“Exactly,” Cally says.“A trap wrapped in merch and autographs with good example—or full-blown rivalry.”
My jaw sets.“If Aldridge thinks this is cute, I swear I’ll personally introduce his face to the boards.”
Cally leans in, voice lower now, stripped of humor and edged with something that cuts cleaner than a blade.“I’ll help you, big guy.”
I glance at him in the mirror.
He’s smiling—but it’s different now.Not teasing.Not playful.Something aligned.Dangerous.Like he’s not just flirting anymore.Like he means it.
For one electric second, the rivalry tilts.That’s when it hits me—the worst, most inconvenient truth of all.
If we ever stop trying to tear each other apart ...we won’t burn.
We’ll detonate.
And for one suspended breath, I want to see what it would feel like not to fight.
To close the distance.To press him back against the side of the car and kiss him like it’s the last minute of overtime and we’re already losing.
Just once.Just to shut him up.
Just to stop pretending I don’t think about it.
His mouth, his hands, the way he looks at me like he already knows?—
Fuck.
But I won’t, because that’s not me.
That’s not who I am.
I don’t want him.
I don’t.
Not like that.
My jaw clenches so hard it might crack.
I can’t move.
I can’t even look at him.
He’s behind me, lounging in the back seat like this isn’t a fucking funeral procession for my sanity.That mouth of his still tipped in that smug, flirty curve—like he knows what he’s done.Like he’s testing me.Poking at every bruise I thought I buried.
But I’m not playing.This isn’t me.
Not with him—or anyone for that matter.
Not again.
But fuck, for one dangerous second, I wish I could.
ChapterTen
Callaway
I do okay with change.
