Kade POVExhaling slowly, I shake my head. “You really think this is funny?”Rook smirks. “Oh, I know it’s funny. Watching that idiot talk himself in circles like he actually had a chance? Yeah, that was entertaining as hell.”I scoff, leaning back against the counter. “You’re such an asshole.”His smirk doesn’t waver. “And yet, here you are.”I roll my eyes, but I don’t argue. Because the truth is, I’m still here. I didn’t push him away, didn’t throw him out, didn’t even really get pissed at him for manhandling Paul.Because deep down? I didn’t hate it.I didn’t hate the way Rook didn’t hesitate to make it clear to Paul that whatever he thought we had was done. I didn’t hate the way he threw him back into the chair before I even had a chance to react. And I sure as hell don’t hate the way he’s looking at me now, like he’s still wired from it, like there’s something unfinished between us.His gaze drops slightly, flicking over my lips before coming back to my eyes.I swallow, heat cree
Kade POVLouise lets out another exaggerated sigh, still shaking her head like she’s personally disappointed in my life choices. “You know he’s never gonna let this go, right?”Amelia nods, smirking. “Oh yeah. Rook seems like the kind of guy who’s gonna bring this up at every opportunity.”Rook grins. “You have no idea.”I roll my eyes, but before I can tell them all to fuck off, Louise squints at Rook. “I still don’t get it. What exactly is it about Kade that made you decide to ruin your life like this?”Rook hums, pretending to think. “Well, he’s stubborn as hell, fights me on everything, constantly tries to act like he doesn’t want me, and he’s got a terrible attitude.”I narrow my eyes. “You do realise those aren’t compliments, right?”Rook smirks. “Oh, I know. That’s what makes it fun.”Amelia fake-gags again. “Ugh. You two are insufferable.”Louise still looks personally offended. “And you” she points at me, “have been keeping this a secret?”I shrug. “Yeah, for obvious reasons.”
Rook’s POVI hadn’t meant to say it.That doesn’t mean it isn’t true, but fuck, if there was ever a worst time to admit how I felt, this was it. Right in front of his mom. Right in front of his nosy-ass sisters. Right when he wasn’t expecting it, when I wasn’t expecting it.And now? There’s no taking it back. Not that I would, but still.Kade hasn’t said a word. He’s just standing there, looking lost as hell, his body tense, like he’s bracing for something. It makes something twist in my chest, something I don’t fucking like. Because I didn’t mean to put him on the spot, and I didn’t mean to make him feel like he had an audience waiting for his reaction.I shift my gaze to his mom, who hasn’t stopped staring at me since the words left my mouth. Her expression is unreadable, but her eyes are sharp, calculating, like she’s trying to pick apart what I just said, trying to figure out what my game is.Except there isn’t one. There was never a game, not when it came to Kade.The only thing I
Rook POVHe exhales sharply, shaking his head, his jaw clenching like he’s trying to find a way to argue against something he knows is the truth. “You don’t get to just say that and act like it’s no big deal.” His voice is quieter now, but still edged with frustration. “Like it’s something casual, like it’s just another one of your fucking games.”I grip his wrist a little tighter, not enough to hurt, just enough to ground him, to keep him from spiraling into whatever thoughts are racing through his head right now. “I never said it was casual,” I murmur, my voice steady, unwavering. “I never fucking said this was a game.”Kade scoffs, but there’s no real heat behind it, just exhaustion. His free hand scrubs over his face before he looks at me again, expression guarded but slipping in places. “You act like it is. You always push, always fucking test me like you’re waiting for me to break. And now, now you just say it out of nowhere, like it’s not a big fucking deal? Like it’s not somet
Rook POVI don’t stop him when he shoves me back against the porch railing, his grip tight, his breathing ragged against my lips. He kisses me like he’s making up for lost time, like he’s trying to erase every second he spent pretending this wasn’t happening, and fuck if I don’t let him.Because I’ve waited for this, and now that I have him right where I want him? I’m not letting him go, he doesn’t pull away, not this time.Instead, his hands fist into my shirt, gripping tight like he’s grounding himself, like he’s making damn sure I don’t move, don’t leave, don’t take back anything I’ve said. His lips are rough against mine, every push and pull filled with frustration, tension, and something deeper, something neither of us have been willing to name until now.I feel the exact second he lets go, the second he stops fighting whatever the hell this is, stops pretending it doesn’t matter. His body presses into mine, his breathing ragged against my lips, and for once, he’s not running.I
