Page 37 of Too Safe

Decker is the quarterback, which means he’s involved in all the offensive plays.

Kendrick is a running back, and he ends up with the ball about half the time. He’s scored twice so far today, and, according to Kylian, he keeps getting downs, whatever that means.

Locke’s position is guard. He’s taken hit after hit from the guys trying to get to Decker. He hasn’t let anyone through yet.

It’s the person I’m parked next to who surprises me most, though. Now that I’m watching him in action, Decker’s comment about Kylian makes sense. Heisthe team.

Kylian is juggling two tablets and wearing a headset. Every time a play occurs on the field, he types furiously on one of his iPads, and the whole screen of numbers and figures recalculates. He scrolls through—clicking and tapping faster than humanly possible—then calls out random nonsense into a headset.

It’s fascinating to watch him work. He’s locked in and laser-focused. It’s like his brain is in another dimension, totally unaffected by the chaos and pandemonium around us.

The coaching staff and team give him a wide berth, so we have an entire bench to ourselves. Beside me, it’s just Kylian, his devices, those fast fingers, and his calm, confident murmurs into the mic.

I can’t stop watching him. The skill he possesses is insanely sexy. It’s obvious Kylian was meant to do this, whatever this is.

“It’s stats,” he tells me when I ask him to explain it between the first and second quarter. Because in addition to being a wizard with his various spreadsheets, he can also carry on a conversation with me.

“The coaches make the final play calls. But I update our stats in real time, calculating the probability of success associated with each play. More and more professional teams are deferring to stats for play calling. Decker’s convinced I’ll land a job with him or Kendrick next year when they’re drafted.”

The team runs off the field at halftime, but Kylian stays put, so I stay seated, too. I assume he’s still deep in his spreadsheets when his words catch me off guard.

“If you need to go anywhere or do anything… I’ll help. Just ask, and I’ll help.”

Emotion clogs my throat. I have to remind myself that he’s partly to blame for why I’m stuck at the Crusade Mansion, though.

“Why?” I ask with a shaky breath.

He doesn’t answer right away. In fact, so much time passes, I’m convinced he’s not going to answer me at all. The roar of the crowd kicks back up as halftime ends and the team rushes back onto the field.

“You’re not alone in this, Jo,” he says, cupping his mic so his words don’t carry. “I’ll help,” he repeats.

I don’t have time to reply before the start of the third quarter.

Chapter 16

Josephine

“Peoplearealreadyhere?”I ask as I take in the scene. Kylian is easing the speed boat up along the dock as a ferry unloads a few dozen partiers.

The Crusaders won their first game, and apparently, it’s time to celebrate.

“Yep,” he answers evenly as he climbs out of the boat. His eyebrows pull together as he uses some kind of fancy knot maneuver to secure it to the dock. Does everyone just know how to drive watercraft and make those crazy boating knots around here?

Kylian offers his hand to assist me off the boat, his expression softening when he catches sight of me.

“Don’t worry about your room. No one’s allowed upstairs without approval.”

I lift my hand to my mouth to hold back a laugh, thinking about the two grumpy security guards from last weekend’s party. Now the stanchions make sense, and I’m actually sort of grateful for them.

Turning toward the house, Kylian keeps hold of my hand for a few seconds, guiding me up the dock. By the time we step onto the beach, we’re walking side by side.

I feel compelled to say something—to, I don’t know, thank him for today? For his offer to help?

But when his gaze meets mine, I almost trip. His face sags, and his usually clear light blue eyes are slightly bloodshot behind his glasses. He looks utterly exhausted.

“I’ll be in the Nest. Text me or just come up if you need anything.”

I noticed his number in my phone this morning. All the guys’ numbers were there.

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