Page 153 of Red Zone
That actually makes me laugh—bitter and low.
“Seriously? You really think I’d tell anyone about…” I wave vaguely between us. “Whatever the hell this is?”
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look away.
“People talk,” she says. “You know how it is. And you?—”
“And me what?” I cut in, my voice dropping even lower as I take another step, close enough to see the way her breath hitches. “You think I’d disrespect you like that? That you don’t matter to me?”
Her lips part like she wants to say something, but nothing comes out.
So I lean in, my hand coming to rest on the counter next to hers.
“For the record,” I murmur, my eyes locked on hers. “I haven’t said a damn thing. To anyone. Because it’s nobody’s business but ours.”
For a second, neither of us moves.
The music from the party thumps faintly through the walls, but in here, it’s just her and me.
And whatever the hell this is.
40
LYLA
The second the door to the kitchen shuts behind us, my hands start to tingle.
I flex them at my sides, curl them into fists, open them again.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
I don’t know why it’s so hard to catch my breath, but it is.
Carter’s leaning back against the counter, watching me with that maddening calm of his, arms crossed over his chest like he’s not the reason my pulse is slamming in my throat.
I turn my back on him, pacing a few steps before words start tumbling out of my mouth.
“This,” I say, waving one shaky hand between us. “This is exactly why we said we were keeping this casual. This is…this is why.”
He doesn’t move, doesn’t say anything.
So I keep going.
“You’re the quarterback,” I press, my voice rising just slightly. “You are literally the face of this program. Everyone’s watching you all the time. Every move you make.”
Still nothing.
“And I’m…” I trail off, dragging my fingers through my hair. “I’m your coach’s daughter. I handle all your NIL deals. I run your social media accounts. This isn’t…” My throat tightens. “This isn’t smart.”
Finally, he straightens.
Pushes off the counter.
And when he looks at me, there’s something fierce in his eyes that sends a shiver right down my spine.
“Fuck all that,” he says low, the words sharp and certain.
