Silent Flames

Scarlett POV The bar was packed with jerseys and beer. Exactly the kind of place I avoided like a plague. It wasn’t that I hated bars in general, but this wasn’t just any bar, it was Ridgeport Ravens territory. Which meant every single corner, every single table, every single conversation revolved around one thing, hockey. My best friend, Maddie, had dragged me here happily, after tonight’s game. “Come on, just one drink. We’ll leave early, I swear.” She had promised. Now here I was, sitting with my legs crossed, and nursing a soda I didn’t even want, while the entire team celebrated another victory like they were gods who had descended upon us mere mortals. A team I care less about, I couldn't help but rolled my eyes as I watched them smiling. The Ravens were the cockiest, most arrogant bunch in the league. And standing at the center of it all, basking in attention like he’d invented the sport himself, was Liam Kane. The star, the golden boy and local celebrity. My father's least favorite player. And, unfortunately, mine too. It wasn’t just because he’d knocked my dad’s team out of the playoffs two years in a row. It wasn’t even that he played with a kind of reckless brilliance that drove coaches insane. No, it was his attitude. His smirk, his need to strut through life like everyone else was lucky just to breathe the same air. I tried not to look, but he was impossible to ignore. He's six feet tall, has a dark hair that curls slightly at the ends like he's someone special. And those stupid ice-blue eyes of his, the kind that looked right through you and dared you to blink first. Of course every girl in the bar was orbiting around him. I couldn’t take a sip of my soda without catching at least three different women throwing themselves at him. And to be sincere, I knew he loved it. That i***t, he annoys me. “Hey, isn’t that him?” Maddie whispered, elbowing me hard enough to make my drink slosh. “Who?” I asked, giving her a look. Although I knew who she's referring to. “Kane. Number seventeen. The one who scored twice tonight.” Her eyes sparkled like she was watching a movie star in the flesh. I rolled mine. “Trust me, I know who he is. My dad curses his name more than the refs.” Maddie leaned closer, grinning uncontrollably. “Then you have to go talk to him. Wouldn’t that be hilarious? Coach’s daughter cozying up to the enemy.” “Absolutely not.” I took a long sip of my soda, wishing desperately it were something stronger. “Besides, the last thing he needs is a bigger ego. I’m not feeding that monster.” Maddie pouted but didn’t argue. She didn’t have to. Fate clearly had other plans. Because just as I said it, Liam’s gaze flicked lazily across the room, and landed squarely on me. I froze, caught like a deer in headlights. He smirked like he’d just spotted something amusing. Then, to my utmost surprise, he started walking over. “Mads,” I muttered, gripping the edge of the table. “He’s coming here.” “Oh my God, he’s coming here.” Her whisper turned into a squeal. “Play it cool!” Cool? My blood pressure was spiking, and my first instinct was to grab my bag and walked away. But unfortunately, it's already too late, because when I turned my gaze in his direction, I found him right Infront of me with a glass of drink in his hand. “Coach’s daughter, right?” He said in a low tone, gazing directly at my face. I tilted my chin up, forcing myself to meet his eyes, while I glared at him in disdain. “And you must be the reason my dad keeps losing sleep.” His smirk widened. “Glad to know I’m living rent-free in his head.” He leaned down, bracing one hand on the table, crowding my space without even touching me. “And apparently yours too.” “Please.” I dropped my drink and crossed my arms, sliding my hands into my sleeves. “You’re the last thing on my mind.” “Funny,” he said smoothly. “You’ve been staring at me since I walked in.” Heat rushed to my cheeks. Not from attraction, absolutely not, but from sheer annoyance. “I was staring because I was trying to figure out how anyone can stand being in the same room as you.” He chuckled and nodded his head, a sound that made a few girls nearby glance over. “Sharp tongue. I like that.” “I don’t care what you like.” “Sure you do.” His eyes glinted in amusement, and I gulped down and looked away with a deep frown. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be this worked up over me.” Worked up? The words resonated in my ears, and I couldn't help but to turned to him again, raising my brows in surprise. I couldn't believe my ears. I wanted to scream Or throw my drink in his face, but I forced myself to remain calm, no matter how difficult it was. My parents always told me to put my temper in check. I shoved back my chair and stood up, grabbing my bag. “Enjoy your little fan club, Kane. Some of us have better things to do.” I turned to Maddie who's sipping her drink, probably pretending as if she wasn't listening to our conversation. ''Maddie, let's go.'' ''But...'' She began, but I paid deaf ears to her words. I knew she still wanted to stay, but I can't. Not when this fool is out here trying to tempt me. However, he's blocking my way. I tried to move past him, but he didn’t even budge. He stood there like a wall, tall, unbothered, and way too close. “See you around, princess,” he murmured, voice so low only I could hear it. My breath ceased instantly, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. I pushed past him and strode toward the door without looking back. If I had, I might have seen the spark in his eyes. The spark that told me this wasn’t the last time Liam Kane and I were going to clash. Not even close.