My hard gaze moved past the huddle of Hawks players toward our section of the bleachers, the sea of magenta and black. And among them a girl who didn’t belong.
A face I didn’t want to see.
But someone I couldn’t stop thinking about.
I hated her.
Hated Celeste Rowe in a way that made me seethe.
Yet, Kye was right. Somehow, some fucking way, she had burrowed herself under my skin. And there was only one thing for it.
I needed to dig her the fuck out.
* * *
We won by a landslide, and when we filed out of the field house our fans greeted us with a loud round of applause. Nix made a beeline for Harleigh and Jessa, pulling them both into a big hug, while Kye threw his arm around Chloe’s shoulder and ruffled her hair before fist bumping Nate, and saying hey to Celeste.
She hovered awkwardly on the periphery. Miller clearly didn’t give a shit he’d turned up uninvited, congratulating Nix on a good game before teasing Harleigh about something.
Without thinking about it, I inched closer to Celeste, noting the way her breath hitched at my proximity.
She was so fucking obvious.
“You’re a long way from home,” I murmured, as the rest of them chatted, too wrapped up in the high of the win and what it meant for the team to worry about me and Celeste.
“I… It’s a long story.”
“You fuck him?”
“Excuse me?” Her eyes flashed to mine full of fire and ice.
“You heard me, Einstein. Couldn’t get on my dick, so you jumped on Miller’s? He fancies himself as a bit of a bad boy, doesn’t he? But at least he’s from the right side of the tracks. I bet Mommy and Daddy will love—”
“Stop, Zane.” The heat in her gaze guttered out. “Just… stop.”
“Z, man. Get the fuck over here,” Kye said, completely oblivious to the tension.
Chloe narrowed her eyes though, noticing Celeste quiet and still beside me.
“Good game, Zane,” Nate said.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Figured we’d come support you guys.”
“Miller felt left out we didn’t invite him, isn’t that right?” Kye chuckled, and Nate ran a hand down the back of his neck.
“Well, I’m glad they came.” Chloe glanced over at Nate. “Now I don’t have to ride back with Harleigh, Nix, and Jessa. No offense, Jessa.”
“None taken.” Nix’s stepmom smiled.
“You got Coach’s blessing to ride home with them? That’s some bullshit.”
“Unlike you, Z, Coach actually likes my ass.” Nix smirked, and I flipped him off.
“He’s made a reservation at some diner on the route home. Everyone’s invited.”
“Sounds good to me, I’m starving,” Kye said, clapping Nix on the back. “See you all there.”