FAKE DATING MY EX'S TEAMMATE

Chapter Ten

Maya's POV

Finn pulls me into the service closet before I can react.

The door clicks shut behind us, and suddenly we're surrounded by darkness. The smell of cleaning supplies burns my nose. A mop handle digs into my shoulder blade.

I yank my hand away from his grip. "What is wrong with you?"

"We need to talk."

"In a closet?" My voice comes out louder than I intended. I force it down to a harsh whisper. "What do you think people will say if they see this? You're ruining everything for me."

“I don't have to be involved with you. Do you hear me? Don't you understand?

Tara made it clear that…”

"I don't care." His voice is too close. Too rough. "Let them say whatever they want."

I can feel his breath on my face. Hot. Unsteady.

The space is impossibly small. Maybe three feet wide. Our bodies are inches apart, and every time I try to step back, I hit a shelf or a bucket or the damn wall.

"Finn, this is insane…"

"I need to hear the truth, Maya."

"What truth?" I push at his chest, but he doesn't budge. "I don't know what you…"

"Don't." His hand catches my wrist. Not rough, but firm. "Don't act like you don't understand what I'm saying."

My pulse hammers against his fingers.

"Why are you really here?" he asks.

"I told you. It's a job. That's all."

"In Chicago. Of all cities." His grip tightens slightly. "At my agency. You want me to believe that's a coincidence?"

"I didn't know you'd be here."

"Liar."

The word cuts through the darkness like a blade.

"You think I came here for you?" My anger flares, hot and defensive. "Your ego is incredible."

"Then why?" He leans closer. I can feel the heat radiating off him. "Why here, Maya? Why now?"

I freeze.

I can't tell him.

I can't tell him I ran to Chicago to escape Ray. To get as far away from New Jersey as possible. To protect Leo from a grandfather who sees him as nothing more than leverage for his next gambling debt.

I can't tell him any of that.

"I came here to start fresh," I finally say. The words feel hollow even as they leave my mouth.

"With my teammate." His voice drops lower and darker.

"What? No…"

"That wasn't planned? It’s all a coincidence? He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "You expect me to believe that?"

"You were there!" My voice rises. "You were in the room when they made the decision. You know I didn't have a choice."

"And you just... willingly fell into his arms."

"He?" I shove at his chest again. "Are you serious right now? Is that how little you think of me? I shake my head.

“How about you. With your beautiful perfect fiancee.”

He remains silent.

“You’re not going to say anything right?

“Then just leave” his expression darkens. “Go somewhere else and start afresh”

“What? Do you even listen to yourself? I've got responsibilities. I've got bills to pay. I have a mouth to…” I stop abruptly.

“You have a mouth to do what? Why did you stop suddenly? Complete your sentence”

“It doesnt matter. It's none of your business. Stop poking your nose where they dont…”

"It’s none of my business right? You're so…Does he kiss you?"

The question slams into me like a punch.

"What?"

"Jax." Finn's voice is harsh now. Raw. "Does. He. Kiss. You."

"That's none of your business."

"I asked you a question. Answer the question."

"No! he doesnt. I’m here for work. I've told you that a thousand times " I try to pull away, but there's nowhere to go. "What is wrong with you, Finn? Why do you even care?"

He doesn't answer. Just stares at me in the dim light filtering under the door.

His jaw is tight. His shoulders are rigid. But his eyes…

God, his eyes look wrecked. I just thought about his accident and the pain and everything he went through. Something tightens in my chest.

"Finn, okay just listen. The thing is…"

"Maya? Are you in there?"

Jax's voice. From outside the door.

We both freeze.

The door handle jiggles. Once. Twice.

"Maya, I heard your voice just now."

My heart stops.

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.

"I'm fine!" I call out, my voice too high. Too bright. "I'm coming!"

“Is someone else in there?

I become totally speechless

The handle jiggles again, more insistent this time.

I look at Finn. His expression is stunned. Almost panicked.

This is all his fault.

If only he hadn't dragged me in here. If he hadn't cornered me with his stupid questions and his accusations and his…

"Maya?"

Jax sounds confused now. Maybe suspicious. Oh God, what do i do

"Just a second!" I press closer to the door, my hand on the knob.

Finn catches my wrist again. "Maya, wait…"

"What is it again finn. Just let go."

"I didn't mean to…"

"Let. Go." I say in a whisper

He releases me.

I turn the handle, but before I can open the door, Finn's voice stops me.

"I never stopped Maya."

"You never stopped what?"

"Loving you." The words come out quiet. Almost broken. "I never st

opped."

My breath catches in my throat.

The door handle jiggles again from the outside

"Maya, seriously, what's going on?"

I wrench the door open.