Kade’s POVBreakfast was loud, too fucking loud, and I barely paid attention to half of what was being said. My mind kept circling around one thing, why was my mom back? I hadn’t even thought about it when she walked in, but she shouldn’t be here yet. She should still be at work.Then again, it’s the weekend. Maybe she actually stopped working so much on weekends?I glance up just in time to see her leading Louise and Amelia away, no doubt telling them to stay out of the way while she talks to me, to us. My stomach tightens slightly, and I watch her go, still trying to figure out why she’s home.“Are you okay?” Rook’s voice pulls me back, and I feel him lean into me slightly, his presence solid, grounding.I let out a slow breath, shaking my head. “I’m sure she should still be at work.” My voice is low, just for him.“It’s Sunday,” Rook says, like that explains everything.“Yeah, I know, it just… feels like she came back for something.” I rub a hand down my face, trying to make sense
Kade POVRook is still basking in the fact that even my mom admitted he could cook, while Louise and Amelia are clearly planning their next round of torment.And then, I see it.That smile.The same fucking smile Amelia gave me the last time I was here, the one that always means she wants something.Groaning, I drop my fork and rub a hand down my face. “No.”Amelia gasps, clutching her chest dramatically. “I haven’t even said anything yet.”“You don’t have to.” Gesturing at her face, I glare. “That smile says it all.”Louise snickers, already catching on. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”Mom sighs, shaking her head as she stands to clear her plate. “You all are exhausting.”Amelia ignores her, leaning forward eagerly. “Okay, so...”“No,” I repeat.She pouts. “Come on! The kids have been waiting for you to play again.”Rook snorts beside me, clearly entertained, and I shoot him a look that says, do not encourage this.Louise smirks, clearly already loving where this is going. “Oh, wait, wa
Kade POVThe past few days have been nice. No drama, no bullshit, just time to breathe, to actually be with Rook without everything else closing in. And somehow, I’ve watched my mom slowly open up to him.I don’t know what it is exactly. Maybe it’s the way he’s been careful around her, not pushing too hard, not shoving his usual arrogance in her face. Or maybe it’s the fact that, for the first time, she’s realizing he actually means it when he says he loves me.And yeah, that’s still weird as hell.I always thought I was just another thing to him, another conquest, another challenge for him to wear down until he got what he wanted and then moved the fuck on. I’ve heard the stories. Over and over. Rook doesn’t do love.Well, until now, and now? Sitting here, watching him, I can’t figure him out.His brows are furrowed, his jaw tight in concentration, and I did not know he could cook.But here he is, moving around the tiny-ass kitchen, focused as hell, barely acknowledging anything else
Kade POVI let out a frustrated groan, gripping his jersey tighter. “You tripped over your own fucking skates! I swear to god, Rook, it wasn’t even convincing!”“It was fast! People will think I hit a rough patch of ice or something.”“There was no rough patch! We play on pro-maintained ice!”“Well, then I guess I’m just that clumsy,” he deadpans.I stare at him, my entire body vibrating with frustration. “You are so fucking lucky I love you, because I swear to god—”He smirks again. “Oh, I know.”I groan again, pressing my forehead against his chest for a moment before shoving myself off him. “Unbelievable,” I mutter as I pull him up with me.“You’re welcome,” he says, still grinning, and I glare at him.“You are never pulling that shit again.”“Well this was the last game, so
Kade POVMy body aches, exhaustion creeping in with every shift. Rook wasn’t wrong, I’m not as good as I used to be. And somehow, he’s gotten better. No matter how much I push, how hard I skate, he’s always a step ahead, like he’s been waiting for this exact moment to turn the tables on me.Now I get how he fucking felt all those years.I glance across the ice at him. He’s muttering something under his breath, probably chirping me from the penalty box. I can’t hear him over the crowd, but I know it’s about me slacking off. Maybe because I winked at him, knowing it would throw him off just enough to make him lose his focus.Except he didn’t lose it.We’re not winning this.I was so sure I could beat Rook like I always did, so sure I could just show up and still take him down. I didn’t even try to train these past few days. That was my mistake.The whistl
Rook POVThe last few days have been good. Kade has barely worked, giving himself real time to heal. I’ve purposely gone to train, making sure he has time alone with Harlow.He needs it. So every now and then, I fake that I have to train and head to the rink. Sure, I train, but not every single day. This is about giving him time with her, time they both need.“Have you decided?” My dad walks in, looking between us.“Does it really make a difference?” I ask. To me, it doesn’t matter whether Kade and I arrive together or not.“You’ve got to consider it. Are you going there together, as partners? Or are you showing up separately, like the rivals you’ve always been?”Kade smirks. “Maybe separate cars. Something tells me Rook won’t handle losing well.”He has no fucking idea.“Plus, I’m not sure I’ll want to sit in a car
