Page 88 of Fractured Faceoff

Last night. The best sex of my life. With Isla.

I shifted slightly, feeling her breath against my skin. She stirred but didn’t wake. My heart raced as memories flooded back—the heat of her body, the way she melted into me as if we were two pieces meant to fit together. A part of me never expected this—never expected to feel anything more than a strategic alliance with her.

But now?

I couldn’t shake this gnawing feeling in my gut. This was different from the casual flings I had grown accustomed to. With Isla, it was like I stumbled into an entirely new territory—a place filled with something deeper, somethingreal.

Her face relaxed in sleep, lips slightly parted as if she held onto some dream just out of reach. A flutter coursed through me; she looked so peaceful, so beautiful—nothing like the fierce sports psychologist I knew during our sessions or the stubborn girl I grew up with.

I hadn’t signed up for feelings. I never thought I’d find myself drawn to her like this—her strength mixed with vulnerability caught me off guard. But there it was; undeniable and raw.

What did this mean? Could I let myself care for her? My heart raced at the thought of crossing that line—of letting her see past the façade I'd built around myself. After all those years playing second fiddle to my brother and grappling with my own worthlessness, opening up felt terrifying.

But the thing was… I worried I already had.

Fallen for her.

I worried there was nothing I could do about it now.

I inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of that shampoo she used, mingling with lingering traces of sweat from our escapades. It stirred something in me—a need to protect this moment and what we had shared.

But could I keep it all together? Would it ruin everything if I let myself feel too much?

I brushed a thumb across her cheek, studying her features while wrestling with thoughts that spiraled into uncertainty.

I remembered the agreement Isla and I made—no feelings. Just a façade to get back at our exes, a temporary partnership built on a shaky foundation. But somewhere along the line, that pact unraveled.

I had thought I could keep my distance, maintain thatemotional wall. Yet here I was, staring at her as she slept beside me, feeling like I’d crossed some invisible boundary. The way she fit against me, the soft sound of her breathing—it stirred something inside me I couldn’t ignore.

What gnawed at me even more was the thought of her being with someone else. That infuriated me. The image of Brody's smug face flashed through my mind. He didn’t deserve her—not after what he did. I could feel a surge of protectiveness rising within me, a fierce instinct that screamed she should never be with anyone but me.

But would she even want to be with me? My heart raced at the uncertainty. Did she see this as just another game? Or had I somehow managed to break through that careful veneer she wore?

I studied her features again, wondering what thoughts lingered behind those closed eyelids. Did she wake up in the mornings hoping for something more than just an act? The questions piled up like snowdrifts outside in winter.

I brushed another lock of hair from her face and felt a mix of hope and dread spiral through me. My feelings swirled like a storm brewing inside my chest, relentless and loud.

It wasn’t just about revenge anymore; it felt bigger than that. But what if it fell apart? What if I ended up back where I started—what if I wasn't good enough for her? What if she was waiting for the right guy?

Fuck, I knew I wasn't good enough for her.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts. The screen lit up with Ava’s name—the last person I wanted to deal with right now. Not when Isla lay beside me, looking so vulnerable and perfect.

I silenced the phone without looking, turningmy focus back to Isla. She stirred slightly but remained asleep. In that moment, all that mattered was us—whatever this had become—and fighting for it before it slipped away like sand through my fingers.

I watched Isla’s chest rise and fall, her peaceful expression drawing me in deeper. The moment stretched, filled with an unspoken truth that wrapped around my thoughts like a vice. Suddenly, the reason we’d started this whole charade faded into nothingness.

Ava didn’t matter anymore.

I couldn't believe it, but there it was—clear as day. My heart raced at the realization. I had spent so long chasing something with Ava, only to discover that all of that felt trivial now, overshadowed by the connection growing between Isla and me.

This felt different than anything I’d ever experienced, even the fluttering excitement I’d felt for Ava. Those feelings paled in comparison to what bubbled beneath my skin for her. It was raw, fierce—a tide pulling me under.

I had always prided myself on being a smart guy, quick on my feet both on and off the ice. But standing here now, wrapped in this moment with her? It made me feel like a goddamn fool. I couldn’t wrap my head around how swiftly everything had changed—how quickly I had fallen for her.

What did I do next? If I let this go further, I knew my feelings would deepen, entangle themselves around my heart until they became an undeniable part of me. But if I pulled away now… I wasn't sure I could. Even if she ended up breaking my heart—hell, that seemed more likely every second—I wasn’t ready to let her slip away.

The truth sank in: there was a good chance she didn’t care about me the way I cared about her. And honestly? Icouldn’t blame her. She had been right there all along—smart and strong—but until recently; I hadn’t noticed how incredible she really was.

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