to concentrate when I didn’t know where my next meal was coming from. I knew that Dad’s ‘jokes’ didn’t last for more than a day so I resolved to scrape by until tomorrow. I probably had enough cash.

After I left my class I made a beeline to the ice skating rink. But when I got there, I saw people setting up goal posts.

Right, the hockey game.

“Fancy seeing you here. I thought you'd never watch a hockey game.”

I looked up to see Chase Richter grinning at me. 

“Hi Chase.” I exhaled. “Don't hold your breath. I still don't see anything appealing about this sport.”

“Not even the hot players?” He wiggled his brows.

“Does Easton have hot players?”

“Ouch.” He placed a hand over his chest. “You should come anyway. You might like it.”

“I doubt it.” I grumbled.

“Richter! Get your ass over here!” Their Coach yelled.

“Yes, Coach!” he shouted back before turning to me. 

“See you at the game Dare-bear.” he ruffled my dark curls. “Bye.” He jogged over to his coach who was standing right beside Killian Callahan. Once our eyes met he scowled at me. He must have still been salty over our “friendly” encounter that morning. Too bad. It wasn’t my fault he couldn’t take what he dishes out.

I left the arena, dreading my long walk back to Adler Hall.

The second I opened the door, Sunny looked away from the mirror.

"What happened to lunch?"

"I got laid off."

She frowned. "You don't have a job."

"I know." I flopped onto my bed. "I'm broke."

"Uh-huh." She continued to brush her hair.

"I'm serious. My dad froze my cards."

The brush stopped. "...What?"

"He cut me off."

"For what?" She turned to look at me.

"For being single." I mumbled.

 "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

"I know." I buried my face in my pillow. "No food. No car repairs. No new skates." My voice comes out muffled. "I'm financially deceased."

"Is he angry?" She walked over and sat beside me, absently running a hand through my hair.

“No.”

“Then we'll just have to wait. And if he's serious then we'll find you a boyfriend. Easy peasy.”

My favorite thing about talking to Sunny is that when I tell her about my problems, she always says we. Never you. As if she'd already decided we were in it together.

"You know," she said after a moment, "the hockey game starts in an hour."

I groaned into my pillow.

"Hear me out."

“No.”

"It might cheer you up.”

 “Seeing Killian’s face will do the opposite of cheer me up.” I grumbled.

“Come on." She nudged me. “Hockey is an electric sport. You'll definitely enjoy it.”

“Fine." I sighed.

***

Turns out I didn't enjoy the hockey game. I didn’t even know what was going on. People kept randomly going on and off the ice and it was so fast I couldn’t keep up.

“Why do they keep changing players?” I asked.

“They're rotating lines,” Sunny replied, eyes glued to the ice.

The scoreboard said we were  ahead by a goal when everything changed.

Killian chased the puck into a corner. Then an opposing player slammed him into the boards so hard the glass shook.

 

Before I could even process what was happening, Killian grabbed the front of the player's jersey and yanked him backwards. His fist connected several times in rapid succession.

The sound was sickening.

The referees rushed in, but they were too late. Blood already stained the ice.

Then someone started chanting Killian's name. More voices joined in until half the arena was roaring for him.

The other player was barely fighting back anymore.

Killian still landed another punch before three officials finally dragged him away.

We won but my hand stayed glued to my mouth for the entire game.

“That was really something right?” Sunny gushed as we left.

I gave a listless nod.

“I’m gonna go get Chase to see if he can drive us to the after-party.”

I followed her to the back of the arena where it was the loudest and the most packed. People were still celebrating and cheering loudly. I think it was the first game of the season.

Sunny let go of my hand for a second and before I knew it, she was gone. I looked around trying to find her thick auburn curls but I was being jostled around by everyone.

Suddenly the crowd divided and I took that chance to rush forward. I bumped into someone, and just my luck, it was Killian.

“You again?” He scoffed. 

“What? Am I banned from being in your vicinity?” I crossed my arms.

“ I wish you were.”

“Relax. I wasn't looking for you. It's not like I want to be around someone whose greatest hockey skill is his punches.” 

“Says the robot skater.” He snorted. “Guess your mom's talent skipped a generation.”

Before I even had time to process what I was doing, my hand reared back then slapped him across the face. The people around us went silent. Killian's head snapped to the side then he gave me a murderous look.