Traitor.
We move through a restricted hallway beneath the arena while staff members nod at players passing by.
The farther inside we go, the louder the arena gets. The sound vibrates through the concrete floors beneath my shoes.
“This is insane,” I whisper.
Daltyn glances down at me, his expression shifting slightly like he’s checking for panic. “You okay?”
There it is again. That automatic protectiveness.
The terrifying part? I’m starting to expect it.
“I’m okay,” I promise softly.
His eyes hold mine for one extra second before he nods once.
And somehow that tiny moment affects me more than the screaming crowd outside.
A staff member appears near the tunnel entrance. “Five minutes, guys.”
Connor claps Daltyn hard on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” he says solemnly. “I’ll make sure your girl survives the game.”
My soul leaves my body.
Daltyn goes completely still beside me.
Connor grins.
Ford closes his eyes like he’s exhausted.
“All right,” Allie says. “I’m putting him down.”
Connor dodges away, laughing before Allie can smack him.
I stare at the floor because if I look at Daltyn right now, I might actually burst into flames.
Then his fingers brush lightly against mine. Tentative. Questioning.
My breath catches.
When I finally glance up, his eyes are already focused on me, like he’s waiting to see if I’ll pull away.
I don’t.
Something unreadable shifts across his face.
Then he slowly hooks one finger through mine.
The arena roars beyond the tunnel entrance. Music thrums through the walls. Players move around us.
But suddenly, all I can focus on is the massive goalie beside me holding my hand as if it matters.
And maybe the scariest part of all?
I think it does.
