Chapter 1

The roar of the crowd still echoed in Kai Reynolds’ ears as he stormed into Coach Harlan’s office, helmet dangling from his fingers. His jersey was soaked with sweat, his body buzzing from the game they’d barely won. But the victory tasted like ash tonight.

“Sit down,” Coach barked without looking up from his desk.

Kai dropped into the chair, jaw tight. “What the hell is this about?”

Coach slid a tablet across the desk. On the screen was Zara Kane’s latest article, the one that had blown their program wide open. “Cover-Up at the Top: How Star Athletes Play Dirty While the University Looks Away.”

Kai’s blood turned to fire. That woman.

Zara Kane. The sharp-tongued journalist who had been a thorn in his side for months. The same woman whose brother he ……..

“You’re going to fix this,” Coach said coldly. “Publicly.”

Kai laughed, dark and humorless. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”

Coach leaned back, eyes hard. “You’re going to date her. Fake it till the scandal dies down. Make the world see the team’s golden boy in a committed relationship with the woman who tried to destroy us. Humanize the program.”

Kai shot to his feet. “You’ve lost your damn mind.”

“Sit. Down.”

Sit. Down .”

Sit. Down.” The coach's voice was steel. “This isn’t a request, Reynolds. Your NFL future is on the line. Hers too, I hear the university is considering expelling her for the article. Play nice, or you both lose everything.”

***********

Across campus, Zara Kane slammed her laptop shut, heart pounding with a mix of triumph and dread.

She had done it. The article was out. The truth about the football program’s dirty plays, the ones that had ended her brother’s career, was finally public.

But her victory was short-lived.

Her phone rang. Unknown number. She answered anyway.

“Miss Kane.” Coach Harlan’s voice was calm, too calm. “We need to talk. Now.”

Twenty minutes later, Zara stood in Coach Harlan’s office, arms crossed tightly over her chest like a shield. Kai Reynolds was already there, leaning against the wall with that arrogant, entitled posture, as if he owned the entire building. His intense dark eyes locked onto her with pure, burning hatred.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Zara spat, her voice sharp with disbelief.

Coach Harlan didn’t even blink. “No jokes here, Miss Kane. You two will publicly date for the next nine months.”

“What?!” Zara shouted, her heart slamming against her ribs.

“You heard me,” Coach replied coldly. “Appear together. Smile for the cameras. Repair the damage you caused with that article.”

Zara’s stomach dropped like a stone. “I’d rather drop out of school than pretend to be with him.”

Twenty minutes later, Zara stood in Coach Harlan’s office, arms crossed tightly over her chest like a shield. Kai Reynolds was already there, leaning against the wall with that arrogant, entitled posture, as if he owned the entire building. His intense dark eyes locked onto her with pure, burning hatred.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Zara spat, her voice sharp with disbelief.

Coach Harlan didn’t even blink. “No jokes here, Miss Kane. You two will publicly date for the next nine months.”

“What?!” Zara shouted, her heart slamming against her ribs.

“You heard me,” Coach replied coldly. “Appear together. Smile for the cameras. Repair the damage you caused with that article.”

Zara’s stomach dropped like a stone. “I’d rather drop out of school than pretend to be with him.”

Kai pushed off the wall, stepping closer until his towering frame loomed over her. His voice was low and dangerous. “And I’d rather lose my entire NFL future than fake a relationship with the woman trying to destroy my team. But here we are.”

Coach stood from his desk, eyes hard as steel. “Pack your things, Miss Kane. You’re moving into the athlete housing with Reynolds tonight. For authenticity. Refuse, and both of you can kiss your futures goodbye.”

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Zara’s eyes met Kai’s. The air crackled with raw animosity… and something dangerously hotter.

Kai’s gaze dropped to her lips for a split second before he looked away, jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.

“Fine,” Zara whispered, her voice shaking with rage and fear. “But don’t think for one second I’ll make this easy for you, Reynolds.”

A dark, dangerous smile curved Kai’s mouth.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Kane.”