“No.” I straightened. “This is me protecting someone who’s done being your punching bag.”
Her composure faltered—just for a second. That was enough. I left her sitting there, nails digging into her palm, pretending she wasn’t shaken.
Logan passed as I stepped into the hall, laughing with a couple teammates, voice too loud on purpose. His eyes cut sideways, smirk crooked, like he’d been waiting to see if I’d bite. I didn’t. Not here. Not with an audience.
Theo waited near the back wall by the gym, hands shoved in his hoodie, eyes tracking me.
“She gonna crawl under a rock now?”
“Hopefully.”
He smirked, tilting his head. “Tori’s cousin was her roommate in the treatment clinic back then. That’s how I heard it.”
My jaw ticked, but I didn’t engage.
“She’s been carrying that secret a while,” Theo added. “She looked wrecked walking out of there.”
“Good. Can Elise get to Tori through her cousin?”
Theo shifted. “Tori’s pulling back from her, but she hasn’t torched the bridge. Elise might still try.”
“And you?”
He gave a short laugh, but it didn’t hide the tension in his jaw. “Don’t start.”
“You like Tori.” Not a question. A fact. “Make sure it doesn’t become about that. She’s still straddling sides.”
Theo muttered something under his breath, but I let it go.
This wasn’t just about Elise. This was about all of us. About Dunn positioning themselves to bleed King stock dry. About my dad and brother circling, trying to lock down shares before the floor dropped. About Mila—back here under a leash she didn’t choose, her mom’s job already tangled up in the mess.
Protecting the company mattered—but protecting her mattered more. King Enterprises could survive a hit. I wasn’t sure I could survive losing her again.
I leaned against the gym wall, closing my eyes for a second. The cost of choosing her over everything else pressed down heavier than any practice bruise. I’d held back when every part of me wanted to pull her closer. I’d chosen her safety over the one thing I wanted most.
And still—when the gym went quiet, when no one was watching—I let myself wonder.Did I still love her? Did I deserve her—after everything? Or was I just setting myself up to break when she left again?
The thought gutted me. Because the truth was, I wasn’t afraid of Elise. Or Dunn. Or even my father. I was terrified of losing Mila a second time.
Later, by the lot, I stood next to my SUV and watched her leave the building. She didn’t see me. Didn’t see the way the star necklace caught the last edge of sunlight, silver bright against her throat. A reminder she was still tethered to me—but not mine. Not anymore. Not until it was safe for us to be together.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from her, no name attached—just the encrypted app we’d set up.
Mila:You looked way too pleased with yourself in sixth period. Try not to enjoy being right too much.
A grin broke across my mouth before I could stop it.
Me:Watching me now? Should I be flattered?
Three dots appeared. Then:
Mila:Don’t flatter yourself. You’re just hard to miss—and impossible to ignore.
I typed back, fingers hovering for half a second before hitting send.
Me:Good. Don’t miss me.
Her reply didn’t come right away. But when it did, my chest tightened.
