CHAPTER 7- Chloe or Raphael

Liam was still smirking down at his phone when Raphael walked into the kitchen, barefoot and shirtless as usual, sweatpants slung dangerously low on his hips.

“Morning,” Raphael said, voice low and rough with sleep. He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. “How are you feeling after last night? You were pretty drunk.”

Liam didn’t look up and he didn't answer. He kept scrolling aimlessly through his phone, jaw locked tight, refusing to acknowledge the man standing a few feet away.

Raphael took a long drink, his eyes trained on Liam. He tried again. “You see the Advil I left on your nightstand? You probably have a massive hangover. If the headache’s bad, I can grab it for you—”

“Stay in your lane, dude,” Liam snapped, finally glaring up at him with pure venom. “I don’t want anything from you.”

Raphael paused, eyebrows raised. “I’m just trying to look out for you, man—”

“You shouldn’t!” Liam cut him off, voice rising sharply. “What you should do is fucking keep your distance and never come near me again. Got it?”

Raphael studied him for a long beat, confused at Liam's animosity on an early morning. He hadn't even done anything. then a slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. “This is because of last night, isn’t it?”

Liam’s stomach twisted violently. “Nothing happened last night,” he growled through gritted teeth. “And you better not say a fucking word about it to anyone. I’m serious, Thorne. Keep your manipulating shit to yourself and don’t ever try that crap on me again.”

Raphael lifted both hands in mock surrender, still smirking. “Relax. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone. There’s nothing worth telling… yet.” He added the last word slowly. He tilted his head slightly. “Though I do recommend you actually experiment a little. Find out what you really like instead of just claiming you’re straight because society told you to be.”

"Fuck off Thorne!" Liam snarled, gripping his phone tightly. Like a lifeline, like a reminder that he was going to have a fucking good time with Chloe. “Mind your fucking business and stop talking shit.”

Raphael chuckled and raised his hands again in surrender. “Just looking out for my favorite captain.” He winked.

Liam felt a rush of hot anger  and something even hotter and more dangerous twisting low in his gut that made his skin crawl with shame. He turned on his heel and stormed back to his room before he did something stupid like punch the smug bastard in the face.

Later that afternoon, Raphael finally left to meet some old friends and Liam felt like he could breathe again. The apartment was blissfully quiet. He paced the living room for a while, replaying the morning confrontation in his head, before deciding he was done thinking about it.

He needed to prove to Thorne and maybe himself, once and for all  that last night was nothing but a drunken mistake caused by Raphael’s bullshit.

A knock on the door made his pulse jump. He opened it to find Chloe standing there. Her fiery red hair tumbled down her shoulders in loose waves, a tight black top hugged her full breasts, and a short skirt showed off long, toned legs. She gave him a flirty smile, glossy lips curving invitingly.

“Hey, Captain,” she purred, stepping inside and closing the door behind her with a soft click. “Took you long enough to finally text me.”

Liam forced a smirk, pulling her into a hug. He made sure to let his hand drop sinfully low on her waist. “Been a crazy couple of weeks with the new trade and everything. You look good.”

She blushed at the compliment and walked to the couch, making herself comfortable.

He joined her on the couch and she turned her body to face him, crossing her legs so her skirt rode up a little higher. “So tell me, why the sudden text? I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”

Liam leaned back, trying to sound casual. “Just needed a break from all the hockey bullshit. Figured hanging out with you would be a good way to unwind.”

Chloe laughed softly, reaching out to trail her fingers along his arm. “A break, huh? Heard there's a new guy on the team? Raphael Thorne, right? Isn't he your rival? Must be weird having him living with you.”

Liam’s jaw tightened for a second, but he shrugged it off. “It’s whatever. He’s just another player." Liam said casually. "How’ve you been? Heard you have a solo concert soon?” He steered the conversation off himself and Chloe eargerly took the bait, talking about herself, complaining about her demanding practice schedule, asking if he'd come watch her.

Liam gave short answers, complimenting her looks whenever the conversation lagged, letting his hand rest on her thigh. It felt normal. Comfortable. The way things were supposed to be.

Then she tilted her head, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So… how’s it been living with Raphael Thorne? The trade was all over the sports news. God, he’s so hot. That body, those eyes… I mean, I get why even guys want him. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to fuck him.”

Liam stiffened instantly, his hand freezing on her thigh. “Why the hell are you talking about another guy right now?”

Chloe blinked, caught off guard by his sharp tone. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make it weird. I just… he’s really attractive, you know? But I’m here for you.” She leaned in quickly and kissed him, clearly trying to smooth things over.

The kiss started soft, then deepened. Chloe slid onto his lap, grinding against him as her hands tangled in his hair. Liam kissed her back, gripping her waist, squeezing her ass hard as she moaned into his mouth. She felt good — soft curves, feminine scent, eager energy. This was what he needed.

He carried her to the bedroom with her legs wrapped around his waist, still kissing her hungrily. They tumbled onto the bed. He yanked her top off, mouth latching onto her nipple, sucking hard as she arched and moaned beneath him.

But Raphael fucking Thorne kept flashing in his mind.

What if I hadn’t pushed him away last night? Would his mouth feel different? Would he be rougher?

Liam squeezed his eyes shut and pushed the thoughts away, focusing on Chloe’s gasps, her hands tugging at his shirt, her full tits in his mouth.

The front door suddenly opened and Thorne walked in oblivious.

He froze in the bedroom doorway for a split second, eyes widening as he took in the scene, Chloe topless and straddling Liam. “Shit— fuck, I’m so sorry,” Raphael stammered, immediately looking away. “I didn’t know you had company. I swear I didn’t see anything. Sorry Lady, I’ll just…fuck. I’ll go. Sorry, man. Really sorry.”

He backed out quickly and closed the door.

Chloe chuckled, clearly amused rather than embarrassed. “Where were we?” she pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him.

But Liam was completely turned off. A weird, ugly feeling twisted in his gut — like he’d been caught doing something wrong. He tried to keep going, kissing her again, but his body had shut down.

Chloe, sensing the shift, gave him a wicked smile and slid down his body. She pulled his pants lower and took him into her mouth, working him with skill and enthusiasm.

Liam closed his eyes, trying desperately to focus on the wet heat…

Instead, his traitorous mind replaced her with Raphael — those same lips that had been on his ear, now wrapped around his cock, looking up at him with that smug, knowing smirk.

He got hard almost instantly.

The shame crashed over him like ice water, but he came hard down Chloe’s throat anyway, biting back a groan that felt dangerously close to the wrong name.

Chloe pulled back, smiling smugly as she wiped her mouth. “That was hot.”

Liam felt nothing but hollow embarrassment and deep, burning disgust at himself.