“With you leading the forward pack, I don’t doubt it,” Jayden says. “I saw you out there today. You were a force to be reckoned with.”
His compliment catches me off guard. “Oh, thanks. I’m just trying to do my part.”
“She’s being modest,” Killian chimes in. “I have a few friends on the team, and I heard Dylan was schooling everyone out there. They said we should have seen the look on Coach’s face when she scored that try—he was impressed.”
I feel a blush spreading across my cheeks at their praise. I’m not used to having my talents acknowledged so openly.
“Well, I guess I’m just motivated this season,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear self-consciously. “I really want to prove I deserve to be here.”
“We know, and you do,” Jayden says softly, his hazel eyes boring into mine. I feel a spark of electricity between us, and I know he senses it, too. I quickly avert my gaze before I do something reckless, like grabbing him by one of his bulging biceps and kissing him senseless. Get it together, Dylan. Platonic roommates, just friends. For now, at least...
The conversation moves on, but the charged moment lingers. As we joke and banter, I feel myself relaxing. Maybe this will work after all. These tempting guys don’t have to be off limits—with some friendly flirting and a little self-control, we can enjoy each other’s company without crossing the line, more than we already have.
At least not yet...
Chapter 28
Dylan
Thesunishighin the sky, hovering over the sports field. Shouts punctuate the air as athletes run drills, rugby balls spiraling, boots scuffing.
I weave through the crowds, eyes scanning for my team, when they catch on him.
Kai. Surrounded as usual by an enthusiastic group of beautiful women, their laughter too loud, their touches too casual. What is a group of women like that called, anyway? A bevy of beautiful Beckys? An army of attractive Amys? A harem of hot Hannahs?
But despite their enthusiasm, his easy smile doesn't reach his eyes, and they instead find mine. A jolt rushes through me as memories of our night together flash in my mind—the brush of his lips on my neck, his hands roaming my body.
I force my gaze away. Focus, Dylan. You're here for rugby, not some schoolgirl fantasy. Still, my eyes drift back to him, to the tattoos snaking down his arms, the muscles flexing as he stretches.
As I watch, he extracts himself from the women with an effortless excuse and starts towards me. My heart pounds. His walk is languid, yet purposeful.
"Fancy seeing you here," he says, his full lips quirking and revealing straight, white teeth that make my body respond with quivers and tingles. I’m a sucker for great teeth, muscles and tattoos, and this man checks all the boxes.
I laugh, a bit too high-pitched, and I inwardly wince as the sounds I’m making remind me of the gaggle of women that were just hanging off him. That’s the right terminology. A gaggle of gorgeousness. "Rescuing me from my own thoughts, maybe." I shake my head ruefully. "You're trouble, Kai."
His eyes soften. "I know things have been...awkward. What do you say we reset, for the club's sake?"
"So you do remember me?" I'm beyond confused. The way he looked blankly at me by the bar made me feel so insignificant, so irrelevant to him.
"How could I possibly forget you, Dylan?" His words are smooth but his eyes contain something genuine. Remorse, maybe? A hint of embarrassment?
I quirk a brow and frown. "Then why did you pretend not to—"
"Look, I'm sorry," he frowns. "I was just so surprised to see you, and there were so many people around. I'd had a few beers. I know that's not an excuse, but I didn't know what to do, so I reverted to my neutral stare."
"Your… neutral stare?"
"Yeah. It's how I deal with complicated situations when I can't think of words."
"I see," I press my lips together in a firm line. "You called me by the wrong name."
He nods and sighs. "Sorry about that, too. I realized as soon as I said it. I'm terrible with names. Dylan. Dylan Dylan Dylan. I know your name. and I won't fuck it up again. I promise."
I nod, exhaling the breath I'd apparently been holding. "Okay then. You had me very confused. But I guess that makes sense? It's not like we were dating or anything."
He looks relieved. "So… clean slate?"
My eyes meet his one more time, and he still seems genuine. I take a deep breath. "Okay. Reset. Clean slate." We share a tentative smile, a truce, and solidify it with a handshake.