I sucked in a sharp breath, my eyes widening just a fraction.
“This is Tori,” he told the guy nearest him who’d followed him through the crowd. “She’s the one I told you about.”
The one.
I didn’t even have time to panic before the dude nodded at me with a grin. “Right. Yeah. That tracks.”
Kai frowned. “What does?”
“Your behavior,” he said simply, grinning. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. See you on Thursday, bro!”
After a second, a look of comprehension dawned on Kai’s face, and he rolled his eyes at him.
“Yeah, see ya!”
He turned to face me, giving me another of his smiles. Just like that, the noise faded. The stares stopped mattering. I wasn’t hovering anymore — I was with him.
Or at least, I thought I was.
“Hey, Kai.”
The voice was light and sweet, but to me, it was as jarring as a record scratch.
I glanced sideways and studied her, trying not to be too obvious. Ponytail, glossy lips, campus hoodie definitely not issued by the athletic department. She leaned in just a bit, her fingers brushing his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I didn’t know you had plans.” Her eyes flicked to me with polite curiosity barely masking the underlying assessment before pouting at Kai. “I thought maybe we could grab a coffee.”
Completely oblivious to the subtle tension, Kai smiled at her. Of course he fucking did.
“Oh! Yeah, nah. Can’t, sorry. We’re headed to the field. Gotta work on some drills.”
Her pout intensified. “That’s too bad.” She leaned even closer. “You should be careful. We don't want you to overdo it.”
She winked, and something ugly and primal stirred in my chest.
Before I could overthink it — or, rather, before I could talk myself out of it — I slid my hand around Kai’s wrist, pressing my thumb lightly against the inside of his arm where I could feel his pulse beating.
“I’ll take care of him,” I said easily, trying to keep my expression calm and pleasant. It was nothing like the deadly, inexplicable rage twisting my insides. “He’s got practice again tomorrow, so I can’t have him wrecking his hips tonight.”
Kai blinked, and the girl stared at me, wide-eyed and with her brows almost disappearing into her hairline.
“Oh.” Her smile faltered. “Right. Well … good luck.”
She retreated with an awkward laugh, but not before giving me one last look — equal parts curiosity and resignation.
The moment she was gone, Kai turned to me slowly.
“You, uh…” He stumbled over his words, his brows knitting together. “You didn’t have to—”
“I know.” Heat was creeping up my neck. “She was making a play.”
Kai’s brows drew together and he tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. “A play?”
Lord, grant me strength.
“Foryou.”
A beat passed.
