Page 110 of Shots & Echoes

But it wasn’t just physical. Something deeper shifted within me. I lay there in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, feeling different—changed. A part of me felt raw and exposed, like I had given him something that could never be returned. The walls I’d built around myself began to crack under the weight of what we’d crossed together.

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling as memories flooded back—the way he’d looked at me with that fierce intensity, how his breath had felt against my neck when he whispered those words.

It scared me how much I craved that connection—the need for him to touch me again, to grip me like he meant it. But alongside that hunger came fear—fear of what this meant for everything else: my future, my goals, the jersey I fought so hard for. Would I lose sight of who I was? Would I become someone entirely different under his influence?

I pressed my palm against my bruised thigh again and winced at the sharp sting—but it felt good. It reminded me of him. The reality settled around me like a heavy fog; Knox Callahan had left a mark on more than just my body.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the world around me fading into a blur as I replayed every second in that locker room. The air had crackled with tension, and I could still feel the heat of his body pressed against mine, his breath hot on my skin.

Knox’s growl echoed in my mind—my name on his lips like a warning and a promise all at once.

“Iris.”

That one word had wrapped around me, tethering me to him in a way that sent shivers down my spine. He took me with an urgency that felt primal, like he was marking territory he never wanted to relinquish. The memory of how he’d pinned my wrists above my head surged through me, igniting a fire that burned bright and unyielding.

I clenched my thighs together, feeling the heat pooling between them. My body responded instinctively to the memory, betraying me as it always did when it came to him. I felt disgusted with myself—how could I want him again so soon after everything? I should feel guilty for what we’d done, for crossing lines that shouldn’t have existed in the first place. But all I could think about was how much I craved him—the way he made me feel alive and reckless.

The ache inside me pulsed with every thought of him, making it hard to breathe. How could one moment with Knox Callahanturn everything upside down? The jersey seemed so distant now; my focus blurred by lust and desire.

It wasn’t just about the physical release anymore; it was about him—about wanting more than just a fleeting encounter behind closed doors. I needed to feel that connection again, to drown myself in the intensity of what we had ignited together.

But there was a price for wanting him this way—a cost that loomed over us both like a storm cloud threatening to break. And deep down, part of me feared losing control completely if I let this go any further.

Panic clawed at my insides as I sat up in bed, heart racing. I pressed my palms against my forehead, trying to stave off the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind.

What had I done?

The exhilaration of last night faded under the harsh light of reality, and I felt it sink into the pit of my stomach like a stone.

What if someone found out?

The very idea sent a chill through me. If word got out about Knox and me—about what we had done—everything would change. My career was built on discipline and focus, on proving myself as a serious contender for Team USA. This was a delicate balance I had worked so hard to maintain.

My dad’s voice echoed in my head:“Keep your eyes on the prize, Iris.”He had always believed in me, always pushed me to be better, stronger. If he found out… Would he see me as just another girl caught up in some reckless fling? Would he think I’d let it all slip away for a moment of weakness?

The thought made my chest tighten painfully. I couldn’t let that happen. My future hinged on this opportunity; one mistake could shatter everything I had worked for since I first laced up my skates.

And Callahan—my coach’s eyes narrowed in judgment flashed before me like a warning sign. He wouldn’t hesitate touse any slip-up against me. If he discovered the truth about Knox and me, he’d write me off without a second thought, just another failed athlete who couldn’t keep her priorities straight.

I buried my face in my hands, frustration bubbling inside me. All because I couldn’t say no to him. To Knox Callahan—the man who turned everything upside down with just one touch.

But choosing Knox meant risking everything.

I toldmyself I could handle it. I could face Knox without letting everything we’d done spiral out of control. I had to keep my head in the game, focus on the meeting with the team. This was about our future—about my future. But as I stepped into the rink later that day, doubt crept in like an unwelcome shadow.

Knox was already there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked casual, but there was a tension in his posture that crackled like static in the air.

When our eyes locked, my heart slammed against my ribs so hard it felt like a punch to the gut. Everything around me faded into a blur; it was just him and me, caught in this electric moment.

He wore that damn smirk again—the one that made my stomach flutter and my skin burn with heat. And it was there in his gaze—the memory of last night still simmering between us like a flame just waiting for a gust of wind to reignite it.

The way he looked at me sent a shiver down my spine; it felt as if he was still inside me, claiming me all over again. A wave of heat rushed through me, and I couldn’t help but remember how it felt to have him hold me captive, how he took what he wanted without hesitation or regret.

But this wasn’t supposed to happen—not here, not now. I clenched my fists at my sides to steady myself, forcing back every thought that threatened to spill over into reality. I couldn’t let anyone see how much this affected me; I couldn’t show weakness—not when everything depended on keeping up appearances.

Yet deep down, I knew one thing: despite all the chaos swirling inside me; I wasn’t sorry for what happened between us—not even a little bit.

I forced myself to sit with the girls, the familiar chatter swirling around me like a protective cocoon. They laughed and joked, and I did my best to laugh when they laughed, to keep up the facade. But every time I caught Knox's gaze from across the room, a bolt of electricity shot through me. His eyes roamed over me, lingering on my skin, and my body remembered the heat of his touch.

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