Chapter 14
He practically shoved me into the hotel’s private lounge, the door slamming behind us with a final–sounding click.
Blocking the exit with his six–foot frame, Henry towered over me, his perfectly tailored suit doing nothing to hide the tension in his shoulders. His voice shook with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
“Real mature, Iris! Throwing away everything we planned just to spite me? Running off to Juilliard? We had our whole future mapped out at UMN together!”
I lifted my chin, finally finding the courage I’d spent all summer building. My voice came out steadier than I felt.
“I’m allowed to have my own dreams. My violin is just as important as your hockey. Why does my entire life have to revolve around your plans? God, Henry, do you even hear yourself?”
I took a deep breath and delivered the blow I’d been holding back: “And be honest – are you really angry about broken promises, or because you’re losing your convenient backup girl?”
The color drained from his face. His perfect prep school composure cracked.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Jesus, Iris… Don’t make it sound so… cheap. We’re adults. That night
after my championship game… that night was mutual. Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on it?”
Humiliation burned in my chest, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. After all these years, I owed
myself that much.
“If you like Gianna, just say it. I’m not pathetic enough to chase my stepbrother who doesn’t want
- me. But you knew exactly how I felt about you, and you watched me throw myself at you like some
lovesick fool. Did you enjoy the ego boost? Having your stepsister so desperately in love with you
while you chased the popular girl?”
He still didn’t get it. That’s the thing about people like Henry – they never understand that people don’t walk away until hope is completely dead.
Hit with the unvarnished truth, Henry’s face flushed red. He stumbled back like I’d physically struck him, his back hitting the expensive wallpaper. “How can you… what are you even… you…” For once in his life, the hockey star was speechless.
16:08
Offside with My Step Brother: Hockey Star Refuses to Accept My Goodbye
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Chapter 14
Finally, he straightened his tie – a nervous habit I’d watched him develop since his first hockey recruitment meeting.
“We’ve been step–siblings for six years. We’re seniors now. Since you’ve chosen to throw away our family bond for your violin dream, let’s not pretend anymore. Have fun at Juilliard.”
With that, he fled the hotel, leaving six years of memories hanging in the air between us. The same way he used to flee when we were kids and I beat him at Mario Kart – always running when things didn’t go his way.
16:08
