Rook POVThe game keeps going, but I can feel Kade getting more wound up the closer we get to the end. The way his grip tightens on his stick, the way his jaw clenches every time I chirp him, it’s all building, simmering under the surface, ready to boil over.And fuck if I don’t love it.It’s too easy to keep pushing him, to keep nudging him closer to the edge. Every time I intercept one of his passes, every time I get the ball near the net, every time I look at him a little too long, I see the frustration in his eyes getting sharper, his patience running thinner.He shoves past me, stealing the ball, and I step up behind him, getting in his space, letting my breath ghost against the side of his face. “Getting tense, Mercer.”“Shut the fuck up.” His voice is low, tight, and it thrills me.I don’t shut up. I never shut up. “What’s wrong? Thought you liked the competition.”He swings his stick, flicking the ball toward one of the kids on his team. “I like winning.”Smirking, I run, catc
Rook POVThe second I step inside, Kade is already there, arms crossed, jaw tight, he's fuming. His entire posture screams frustration, his shoulders tense like he’s barely holding himself together, and the second the door shuts behind me, he explodes.“You pushed me,” he snaps, stepping forward like he’s ready to throw a punch just to get his point across. “You knew what would happen, and you still did it.”Smirking, I lean against the counter, watching him unravel. “You make it sound like you had to kiss me.”His nostrils flare, eyes blazing. “That’s the problem, Rook! You know how this goes. You push, you run your mouth, you get in my fucking space, and I shut you up the only way that works, and this time, the kids saw it!”I roll my shoulders, completely unbothered. “And?”His hands go to his hair, yanking at the strands before he gestures wildly toward me. “And now they’re asking questions! They’re asking if we’re dating, if the whole rivalry is fake, if we’ve been lying this ent
Kade’s POVThe tension is thick, sitting between us like an invisible wall, pressing in on all sides. The silence isn’t comfortable, it’s heavy, filled with everything we haven’t said, everything we’ve been ignoring these past few days. It’s like the second we left the trailer park, reality came crashing back in, reminding us that whatever this was, whatever we were, was easier when it didn’t have to exist outside of that space.I know being gay isn’t the end of everything. More and more hockey players have come out, and I’ve never hidden who I am. That’s not where the uncertainty is coming from.It’s him. Us.We’ve spent years at each other’s throats, hating each other on the ice, fighting like we were made for it. This isn’t some casual shift into something new, it’s a complete reversal of what everyone expects from us. How the hell is that going to look when we go back? When I finally admit, to myself, to the world, that I’m with him?Hockey teams have issues all the time, but his
Kade POVHis chest rises and falls a little too fast, frustration burning in his gaze when he finally flicks it toward me. “You’re not invincible,” he mutters, voice lower now, rougher. “And acting like you are doesn’t make it fucking true.”My throat tightens, but I force myself to scoff, to push past the feeling clawing at my chest. “And what? You’re worried about me now?”His lips part like he’s about to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, he exhales sharply, shaking his head like he’s trying to reel himself in.For a second, it’s quiet again.“Fuck you, Mercer.”I snort. “You wish.”His glare is immediate, but the tension in his jaw relaxes slightly. “Yeah, and here I was thinking we were having a moment.”Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Your moments are fucking exhausting.”He smirks, tapping his fingers against the wheel. “And yet, you love them.”Another scoff, but this time, my chest doesn’t feel so fucking tight.The silence lingers, but it’s different now, lighter. I
Kade POVWalking into Rook’s place is always a weird experience. It’s too big, too fucking clean, the kind of estate that screams old money and too many empty rooms. It’s the exact opposite of what I grew up with, and every time I step inside, I feel like I don’t belong in it.But I don’t hesitate. Not tonight.Kicking off my shoes, I ignore the grand entrance, the polished floors, the ridiculous amount of space that no one actually needs, and head straight for the stairs. I know where I’m going. I’ve been here enough times now to find my way to Rook’s room without thinking about it.His footsteps are steady behind me, not rushing, not pushing, just there. I can feel his eyes on me, probably waiting for me to snap, to change my mind, to run like I always do.But I don’t. Reaching the top of the stairs, I take a left, pushing open the heavy-ass door that leads into his space, the only place in this entire house that actually feels like him.The room is big, obviously, but not in the sa
