This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to light on fire tonight. Not with Dunn circling. Not with Elise playing shadow games. We needed to close ranks, not fracture them.
Chase cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So… Mila.”
Theo smirked faintly. “Trading secrets or trading tension?”
Jax’s grin tugged, all sharp edges. “Enemies to something.”
I rolled my shoulders, letting it slide. “Not enemies. Not a couple either. Just… complicated.”
“That was the question,” Chase murmured.
“And that’s the answer.”
We stayed longer, hashing out details—Theo confirming he’d keep his angle with Tori, Jax agreeing to watch for whispers through his dad’s contacts. Chase offered to filter what heoverheard at home—his dad never kept his phone calls quiet, and sometimes boardroom talk spilled into the living room whether Chase wanted it or not. It wasn’t a plan, not fully. But it was enough to make sure none of us were blind.
I drove home, mind whirling. By the time I pulled in, the night had settled heavy around the house. I cut the engine, stepped out, and leaned against the SUV, gear bag digging into my shoulder. The tinted glass threw my reflection back at me—tired eyes, bruised cheek, jaw wired tight. Mila’s necklace still burned in my memory, silver star at her throat. Not mine. Not yet. But there.
Headlights swept the drive. Drew’s car rolled in, tires humming low over concrete. He killed the engine, climbed out, and shut the door in one sharp motion.
“Getting in late?” I asked, shifting the bag higher. “Something going on at work?”
He didn’t bother with small talk. Instead, he crossed the distance and clapped a hand to my shoulder as he passed. “Nothing you need to worry about.” His chin flicked toward the bag, hockey carved into every line of me. “Keep your head in the game. Coaches are watching; college is next. Stay focused. I’ll deal with the family crap.”
My jaw flexed, but I let it ride. He was right. The business wasn’t something I wanted, but he did. He kept moving, shoes scuffing toward the porch, his words affecting me more than I wanted to admit. He made it sound simple. Hockey, coaches, college. But my life didn’t split that clean anymore—not with Dunn hovering, not with Mila in the middle of it.
My phone buzzed.
Mila:You still standing around the parking lot brooding, or did you finally go home?
A smirk broke across my mouth. She didn’t need to text. It wasn’t about strategy. This was… casual. Dangerous in its own way.
Me:Depends. You watching me from the shadows?
Three dots blinked, then?—
Mila:Please. If I was watching, you would never know.
I shook my head then shoved a bag into the backseat.
Me:So you admit you think about watching me.
Pause.
Mila:Don’t flatter yourself. Just making sure Elise isn’t glued to your side again.
The smirk widened.
Me:Jealousy looks good on you.
Another pause. Longer this time. Then?—
Mila:Next time you talk to Tori, I want to be there.
Me:Jealous and bossy. Noted.
Mila:Occupied. By you. Don’t make me regret it.
The screen glowed in my hand, the words hitting deep enough to carve their place. My chest tightened.
