Alpha House

The victory over State should have been the only thing on my mind, but as the bus pulled back onto campus and the team started shouting about the Victory Party at the Alpha house, the high of the win vanished.

"You’re coming, right Cap?" Toby asked, slamming his locker shut. He was already pulling a fresh shirt over his head. "The whole school is going to be there. Even the scouts stayed in town for this one. It’s good for morale."

"I have a lot of film to review, Toby," I said, though my eyes drifted to the corner of the room.

Jax was leaning against a training table, scrolling through his phone. He looked different after the bus ride. He didn't look up, but I felt the weight of his presence like a physical pressure.

"Coach said we need to bond Liam," Toby reminded me with a grin. "And Chloe would be there. You can’t leave your girlfriend alone at the biggest party of the semester."

I sighed. He was right. If I didn't go, it would look like I was hiding."Fine. Give me twenty minutes."

The Alpha house was a riot of noise and heat. Red plastic cups littered every surface, and the bass from the speakers was so loud I could feel it in my teeth.

"Liam! Over here!"

Chloe waved me over from a velvet couch in the corner. She looked stunning in a black dress. I made my way through the crowd, nodding to teammates and ignoring the whispers that followed me.

"You made it," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I thought you were going to stay in that dusty apartment all night."

"Toby talked me into it," I said, trying to smile. I kissed her, but my eyes were already scanning the room.

It was a habit now. A reflex. I was looking for the mess. I was looking for the chaos that Jax Miller always brought with him.

"I'm going to grab us some drinks," I told Chloe after a few minutes of hollow conversation about the game. "Stay here."

I pushed through the kitchen, which was even more crowded. I grabbed two sodas. I didn't drink during the season and was about to head back when I saw him.

Jax was standing near the back door, leaning against the doorframe. He wasn't alone. A girl from the track team, a tall, pretty brunette named Sarah was standing inches away from him. She was laughing at something he had said, her hand resting lightly on his forearm.

Jax was smirking. Not the mean, mocking smirk he gave me, but something softer. Something charming.

A sudden, sharp heat flared in my chest.My grip tightened on the soda cans until the aluminum groaned.

He’s supposed to be resting, I thought, my jaw clenching. We have early practice tomorrow. This is a lack of discipline. This is exactly why he’s a liability.

I didn't move. I watched as Sarah leaned in closer, whispering something in his ear. Jax tilted his head toward her, his dark hair falling over his forehead. He looked relaxed.

"Liam? You okay? You’re staring."

I blinked. Toby was standing next to me, holding a cup. He followed my gaze to the door.

"Oh, look at Miller go," Toby chuckled. "Kid doesn't waste any time. Sarah’s been asking about him since he transferred. They look good together, don't they?"

"They look like they're breaking curfew," I snapped. My voice was harsher than I intended.

Toby raised an eyebrow. "Curfew? Liam, the Coach gave us the night off. We won. Relax a little."

"I am relaxed," I said, though I felt like a coiled spring. "I just don't like the optics. He’s a representative of this team. He should act like it."

"He’s talking to a girl at a party, Cap. He’s not starting a riot," Toby said, shaking his head. "You’re being way too intense. Go back to Chloe."

I ignored him and started walking toward the back door. I told myself I was going there to tell him about the 8:00 AM workout. I told myself it was for the good of the Northwood program.

As I approached, Sarah noticed me first. Her smile faltered slightly at the sight of my expression. "Hey, Liam. Great game tonight."

"Thanks," I said, my voice cold. I didn't look at her. I looked straight at Jax. "Miller. A word."

Jax looked at Sarah, gave her a small, apologetic wink that made my blood boil, and then stepped away from the wall. He followed me into the small, quiet hallway leading to the laundry room.

"What's the problem, Captain?" Jax asked. The charm was gone, replaced by his usual guarded edge. "Did I forget to take the trash out at the apartment?"

"You're making a scene," I said, crossing my arms.

Jax laughed, a sharp, disbelieving sound. "A scene? I was having a conversation. Since when is talking to a girl a crime in your 'system'?"

"It’s about focus," I hissed, stepping closer. "We have a target on our backs. Carl is watching. The scouts are watching. You being out here, distracted, makes the whole team look weak."

"Distracted?Is that what you call it? Or are you just mad because I'm not sitting in a corner studying a playbook like a good little robot?"

"I'm mad because I'm the one who has to fix things when you mess up!"

"I haven't messed up anything!" Jax shouted back, his eyes flashing. "I played my heart out tonight. I passed the puck. I followed your lead. And now you're coming over here, acting like my father, trying to control who I talk to?"

"I am not your father," I growled.

"Then stop acting like you own me!" Jax poked a finger into my chest. "You don't own the ice, you don't own the apartment, and you definitely don't own me. If I want to spend my night with Sarah, that’s my business."

The mention of her name felt like a slap. "She's a distraction."

"She’s nice," Jax countered. "She doesn't look at me like I’m a problem to be solved. She doesn't make me feel like I’m walking on eggshells every time I breathe. Maybe you should try it sometime, Liam. It’s called being a human being."

I reached out and grabbed his hoodie, pulling him toward me. I didn't know why I did it. I told myself I was asserting authority. I told myself I was keeping him in line. But as we stood there, our chests heaving, the air between us felt exactly like it had on the bus. Hot, electric, and terrifying.

"Stay focused on the game, Jax," I whispered. My voice was thick. "That’s the only reason you’re here."

Jax didn't pull away. He looked up at me, his gaze searching my face, searching for the lie. "Is that really the only reason, Liam?"

Before I could answer, the door to the hallway swung open.

"Liam? Are you in here?"

It was Chloe. She stopped, her eyes wide as she saw me holding Jax’s hoodie, our faces inches apart.

"We were just discussing the workout schedule," I said quickly, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm.

Chloe looked confused. "In the laundry room? Liam, everyone is looking for you. The boosters want to say hello."

"I'm coming," I said. I didn't look at Jax. I couldn't.

I walked past Chloe and back into the noise of the party. But the heat in my chest didn't go away. I was terrified because for a split second in that hallway, I didn't want Jax to go back to Sarah. I didn't want him to go back to anyone. And that was a secret that no amount of hockey could hide.