Page 67 of Too Safe

I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek.

Hunter asked me in class today if I was going to the game this weekend. It’s an away game, but a lot of students are planning to carpool and tailgate beforehand since it’s only a few hours from here.

I intended to ask Kylian about it tonight. Mainly, I wanted to figure out whether staying behind was a possibility. I’m pretty sure that’s not going to be an option based on the way both Decker and Kendrick are glowering at me.

“Obviously, Josephine will be traveling with us.”

I snort. It wasn’t obvious to me.

Decker raises one brow, his onyx eyes piercing me as he continues. “I’m not comfortable with her staying in her own hotel room, given the circumstances. She’ll be with Kylian at the game, but for the rest of the time—”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest as I return Decker’s hard stare.

He doesn’t reply—doesn’t even react—before clearing his throat and continuing.

“She needs to be with one of us at all times.” He looks from Locke to Kendrick, then back to me. “We leave Friday afternoon. We’ll stay at the team hotel overnight, then head home after the game on Saturday, understood?”

Understood. As if it’s a question of comprehension. This asshole.

Emboldened, I plant my hands on my hips. “I’ll room with Kylian,” I declare.

The corner of Decker’s mouth curls up.

“No, you won’t. Kyl needs to keep his head in the game. We need him focused and rested on Saturday.”

I don’t dignify that implication—that Kylian wouldn’t be “rested” if he shared a room with me—with a response. Kylian and I have already shared a roomanda bed. He slept just fine that night, but Decker doesn’t get to know that.

Shrugging as if it doesn’t matter, I provide an alternative. “I’ll stay with Locke, then.”

Locke flicks a glance at me and sticks his tongue in his cheek. “Works for me.”

“No,” Decker barks.

I swear steam billows from my ears at his response.

No?

My focus shifts to Locke once more. I get that Decker is the quarterback. That this is his team. His house. His boys. His captive. But this shouldn’t be his call.

“Nicky needs rest before the game. It’s hard enough on him to be in a different bed on the road. He doesn’t need a roommate to add to his plate.”

I watch, horrified, as Decker’s words register with Locke. His face drops, first in disappointment, then with acceptance. He sighs—a long, drawn-out sound of defeat. When he finally meets my gaze, all the playfulness from earlier has been sapped. He looks a little pissed, but mostly just resigned.

“Sorry, Joey. Decker’s right.”

So much for hoping Locke would find it within himself to side with me for once. This can’t be happening. I’m not allowed to room with Kylian, and now Locke isn’t an option. That means…

“You wanna win on Saturday?” Kendrick’s words are cool and measured. His tone is surprisingly even given the way his hands are digging into the edge of the kitchen island. With his head bowed, he turns to face Decker, waiting him out.

I hold my breath as tension thrums between them. Finally, Decker takes the bait.

“What kind of question is that? You know I want to win.”

“Then keep her the fuck away from me.”

Kendrick pushes off the island and storms out of the kitchen, pounding up the stairs without a backward glance.

I close my eyes and pull in a long, shuddering breath.

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