Kyle grins like we share a secret. “Good. I’ve got some good news—your dad invited me over for family dinner.”
That yanks my attention back. “He what?”
Kyle’s smile widens. “Yeah. Said he wanted to get to know me better. He said he can really set us up as America’s next power couple.”
My stomach knots. Of course he did—the dinner invite, the narrative, the forced connection—my father’s fingerprints are all over this.
I mumble, “That’s great,” and head for the showers.
Kyle follows. “Hey, don’t go all quiet on me. You’ve been weird lately. You barely talk at practice. You dodged my calls all week. What’s going on?”
The question digs in too deep.
I turn on the shower full blast, hoping the noise drowns him out. But Kyle steps closer, his voice lowering just enough to hit me between the ribs.
“This about Hale?”
My jaw tightens. “Why would you think that?”
“I saw the way you looked at him during that last Wolves game,” he continues, voice edged with curiosity—no, somethingdarker. “That whole rivalry act? You two were staring like you wanted to kill each other or?—”
I whirl around, water dripping down my face. “Drop it.”
Kyle bites his lip, eyes dragging over my naked body in a way that feels possessive. “Fine.”
He leaves me stewing under the spray.
When I finally step out, towel slung low on my hips, the tension hasn’t faded. It’s coiled, ready to snap.
By the time I’m dressed, the rest of the guys are filtering out. Devon tosses me a half-hearted “See you tomorrow,” and Liam’s laughing with Cal near the door.
Kyle’s waiting by the lockers.
“Hey,” he says. “Come out back with me a sec.”
The hallway leading to the rear exit is narrow, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. I follow him because I’m too tired to argue.
The moment the door shuts behind us, he turns and crowds into my space.
“Jesus, Kyle?—”
He kisses me.
It’s fast, hot, and wrong. His mouth tastes like mint and arrogance. I push at his chest, but he just grips my jacket and pulls me back.
I shove harder. “Stop.”
Kyle blinks, breath shallow. “What’s wrong with you lately?”
“Don’t do that again.”
He scoffs. “Why not? We’ve been doing this for months.”
“Not anymore.”
The words hang between us, heavier than the cold night air.
Kyle’s easy smile falters. “So that’s it? You’re just done?”
