Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Minerva

She laughed. “That’s one word for it. Most of us try a little harder when the cameras are out. But I guess when you’re just the help you don’t need to bother.”

Liam shifted uncomfortably. “Viv, ease up.”

She ignored him. “No really. Look at her. Standing there like she wandered in from the training room. Some of us have standards.”

I opened my mouth but never got the chance. Kendrick appeared at my side so fast I almost jumped. Elena was still across the room talking to someone, but he had left her there.

He looked at Vivian like she was something stuck to his shoe. Then he turned to me and held out his arm.

“Minerva. Come with me. Press wants a quick word about the medical staff.”

I stared at his arm. He waited. I took it. His sleeve was warm under my fingers.

He led me a few steps toward a cluster of cameras and reporters. Vivian’s face had gone tight. Liam looked like he wanted to disappear.

Kendrick stopped in front of the lenses and spoke clear enough for everyone nearby to hear. “This is Minerva. She’s the reason half the roster is still playing at full strength. Best medical eye in the league right now. Anyone who thinks the staff doesn’t matter has never needed their shoulder fixed mid-season.”

Flashes went off. Questions started. He answered a couple, still holding my arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. I stood there trying not to look as thrown as I felt. When he finally steered us away he leaned down just enough for me to hear.

“You good?”

“I was handling it.”

“Didn’t look like it.”

“I didn’t ask for a rescue.”

He almost smiled. Almost. “You suck at being grateful..”

Elena found us a minute later. Her smile was bright and cold. “There you are. I was looking everywhere.” She slid her hand onto his other arm and shot me a quick once-over. “Oh. The therapist. How nice of you to keep my fiancé company.”

Kendrick’s voice stayed level. “We were doing press.”

“Of course.” She tugged him gently. “Come. There’s someone from the foundation I want you to meet.”

He glanced at me once, then let her pull him away. I stood there with the leftover heat of his arm still on my skin and tried to remember how to breathe normally.

The rest of the evening dragged. Speeches. Awards. More photos. I stayed near the edges and talked only when someone from the medical team needed something. Vivian kept floating around the room, laughing too loud. Liam kept watching me from across the floor.

I slipped out during one of the longer speeches. Needed air. The restricted hallway near the service elevators was quiet and mostly empty. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes for a second.

Footsteps. Then Liam’s voice.

“Minerva.”

I opened my eyes. He stood a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes red around the edges.

“Not now,” I said.

“Please. Just listen.” His voice cracked. “I messed everything up. I know that. Vivian… she got in my head and I let her. But seeing you tonight in that dress, the way Kendrick looked at you..”

“Stop.”

He stepped closer. “I miss you. I miss us. I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about the way you used to laugh at my stupid jokes. Please. Just give me one more chance.”

Tears hit his cheeks. Real ones. He reached for my face. I turned my head but he still caught my chin and leaned in fast.

His mouth almost touched mine.

Then a hand clamped hard on his shoulder and yanked him back so fast he stumbled.

Kendrick stood there, eyes dark, breathing controlled but sharp.

“Touch her again,” he said, voice low and flat, “and I will end your career before the next game starts. I will make sure every team in the league knows exactly what kind of man you are. You will not get a second chance. You will not get a phone call. You will just be done. Do you understand me?”

Liam’s face went white. He looked at me, then back at Kendrick, then nodded once and backed away without another word. His footsteps faded down the hall.

Silence.

Kendrick turned to me. His eyes moved over my face like he was checking for damage.

“You okay?”

“I had it.”

“He was about to kiss you.”

“I was about to push him off.”

He let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “Sure.”

The hallway felt too quiet. Too close. Music from the ballroom drifted through the walls but it seemed far away.

He looked at me for another second, then grabbed my wrist and pulled me further down the hall. Past a set of double doors. Onto a narrow balcony that was closed off for the night. Heavy curtains hung on either side of the glass doors.

He dragged me into the dark space between the curtains and the railing until my back hit the cool glass.

“Ken….”

His hands went into my hair. He kissed me hard.

No hesitation. No soft start. Just heat and pressure and the taste of whatever drink he had been nursing earlier. His tongue pushed into my mouth and I made a sound I did not plan on making.

My hands grabbed the front of his jacket because the alternative was falling or floating and neither felt possible right then.

He pressed closer. One hand stayed tangled in my hair, the other slid down to my waist and held me against the railing like he was afraid I might disappear. The kiss stayed deep and messy.

Breathing that got louder every time we broke for half a second and then went right back in.

I kissed him back. I did not mean to but my body had already decided. My fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket. He made a low sound against my mouth and tilted my head to get a better angle. The glass was cold through my dress but everything else burned.

When he finally pulled back we were both breathing hard. His forehead rested against mine for a second. His hands were still in my hair.

“Shit,” he muttered.

I could not form words yet. My lips felt swollen. My heart was slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.