Now the thought turns my stomach.
She glides to the door, glancing back once. “When it’s done, come to me.”
The door clicks shut behind her.
I stand there, hands shaking, staring at the empty space where she’d been. Her perfume clings—expensive, chemical—making me want to open a window.
For the first time since this started, I don’t want to win.
I just want to be someone Wren wouldn’t run from.
But the bet is still there. The lie is still there. And every real moment between us is built on it.
My phone buzzes. For a second, I hope it’s Wren.
It’s not.
Liam.
“Hey,” I answer, voice rough.
“Caught your game last week,” he says, skipping hello. “You’re sharp, Kie. GM’s happy. Keep this up, and you’ll come into camp with a real shot at the second line.”
“Not bad for the little brother,” I force myself to joke.
He laughs. “Cocky as ever. Just keep your head clear.” A pause. “Some of the guys rented a cabin upstate, halfway to Boston. A quick reset. Everyone’s bringing their girlfriends. I’m going with Sophie, Erin will be there with Dmitri, Finn and Jessica, plus Nate with his girl. You should come, blowoff steam.”
I stare at the ceiling, Isabelle’s threat still ringing in my ears. “Yeah. I’ll come.”
“You bringing anyone?”
I hesitate. Bringing someone to meet my siblings isn’t casual.
“I might.”
Liam hums, knowing. “Oh? Who’s the lucky girl?”
“Just...someone.”
He laughs outright. “Right. And you’re just a forward. Come on, Kieran. You don’t bring ‘just someone’ anywhere near me and Erin. Must be special.”
My throat tightens. Special. If he only knew. She’s not even really mine.
“Something like that.”
He softens. “Good. You deserve someone decent, kid. Tell Mom I said hi when she calls—you know she’s still keeping score between us.”
I laugh quietly. “She’d better be betting on her baby boy.”
“She’s betting on both of us,” he says. “Get some rest. We’ll see you next weekend. I’ll text you the details.”
The line clicks off. The room’s too quiet again.
I open Instagram. A photo of me and Wren on the dorm steps fills the screen. Her face tilted up, eyes soft. My hand still half visible at her back.
Before I can think better of it, I text her.
KIERAN
