Third-party POVReed watched Lux as her gaze followed Kairos walk away, but there was no softness in them, no longing, just distance. Her gaze shifted to Lake, who leaned in to speak with her before following Kairos, and that too, made Reed uneasy.The vibes he got were strange—off. Especially since he believed Lux was supposed to be Kairos's mate.Kairos had denied it repeatedly. But Reed hadn’t believed him. Not until now. Because, as he stood there watching how they greeted each other, there was no sign of a connection between them. There was no subtle energy and barely any warmth. Instead, there was disconnect and coldness. Perhaps Kairos was not lying after all. But, what exactly was he doing in her dorm this morning?A new thought crossed Reed’s mind. Maybe it had only been a one-night stand. But that made no sense either; not after Lux's friend Lake freaked out about Kairos and called the cops. She would never have let him into their space after that.Reed's head snapped around
Lake's POVI walked behind Kairos, my steps not quick enough as he continued in front of me without even looking back, despite hearing me call out to him. I knew he had heard me, and ignoring me would not change anything.He’d made it clear it was over, that he couldn’t choose me. But I wasn’t done. It felt like something happened to me when he drank my blood, and I desperately wanted him so bad it physically hurt. I knew it was twisted to continue chasing after him after he told me he had a fiancee. I knew it was wrong to even give myself hope.But something inside me refused to listen to reason, and it was more than just wanting him; I needed him.When I saw him, it was like a fire ignited inside of me, and when he said he needed to go to the men's room, it was as if something else had taken over, and it didn't care if it was right or wrong.Normally I wouldn’t have gone after him like that, especially with the guys around, but this part of me that had somehow awakened didn’t care a
Lux's POVReed's Range Rover was a few rows down. He unlocked it, and we climbed inside, arms full of the hot dogs, sodas, and the crinkling bouquet he had gotten for me. It was sweet of him.He took the sodas and put them in the cup holders while I sat back in the passenger seat, pulling out my phone to call Lake, who made me frown when he answered. He sounded like he was in a moving vehicle, so I frowned and asked where he was. He said he had to return to our dorm and that I should call him when I needed him to come get me.I was dumbfounded as I asked myself what the hell it was going to take for him to stop doing what he was doing to himself. I didn’t need to ask to know he was with Kairos.My head collided with the headrest as I ended the call, and Reed was already starting the car, the low rumble of the engine humming beneath us as he pulled out of the spot. He gave me a soft glance. "Is everything okay? Is Lake going to join us?”I took a second to find my words before forcing
Lake's POVKairos and I didn’t say anything on the ride back to the dorms, and it felt like the longest ride before the car finally pulled into the parking lot. Exiting, we both went inside and the tension between us was still high, but I barely had time to close the door before Kairos drew me into a hug so tight that I thought I would collapse into him completely.It was as if he never wanted to let go, and my chest tightened, my eyes burning all over again as I held on as if he was the only thing holding me down.We didn’t speak. We just stood there, arms around each other, tears soaking into each other's shoulders as everything we were too afraid to say spilled out in the way we held each other. Then I heard his voice, muffled and broken.“I love you too,” he said. “And I don’t know what to do with myself, either.” My eyes shut, and my heart cracked even deeper at the pain in his voice.After a while, we slowly pulled back, both of us still trying to get it together as we wiped our
Lake's POV Kairos's question hit me like a straight punch in the chest, and I knew I should say no. We had just decided to become friends. I had made that promise to myself only twenty minutes before, and I knew what that kiss would do to me, how it would set me back and rip apart the resolve I was barely holding together with shaking hands.But I couldn’t say no. Instead, I leaned in and met him halfway. Our lips met, soft and desperate, and then nothing else existed. The surrounding walls vanished, and the voices in my head fell silent. The air shifted, and we landed back on the couch, lips still locked, as if gravity had given up on us. His knees straddled my hips, and I let my hands wrap around him, bringing him closer as if I could imprint him on me permanently.There was nothing rushed about it at first, just aching slow passion as we memorized each other for the final time.Every bit of pain associated with the decision to let him go was absorbed into that kiss. And I had no i
Lux's POVThe stadium was on fire, figuratively, of course but the energy felt powerful enough to melt steel. Our team had just scored a touchdown and added a clean three-pointer. The crowd erupted, with people on their feet, screaming and clapping, cups flying and popcorn spilling everywhere on the screen and around us.I didn’t know much about the sport when we first got here, but Reed had taken the time to explain it all, what to cheer for, what to groan at, and what plays meant we were winning. And somewhere in between the shouting and the laughter, I realized I was falling in love with this sport.However, my celebration had to be put on hold. "I need to use the restroom," I leaned over and told Reed over the noise. He pointed immediately. "That way, behind the wall. Will you be okay on your own?" I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”I turned to climb down, but Reed was already moving. Before I could say I could manage on my own, his feet hit the ground, and he extended his hand to he
