Page 52 of Crease Collision

I cross my arms. “Are you two here for some good reason, or are we workshopping my personality?”

Jace’s eyes widen. “McKay told us he found you with the Fury’s goalie.”

“Jesus, you’d think McKay walked in on us fucking. I congratulated Olofsson.”

“You needed a private room for that?” Theo asks.

“Jesus, we weren’t in a hotel. He’d just won his first game.”

Jace snickers. “And looked hot as hell doing it.”

I scoff so hard it hurts my throat. “Good for him.”

“He wasn’t happy to see you?”

“He was fine with seeing me.”

“Then why are you acting like he told you to get lost?” Theo would notice, of course. His voice softens, which is worse than the chirping. “Kai?”

“Don’t.”

“If something happened⁠—”

“Nothing happened.” If I don’t stop snapping at him, this will go on all day.

Theo keeps his eyes on me, but I look away first. Apparently that’s what I do now. Look away, walk away, and duck the hit before it lands.

“Okay,” Jace says.

I look at him. “Okay?”

He shrugs. “We’re your friends. You don’t have to talk to us until you want to, but you’re coming to dinner.”

“No, I’m not.”

Theo grins. “Yes, you are. Lobby at six, otherwise we’ll send McKay to get you.”

What a terrible thought. McKay could bring a grizzly bear out of hibernation.

“Fine,” I say. “Now get out so I can shower.”

Jace stands and pats my shoulder on the way past. “Wear something cheerful.”

“I’ll probably wear black to mourn your personality.”

Theo laughs. “That’s our Kai.”

Once they’re gone, I sit on the edge of the bed but still can’t find any peace. I told them nothing is wrong, and I’m telling myself the same thing. It doesn’t work.

Groaning, I pick up the phone. Oskar’s message is still there, so I open the thread before I can talk myself out of it.

KAI: Getting ready for dinner. I’m not ready to see you again. Give it some time, and maybe I’ll change my mind. I know you have a game tonight, so good luck.

That sounds reasonable. Mature, even.

I hit send. Goodbye, Oskar.

The shower is too hot, but I like it that way. Steam fills the bathroom, thick enough to make everything disappear. I brace my hands against the tile and let water pound the back of my neck. This is unacceptable.