Page 8 of Rivals on Lockdown

“Oh.” The word hung in the air between them, quiet but weighted. Louis could hear the slight hitch in Kaden’s breathing, the pause as he processed what had just been said.

“It’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?” Louis muttered, the alcohol loosening his tongue more than he intended. “I kissed you.”

Kaden’s voice came after a beat, slower now but still holding that edge of curiosity. “You could be bi.”

“I’m not.”

“So, it’s just guys, then?”

“Mm-hmm.” The word lingered, simple but heavy.

Kaden paused, then asked, “Do your teammates know?”

“No.” Louis leaned his head back against the cold concrete wall. “And I’d rather they didn’t. For now.”

“Fair enough,” Kaden said, his tone even, offering nothing more.

The silence dragged, comfortable and heavy with alcohol. Louis could feel each point where their bodies touched—shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, the heat of Kaden’s body against his own through the thin barrier of their clothes.

“Where’syourgirlfriend?” The question tumbled from Louis’s lips before his alcohol-addled brain could catch up with his mouth. He hadn’t meant to sound quite so interested, but if Kaden noticed, he didn’t let it show.

“Don’t have one.” His voice was closer now, quieter. The heat of his breath ghosted against Louis’s neck, making something flutter in his chest.

“What about that supermodel?” Louis pressed, desperate to maintain some semblance of their usual antagonism. “What’s her name—the one from all those fashion week photos?”

“Kara?” Kaden said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “That was just for publicity. My agent thought it would look good in the press.”

Louis turned his head toward Kaden’s voice, grateful for the darkness that hid whatever his face might be revealing. “Do you usually date people for publicity?”

“Actually, yeah.” Kaden’s laugh was low and hollow, startlingly honest. “My father thinks it’s great for engagement metrics. The fans eat it up. Every appearance gets tracked, every photo analyzed. It’s all very scientific.”

“What about serious relationships?” Louis knew he sounded more curious than he intended, the question dangerously raw.

“What about them?” There was something carefully neutral in Kaden’s voice now.

“Ever had one?”

For half a minute, only their breathing and the distant howl of wind broke the silence. Finally, Kaden spoke, his voice stripped of its usual polish. “Not really. No time for that.”

“Right,” Louis snorted, a hint of amusement warming his voice. “Too busy with all your charity galas and press conferences?”

“Am I just some spoiled rich brat in your head?” Kaden’s voice had an edge to it now, but not the familiar venom—something vulnerable, barely masked.

“Aren’t you?” Louis shot back without missing a beat.

“That’s hilarious,” Kaden muttered, but Louis could hear the ghost of a smile in his voice.

Neither of them moved, their shoulders still pressed together. They sat like that for a while. Then Kaden turned slightly, his voice cutting through the silence. “But anyway, who needs serious relationships when you can just have sex, right?” The words sounded strained, almost forced, as though he was trying to make them land casually and failing.

Louis noticed the shift in Kaden’s tone, the way the question hung awkwardly in the air before Kaden spoke again. “When was the last time you had sex, Zenith?”

“Yeah, that’s none of your business,” Louis said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Been a while, has it?” Kaden teased, though this time it felt different—less sharp, more playful.

“Are you coming onto me?” Louis meant it as a joke, but the words caught in his throat as Kaden’s hand found his thigh. The touch was deliberate, unmistakable. In the darkness of the locker room, Louis could barely make out Kaden’s face, but he watched him shift closer until only inches separated them, Kaden’s breath warm across his face.

“Kaden,” Louis whispered, but any other words died on his lips as Kaden closed the final distance between them.

---