Lux's POVI took a step back and narrowed my eyes at the girl, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Excuse me?" I asked firmly, while the voice inside me snapped at the audacity. Whatever was or was not going on between me and Reed was none of this girl's damn business.Who even was she?The girl blinked like she’d only just realized how far she’d gone, and her expression softened slightly as she ran a hand through her tangled curls.“I’m Charlotte,” she said, sticking out her hand like that would fix the weird vibe she’d just dropped into my lap. I didn’t take the hand; I didn’t know where that had been. Furthermore, I did not go around shaking strangers' hands.Withdrawing her hand awkwardly, she sniffled, her eyes darting around as if she was trying to gather herself, and I watched her fingers tremble as they swept through her hair again, confirming what I had already suspected—she was on something.“I didn’t mean to come off rude,” she went on. "I just—I saw you and Reed ou
Lux's POVThe ride through Silverglade was breathtaking. After leaving the stadium and the chaos behind us, Reed suggested we stop for ice cream, which we did. There was this cute little roadside stand with the aroma of sugar and waffle cones dancing in the air. He chose mint chocolate chips, while I went with salted caramel.We talked as we drove, and the blur of streetlights and people faded, leaving only the quiet edges of town. Silverglade looked stunning in the evening light. And I stared out the window, watching everything pass by.Reed followed a winding road up a hill surrounded by trees that arched slightly over the road. The way the light hit them made them appear almost enchanted, and I pointed out the trees with curiosity. “What kind are those?” I asked, leaning forward to take in the long trunks and far-reaching branches.“Those..” he said, his eyes flicking between the road and me. “Jacarandas. You’ll see them bloom soon, purple flowers everywhere. My father refers to th
Third-Party POV"I'm stupid for being heartbroken," Lux said. And Lake froze before the eggs in the pan sizzled and popped forgotten. He walked around the counter and wrapped his arms around Lux, engulfing her in a firm, protective hug that she fell into.Something twisted deep inside his chest. He was familiar with Alec and his friends' operations, having heard their stories when Alec returned home during breaks, the bravado, the casual bragging, the way girls were reduced to themes and moments. But he had hoped Alec would not pull such a stunt with Lux, knowing how much Lake cared for her.Lake's jaw tightened, and Lux gently drew back, just enough to look up at him, as she told him everything that had happened, including how Alec behaved as if he had never seen her before, how it broke her heart, and finally about Charlotte.She told Lake everything Charlotte said about Alec and his friends. But she paused as Lake's face turned red, and his eyes hardened with each word she said.Sh
Lux's POVReed looked at me as he ended the call, his expression changing to apologetic in a matter of seconds. “Hey, I'm really sorry… I need to go somewhere. Right now.”“It’s okay. I understand.”"I promise to make it up to you," he said quickly, and I nodded again, smiling slightly. One of the guys nearby must have overheard and chimed in, "She could hang with us; I will drop her off later—""–Absolutely not," Reed interrupted before the guy could finish, giving him one of those long, knowing stares that made me look between them both.Charlotte's words returned to my mind. They are all players. I shook the thought away as he gently touched my arm and motioned for us to leave. We turned and walked away, back towards his car. I could sense the tension in the air, as if he was half in his head and half trying to hold it together.“I really am sorry,” he said again as we reached the car. “It’s fine,” I replied. I was actually getting into the racing thing, but whatever was pulling hi
Lux's POVThe ride through Silverglade was breathtaking. After leaving the stadium and the chaos behind us, Reed suggested we stop for ice cream, which we did. There was this cute little roadside stand with the aroma of sugar and waffle cones dancing in the air. He chose mint chocolate chips, while I went with salted caramel.We talked as we drove, and the blur of streetlights and people faded, leaving only the quiet edges of town. Silverglade looked stunning in the evening light. And I stared out the window, watching everything pass by.Reed followed a winding road up a hill surrounded by trees that arched slightly over the road. The way the light hit them made them appear almost enchanted, and I pointed out the trees with curiosity. “What kind are those?” I asked, leaning forward to take in the long trunks and far-reaching branches.“Those..” he said, his eyes flicking between the road and me. “Jacarandas. You’ll see them bloom soon, purple flowers everywhere. My father refers to th
