“Me?” Gabriel shoots back. “You’re the one acting like a child.”
I tune them out, wading in until their voices fade beneath the crash of the surf. I toss my board into the water, climb on, and paddle toward the rest of the team waiting beyond the break.
“Let me guess,” Koa says as I settle beside him. “Those two again?”
“Yep.”
“It’s like clockwork with them,” Colton mutters.
“Yep.”
Griffin folds his arms over his board. “They’re going to tear this team apart if something doesn’t change.”
I don’t respond because I’ve already run through every possible solution in my head, and the only one that might actually work is me leaving the team.
It bothers Zale that Gabriel still has access to me after everything that happened, even if it’s strictly professional now. And being the protective, and stubborn brother that he is, he’s determined to make Gabriel’s job miserable until he quits.
But I know Gabriel would sooner kick Zale off the team than walk away. And I know, just as clearly, that the only reason my brother is still on the team is because of me.
But Griffin is right, something needs to change.
After practice, I pass on the team's invitation to grab lunch and make my way toward the Shredder House to shower and change. Unlike Zale, who couldn’t wait to move out of our family home, I don’t live here. It’s hard enough being around Gabriel during practices and competitions. There’s no way in hell I could handle sharing a living space with him too.
But every now and then, when he’s not around, I allow myself to indulge in the luxuries his residence offers—like the fully stocked gym, the pristine bathrooms, and the endless food.
I slip inside and make my way toward his room. It’s no secret he has the best bathroom in the house, and by the time he gets back from lunch, I’ll be long gone.
His bathroom is the size of my bedroom at home. There’s a massive two-person shower with rainfall heads mounted in the ceiling, customizable lighting, and built-in speakers that make this place feel like a spa.
I connect my phone to the speakers and queue up my self-care playlist before undressing. Steam curls in the air as I step inside and turn on the water, warmth pouring over my skin instantly.
It must be nice to live like this every day. To not have to wait for your water to heat up, or worry how you’re going to pay next month's rent—not that I even pay rent yet since I still live with my parents.
Gabriel has the kind of money that every professional athlete dreams of. The kind I want. And someday I’ll have it, whether it’s with this team or on my own.
The lights suddenly shut off, replaced by a fluorescent purple glow. I jump, spinning around to find Gabriel standing near my discarded swimwear, finger resting casually on the control panel.
His gaze is dark, completely and utterly focused on me as his eyes trail slowly down my body—pausing at my pebbled nipples—and then back up.
“I thought you were going to lunch,” I say, folding my arms across my chest to try and hide at least some part of my body.
His brows lift, amused by my modesty. He’s seen me naked many times before, but this is different. Isn’t it?
“I changed my mind when I heard you weren’t going,” he says. “Again.”
He walks toward me, stripping off his own clothes like this is completely normal. I swallow, fighting the urge to lower my eyes as he steps into the shower, turning on the second head a few feet away. Water spills over his skin, catching the coloured light, and outlining his muscles in a way that makes it hard to breathe.
“Is there a reason you’ve been avoiding team outings this year?” he asks, washing his body like my presence isn’t affecting him at all.
“I like to decompress after practice,” I say, slowly turning toward the wall instead of gawking at my ex’s naked body.
My coach’s naked body.
“And what possessed you to decompress in my shower today?” he continues. “Judging by how easily you operate it, I’m guessing this isn’t your first time.”
Busted.
I press my lips together. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be here.”
