I should tell her now. Pull over. Wake her. End this before it gets worse.
The words stick, same as they have for weeks.
Because telling her means losing her before I ever get her.
I want this weekend. Just this. A borrowed stretch of time where the bet doesn’t exist and we’re just a boy and a girl driving into the woods, pretending nothing ugly waits at the end.
She stirs as the GPS announces our exit, blinking awake. She catches me watching and smiles, soft and unguarded.
“We’re here?”
“Yeah.” I take the turn toward nothing. “Middle of nowhere.”
She straightens, looking out at the snow-heavy silence. “It’s beautiful.”
“Wait till you see the cabin. Liam sent pictures.”
“And his teammates?”
“A few. Just tonight.” Casual. Controlled. “Quick reset before a run of away games. The rental’s a three-night minimum, though, so if we wanted to stay a couple extra days and work on the project…”
I leave her the out.
She worries her lip. “Wouldn’t that be weird? Just us?”
“Only if we make it weird.”
A small smile. “We are behind.”
Relief and guilt twist together. “They’re leaving tomorrow afternoon. Place is ours through Monday if we want it.”
She nods, hesitation flickering. She knows what staying means.
I feel like a fucking predator. When did I become this guy? The one who lures a girl into a cabin with excuses and half-truths?
The gravel road crunches under the tires. “We can head back with everyone tomorrow. No pressure.”
“No.” She looks at me, steady. “We need the time. For the project.”
Right.
The project.
I’m going to hell.
The cabin sits tuckedinto the woods, all timber and glass, roof glazed with frost and sunlight. Smoke curls from the chimney. Warm light spills onto the snow.
Liam and Sophie are on the porch when I pull in. Liam lifts a hand, calling back inside, and the front door flies open. Erin barrels out, coat half zipped, hair everywhere.
“About time,” she says, hugging me hard. “Thought you hit black ice.”
Liam skips hello and grabs my shoulder. “Traffic?”
“And her playlist,” I say, slamming the trunk.
Wren arches a brow. “You’re welcome.”
Liam’s grin turns assessing. “So you’re the mysterious tutor.”
