Chapter 6

I lay down embracing my pillow to my chest, replaying the conversation I had with Kai. If I remembered him correctly from my vision, he was the captain of the Fordnast University hockey team. Paisley already confirmed it.

I took out a journal to write down everything. Those visions are my ticket to not ending up how I did.

“The same guy who was hailed as the future of hockey and the one to be the next national hockey champion. The same position that leech Damon held. What else did I remember about him? Think. Think.” I thought out loud with my hand tapping on my chin.

“Okay, he retired from playing hockey after suffering a career-ending injury during a game with Northridge University, which forced him to retire from hockey completely and focus on his family’s empire, Draven Industries, which soars under his leadership.”

“After Draven Industries surpasses Voss Enterprise, it starts to bid on projects against Voss Enterprise, destroying it from the outside while those maggots destroyed it from the inside.” I clenched the pen in my hand in anger, remembering everything.

“So about Kai Draven, after becoming CEO…”

“But where have I heard that name before, Draven?” I asked myself. I racked my head for an answer.

“That’s it!” I shouted like a mad woman. Thank god nobody lived here with me. How embarrassing would it have been. “Damn it, no wonder the guy did all of that.” I would honestly do the exact same thing too if I were in his shoes. Well, I already do that.

“Doing that game he got injured, he sued Damon for it. Me being a love-sick fool hired the best lawyers and helped him.” I cringed at my past actions. So my family’s downfall was all my doing. I sighed at those thoughts.

“One thing is clear though. I need to stay far away from Draven. That was just a one-time thing,” I said, closing my journal. “I am sure he was working with those two. Maybe Rozetta. I doubt he would want to work with the man who was responsible for his early retirement.”

RING! RING!

Paisley. I wonder what she wanted.

“Pai, what’s up?” I spoke, answering her call.

“Elara, where are you?” I heard her ask. I really hoped it wasn’t something stupid.

“In my dorm. Why?” I asked again. I was getting tired of this.

“Elara, didn’t we agree to meet up for practice?” I made a sound questioning her statement. “Okay, maybe you did not agree, but you have missed practice for two days now. This isn’t like you,” she continued with her lecture.

And as much as Paisley nagged, she was right. Thinking back at it, I had given up my career and dreams due to my family’s situation and pressure from Damon, letting Rozetta claim my title.

Not anymore.

“Elara, are you there?” she asked over the silence.

“Still here, Pai. I’ll be there in 10,” I said before hanging up.

Grabbing my gear, I left.

**

I arrived in less than 10 minutes. I headed to the locker room to change into my training gear.

“You are late,” Paisley scolded sternly.

“Actually, I am early. I just went to change,” I dragged her to the rink with me.

I focused on light exercises most to stretch my stiff muscles. I started with basic stroking around the rink to warm up my legs, then moved into deep edge work, carving clean outside and inside edges in smooth circles. I practiced forward and backward crossovers to build speed and control, then did a series of three-turns and mohawks to sharpen my turns. Finally, I worked on a few upright spins, centering my balance and pulling in my arms for tighter rotations. My body remembered the movements even after everything.

“So what happened between you and Kai?” she said with a grin on her face as she skated backward facing me. I frowned at that.

“Nothing. He just apologized,” I shrugged, giving her a half-truth.

“That’s it!” It was now her turn to frown. “You are not lying to me, are you?” she pressed on, which made me purse my lips, a sign that I was lying and she knew it. “Spill,” she commanded.

I sighed, bracing myself for her overreaction. “He did ask me out for coffee to apologize, but I declined.”

“YOU WHAT!” she yelled. I placed my hand over her mouth to shush her, which drew the attention of other skaters. “Elara, I am disappointed in you,” she whispered in a downcast tone. I just rolled my eyes at her antics.

“As I told yo—” I started to say but stopped when I saw Zane approaching from the bleachers. A wicked idea formed in my mind. “You know? My dad said that the assistant captain of Fordnast University is actually the top contender for being named national champion,” I said in a conspiratorial tone, just loud enough so Zane could hear.

“What are you talking about?” Paisley asked cluelessly.

“Just sharing what my dad told me. You know he is friends with the committee.”

“Theo Winchester?” she asked puzzled. I nodded to that.

Just as I did so, I felt Zane’s eyes on us as he passed.

Bingo. Got you where I want you. I grinned happily to myself.

“Let’s go practice some more, Pai,” I said, ushering her with me. I just needed to wait for the trap to align.