Jesus.
Locking eyes with Zane across the hallway, my brows draw together as the world around me fades into darkness.
Is he real? He should still be in his locker room and—God, I’m imagining him now?
Blinking a few times, I laugh before shaking my head.
BLAIR: He’s treating me fi
“Blair?”
“Fuck. You’re here?” I fumble my phone and accidentally press send as I step forward, cursing under my breath.
Barely a second passes before my phone vibrates in my hand, but I’m too caught up in the fact that my imagination is talking to me, that I completely ignore it.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I scold, my eyes bouncing around the stadium halls. “Won’t you get a fine?”
“Yep.” His shoulders lift in a nonchalant shrug and my eyes widen.
“Yep?”
“To both. I shouldn’t be here and I’m going to get a fine.”
“Then, wh—”
“Are you seriously dating that fucker?” He talks over me, stepping closer until I’m forced back into the wall. “Please tell me he’s blackmailing you or something.”
“Blackmailing me?” I scoff, standing tall as I stare at him.
“It would make more sense than the alternative. Or is this some dark, twisted fantasy? He was there when…when everything happened. Maybe you found solace in that. Maybe being with him is like a punishment you think you deserve.”
“What the fuck, Zane? Why…why would you even say that?”
“I don’t know.” He throws his hands in the air and curses through clenched teeth. “I’m trying to make sense of it, B. Because I thought you hated him just as much as we did. But then you went to that party and—”
“And what?”
“Youknowwhat.”
The fight leaves me and I let myself crumble, my back hitting the concrete wall behind me with more force than I expected, making me wince.
Unfortunately, I do know. All too well. I’m never going to forget it. But this isn’t about that.
“I’m not punishing myself, Zane. I moved on.”
“I noticed. It was hardnotto notice, with him mauling you on the sidelines.” Zane closes his eyes, letting out a sigh before straightening and shaking himself off. “Sorry. I didn’t come here to argue. Or to bring up that damn kiss. I just wanted to check on you.”
Ignoring the way his eyes soften and my heart pounds, I focus on his words.“That damn kiss.”I’d almost forgotten about that, and yet, it was truly monumental. Nathan hasneverkissed me during a game. Not once. Warmup or otherwise. Now that Zane’s mentioned it, I have to wonder if he was putting on a show. For Zane.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something in his life solely for the purpose of pissing Zane off. Or my brother for that matter. But I thought he left that behind years ago. And more so after we started dating.
Premeditated or not, Nathan’s not going to be happy to find Zane here.
“You should go.” A commotion behind me draws my attention, and I glance back to see a few of the guys heading out of the room. “Now, Zane. You need to gonow.”
Zane’s eyes flash in the direction I was looking and he grins. “Aww, are you worried about me? I can take him.”
Tension coils in my neck as I fight to keep my voice steady. “Think about it, Zane. It’s going to look like you came around here, after a game, wanting to fight.”