Lux's POVI took a step back and narrowed my eyes at the girl, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Excuse me?" I asked firmly, while the voice inside me snapped at the audacity. Whatever was or was not going on between me and Reed was none of this girl's damn business.Who even was she?The girl blinked like she’d only just realized how far she’d gone, and her expression softened slightly as she ran a hand through her tangled curls.“I’m Charlotte,” she said, sticking out her hand like that would fix the weird vibe she’d just dropped into my lap. I didn’t take the hand; I didn’t know where that had been. Furthermore, I did not go around shaking strangers' hands.Withdrawing her hand awkwardly, she sniffled, her eyes darting around as if she was trying to gather herself, and I watched her fingers tremble as they swept through her hair again, confirming what I had already suspected—she was on something.“I didn’t mean to come off rude,” she went on. "I just—I saw you and Reed ou
Lux's POVThe stadium was on fire, figuratively, of course but the energy felt powerful enough to melt steel. Our team had just scored a touchdown and added a clean three-pointer. The crowd erupted, with people on their feet, screaming and clapping, cups flying and popcorn spilling everywhere on the screen and around us.I didn’t know much about the sport when we first got here, but Reed had taken the time to explain it all, what to cheer for, what to groan at, and what plays meant we were winning. And somewhere in between the shouting and the laughter, I realized I was falling in love with this sport.However, my celebration had to be put on hold. "I need to use the restroom," I leaned over and told Reed over the noise. He pointed immediately. "That way, behind the wall. Will you be okay on your own?" I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”I turned to climb down, but Reed was already moving. Before I could say I could manage on my own, his feet hit the ground, and he extended his hand to he
Lake's POV Kairos's question hit me like a straight punch in the chest, and I knew I should say no. We had just decided to become friends. I had made that promise to myself only twenty minutes before, and I knew what that kiss would do to me, how it would set me back and rip apart the resolve I was barely holding together with shaking hands.But I couldn’t say no. Instead, I leaned in and met him halfway. Our lips met, soft and desperate, and then nothing else existed. The surrounding walls vanished, and the voices in my head fell silent. The air shifted, and we landed back on the couch, lips still locked, as if gravity had given up on us. His knees straddled my hips, and I let my hands wrap around him, bringing him closer as if I could imprint him on me permanently.There was nothing rushed about it at first, just aching slow passion as we memorized each other for the final time.Every bit of pain associated with the decision to let him go was absorbed into that kiss. And I had no i
Lake's POVKairos and I didn’t say anything on the ride back to the dorms, and it felt like the longest ride before the car finally pulled into the parking lot. Exiting, we both went inside and the tension between us was still high, but I barely had time to close the door before Kairos drew me into a hug so tight that I thought I would collapse into him completely.It was as if he never wanted to let go, and my chest tightened, my eyes burning all over again as I held on as if he was the only thing holding me down.We didn’t speak. We just stood there, arms around each other, tears soaking into each other's shoulders as everything we were too afraid to say spilled out in the way we held each other. Then I heard his voice, muffled and broken.“I love you too,” he said. “And I don’t know what to do with myself, either.” My eyes shut, and my heart cracked even deeper at the pain in his voice.After a while, we slowly pulled back, both of us still trying to get it together as we wiped our
Lux's POVReed's Range Rover was a few rows down. He unlocked it, and we climbed inside, arms full of the hot dogs, sodas, and the crinkling bouquet he had gotten for me. It was sweet of him.He took the sodas and put them in the cup holders while I sat back in the passenger seat, pulling out my phone to call Lake, who made me frown when he answered. He sounded like he was in a moving vehicle, so I frowned and asked where he was. He said he had to return to our dorm and that I should call him when I needed him to come get me.I was dumbfounded as I asked myself what the hell it was going to take for him to stop doing what he was doing to himself. I didn’t need to ask to know he was with Kairos.My head collided with the headrest as I ended the call, and Reed was already starting the car, the low rumble of the engine humming beneath us as he pulled out of the spot. He gave me a soft glance. "Is everything okay? Is Lake going to join us?”I took a second to find my words before forcing
Lake's POVI walked behind Kairos, my steps not quick enough as he continued in front of me without even looking back, despite hearing me call out to him. I knew he had heard me, and ignoring me would not change anything.He’d made it clear it was over, that he couldn’t choose me. But I wasn’t done. It felt like something happened to me when he drank my blood, and I desperately wanted him so bad it physically hurt. I knew it was twisted to continue chasing after him after he told me he had a fiancee. I knew it was wrong to even give myself hope.But something inside me refused to listen to reason, and it was more than just wanting him; I needed him.When I saw him, it was like a fire ignited inside of me, and when he said he needed to go to the men's room, it was as if something else had taken over, and it didn't care if it was right or wrong.Normally I wouldn’t have gone after him like that, especially with the guys around, but this part of me that had somehow awakened didn’t care a