“Stell.”
She looks up.
“You want a ride home?”
The party quiets a little around us.
Everyone waiting.
Stella glances around at the crowd, then back at me.
Her cheeks flush faintly.
“No,” she says softly. “I’m good here.”
Then she adds with a teasing half-smile,
“I’ve got a ride, Ace.”
Ace.
The nickname the team started using for me during practice.
Kane smirks beside me.
My fists clench.
Unclench.
Because every instinct in my body is screaming to go full caveman right now.
To grab her hand, pull her out of the party, make it clear who she belongs with.
But that’s exactly the kind of move that blew everything up last time.
So instead I step back.
Hands up in surrender.
“Your call.”
The crowd slowly relaxes when it becomes obvious no one’s about to throw a punch.
I glance once more at Stella.
Then turn and head for the street.
The night air is cooler out here.
Behind me I can feel both of their eyes on my back.
And for the first time all night, the music fades into something quieter.
Because wanting her is easy.
Respecting her choice?
That’s the hard part.
And if I’m going to win her for real?—
I’m going to have to prove I can do both.
