I turn to face him fully. "I'm not—"
He stands, closing the distance between us in two steps. "You smell like her."
My stomach drops.
Not accusatory. Not jealous. Just observant. Like he's commenting on the weather or the score of yesterday's game.
I open my mouth to deny it, but what's the point? Theo doesn't miss details. Doesn't make observations he's not certain about.
"Don't complicate this," he says quietly.
That's the warning.
Not a threat. Not yet. Just a clear, controlled reminder that I'm playing a game with rules I agreed to, and deviating from those rules has consequences.
"I'm not," I say, even though we both know it's a lie.
Theo studies me for a long moment, his blue eyes sharp and assessing.
Then he picks up his bag and walks toward the exit.
At the door, he pauses. "Keep your head straight, Beckett. We have a season to win."
Then he's gone.
I stand there in the empty locker room, my ribs aching, my head spinning, trying to figure out how everything got so complicated so fast.
I drive alone after practice, taking the long route back to my apartment because I need time to think.
Theo doesn't miss details. He sees patterns, connections, and weaknesses. And he doesn't tolerate divided loyalty.
I've seen what happens when people disappoint him. When they become liabilities instead of assets.
The thought that's been circling my brain since this morning finally crystallizes into something concrete and terrifying.
If Theo thinks I'm compromised, she becomes leverage.
Not just a pawn in whatever game he's playing with Cody, Judge Ravenshaw, and his family.
Leverage against me.
My hands tighten on the steering wheel.
I chose to get close to her. Chose to comfort her, help her, sleep with her. Every step was a choice, and I made them all knowing full well what Theo expected from me.
And now those choices have put her directly in his crosshairs.
My phone buzzes in the cupholder.
Adela: What are you doing later?
I stare at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.
I want to say: Stay away from me. Delete my number. Forget I exist.
I want to protect her from what's coming.
I should put some space between us. I really should fucking say no. I exhale.
