Page 16 of Red Zone
I don’t.
I just need to breathe.
Back at my apartment, I scrub down the kitchen sink.
It’s already clean. I clean it every night. But tonight, it’s not about hygiene.
It’s about control. About keeping my hands busy so my brain doesn’t implode. About scrubbing until my chest doesn’t feel like it’s going to cave in from the weight of everything I’m not allowed to say.
I move to the counter. Then the stove. Then the fridge handle. Each motion is tight, practiced, necessary.
My throat burns. My eyes sting. But I keep wiping.
I don’t hear the front door open.
I don’t even notice Madison until her keys clink on the side table, and she steps into the kitchen, quiet as a shadow.
She pauses when she sees me, taking in the spotless counter, the flushed cheeks, and the white- knuckled grip on the rag.
She doesn’t ask if I’m okay.
She just pulls her hair into a messy bun, grabs the spare cloth from under the sink, and starts wiping down the already clean toaster.
After a few minutes of silence, she glances at me.
“How deep are we going tonight?” she asks gently. “Color-coding the spice rack, or are we reorganizing the sock drawer again?”
I don’t look up. “Haven’t decided yet.”
She hums. Keeps cleaning.
“You want me to leave or stay?”
I swallow. “Stay.”
Her voice is soft, and she holds out her hand to me. “Pass the soap please.”
So, we clean—side by side, shoulder to shoulder—without another word.
Not because there’s nothing to say.
But because this is what it looks like when someone loves you without needing you to explain.
And tonight, that’s enough.
6
CARTER
Walking into the gym for our Thursday morning weight set, I drop my bag and nod at Montgomery, who’s already halfway through his warm up.
“Damn,” I say, tossing a plate on the bar next to him. “You’re early.”
He shrugs. “Didn’t feel like waiting around.”
Of course not. Dude’s built like he’s got something to prove and works like he’s got everything to lose. Can’t say I don’t respect it.
Jaxon doesn’t talk much, but we’ve been syncing up on the field better than half the guys I’ve known for years. It’s easy with him. No drama. Just business. The kind of teammate you actually want in your corner.
