GOT YOU.

Not only did my mind refuse to shut the hell up, but training was brutal.

Coach Washington had us running drills like we'd personally offended him in his sleep. Sprints, suicides…defensive slides, everything! We did everything until my legs felt like they were going to fall off.

I pushed through it because it was easier than thinking and remembering, even though my brain didn't shut up once. I kept pushing, trying to avoid the truth that was clawing at my chest.

And then, halfway through a scrimmage, I looked up and saw him.

Kaelen.

Standing at the entrance of the gym like he'd been there the whole time, his arms crossed, jaw tight and a large smirk like he's been watching me with those dark eyes that saw everything.

What the fuck is is he doing here? Coach blew the whistle. "Mercer! Blackwood! My office. Now."

Darius shot me a look but I ignored it.

****

Here we are again. The office felt even smaller than last time the three of us were crammed inside. Coach sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, eyes jumping between me and Kaelen like he was watching a tennis match. My heart was pounding so hard I just knew Kaelen heard it.

"I'm not gonna waste time," Coach spat. "What the hell is going on?"

"Nothing," I said.

"Everything," Kaelen said at the same time. Coach's eyes fell on him.

"Care to elaborate?" Kaelen looked at me and I looked away quickly. What was he thinking looking at me?

"It's family stuff," Kaelen said smoothly. "Won't affect the court."

“Why're you showing up to his school and my Court?! Do you not have a life?!” Kaelen paid no attention, he continued anyway.

“It won't affect the court, coach.”

"It had better not!" Coach leaned forward, elbows on his desk. "I don't care what's going on between you two. Fight, screw, whatever—"

I choked but none of them paid attention to me.

"—but the season starts in two weeks. If this drama messes with my team, we're gonna have a problem."

"It won't," I said, my voice too high.

"We'll see." Coach stood up, towering over both of us. "Get out. Both of you and fix whatever this is before it gets worse."

We left the office in silence. The moment the door closed behind us, Kaelen grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the empty hallway. His back was against the wall, his hand still wrapped around me, his eyes burning.

"We need to talk," he said lowly. I knew he didn't just want to “talk” but his eyes were on me like he wanted to consume me. Shit.

"Not here."

"Then where?"

I looked around and the hallway was empty for now, but anyone could walk by…especially Darius. Anyone could pop out and see us standing too close, his hand on my skin, my heart racing in my chest.

"Tonight," I said. "My room…after everyone's asleep."

Kaelen's eyes glowed with excitement. 

"That's risky." No shit Sherlock but it's better than getting caught here. I exhaled, keeping all that in my mind.

"I know."

"You sure?" No, dimwit. I'm not sure about anything anymore. I thought my ass was straight!

"Yeah." I pulled my wrist free. "I'm sure."

He stared at me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Tonight."

He walked away, and I leaned against the wall, trying my best to catch my breath. My little man was brick hard under my training shorts. It had been weeks since we had sex and I was going crazy.

What the hell am I even doing?

*******

The rest of the day passed in a blur but something stuck in my mind…I really needed to tell Darius what was going on but I feared he'd judge me or cut me off. I wouldn't want to lose the only person I could talk shit with…so I shut up again. I'd tell him, not just now.

The rest of the day moved quicker as soon as I got Darius off my mind. From classes to practice, the walk home, dinner with the family where Kaelen and I avoided each other's eyes and Yvette smiled like everything was perfect and my dad talked about some new project at work.

Normal…It was all so normal and then night came.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening for the sound of footsteps. My parents' door closed smoothly and the house was finally settling. 

Like twenty minutes later, the house fell silent and the silence meant everyone was asleep.

My phone buzzed almost immediately.

Kaelen: You awake?

Leo: Yeah.

Kaelen: I'm coming. 

And a minute later, there was a soft knock at my door. I got up, rushed to spear perfume, crossed the room, and opened it.

Kaelen stood there in a hoodie and sweats, looking tired and nervous and so damn sexy it hurt in my pants.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey." And he stepped inside. I looked around and closed the door.

****””

The moment the lock clicked, everything changed. Kaelen turned toward me, and I saw it all in his eyes…the fear, the want, the confusion, the hope. The same balls of emotions that had been swirling inside me for weeks we're eating him up too.

"Leo—"

"Don't." He stepped back,

"What?"

"Don't overthink this." I stepped closer. "Don't make it complicated." He laughed, but it sounded so tired. 

"It's already complicated."

"I know." Another step. We were less than an arm apart now. "But right now, in this room, it doesn't have to be."

Kaelen's breath caught.

"You sure?"

No, bitch! I wasn't sure about anything! But I was tired of running and fighting this shit! If we're going to fuck, let's do it! I'm sick of pretending! I exhaled, lowering my head.

"I'm sure."

And he kissed me but it was not soft or gentle or anything like that. It was so desperate, hungry…like he'd been waiting his whole life for this moment and couldn't hold back anymore.

His hands grabbed my waist, pulling all of me against him. I groaned into his mouth, fingers tangling in his hoodie, yanking it over his head and he did the same to mine. I looked at him and smiled.

“Why'd you wear a dumb hoodie anyway?” He laughed too.

“You’re in a hoodie and nothing under.”

“Hmm”

We fell onto the bed he knelt above me, taking off his hoodie. He looked much much more defined than last time. My intrusive thoughts won, I stretched my hands and touched his chest. He leaned in closer.

“I worked out just for you.” And that, that was a turn on.

“Fuck.” I exhaled. “When you say it like that–” he leaned closer, crushing me under his weight. Lord! Who knew I'd ever want to be crushed?!

"Leo—" he breathed against my neck.

"Shut up."

"Need you."

"I know." He bit down on my neck and I moaned so loud he shoved a finger down my mouth. He removed it shortly after.

"Kaelen—" he stopped biting and licked me.

"I've got you."

You've got me? But the terrifying thing was…he did.