Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Jaw clenched, Breck glared at him menacingly.
Kai punched in a passcode and opened the door. “Breck,” he murmured. “What a surprise.”
Breck just stood there, bristling from head to toe. All that pounding had flooded his system with even more adrenaline.
Kai regarded him carefully. “I presume you want to come in.” He stepped to the side and gestured for Breck to enter.
Breck yanked his hood off and stalked past the check-in counter. It felt like another lifetime since he’s been in this place. Muscles tight, he peered around the enclosure, the only illumination that of moonlight spearing in through the large arched windows.
Kai reached for the light switch.
“No. Keep ’em off.” No passersby needed to witness their impending exchange.
“Okay.” Kai dropped his hand and headed over.
Despite his fury, Breck drank him in. All sexy in those track pants and that snug long-sleeved tee. And just like that, a part of him wanted Kai like he had that fateful day, sprawled out on the mat. Ugh! Not now, idiot brain!
Kai joined him, coming to a stop just a few feet away.
Of their own volition, Breck’s lungs inhaled slow and deep. Fuck him sideways, Kai smelled as good as he looked. Breck started to salivate, which only made him that much madder. Fisting his hands, he willed himself to focus. “I told you not to go to the game.”
Kai crossed his arms and inclined his head. “Yes. You did.”
Breck glared at him. “But you still fucking went.”
“Never said that I wouldn’t.”
Breck seethed. That fucking dick.
Such nonchalance could have cost him the game!
His ire spiked, his ego demanding retribution. He gave Kai a shove. “So, what, you did it out of fuckin’ spite?”
Kai stumbled back but quickly steadied himself, then shot Breck a look. “Do not do that again.”
“Answer my question!”
“Of course, it wasn’t out of spite. I’d already bought my ticket when you’d made your little demand.”
Breck ground his teeth.
Kai frowned. “You’re drunk.”
“So fucking what.” Breck scowled indignantly. A couple of beers didn’t invalidate his reason for being angry.
“So, if you want to have a conversation with me, come back when you’re sober.”
“Fuck sober!” Breck shouted. The fucking nerve of him! “I wanna talk now!”
“You’re not talking, you’re shouting.”
“Because I’m pissed!”
“Over me coming to your game?”
“Yes! When I explicitly told you not to!”
Kai chuckled tightly. “Yeah, well, news flash, your highness. Unlike all your little worshipers, I don’t take orders from you. I’m part of this community. Teach the students of this campus every day. If I want to go to a basketball game, then I’m damn well going to go. I’ve got just as much right to be there as anyone else in this town.”
He did. Breck knew he did. But damn it, he was just too fucking angry to see reason. “You don’t even like basketball,” he ground out, fists clenching at his sides.
Kai re-crossed his arms and gave a shrug. “Tastes change.”
Breck scowled, even as a part of him delighted in the news. He couldn’t be happy that Kai had discovered an interest in his passion. It’d make things more complicated, and turn Kai into an even bigger liability. He needed to keep Kai as far away from the playoffs as humanly possible.
Insides warring, Breck held his gaze and muttered tightly, “I’m asking you nicely. Do not go to another game.”
Kai’s jaw subtly ticked. “Doesn’t sound like asking to me.”
“Please,” Breck bit out.
“Why’s it so important that I don’t go?”
“I told you already, at Scott’s.”
Kai shook his head. “That was the dumbest excuse I’ve ever heard. Tell me the real reason you’re so desperate that I stay away.”
“I’m not desperate! I just don’t want you there!”
Kai frowned, then lowered his voice. “Do you really hate me that much?”
Breck barked out a laugh before he could stop himself. “Hate you? My god, if only I could! That would solve my problem!”
Kai stilled, his lips parting.
Breck bit back a curse. He really hadn’t meant to say that stupid shit out loud.
“I distract you,” Kai murmured. “Just like in my class. So, you don’t want me to go because you think I’ll mess with your focus.”
He’d figured out the truth. Breck averted his gaze. To dodge with a lie now would only blow up in his face. “I don’t think you will,” he grated. “I know. I saw you tonight and, just like that, I lost my edge.”
“You played amazing—”
“We could’ve lost because of you!” Memories assailed him all over again of his shameful performance. Once his dad got ahold of him tomorrow, he’d never hear the end of it.
Kai stared at him, then chuckled incredulously. “You’re honestly blaming me for the outcome of your game? Wow, Breck.” He tightened his arms across his chest. “You must really want my dick.”
That asshole!
Breck punched him square in the face.
Kai’s head snapped to the side. Slowly, he turned back and met Breck’s eyes. “Piss drunk and childish,” he muttered. Coolly, he thumbed fresh blood from the corner of his mouth.