I blink as Kelsier skates away. He’s not usually this chirpy, and he’s definitely not this much of an asshole. I don’t know what the fuck’s gotten into him today, unless…
He must be trying to make me look bad in front of Gray. Was I right? Does he want her, and this is his play to get her?
The thought sends fresh fire through my gut, and I surge to my feet.
The rest of practice is a travesty. I’m too preoccupied by what Kelsier’s intentions may or may not be toward Gray to be effective, and I see the frustration in Cote and Bouchard’s faces as we head to the locker room. Under my ire, I at least have the decency to feel bad I’m fucking things up for them. They need to be able to count on me, and I’m nothing but a headcase right now.
Even worse is that Gray’s involvement is supposed to be helping me, but now it’s exacerbating the situation, and it’s only a matter of time before Kaladin figures that out. If he does, he’ll fire Gray, and I’ll have no excuse to see her anymore. Somewhere along the way, I fell for her, andthe thought of not seeing her anymore sends ice through my veins.
That’s what rattles around in my head as I let the hot water run over me in the shower after practice. I have to talk to Kelsier, but he’s not in the locker room when I get out of the shower.
I text him to see where he is, but he hasn’t answered by the time I dress, so I head out to find him. I find Gray first.
She’s waiting down the hall from the locker room, and she comes toward me as I head her way.
“What’s going on between you and Kelsier?” I snap as we stop in front of each other. The words are out of my mouth before I realize it, and she blinks at me in surprise.
“What?” she asks.
I loom over her, something primal driving me to display dominance at the threat of a potential rival for her attention.
“You were having a very cozy conversation before practice,” I say, “and I want to know what it was about.”
Gray
I stare at Ash as he hovers over me. I have to crane my neck back to see his face, and the look in his eyes sends a shiver through me, although not necessarily an unpleasant one. I know Ash enough to be confident he won’t hurt me, yet there’s something dangerous about him right now that tightens everything below my waist.
A high-pitched squeak hits my ear as movement in my periphery draws my attention, and I see a guy with a cleaning cart coming down the hall. Ash and I freeze in place, glaring at each other as the squeal of the cart wheel grows steadily, jaw-clenchingly louder until the man is on us.
We don’t move or say anything other than to step apart so the guy with the cart can pass. It takes the man forever to move between us, and he glances at us as if he knows what he’s interrupting. Finally, he disappears around the corner, the squeak of the cart’s wheel recedingdown the other hall before it stops altogether.
“Are you actually jealous?” I ask when the guy is finally out of sight.
“Do I have reason to be?” he counters. “You were touching Kelsier.”
I blink. Was I? Maybe I put a hand on his arm, but I can’t be sure. I continue to stare at Ash, not believing we’re having this conversation. Finally, I cross my arms and cock my head.
“Sure,” I say with a grin. “I’m fake cheating on you with Kelsier. What do you plan to do about it?”
His face darkens, and for a second I think I’m playing with fire, but then his expression eases.
“Well, later I’m going to beat the shit out of Kelsier,” he says, “but right now I’m going to remind you why you’re dating me.”
“Fake dating,” I correct him.
“Whatever,” he says.
I jump as he reaches past me to open a door I didn’t realize was there. He grabs my elbow and spins me around to usher me inside a dark room.
“Hey, what are you-,” I start to protest.
Ash flicks on a light switch just before he closes the door after us.
We’re in one of the equipment rooms. Hockey sticks line one wall while shelves in the middle are stuffed with skates, pads, pucks, and everything else the team needs.
“Ash, what are we-,” I try again, but he pushes me up against the wall next to the door and plants his hands next to my head.
“What were you talking to Kelsier about?” he asks.
