Page 71 of Instigator

“Hi. I wanted to check in, see how the helmet’s fitting. Any complaints?”

“It’s a little… itchy.”

“Itchy?” she repeats.

I don’t know how to explain it. “The protective fabric doesn’t feel very good. I don’t like it.”

“Hmm.” She jots down some notes. “Aside from that, does it feel like any other helmet you’ve worn?”

I nod. “Now, if you could find a way to keep the visor from fogging up, you’d be in business.”

“Noted. What would you like us to change?”

“If you could⁠—”

Ceci walks into the room, attention on her phone, and I cut myself off. She’s so fucking gorgeous, dressed in slacks and a silky blouse, pointy heels, and that fuck-me berry-red lipstick I can’t stop dreaming of.

She looks up.

Our eyes connect.

A beat passes between us. My heart tries to leap out of my chest and fuse itself to hers. I want to cross the room and pull her into my arms. To take her, to claim her in front of her friend. In front of everyone.

Guilt creases her face.

And then she looks away.

Brutal.

My stomach sinks, and I try to force my gaze away; I need to, but I can’t stop staring at her. What I would give to see those kiss-stung lips stretched wide around my cock. My traitorous dick twitches as all the blood in my body rushes south, and my mouth goes dry, and—fuck, what was I saying?

“Aidan?” Dr. Whitney prompts.

“Uh…”

“If I could what?”

“I don’t know,” I blurt. “I’ve got to go.”

“But—”

Before she can get her words out, I rise to my feet and rush from the room. I jog down the hallway and back to the safety of the dressing room. A few teammates call out to me, but I ignore them all.

I step into the empty shower room fully clothed. Water sloshes beneath the soles of my sneakers as I find the far stall, the very last one in the row. My favorite.

Leaning against the tiled wall, I scrub my hands over my face.

Why, why, why?

Why am I such a fucking idiot around her? Why did I let myself get so fucking invested? Why does she have so much power over me?

Footsteps echo off the tiled floor, and I squeeze my eyes shut. If I can’t see them, they can’t see me. I’m invisible again.

“Aidan?”

Ceci.

Fuck.