LOGINChase I chose the training facility because it had cameras. Not hidden cameras. Visible ones. Mounted above the entrances, along the main corridor, and inside the public lounge where athletes sometimes met agents or sponsors after hours. Logan had asked for privacy. He was getting controlled privacy. There would be no reporters, no crowd, and no students holding phones around us. But there would also be no chance for either of us to change the story later. Team security knew where I was. Nadia knew too. Allie had my live location and the name of the facility manager. I arrived ten minutes early. Logan arrived exactly on time. He entered through the main doors wearing a dark jacket, jeans, and the same controlled expression he used during interviews. His eyes moved immediately toward the cameras. He noticed everything. “Public enough for you?” he asked. “Safe enough.” “For which of us?” “That depends on how the conversation go
Allie “Apparently, breakfast.” Noah stood in Mia’s doorway wearing only dark sweatpants. His hair was untidy, his chest was bare, and one hand still held the door as though he had not yet decided whether letting me inside was a good idea. I stared at him. Then looked toward Mia. She stood near the bedroom door wearing an oversized shirt, with sleep still visible in her face and her hair twisted into a loose, messy knot. My surprise lasted several seconds. Delight followed immediately. “Oh.” Mia’s expression became defensive. “Do not.” I looked at Noah again. Then back at her. “Oh.” “Allie.” “I only said one word.” “You said it twice.” “The second one had more information.” Noah stepped aside. “Are you coming in, or should I close the door while you process this?” I entered slowly, holding the coffee cups and breakfast bag against my chest. “I was bringing food.” “Excellent timing,” Noah said. Mia glared at h
Noah “I didn’t say I wanted you to leave.” Mia’s hand remained around my wrist. I stood in the open doorway with my jacket over one arm, trying to understand whether she had stopped me because she wanted me or because she was afraid the moment would end badly if I walked away. Those were not the same thing. I looked down at her fingers. “Then tell me what you want.” Her eyes lifted to mine. “You always ask serious questions at inconvenient times.” “This seems like the correct time.” “It is nearly midnight.” “That does not make the question less important.” Mia released my wrist and stepped back into the apartment. The door remained open between us. She crossed her arms. “I invited you upstairs.” “Yes.” “I kissed you outside.” “Yes.” “I told you not to leave.” “Yes.” Her expression tightened. “How much clearer do I need to be?” “Clear enough that I know you are choosing me, not reacting because I respected your
MiaNoah had asked me the same question three times in two weeks.The first time, we were leaving a restaurant after midnight.The second time, he was driving me home from one of his games.The third time, he stood in my kitchen holding a spoon and asked, “What are we doing?”Each time, I found a way not to answer.At the restaurant, I blamed the cold and hurried toward the car.After the game, I kissed him before he could finish the conversation.In my kitchen, I told him the ice cream was melting.It had worked temporarily.Noah was patient.He was not stupid.By the fourth week of casually dating, the question had begun appearing in everything he did not say.When he arrived with coffee, I wondered whether a boyfriend was supposed to remember my order.When he stayed on the phone while I complained about a client, I wondered whether casual men listened for forty minutes without becoming distracted.When he stopped introducing me as Allie’s friend and began saying only my name, I no
AllieI woke before Chase.For several seconds, I did not understand why the room felt different.The curtains were still closed, but pale morning light entered through the edges. The bedside lamp had been switched off. My body felt warm beneath the blanket, and one strong arm rested loosely around my waist.Then I remembered.The kitchen.The slow walk upstairs.The questions.The way Chase stopped the moment fear entered.The way I chose to continue.Heat spread across my face.I remained completely still.Chase slept behind me, his breathing deep and even. His chest rose against my back with each breath. His hand rested near my stomach, relaxed now instead of careful.I should have felt awkward.Maybe embarrassed.Instead, the first emotion that reached me was calm.No regret.No panic over where I was or what had happened.Only warmth.Then the final minutes before sleep returned.My eyes opened wider.I had said something.Not something small.Not a sleepy thank you or a joke abo
Chase“Don’t stop this time.”Allie’s words settled between us.For a moment, I could not move.Her hands rested at the back of my neck. Her body remained close to mine, warm against my chest, but I could feel the tension beneath the desire.Not refusal.Not panic.Something more fragile.Courage.I searched her face.“Are you sure?”Her eyes held mine.“Yes.”“You do not have to continue because you agreed to stay.”“I know.”“Or because we were already kissing.”“I know.”“Or because you think I have been waiting.”A small crease appeared between her brows.“Chase.”“I need to be certain.”“You need to listen.”“I am listening.”“No. You are preparing to protect me from a decision I already made.”The words stopped me.Allie lowered her hands from my neck and placed them against my chest.“I don’t want pity,” she said.“I do not pity you.”“Then stop looking at me like I might break.”My jaw tightened.“I am afraid of hurting you.”“So am I.”That answer surprised me.She continued







