Page 50 of Red Zone
“I think Madison and Jaxon just got back. I heard them outside.”
Her eyes go wide in an instant. “Shit.”
She’s up in a flash, pushing her hair behind her ears and shoving me toward the hallway.
“Go—my room. Quick.”
I hesitate. “Lyla?—”
“Please, Carter. Just—go. I’ll handle it.”
And maybe it’s the way she avoids looking at me. Maybe it’s the shift in her tone, like she’s trying to undo everything that happened between us tonight.
Either way, it stings.
I slip into her room, but I don’t stay there. Not for long.
A tight breath leaves my lungs as I glance at the window.
Screw it.
I unlatch it and climb out, careful not to make a sound as I descend the fire escape.
But when my feet hit the pavement and I start toward my Jeep, I freeze.
Jaxon’s leaning against it, arms crossed, watching me with that knowing smirk he wears so damn well.
“Busy night?” he says, lifting a brow.
And just like that, my chest tightens again—for a whole different reason.
“Don’t start,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair as I approach.
He smirks but doesn’t push. “Didn’t think you were the type to sneak out of a window.”
“I’m not.” I unlock the door, then pause, glancing back at him. “But I also didn’t want to get caught playing hide-and-seek with Madison’s best friend.”
Jaxon huffs a quiet laugh. “Fair.”
We stand there for a beat, just breathing in the cool night air. The street’s quiet, moonlight cutting long shadows across the lot.
“You good?” he asks, softer now.
I nod, even though I’m not sure I am.
“Cool,” he says, pushing off the car. “Let’s get out of here before someone sees you doing the walk of shame.”
I roll my eyes but follow him anyway, sliding into the driver’s seat as he climbs into his own truck and heads for the house.
Later that week we’re back in the athletic building recouping after morning weight lifting, waiting on smoothies from the place near the student center. I’ve got my hoodie pulled low, earbuds in but no music playing, when I hear her voice.
Lyla.
She’s standing a few feet away, talking to Jaxon.
“For my marketing class. It’s this whole NIL project thing, kind of like a mock rep situation. I just need someone to be the client.”
“I’d do it,” Jaxon says, scratching the back of his neck. “But between practice, film, and everything else…I don’t have a lot of time.”