Rook’s POVKade is asleep. He fell asleep too quickly, but then again, neither of us got much rest in the car. I should sleep too, I want to but my head won’t shut the fuck up, not with everything spinning in my mind.Sliding out of bed, I move carefully, making sure I don’t wake him before grabbing a shirt and heading downstairs. The estate is quiet, the kind of silence that feels unnatural, too heavy, too still. But my father?He’s already waiting.I don’t even sit before speaking. “What did you find?”His expression is carefully neutral, but there’s something in his eyes, something hesitant. I recognize that look.My stomach tightens. “You fucking knew,” I snap, not needing him to say it. He knew. He’s always known.“Let me explain.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “Explain?” I drop into the chair across from him, leaning forward. “Go ahead, explain how you’ve known this whole damn time and didn’t think to tell me.”He exhales slowly, like he’s picking his words carefully. “Mercer’s
Rook POV“That’s supposed to fucking help?” My voice cracks, raw and furious. “That’s supposed to make any of this fucking better?” My hands tremble, my head shaking again as I pace, trying to get a grip, trying to breathe, but it’s not working. “I killed him.” The words taste foreign, bitter, acid burning the back of my throat. “I fucking killed him.”I remember that day, all I knew was he killed my grandfather. My father watches me, his expression unreadable, like he’s trying to gauge just how far I’m about to spiral.“You did what you were told to do,” he says simply. “You were sixteen. You didn’t even know who he was.”I let out another bitter laugh, sharp and broken, dragging my hands through my hair. ”And that makes it okay?"He doesn’t answer, because there is no fucking answer.The weight of it crashes down, pressing on my chest like I can’t fucking breathe. My hands drag over my face, trying to ground myself, but it does nothing. Nothing makes this better. Nothing makes this
Kade’s POVWaking up tangled with Rook isn’t new.It’s happened enough times that my body doesn’t immediately tense, doesn’t instantly react like it used to. His arm is slung over my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck, his leg heavy over mine like he’s trying to make sure I don’t go anywhere. Normally, I’d roll my eyes, shift just to mess with him, shove him off when he starts clinging too much.But something is off.The air feels wrong, thick in a way that has nothing to do with sleep, and before I can stop myself, my body locks up, instincts kicking in. It’s subtle, almost too subtle to catch if I didn’t know him like I do, but Rook isn’t himself.He’s too still. The usual heat that radiates off him like he’s always ready for something, an argument, a fight, some way to piss me off, isn’t there.There’s no lazy smirk pressed against my skin, no cocky, half-mumbled comment about how I can’t resist him or how I must secretly love waking up wrapped in him. There’s no te
Rook POVAs we step out of the arena, the noise from inside fades behind us. The night air is crisp, the kind that bites at your skin but feels good after being on the ice. Kade walks beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets, his expression still caught somewhere between pissed off and thinking too hard.I nudge him as we head toward the car. “You ready for this?”He shoots me a look. “For what?”“The part where everyone gets drunk in your honor,” I smirk. “You should feel special.”“Right, because I’m sure that’s exactly why they’re drinking,” he mutters. “Not because they’re thrilled I’m finally out of their way.”I shrug. “A little of both, probably.”He huffs out a breath, shaking his head, but I catch the flicker of amusement in his eyes. He’s still brooding about the game, about how I let
Rook POVI get myself sorted, half expecting to get outside and find Kade gone, only he’s leaning against the wall, his arms crossed like he’s sulking.Nudging him, I smile. “Alright, you want the fucking truth you moody asshole?”“You and the truth?” He laughs shaking his head like that’s crazy.“I don’t lie, you know that.” Moving, I stand in front of him, my hands pressing against the wall beside his head. “Harlow is watching, she knows it’s your last fucking game.”He looks at me, confused. “Right, so what?”Rolling my eyes, I step closer. “She idolises you, and the fact you’re the best hockey player. She gets to see you how she believes you, as the best at hockey, at fucking everything.”He just stares at me, so I keep going.“She gets to see her dad winning, Kade,” I say, my voice quieter now. “Not
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