Page 12 of Red Zone

“I know.” The words tasted like a lie. I didn’t want to ruin her life—or mine. But no matter how hard I tried, staying away from Skye felt like fighting gravity. Impossible. My confession hung in the air, heavy from finally being spoken.

Ares leaned back, folding his arms.

“She’s everywhere lately,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “Practice, tutoring, the sidelines… It’s like she’s haunting me.” In my head, on the field, in Coach’s damn livingroom. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the way seeing her again knocked me completely off balance.

I gripped the glass of water like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. The noise of the bar buzzed in the background, barely registering. I wasn’t there to unwind—hell, I didn’t even know why I was there. All I knew was that sitting at home, alone with my thoughts, wasn’t an option.

“She’s probably not trying to run into you,” Kylian said evenly, but his gaze sharpened. “She moved on, right? Maverick and all that?”

The mention of Maverick made my stomach churn. “Yeah. Sure looks that way.”

Before either of them could respond, the door to the bar swung open, letting in a gust of cold air. All three of us turned instinctively, and my chest tightened when I saw Skye enter. She stepped inside, glancing around like she was looking for someone. Her dark hair caught the dim light, and even in the chaos of the crowd, she stood out like a beacon.

“Damn,” Ares muttered. “She’s here.”

“Looks like she’s meeting someone,” Kylian added, his tone careful.

My jaw clenched as I tracked her movements. She hadn’t noticed me yet, her eyes scanning the room, and I couldn’t look away. She stood just inside the door, her expression carefully neutral, though I could see the tension in her shoulders. She was looking for someone, and I already knew who.Maverick.

Sure enough, Maverick leaned casually against the bar, and when he saw her, his grin widened. Something inside me twisted as he pushed off the countertop and closed the space between them. He pulled her into a quick hug, his arm slung over her shoulder like it belonged there.

I clenched my jaw, biting back the jealousy that surged through me like wildfire.What the hell is he to her?Brotherly,my ass. He was always there—on campus, after our last game, now here. Always close, always in her orbit.

Maverick said something, and Skye laughed lightly, but when he motioned toward my booth, her whole body went still. Her shoulders stiffened, her gaze following his gesture until it landed on me. I knew the exact moment she spotted me. Her lips pressed into a tight line, and for a second, I thought she might turn around and walk out. But she didn’t. Instead, she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and started toward me, her movements measured and deliberate. Her defiance lit something in me that was equal parts infuriated and captivated. She’d always had that effect on me.

Ares exchanged a look with Kylian then turned to me. “We’ll give you some space.”

“What?” I snapped, dragging my attention away from Skye to glare at them for deserting me.

Kylian smirked knowingly. “You’re wound tight, and we’re not sticking around to watch you implode. Talk to her, Liam.”

“I don’t need?—”

“Yeah, you do,” Ares interrupted, sliding out of the booth. “And you’re welcome for us clearing the way.”

Before I could argue, Kylian and Ares were gone, leaving me alone to stew in my mess.

“Liam.” Skye slid into the booth across from me, her tone neutral, like she was trying to pretend it wasn’t awkward as hell.

“Skye.” I leaned back, forcing myself to appear calm, casual, though my pulse pounded in my ears. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I could say the same.” Her gaze flicked to the glass of water in front of me. “I thought this place wasn’t your scene anymore.”

“It isn’t.” I shrugged, swirling the ice in my glass. “I needed a distraction.”

She raised a brow, a flicker of skepticism in her eyes. “Funny. I wouldn’t think the great Liam Cartwright needs distractions. According to your rant, football keeps you busy enough.”

I flinched, the jab hitting harder than it should have, but I forced a tight smile. “It does. But sometimes, it’s not enough.”

The weight of those words hung between us, thick and charged. Skye’s fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag, and for once, she didn’t have a quick comeback.

“I was thinking about freshman year,” I said suddenly, my voice quieter. “The night before our first big game. You remember?”

Her gaze snapped to mine, her expression instantly guarded. “Of course, I remember.”

“You stayed up with me,” I said, the memory clawing at my throat. “I was a wreck—nervous as hell—but you kept me grounded. Made me believe I could handle it.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You didn’t need me to believe in you, Liam. You always knew who you were.”

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