Stuck to You

Chapter 3: Stuck to You

“These handcuffs are digging into my skin already,” I said, yanking my arm and dragging Nate closer as we headed to morning class. “Slow down or we both trip.”

Nate adjusted his fingers around mine, warm and steady. “You keep pulling. We have to move as one or we look ridiculous. Producers are eating this up.”

“Eating up my misery,” I shot back. “We’re late because you took forever brushing your teeth while I stood there chained to you.”

He laughed softly. “You stared the whole time. Complaining nonstop. Fans probably think we’re into that kind of thing.”

“Into it?” I stopped dead, forcing him to turn with me. Our bodies bumped. “In your dreams, Captain. This is torture. How do you even manage practice, classes, and now being glued to me?”

Nate looked down at me, eyes tired. “I barely do. The team wants me to lead every drill, fix every rookie screw-up, and smile perfectly for the scouts. Being captain means carrying all of it on my back.”

“You look wiped out,” I said quieter. “Under that whole confident act. I didn’t notice before.”

He squeezed my hand tighter. “Yeah? Well I didn’t see how much you carry either. That call with your parents last night? You handle bills, Ethan’s scholarship, keeping everything together. You fight hard for them.”

I glanced away as we walked into the lecture hall. Students stared and whispered. One girl called out, “You two look so cute chained together!”

“Cute?” I muttered to Nate. “They have no clue what this feels like.”

Nate pulled our joined hands onto the desk. “Sit close. Pretend you don’t mind my shoulder against yours the whole hour.”

“I do mind,” I whispered, but I leaned in anyway. His warmth pressed through my shirt. “Yet here we are, breathing the same air for hours straight.”

Later in the interview the producer leaned forward with a big smile. “Ivy, tell the fans what it’s really like being handcuffed to the captain all day.”

I forced a laugh. “Frustrating. He walks too fast, eats too fast, and thinks he knows everything about everything.”

Nate jumped in right away. “She argues with every single thing I say. But she’s tough as hell. Handles family stuff like a pro. Makes me respect her more every hour.”

The producer looked thrilled. “Chemistry like this? Fans are obsessed. Keep it coming.”

At lunch Nate held the sandwich with his free hand and brought it to my mouth. “Open up. Don’t bite my fingers off.”

I took the bite, cheeks burning. “You’re enjoying this way too much. Handcuffed and fed me like we’re playing house.”

“Maybe I am enjoying it,” he murmured, eyes locked on my lips. “You’re not as sharp when you’re hungry. I like learning these pieces of you. How you fight for your brother. How you never back down.”

“You’re not the arrogant jerk I painted you as,” I admitted, voice low. “You carry the whole team. All that exhaustion you hide behind the captain mask. It’s heavy.”

He brushed his thumb slowly over my knuckles. “We’re both carrying heavy loads. Maybe this stupid challenge isn’t pure torture.”

The day kept going with more forced activities. By evening we sat on the couch, arms linked, legs pressed together from hip to knee.

“You’re tense,” Nate said, shifting so our bodies fit closer. “That last interview hit you hard.”

“Yeah,” I replied. “They kept pushing about my family. Made me feel too exposed. I hate how real this is getting.”

He leaned his head near mine. “Then vent it all out. I’m right here. Literally locked to you.”

My phone buzzed. I checked it with my free hand.

LensCrusher: Longest day of my life. Handcuffed through classes, meals, everything. He saw me on the family call. I saw how much he carries as captain. We’re actually talking. It’s messing with my head badly.

MidnightMVP: Handcuffed the whole day? Sounds exhausting. You okay? Is he crossing any lines?

LensCrusher: Not exactly crossing. But close. His arm against mine constantly. He listened when I talked about protecting Ethan. Made me eggs again. I see him differently. It feels scary good.

MidnightMVP: Scary can turn into something worth it. You’re stronger than all this pressure. I stayed up last night just thinking about your messages. You make my days brighter too. Tell me one ridiculous thing that happened today.

I smiled.

LensCrusher: He tried feeding me pasta and spilled sauce down his shirt. I looked cute and frustrated. You always know exactly what to say. Safe. Real. Wish everything felt this easy with you.

MidnightMVP: Cute and frustrated sounds dangerous in the best way. Keep talking. I’m here all night if you need me.

Back on the couch Nate noticed my smile. “Your online friend again?”

“Yeah,” I said. “He gets me when the pressure feels crushing.”

Nate’s voice dropped. “I wish I could be that person for you too. Without all the cameras. Without these cuffs.”

Our eyes met. His free hand came up and traced my jaw gently. “You’re beautiful when you drop the walls, Ivy.”

Heat rushed through me. “Don’t say stuff like that. Not when we’re stuck this close.”

“Why not?” he murmured, face inches from mine. “Twenty-four hours showed me you’re way more than the girl who hates me. You fight for your family like it’s everything. Makes me want to fight for whatever this is turning into.”

I swallowed hard, heart pounding. “This? Us? It’s still supposed to be fake, right?”

His thumb brushed my lower lip slowly. “Feels less fake every single hour. Your laugh. Your fire. The way your body fits against mine even when you complain about it.”

The producer walked in fast. “Incredible day, you two. Audience voting just closed. Millions voted.”

I tensed up. “Voted for what exactly?”

The big screen lit up. The producer announced with excitement, “Congratulations! Fans voted you for an overnight romantic getaway. Private cabin. Just the two of you. Hidden cameras only. No crew watching every second.”

My stomach dropped. “Overnight? Alone with him? No way.”

Nate’s hand tightened on mine, eyes dark and full of heat. “Hidden cameras. One whole night. Just us.”

What if this getaway makes pretending completely impossible?