Page 65 of Captured Love

I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Just feeling good, I guess.”

Asher raises an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his face. “Oh really? Just 'feeling good'? Come on, spill it. Does it have something to do with a particular redhead that is also best friends with my girl?”

I pause, the lace in my hand tightening into a knot. Asher's not wrong; Selene has a lot to do with my improved mood. It’s been nice getting to talk to her again and getting to know her in…other ways, but I don’t really want to talk about it with the guys if I can avoid it.

At least not yet.

But given that Isla and Selene are best friends, it looks like I might be forced into a corner. I glance over at Asher, weighing my options. Before I can come up with a response that nicely tells him to fuck off, Wilder strolls over, towel slung around hisneck and smirking like he already knows the punchline to a joke we haven't heard yet.

“Don't tell me it's love that's turned you into frickin' Wayne Gretzky,” Wilder says, crossing his arms. “Because if that's the case, maybe I need to find myself a cute girl too.”

The locker room falls silent, all eyes on me. I can almost hear the unspoken “Ooooooh” hanging in the air.

I laugh, trying to defuse the sudden tension. “You'd have to develop a personality first, Wilder.”

He holds a hand to his chest, pretending that I actually hurt him. “Touché.”

The room erupts in noise again as soon as they realize that nothing else is going to come of this. I go back to untying my now double-knotted laces.

“Seriously though,” Asher says, leaning in closer so only I can hear. “I'm happy for you, man.”

“Thanks, but what did Isla say about Selene and me?”

Asher leans back, stretching his arms over this chest. “She may have mentioned that Selene and you are doing better this time around,” he says with a casual nonchalance that I don't buy for a second. “And that you two have been spending some time together. Dude, it's not like we're blind. We can see that you’ve been way happier recently. Hell, Wilder even mentioned that someone must have dislodged the stick from your ass.”

I roll my eyes as I finish with my laces and start peeling off my pads. “That’s all accurate. It’s been really good.”

Asher stands, starting to strip off his own pads. “So it's official then? You two are together?”

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. “We're taking it slow. Seeing where things go.”

“Yeah, sure,” Asher says, standing up and starting toward the showers. “Just remember, if you hurt her again, Isla will kill you. And then I'll have to kill you again for good measure.”

“Just know that goes both ways,roomie.”

Asher waves a hand dismissively but doesn't turn around. “Yeah, yeah. We’re all one big, happy, murderous family.”

I watch Asher disappear into the showers, his playful threat still lingering in my mind. He’s right, of course. If things go south with Selene again, it’s not just my relationship with her that’s on the line—it's my friendship with Asher and Isla, and potentially the entire team dynamic.

I strip down to my towel and head toward the showers, letting the hot water work its magic on my sore muscles. The team cycles in and out, some guys finishing up quickly while others take their time. By the time I’m back at my locker, most of the guys are dressed and making plans for the afternoon.

Levi walks by and points a finger at me. “Don't forget about dinner tonight.”

“I'll be there,” I say, toweling off my hair.

Levi pauses, as if he's about to say something else, then just nods and walks away.

As I’m getting dressed, my phone vibrates in my duffel bag. I reach for it and see a text from the woman of the hour.

Selene: How was practice?

I type a response, then delete it. Type another, then delete that too. Why is it so much harder to talk to her through a screen?

Me: Good. Exhausting. How are you?

I hit send and start dressing. My phone buzzes again.

Selene: Just finished class. Tired, but I’ll be okay.

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