“One of the girls he toys with. He tells you you’re special, right? That he’s single? Lies. All of it. No matter what he does, he loves me. I’m the one he calls at night. You’re nothing but a temporary distraction. He’ll dump you like he dumps all of them.”The friends snicker. “Yeah, seriously,” the blonde one says. “Why would he want some shy little nobody when he has Laurel?”“Back off, Skye,” the other adds, her tone mocking. “Before you embarrass yourself more.”Laurel pockets her phone and straightens up, her eyes cold. “Consider this a warning. Stay away from Knox.” She turns on her heel, her friends following with more laughter echoing behind them. The door slams shut, leaving Skye alone in the silence.Tears formed in her eyes, but she blinks them back. She finishes adjusting her swimsuit, her movements skeptical whether to quit the swimming or not. Those photos… they hurt. I should have known what it came with loving a playboy.She grabs her towel and heads out to the pool
The next morning, Skye sits in her history class, her notebook open but her pen barely moving. She stares at the page, pretending to take notes while her mind races with last night’s text from the unknown number. “Knox may love women, but I own his heart.” It has to be Laurel. Who else? Skye glances sideways at Maya, who’s sitting next to her, doodling in the margins of her own notes unaware of Skye’s worries. Maya catches her eye and whispers, “You sure you’re okay? You look like you didn’t sleep.”She asked, noticing Sky’s face.Skye forces a small smile and nods. “Yeah, just… thinking about that quiz coming up.” She keeps her voice low, not wanting to draw attention. Across the room, she spots Knox slouched in his seat, his hair neat with a good hair cut, making him look more cute.He’s staring at his phone, probably ignoring the lecture as he scrolls through social media. Skye quickly looks away, her cheeks heating up. She can’t deal with him today. Not after that message. She
Skye’s cheeks burn as she looks away, her shy smile fading under Knox's intense gaze. Her heart is racing excitedly from his promise about her birthday. Knox’s hand still hovers near her neck, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin, sending tiny sparks through her. She can’t meet his eyes.Suddenly, a sharp, cheerful voice called out to Knox’s name. “Knox!”Skye’s head snaps up, and Knox pulls back, his hand dropping as they both turn toward the sound. It’s laurel. She’s approaching, her lips curling into a smile, as she closes the distance. Skye’s stomach twists, and she instinctively steps away from Knox, putting a careful gap between them. Her hands shove into her coat pockets.Laurel stops in front of them. She’s wearing a fitted jacket and a scarf. “Hi!” she says, her voice bubbly as she turns to Skye. “I guess you remember me. I’m Laurel, Knox’s girlfriend.” She extends a gloved hand, her smile still in place. You are… Skye.” Laurel added.Skye freezes, her breath catchin
Hunter’s voice lingers in the air, as he leans back in his chair, his arms folding across his chest. “I hope you love it here.” His words carry a weight that Skye can’t quite place, like a puzzle piece that doesn’t fit yet. Knox doesn’t say much, but Skye can tell by the way his jaw’s tight, a muscle twitching just under the skin, that he’s keeping a lot from her. Hunter’s eyes are the kind a person senses before they see them, they’re piercing, slightly amused, and seem to study her for reasons she won’t realize until it’s too late. He tilts his head, his gaze flicking over her face as if he’s cataloging every detail.“So, Skye,” Hunter says, his tone probing, “where are you staying around here?” He leans forward, elbows on the table, his posture relaxed but his attention was like a predator sizing up its prey.Skye shifts in her seat. “Uh, just the hostel near campus,” she says. She glances at Knox, hoping for some kind of signal, but he’s staring at Hunter, his cold hard and unre
The next morning, Knox’s apartment is a mess of hockey gear and half-empty coffee mugs. The morning sun slants through the blinds, casting stripes across the floor as he stands in front of his bedroom mirror, tugging at the collar of his navy button-up as he gets ready. He’s not a morning person, never has been but today, there’s a difference, a restless energy that’s got him up early, ironing his shirt with more care than usual. He smooths a hand over the jeans, smirking at his reflection in the mirror. “Damn, you look good,” he mutters, running a hand through his dark hair, mussing it just enough to look effortless.“Yo, pretty boy, who you dressing up for?” Lucas’s voice cuts through the moment, his best friend lounging in the doorway with a smile that’s all trouble. Lucas is all lean muscle and messy hair from the morning, his hoodie slung carelessly over one shoulder. “Don’t tell me it’s for those girls who can’t stop staring at you. Or…” He pauses, his grin widening. “Is it Sk
Skye watches Knox from across the booth, her fingers curled around the chipped ceramic mug as she couldn’t take her eyes off him. His jaw is tight, a muscle ticking beneath the stubble as he stares out the diner’s window, where the snow falls in heavy, swirling flakes. His dark eyes flicker with something she can’t quite place, like he’s mentally running through a dozen worst-case scenarios. His hands are still. “It’s nothing to worry about,” Knox says suddenly, his voice low and casual, like he’s trying to convince himself as much as her. His gaze flicks to her, then away, settling on the empty counter where Darlene, the waitress, is now polishing a glass with a rag.Skye’s brows knit together, her lips parting to press him further, but before she can, he’s already sliding out of the booth, his leather jacket slung over one shoulder. “We have to leave now,” he says.“Why?” Skye’s voice is sharper than she intends. She leans forward, her navy scarf slipping off one shoulder.Knox do