Kade POVRook walks beside me, his hands are shoved in his pockets, and he has that smug little smirk still on his face. “You really thought they wouldn’t bring up our marriage?” he teases.I huff. “I don’t know why they care so much. It’s not like you’re some fucking trophy wife.”He gasps dramatically. “Excuse you, I am a fucking prize.”I roll my eyes, but I don’t fight the grin tugging at my lips.As we reach the doors leading to the ice rink, I hear the sound of skates carving into the ice. Laughter echoes, followed by Rose’s voice giving encouragement. I step inside, and my eyes immediately find Harlow.She’s on the ice, her tiny form skating with ease, stick in hand, guiding the puck forward.I stop walking.Rook keeps going, not noticing until he glances back at me. “What?”I gesture toward the rink. “She’s... ac
Kade POVI walk into the stadium, Rook right beside me. We brought Harlow along, and she and Rose are going to skate for a bit. It gives her something to do, and afterward, we can join her as well.“So, no punching people, right?” Rook glances at me.“You are telling me?” I scoff. “I am pretty sure you would be the one to punch a reporter, not me.”His head tilts slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. “I don’t know. You have always hated them, but now you can punch them, and it doesn’t even matter. You’re quitting, what are they going to do? Force you to play more as punishment?”Rolling my eyes, I shove him, but he barely moves. Instead, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in tight.“I’m offended, Mercer. Look at you, shoving me,” he teases, his grip tightening. “You should be glad the cameras didn’t catch it... Abuse. Damn,
Rook POVI lean back, pulling him with me until we’re both lying down, my arm wrapped around him, his head resting against my chest.“She doesn’t deserve you,” I whisper.“I know,” he murmurs.“But you still won’t let her die alone. You love her, she's your mom, that doesn't change.”He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t have to. I already know.The sound of muffled giggling pulls me from sleep, followed by the unmistakable rustling of movement on the bed. I blink my eyes open, groggy and disoriented, only to find two pairs of eyes staring right at me, one mischievous, the other excited.Harlow is sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, balancing a plate on her lap, while Kade leans back against the pillows with a tray in front of him, looking way too pleased with himself for this early in the morning.I glance between them, rubbing a hand over my face. “W
Rook POVI don’t say anything, I just reach for his wrist and guide him toward our room. He doesn’t fight me or try to pull away. His breathing is steady, but I can feel the tension in the way he moves, in the way his fingers flex like he’s trying to keep control of himself.The second we step inside, I shut the door behind us, locking out the rest of the world. Kade stands there for a moment, staring at nothing, clearly lost in his own head.I walk over to him and place my hands on his shoulders. He still doesn’t move, so I squeeze lightly, grounding him. “You did the right thing,” I say quietly.He lets out a breath, a slow, shaky one that tells me just how much this is weighing on him. “I don’t know if it was the right thing,” he mutters. “I just know sending her away wouldn’t have changed anything.”Nodding, I step closer. “That’s the right thin
Kade POVI let out a sharp laugh. “What’s there to deal with? She didn't care, she used me for money and tried to gain more. She made her choices. She doesn’t get to come back now just because she’s running out of time.”“You don’t have to forgive her,” he says, leaning forward against the desk. “But you’re going to regret it if you don’t talk to her before it’s too late.”I scoff, shaking my head. “No, I won’t.”“You will.”The certainty in his tone pisses me off more than anything else. “You don’t know that.”“I do, because I’ve seen it before,” he counters, voice sharp now. “I’ve watched men in this life lose people they swore they didn’t care about, and then I’ve watched them drown in the weight of it after they were gone.”I shake my head, refusing to listen.
Kade POVHarlow is relentless. She’s covering me in pink plasters, wrapping me in bandages, and holding ice directly against my skin. Not an ice pack, not wrapped in a towel, literal chunks of ice.Rook, of course, is grinning like this is the best thing he’s ever seen.I don’t complain, though. At least I get to see her, spend time with her, even if it means enduring her questionable medical care. She sticks another plaster onto my arm, nowhere near the actual injuries, and I can’t help but wonder why.“Daddy Rook,” she nudges him, her little voice full of authority. “Daddy Mercer needs ice cream.”Oh, this is good. I lean back more, smirking. “Yeah, Daddy Rook, I need ice cream.”Rook glares at me before turning back to her. “We don’t have any, princess. You finished it before we left.”She gasps dramatically. “No! Not our ice cream, Gelato Heave