Zach moves before I can even process it—a blur of motion and fury.
He's on his feet, crossing the space between them in two strides. The sound of his fist connecting with Elijah's jaw cracks through the room like thunder.
"Zach!" I scream, covering my mouth as Elijah stumbles back, crashing into the coffee table before hitting the floor.
There's a split second of stunned silence. Elijah's lip is split, a smear of red spreading fast. He stares up at Zach, dazed, shocked.
But Zach doesn't stop. He grabs Elijah by the collar, yanking him up halfway, his fist cocked again, trembling with rage. His voice is low, guttural, shaking.
"Say that again," he growls, each word venom. "Say that shit about my sister one more time, I fucking dare you."
Elijah freezes, eyes wide. He doesn't move, doesn't even breathe.
Liam's already on his feet, grabbing Zach's arm. "Zach, stop, man—enough!"
Luke joins in, wrapping his arms around Zach's shoulders, trying to pull him back.
"Bro, don't—come on!"
Cody rushes over, helping Elijah up, while Kentaro steps between them, hand on Zach's chest, voice firm but calm.
"Zach. Look at me. Breathe. It's not worth it, man."
Zach's chest heaves, his breathing ragged. His fist is still suspended midair, his glare locked on Elijah, who's wiping blood from his mouth, silent but defiant.
The tension is thick enough to choke on. My pulse hammers in my ears as I inch closer, hand trembling when I reach for Zach's arm.
"Zach, please. Stop."
He exhales hard, his hand finally dropping to his side, shoulders still shaking with fury.
Zach's breathing is still uneven, his chest rising and falling in harsh, ragged pulls. His eyes don't leave Elijah, jaw tight and a smear of blood on his lip.
"Stop pretending you don't feel anything for her," Zach snaps, voice sharp and shaking with anger. "You can lie to everyone else, but not to me. It's already obvious."
Elijah winces, running his thumb over his split lip before meeting Zach's glare. "I don't know what you're talking about," he says flatly.
Zach lets out a low, humorless laugh.
"Really? You're gonna deny it?" He takes a step forward, jaw twitching. "You expect me to believe that you didn't lose your shit when Sam danced with another guy a few weeks ago? Or when that same idiot almost kissed her during the kiss cam last game?" His tone turns mocking.
"Isn't that why you've been so pissed at her? Don't even try to tell me all that flirting you've been doing wasn't on purpose. You've been parading every girl you can find in front of her just to prove some pointonly youunderstand."
Elijah's brows pull together, lips pressed into a hard line. "That's not true," he says stiffly.
"You're reading too much into things. You're in love, Zach—it's making you see something that isn't there. I don't have feelings for your sister." His tone sharpens, irritated. "For fuck's sake, that girl's been chasing me for nearly a decade. You think I wouldn't have given in by now if I wanted her?"
Zach scoffs, a bitter laugh escaping him.
"Right. Let's also pretend that for the last few days, you haven't been glancing at the front door every morning after workouts—just in case she walks in with your usual breakfast order from your favorite diner," Zach bites out, eyes narrowing.
"You know, wearing that big, blinding smile—like a damn ray of sunshine she only ever saves for you."
Elijah's expression flickers—barely, but enough. A shadow passes through his eyes before his mask snaps back into place.
"Or how about the way you always sit facing the door during team dinners? Or how you check your phone every time it buzzes, like you're hoping it's her? You can fool yourself all you want, man. But you don't get to talk shit about her, not when it's that damn clear she's the one stuck under your skin."
Zach goes on, "You know what, man? From now on, I'm done watching my sister get hurt because of you."
