Jake doesn’t look at me, but his hand lifts and rests briefly on my knee.
The touch is casual, but my body treats it like a spark.
I stare at his hand, then up at his face.
He’s still looking forward, jaw set, like he’s unaware of what he’s doing.
I shift slightly, heart pounding, and his hand moves away after a second, like he remembers himself.
I stare out the window and try to calm down.
Outside, the city slides past in a blur. Inside, the bus is loud and warm and full of male energy and teasing.
And beside me, Jake sits like a wall.
***
A few hours later, we pull up in front of the hotel.
It’s intimidatingly elegant.
Glass doors. Polished marble floors visible through the entrance. Staff in crisp uniforms waiting inside like they’ve been briefed on our arrival. The air even smells expensive. Clean. Controlled.
The team pours out of the bus in a loud, laughing wave of athletic confidence, completely at ease in a space that makes me suddenly aware of everything about myself. Do I even fit in?
Jake steps down behind me, his hand brushing lightly against the small of my back as he guides me toward the entrance.
It’s subtle, but it sends a shiver up my spine anyway.
Inside, the lobby is even more intimidating. High ceilings. Soft lighting. Plush seating areas. A massive chandelier overhead that looks like frozen rain.
The team crowds around the check-in desk, all noise and movement and easy familiarity. Staff members greet Jake by name.By name.
He belongs in places like this.
I hover beside him, clutching my tote bag, trying to look like I’m not out of place.
Jake takes my suitcase from my hand without asking.
The team manager starts handing out keycards, calling names. “Morrison.”
Jake steps forward.
The manager glances at his clipboard. “Double occupancy.”
He hands Jake a keycard.
Jake takes it without reacting.
I don’t think anything of it at first. Double occupancy probably just means two people in the room.
Two beds.
Right?
Jake steps aside, and we wait while the rest of the team collects their keys. Declan winks at me. Connor gives Jake a knowing look.
Jake starts walking toward the elevators, suitcase in one hand, keycard in the other.
