All Chapters of Off Camera : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Connie's povThe house was already buzzing by the time Hori and I got back.Phones were lighting up everywhere. Group chats exploding with notifications, producers pacing the common room with tight expressions and half-whispered phone calls.I barely made it through the front door before Mira shoved her phone in my face.“Have you seen this?” she asked, eyes wide.The video was everywhere. Security footage from the corridor mixed with shaky fan recordings. Kyrian slamming Roderigo into the wall. Fists flying, security dragging him off while he still looked ready to kill someone.The comments were brutal.“Told you he was a fucking nutcase.”“Playbook’s violent golden boy strikes again.”“That girl needs to run before he snaps on her too.”Our room ranking had already dropped two spots by midnight.The production team was in full panic mode.I didn’t say anything publicly, not in the house group chat, not during the surprise interview sessions producers kept trying to pull me into. I j

Connie's pov The days after the hockey challenge passed peacefully.The win had done exactly what I hoped it would—shifted some of the narrative. Clips of me handing Roderigo his stick and Kyrian spinning me around before kissing me in front of everyone went viral.“Matchmaker beats hockey star” and “Playbook’s hottest couple moment” dominated the hashtags.Our room ranking finally stabilized.The official semester rankings dropped two days later.We gathered in the common room with the rest of the cast, the big screen displaying the updated standings. Sasha and Zarek held the top spot — my little side project had blossomed into the audience’s favorite stable couple. The rest of the house was scattered in healthy positions.When our names appeared, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.Fifth. Not too bad.Kyrian’s hand brushed mine where no cameras could easily see. I didn’t flinch. I hadn’t flinched when he sat beside me in days. He’d started saving me the seat next

Connie's PovThe doorbell echoed through the house just as I reached the bottom step, still tugging my oversized hoodie straight.Mom’s voice floated from the kitchen first—“I’ll get it, honey!”—but I beat her to the door anyway, pulse kicking up like it had its own agenda.Kyrian stood on the welcome mat, a bag slung over one shoulder, black hoodie zipped halfway.The porch light painted soft shadows across his face, highlighting the faint scar near his eyebrow I’d noticed during that relay challenge back at the house.He shifted his weight, one hand still in his pocket like he was ready to bolt if this felt weird.“Hey,” I said, leaning against the doorframe with a small smile.His mouth twitched—the closest thing to a grin he usually gave.“You texted. Figured I’d show up.”Mom appeared behind me, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her curly hair pulled back in a loose clip the same way she’d worn it since I was little.She took one look at him and her eyebrows lifted, pleased but

Kyrian’s POVI leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching her from across the room.Connie moved through the common area like she had a script taped to her palm.That bright, easy laugh she used when the cameras were rolling.The way she touched my arm just long enough for the lens to catch it, then pulled back like it was nothing.Two weeks ago, that touch would’ve lingered.Now she was back to performing.“Good morning Connie,” I said when she passed close enough.“Hey you.” She turned, smile already in place.Her fingers brushed my wrist, perfect angle for the fixed camera in the corner.“Sleep okay?” She asked, her eyebrows raising softly as the smile increased.I studied her face, the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Yeah. You?”“Great.” I said.She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, twisting the cap with more force than necessary.“Pat talked about some group challenge later. It should be fun.” She said, though she looked like she was somewhere else.Fun.

Caroline’s POVI caught Connie in the kitchen the next morning, alone for once, without her bodyguard trolling her everywhere she went.The cameras were on but distant—one fixed in the corner, the other guy yawning behind his rig like he’d rather be anywhere else.Perfect.She was pouring coffee, shoulders a little too tight.I slid up beside her, all smiles, grabbing a mug.“Morning, Connie,” I said sweetly, bumping her hip lightly. “You look like you barely slept. Rough night with the hockey boy?”Connie glanced at me, that performative smile that everyone wore around here snapping into place.“Caroline, right? Yeah, I was just busy with some stuff. You know how it is.”“Oh, I know.” I said as I poured my own coffee, leaning against the counter so we faced each other.“Roderigo told me all about the drama already. Maddox has quite the temper. It must be exhausting playing house with him.”She stirred her coffee slowly, her gaze focused on it as she did. “He’s fine. We’re figuring i