**CHAPTER TWENTY.**
The arena was packed to the rafters, a chaotic symphony of noise and excitement, but thanks to Dylan's connections, we had prime VIP seats. Less crowded, more comfortable, and, best of all, close enough to the rink that I could practically feel the chill coming off the ice. Karina, ever the caretaker, handed out cookies that were more like dinner plates and an enormous cup of lemonade that I could barely hold with one hand. The game hadn't even started yet, but some players were already on the rink, goofing around like they were kids on a playground. Draken was conspicuously absent, which was a relief. I didn’t know if I was ready to see him yet.
I took a tentative sip of my lemonade just as the on-ice officials began filing in. There were three of them, looking all business in their striped shirts. The crowd was still buzzing, but there was a sense of anticipation now, a collective holding of breath as everyone settled into their seats. The cheerleaders from both universities were already in action, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with their routines. That’s when I noticed Brianna, front and center of the NYU cheer squad. Who knew she was a cheerleader on top of being student council president? She looked perfect in her uniform, pom-poms shaking with precise enthusiasm. Meanwhile, my pom-poms were taking a nap on the chair next to me.
The announcers boomed into action, bringing the arena to life with their hyped-up commentary. They rattled off some stats—NYU had played Cortland six times, and each time Cortland had gotten their butts handed to them. Nice. The crowd roared with pride at the reminder.
Cortland’s players were the first to take the ice, some of them making pit stops to kiss their cheerleaders, staking their claims with a public display of affection that made me roll my eyes. They were full-on making out in the middle of the rink, like they were auditioning for a soap opera. From where I was sitting, I could see everything before they strapped on their helmets. Raphael stood out among them, his brunette hair pulled into a manbun as he chatted with someone who looked like the coach, that sly grin of his sending a shiver down my spine. He had trouble written all over him.
“Six-time undefeated champions of the ice, welcome NYU! Kings of the ice!” The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena, and the crowd erupted into a deafening cheer.
NYU’s players hit the rink, and of course, some of them stopped by the cheerleaders for a quick kiss. Topper made a beeline for Brianna, giving her a kiss that earned a chorus of *“awws”* from the crowd. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes again. I knew too much to find it romantic. I tore my gaze away from the *‘lovebirds’* and scanned the ice. My heart did a little flip when I finally spotted Draken. I hadn’t seen him since that morning, and seeing him now, looking intense and focused as he adjusted his gear, sent a jolt through me. Our eyes met, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the arena faded away. He smiled at me, and I quickly looked away, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
“Is the cold getting to you? You’re turning red,” Karina said, leaning over to feel my forehead. I couldn’t exactly tell her that Draken’s smile had sent my heart into overdrive. “Your temperature’s fine. Just enjoy the game, Eline.”
I mumbled something in agreement and tried to focus on the rink, where the players were lining up. The energy in the arena was electric, my friends shouting and cheering for NYU. Topper, Draken, Killian—those names echoed through the arena, while Raphael looked like he was about to explode, his teeth grinding together as he slammed his helmet on. I silently prayed for Cortland to lose.
“I guess that one with the helmet is Raphael?” a voice said next to me, catching me off guard.
I turned to look at the speaker, frowning. It was a guy, but with the sunglasses and face mask, he looked like he was about to pull off a heist. Still, there was something familiar about the voice. “Yeah, that’s Raphael,” I replied cautiously.
“He’s cute. Wonder if he’s into guys,” the voice replied, and I nearly choked on my lemonade.
I gawked at him, speechless.
“Oh, my dear, Eline, don't tell me you're shocked that I'm suddenly enchanted by brute guys,” he pushed down his face mask and raised up his eyeglasses, revealing his face.
I gasped. It was Drake. Draken Gallagher twin brother. “What are you doing here?”
“Came to watch my brother's match,” he replied monotonously as he adjusted his facemask and shades. “Besides, I had to come see the school I'll be attending.”
“You're coming to NYU?”
“Unfortunately and fortunately. I've been bored for a while now, so I think NYU should help with my boredom,” he replied snugly.
I felt my blood pressure increase at the revelation of Drake attending NYU. The devil was attending NYU. The devil was now walking amongst us. I couldn't help but feel uneasiness creep into my bones. I could only imagine the sort of chaos he'd cause on campus.
“Hng, seems like the game is about to start~” Drake noted, pointing towards the rink.
I looked at the rink and saw the players set in their respective positions. I took my gaze back to Drake and noticed he wasn't using his wheelchair. “You don't use your wheelchair anymore? I also noticed you didn't use it back in Topper's place.”
“I don't need it for now.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Cortland would win this game,” he said confidently. “That Raphael of a child seems like trouble…I love trouble.”
“Are you interested in him?” I asked. It wasn't like I was curious, I only asked for *asking* sake.
Drake brought his gaze to me and through the outline of his mask, I could tell there was a wide grin on his face. “I’ve only been interested in one person,” his gaze drifted back to the rink and I trailed it. He was staring at Topper, who was also staring at us, specifically at Drake. *Oh*! Their relationship was one I really wanted to know about even if it was none of my business.
“I should tell you he just publicly kissed Brianna, his girlfriend, on the rink,” I blurted out before I could even comprehend. I mentally scolded myself for even saying anything. It wasn't my place to interfere in whatever they had going on anyways.
I didn't receive a response from Drake, and I thought I wouldn't be receiving one, until he spoke again. “Raphael seems like he could give me a good fuck.”