In Between the Lines

y didn't dissipate; it just

cing them to run the floor together for two brutal hours. It was torture. Every time Xavier called out a play, his voice sounded strained. Eve

Kael, releasing it a second too early just to avoid looking him in the eye. Kael slammed h

istle, the entire team was collapsin

py, but better. Shower up. Media day starts in thirty minutes, and I don'

of standing under the running water near him made his chest tighten. He waited until the locker room cleared out completely before he

io lights were blinding. Cameras were set up on tripods, and lo

r of the room, looking effo

g hands with

winging as she laughed at something Xavier said. Xavier was smiling down at her, his arm wrapped tightly a

pping Sienna's hip, a little too tense, a little too forced. And he noticed th

r a fraction of a second. His chest ro

dden distraction. She turned around, following his gaze right to Kael. Her expression cooled instantly. She hated

ah, sorry, sweetie. Just... thinking about the media

ting Xavier's chest before kissing his cheek. "You're

e stood by the edge of the press table, his

s voice low enough to stay under the radar of the nea

aw irritation. "Don't start, Donovan. We have a dozen micropho

s crossed. "I'm just wondering how you manage to hold her hand when your mouth was busy doin

and heat crossing his face. "I told you, that didn't mean anything. I love Sien

red, flashing a sharp, mocking grin. "But every

respond, a voice c

el! Over he

her sharp, clever eyes darting between the two of them with immense curiosity. She ad

antly flipping back to his smooth,

explosive argument in the timeout huddle, the two of you seemed unusually quiet during practice today. No shouting, no fighting. In fact, you bare

ng in the air l

say to protect his family's brand, but right now, his nerves were entirely shot. Looking at Lina, and knowing Kael was standing right beside him, his throat went total

rted to drown in his own head. Realizing Xavier was too nerv

m and steady. "Coach told us to work on our shit. So we're working on it.

king back at Xavier, whose breathing was still noticeably shallow. "

s his voice dropped a pitch. "Yeah. Kael is right. The rival

. "Fascinating. Thanks, boys. Good

r let out a slow breath, his shoulders dropping slightly. He looked a

under his breath, turning his back to t

in place. "I didn't do it to save your ass. I did because her ques

the burning studio lights. Xavier watched him go, his chest aching with a terrifying realization

the phantom sensation of Kael's grip in his hair, and he knew, w