Page 7 of Shattering

Cadi.

She was standing at the edge of the field, arms still folded, her expression unreadable. Her hair shone like a beacon. But when their eyes met, something passed between them—something that made Gray's stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with adrenaline.

She smiled, but it wasn't her usual, easy grin. It was smaller, tinged with something else.

He moved toward her, but before he could reach her, another voice cut in.

"Gray!"

He turned just as Sarah Matthews—one of the girls from their year—bounded up to him, her long, dark hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. She was smiling, bright and confident, her eyes shining with something unmistakable.

"That was amazing," she said breathlessly, reaching out to touch his arm. "You were incredible out there."

Gray scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling oddly self-conscious. "Uh, thanks."

Sarah bit her lip, then tilted her head. "Hey, I was wondering... do you maybe want to go out sometime?"

Gray blinked. He was dimly aware of the rest of the team listening, waiting for his response. What a bunch of gossipmongers. But his gaze flickered past Sarah, landing on Cadi.

She had gone rigid, her fingers digging into her arms where they were crossed. Her jaw was set, but her expression was carefully blank. Too blank.

Gray hesitated.

Cadi wasn't looking at him anymore. She was staring at the ground, her face unreadable. Something twisted in his chest.

"Go for it, mate," Byron muttered under his breath, nudging him. "She's well into you."

Gray swallowed. He didn't know what to say. Didn't know why this felt... wrong. He wasn't dating Cadi. She was his best friend. And yet...

Sarah gave a small laugh, filling the silence.

"It's fine if you need to think about it," she said lightly, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Yeah," Gray said finally, his voice awkward. "I—uh—yeah, let me think about it."

Sarah smiled, though it wasn't as bright as before. "Okay. Let me know."

She walked off, and the moment she was gone, Gray turned back to Cadi. But she was already walking away. He exhaled sharply, then jogged to catch up.

"Cads—"

"Good game, Gray," she said, voice too smooth, too controlled. "You were great."

He frowned.

"Cadi—"

"You should say yes," she interrupted, still not looking at him. "She's pretty. And nice. And she really likes you."

Gray stared at her, something cold settling in his stomach. "Is that what ya think?"

Cadi finally looked at him then, her eyes flickering with something too quick for him to catch. She shrugged. "Why not? You're allowed to like people, Gray."

He didn't know what to say to that. Because yes, he was allowed to like people. So was she. But the idea of Cadi dating someone else made his skin itch, made something inside him coil tight with frustration. The silence stretched between them, heavy and unfamiliar.

Finally, Cadi huffed out a breath, forcing a smile. "I should go. See you tomorrow?"

Gray nodded stiffly. "Aye." She turned and walked off, leaving him standing there, staring after her, knowing that something between them had shifted. Something neither of them were ready to name.

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