CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6

The moment the door swung open, Adrian’s stomach dropped.

Because the person standing there wasn’t just an interruption.

They were a threat.

Leo Carter.

A teammate. Not a particularly close one, but familiar enough. Leo was a forward on the team—a decent player, known for being a little too nosy and always hanging around the wrong conversations.

Right now, his sharp brown eyes darted between them, taking in the scene too quickly. Adrian shirtless, Julian standing way too close, tension crackling in the air. The way Julian hadn’t moved an inch, his expression as unreadable as ever.

A slow smirk tugged at Julian’s lips, but Adrian wasn’t fooled. Behind that amused front was something colder—calculating.

“What do you want, Carter?” Julian asked smoothly, his tone bored.

Leo hesitated. His mouth opened, then closed. Then, like he had decided on something, he cleared his throat and shrugged.

“Didn’t know this room was taken.” His voice was too casual. Too forced.

Adrian’s jaw clenched. He could feel the weight of Leo’s stare on him, analyzing, connecting dots.

Julian, still exuding confidence, tilted his head. “And yet you barged in anyway.”

Leo hesitated just a second too long before forcing a chuckle. “Didn’t expect to find you two here.”

That was a lie.

Adrian could tell from the flicker of something in Leo’s eyes—curiosity, maybe even something darker.

The tension in the room stretched, suffocating.

Then Julian did something that made Adrian’s blood boil.

He laughed.

Low and smooth, like the situation wasn’t dangerous. Like there wasn’t the possibility that Leo had already figured something out.

And then, in the most arrogant, reckless move possible, Julian reached out and ran a hand down Adrian’s arm.

Slow. Deliberate.

Adrian’s entire body went rigid.

“See something you like, Carter?” Julian asked, voice dripping with mockery.

Leo’s eyes widened for half a second before he quickly masked it with a scoff.

“Relax. Not my business.”

Adrian felt his pulse hammer in his throat. His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms.

Leo was lying again.

Because even as he turned to leave, there was something off in the way he moved. Like he had just stumbled upon a secret too big to ignore.

The second the door clicked shut behind him, Adrian rounded on Julian.

“What the hell was that?”

Julian merely lifted a brow. “You’re welcome.”

Adrian nearly punched him. “You—You just made it worse.”

Julian’s smirk didn’t falter. “He would’ve suspected either way. Now, he’s uncertain.”

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, pacing. His chest felt too tight.

If Leo talked—if word got out—

His career. His reputation.

Everything could be ruined.

Julian watched him, then sighed dramatically. “You really are a worrier, huh?”

Adrian stopped pacing long enough to glare at him. “Unlike you, I actually give a damn about what happens next.”

Julian hummed. “If you’re that concerned, handle it.”

Adrian scoffed. “And what, threaten him?”

Julian’s smirk sharpened. “I was thinking more… persuasion.”

Adrian exhaled sharply. “He already saw too much.”

Julian’s gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through it. “Then let’s hope he doesn’t run his mouth.”

That wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

Adrian shoved past Julian, grabbing his shirt from the floor and yanking it on. “I’ll deal with it.”

Julian chuckled. “I’d love to see you try.”

Adrian ignored him, already making his way out.

He needed to find Leo.

The party was still loud, but Adrian barely heard it over the pounding in his skull.

Leo was easy to find—leaning against the kitchen counter, nursing a drink.

He wasn’t talking to anyone. Just thinking.

Adrian clenched his jaw.

That was bad.

He strode over, grabbing Leo’s arm. “We need to talk.”

Leo blinked at him, startled, but didn’t resist as Adrian pulled him into a quieter hallway.

“Alright,” Leo muttered, pulling his arm free. “What’s your problem?”

Adrian exhaled. Be smart. Be careful.

“What you saw back there—”

Leo held up a hand. “Save it. Like I said, not my business.”

His voice was too neutral.

Adrian narrowed his eyes. “But you’re making it your business.”

Leo didn’t answer.

That silence was enough.

Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but if you say anything—”

Leo scoffed. “Relax. I’m not a snitch.”

Lie.

Adrian didn’t trust it.

Not one damn bit.

He studied Leo, searching for any tell, but Leo’s expression was unreadable.

Adrian’s gut churned.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

The Next Day – Locker Room

Practice had been brutal. Coach had pushed them harder than usual, and by the time Adrian stepped into the locker room, his muscles ached.

As he unwrapped his wrist tape, he felt eyes on him.

His head snapped up.

Leo.

Sitting across from him, tying his skates, but watching.

Adrian’s jaw clenched.

Neither of them spoke.

Then— Leo smirked.

Just the slightest twitch of his lips.

And Adrian knew.

Leo was enjoying this.

Enjoying the fact that Adrian didn’t know what he would do.

The tension between them coiled tight.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Leo looked away, finishing with his skates.

Adrian exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus on something else.

But the unease didn’t fade.

Because he knew—

This was only the beginning.

And then—

His phone vibrated.

He pulled it out, frowning.

A message.

From an unknown number.

"You should be more careful. Secrets don’t stay hidden forever."

Adrian’s pulse slammed.

He looked up—instinctively scanning the room—

But no one was looking at him.

No one but Leo.

And this time, Leo’s smirk was full.

Real.

Like he already knew.

Like he was saying—

Checkmate.