CHAPTER 54TYLERThe speeches dragged on.Charity this. Partnership that. New projects, donations, opportunities. Blah, blah, blah.I’d been sitting for over an hour, pretending to look interested, nodding when I needed to, clapping when the room clapped. Inside? I was dying.I stifled a yawn behind my champagne flute.Out of habit, my gaze flicked across the ballroom—and collided with Pa’s.Instantly, I straightened, shoulders back, chin up, like some trained show dog. He didn’t even have to say anything. One sharp look from Antonio Reyes and I was a model son.I hated that.“Bored already?”The voice came from behind me. I turned slightly and found Richard Grant, Mason’s dad, sliding into the empty chair beside me.Great. From one intimidating father figure to another.I forced a polite smile. “Not at all.”He chuckled, low and knowing. “Don’t bother lying, kid. I’ve been coming to these things for thirty years and even I can’t stay awake.”I blinked, caught off guard. “Guess I nee
CHAPTER 53TYLER By five o’clock, I was standing in front of the familiar black gates of the Reyes estate. It always looked more like a museum than a home.The driver opened my door, but before I could even take a step, I saw her.“Ty!”My mom came rushing down the stairs, small as ever in her cream dress, her arms wide. She barely reached my chest, but when she hugged me, it was like everything else stilled.“Hi, Ma.” I bent down, hugging her tight. Her perfume—floral, warm—was the only softness in this house.“You didn’t lose weight, right?” She cupped my face, eyes scanning me like she could see straight through the exhaustion. “Have you been eating?”“Ma, I’m fine.” I smiled a little. “Practice is just intense, you know that.”She sighed like I’d just confessed to running a marathon barefoot. “Come in. They’ve been waiting for you.”“They?” I raised a brow, stepping inside.“The dressing crew, of course.” Her voice was casual, but her grip on my arm tightened. “Your father wants
CHAPTER 52MASONTyler’s voice cracked when he said it.“My dad wants me at a charity ball. Friday. Eight o’clock.”I froze.For a second, all I could do was stare at him. His hair was still wet from the shower, his towel loose around his waist, his shoulders tight like he was bracing for a blow.He didn’t look at me. He just stared at his phone, jaw clenched so hard it must’ve hurt.Something ugly twisted in my chest.“Ty,” I said carefully.He finally glanced up, eyes rimmed red. “What?”I exhaled. “I… got the same text.”His brows furrowed.“From my mom,” I explained. Tyler let out a bitter laugh. “Of course.”I ran a hand through my damp hair. “Ty, listen—”“No.” He cut me off, sharp, like he couldn’t handle hearing anything else. “I don’t want to talk about it.”My chest tightened. “You don’t have to—”“I mean it, Mason.” His voice cracked again, softer this time. “Just… please. Not right now.”The plea gutted me more than if he’d shouted.I wanted to stay. I wanted to grab him,
CHAPTER 51TYLER The water was too hot, scalding against my skin, but I didn’t care. I sat on the tiled floor of the shower stall, knees pulled to my chest, arms wrapped tight around myself.I couldn’t scrub my father’s voice out of my head.Pathetic. Weak. Shameful.It echoed louder than the water pounding down.My chest hurt so badly I thought I might actually be choking.The door creaked open.I stiffened instantly.A second later, Mason’s shadow slipped past the curtain, and then he was inside, crouching down in front of me like it was the most natural thing in the world. His clothes got soaked immediately, but he didn’t care.“Ty,” he said softly, his hand reaching for my wrist.I turned my face away. “Go away.”“No.” His grip was steady, grounding. “You’re not okay. I’m not leaving you like this.”My jaw clenched. “I said I’m fine.”“Bullshit.” His voice sharpened, but not at me — at the situation. At my father, maybe. “You’re shaking.”“I’m not.”He moved closer until his knee
CHAPTER 50TYLERI shoved the photo deep into the back of my locker. Out of sight, out of mind. At least, that’s what I told myself. My chest was tight, my skin buzzing like everyone could see straight through me.Ignore it. Just play. Just focus.The rink was cold enough to bite, the familiar burn of ice under my skates usually enough to clear my head. Not today. My legs felt stiff, my stick awkward in my hands.“Ty, you good?” Liam called as we set up the drill.“Yeah,” I said too quickly. “Just—fine.”But during the pass, my blade caught wrong. The puck slid off, spinning uselessly away.A whistle cut through the air.And then Markus’s voice. “Of course. Daddy’s boy doesn’t have to get it right, does he?”I froze. My stomach dropped.The entire rink went silent.Markus walked closer, smirking. “What is it, Tyler? Acting out because you’re bored? Or maybe because your rich daddy can always clean up after your mistakes?”Mason’s jaw snapped tight. He stepped forward. “Watch your mout
CHAPTER 49 TYLER Markus stood in front of the group the next morning, all smiles like he was hosting a morning talk show. “Alright, team. Today we’re splitting responsibilities. Mason will be accompanying me into the city for some press appearances and photo ops. The rest of you will have the day off to rest and recharge.” I blinked. “Wait… just Mason?” Markus’s grin widened. “Yes. The sponsors want him front and center. He’s got the look, the stats, and the story. It’s perfect.” My stomach twisted. “Right. Perfect.” Mason glanced at me, his brow creasing like he wanted to say something, but Markus was already steering him toward the exit. As soon as they were gone, Malik walked over, hands in his pockets. “You’re glaring at the door like Mason just ran off with your boyfriend.” I scoffed. “Don’t be stupid.” He smirked. “So… not jealous at all?” “No,” I said flatly. “You’re sure? Because your voice is doing that tight thing it does when you’re lying.” “Malik, drop it.” He