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AVA

I hate coming here.

It's always the same after every training or match, boys half naked, flaunting their abs like we haven't already seen them before. A few girls linger around, most of them cheerleaders, tucked into the arms of the players like trophies. They feel on top of the world, like some other girl won't take their place in those arms next week.

I take a deep breath, eyes flicking to the words carved into the thick soundproof door.

“St. Wynter's Titans.”

I murmur the name like I haven't seen them a thousand times, like it's not stamped on jerseys, banners… and on Luke Westbrook, the guy I am here for.

Again, I hate coming here. But I have to.

Because as the girlfriend of Luke Westbrook, St. Wynter's golden boy, star quarterback and campus celeb, this is my role. After every practice, every game, every win…I am expected to be here, the St.Wynter’s dressing room. Whether I want it or not.

I open the door and walk in.

Of course, a few heads turn.

“Oh,Westbrook’s girl.”

“Is it me or has she gotten more curves?”

“Luke will kill you if she hears this.”

There is a pause, then come the usual smiles. Who would want to be on Luke's bad side by not treating his girl like royalty? I smile back, like I always do. Like I give a damn.

I keep walking through the familiar room, my eyes scanning every corner. I just hope I'll spot Luke or at least one of his close friends so I can get away from the eyes glued to my body right now.

“Ava,”

I hear a voice in front of me. I look up and let out a breath of relief. Finally, someone I know.

One of the few people I am actually grateful to have in my life. My friendship with him isn’t some carefully arranged contract designed to benefit our parents’ business. He’s not my dad business partner’s son, or someone my mom handpicked for networking.

He’s just Mason. My only male friend.

Mason pulls me into a hug, then steps back, the corners of his lips curling into a smile. “I missed you last night. Why didn’t you come to our spot? We waited for you, even called and sent like five messages.”

“I slept off. I was so tired, I needed rest. I’m sorry,” I lie.

How do I even say the truth? That my mom didn’t let me out because she had a bad feeling about me leaving the house? Ridiculous? Exactly.

“Are you good now?” He asks, eyes filled with concern.

“Yeah. I’m fine,” I say. “Have you seen Luke?”

“Of course, you’re here for your man,” Mason teases. “He should be in one of the rooms in the back corner. Check 011 or 012. I saw him go in, just can’t remember which one.”

“Your memory sucks,” I say.

“Care to share yours with me?”

“Never.”

“See you later. I’ve got some things to handle.”

“Do those things involve a certain brunette somebody?”

“Damn you.”

He’s so foolishly in love with his girlfriend. It is kind of sweet. Kind of sickening. I'm not jealous of their love. Maybe I just wish I had something like it, a love that is easy, a love that feels like home. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking like this. Damn me, I have a boyfriend.

I walk toward the back corner of the dressing room and stop in front of two doors. Room 011 and Room 012. I guess I'll have to pick one, I hope I get lucky and Luke is in there. If not, I'll try the other.

I take a breath, steady myself, then head toward 011. I don't knock. I don't even pause to think. I just push the door open.

My mouth falls open, taking in the scene in front of me. A half naked guy, arms wrapped around a half naked girl, their mouths devouring each other like they are starving. How the hell does someone kiss like that? Like his whole life depends on it?

I should move. I should turn away, act like I didn't just walk in on something that clearly wasn't meant for my eyes. But I don't. I stand here, staring like an idiot, like I don't know how to walk away anymore.

“Keep staring like that, and I'll think you want to join us.”

My heart skips and that's when I see his face. Kai Cooper. Fucking Kai Cooper. The bad boy every girl should avoid, but rarely does. The one I've made it a point to stay away from, until now.

I don't know what's wrong with me. I should run. I should get the hell out of this place. But it is like my feet are glued to the ground.

I take in his face a little more. His hair is damp, messy, strands clinging to his face like someone's been running their hands through it.

“I'll take that as a yes,” He says, his voice low and gentle. “ You're free to join us, Whitmore.”

His gaze rakes over me slowly, from my toes all the way up to my eyes. I hold his stare, I'm not sure if he is looking at me or through me. And the look on his face? He is enjoying this so much. All of it.

“Kai,” The girl who was in his mouth a few minutes ago mutters. I guess she's sick of standing there, watching us.

“Hey,” Kai mutters back, eyes closed as he kisses her again. Then he opens them and looks right at me.

This is so stupid. I'm stupid. What the heck am I even still doing here?

I take a step back. I go for another and that's when I bump into someone. I turn around and my heart stops. Luke. He doesn't look at me. His eyes are fixed on Kai and in them, something sharp flickers.

Anger? Jealousy? With Luke, either one is a big deal. Both? Even worse.