Chapter 55

ADRIEN

The sky was barely lit, that deep blue-gray that only creeps in before sunrise. The track was empty, just me and the thud of my sneakers pounding against the pavement. The cool air bit at my skin, but the adrenaline pushed me forward, faster.

Harder.

I was drenched in sweat, shirtless, lungs burning in the best kind of way. “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick blasted in my ears, the bass thumping straight into my chest like a second heartbeat.

But that wasn’t the only thing keeping me going.

All I could see in my head was her. Kaia.

Last week’s memory played on repeat—her stepping out of the dorm with Callum, laughing like he was her whole damn world. Her red dress hugging every curve. Her eyes glowing in that stupid soft way she used to look at me with. Only this time, it wasn’t for me.

It was for him.

Being pissed about it would be an understatement.

She looked good that night. Too good. And the fact that she dressed up like that for Callum?

Yeah. It fucking stung.

The song began to fade in my headphones, the beat softening. My legs finally slowed down, the sprint falling into a jog, then a walk as I made my way to the bleachers. My chest heaved with heavy breaths, and I braced my hands on my hips, trying to steady it.

Sweat dripped from my forehead as I ripped the headphones off, grabbing my water bottle and chugging back a few sips. The chill of it wasn’t enough to cool the fire building in my chest.

Ding.

I blinked down at my phone lying in the side pocket of my duffel bag. One new message.

Jenna.

I let out a groan and rolled my eyes. Another text.

I didn’t even open it.

No matter how many times I made it clear, she just wouldn’t get the hint. She was cute, sure, but I wasn’t interested. Never was. And honestly? It was Amy’s fault for even giving her my number in the first place.

Now I couldn’t shake her off.

I tossed the phone back into my duffel with more force than necessary, slung the bag over my shoulder, and started the walk back to my dorm.

But then I stopped.

A flash of red caught my eye.

I narrowed my gaze across the courtyard, eyes locking onto the unmistakable sight of Callum’s red car parked in front of the girls’ dorm building.

Again?

Before I could even look away, the door opened and out came Callum himself. He looked like he just got out of the damn shower. Two minutes later, Kaia walked out.

And just like that, the air in my lungs tightened.

Callum greeted her with a smile that made me want to punch something, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss. Right there, in the open. Like he owned the moment. Like he had her.

I stood frozen, watching like a fucking idiot.

She smiled at him—really smiled. The kind that made her eyes squint slightly and her nose scrunch up just a little. I used to be the one who saw that smile first. Now?

Now it wasn’t mine.

He opened the car door for her and she slipped inside like she belonged there. Like she belonged with him.

The car pulled off, heading out of campus, and I stood there wondering where the hell he was taking her so early in the morning. Breakfast date? Coffee run? Another attempt at being her perfect gentleman?

Whatever it was, it was working.

I’d seen that stupid red car parked in front of the girls’ dorm more times than I could count lately. The guy’s always there. Always around. Like a fucking shadow she doesn’t mind having.

Meanwhile, I haven’t spoken to her since that night I took her to the rink.

I don’t even know if they’re officially dating now or not. But with how often he shows up, it wouldn’t surprise me.

I clenched my jaw so hard it started to ache.

Then I forced myself to move. Left foot. Right foot. Just walk.

The farther I got from that car, the tighter the ache grew in my chest.

My feelings for Kaia were clear as day. I liked her—hell, maybe I even more than liked her. But every time I tried to get close, he was there. Blocking any chance I had. Holding her hand. Taking her out. Making her smile.

So now I’m stuck watching from the sidelines, silently rooting for the girl I want to be happy… even if it’s not with me.

And it makes me regret every damn moment I wasted pushing her away. Hating her. Fighting with her.

When what I should’ve done… was tell her the truth.

That it’s always been her.

OoO

I was taking it out on the punching bag. Every swing, every jab, every blow—I threw it with all the frustration bottled up in me from this morning.

Kaia and Callum.

That damn image of them together kept flashing through my head, burning its way in like it belonged there. Her stepping out of the dorm, looking effortlessly beautiful, and him—grinning like he owned her—hugging her like it was nothing. Kissing her like it was his place.

I didn’t even realize Amir was struggling to keep the bag still until I heard him grunt.

“Bro, can you chill?” he snapped, bracing himself harder against it. “You’re gonna tear the thing off the chains.”

But I couldn’t stop.

I didn’t want to stop.

Another punch.

And another.

My knuckles were starting to sting, but I didn’t care. All I saw was that red car parked outside her dorm. All I could think about was what they were doing right now, while I was here—sweating, fuming, stuck in my own head.

“Adrien!”

One final blow, and Amir shoved me back. Hard enough to make me stumble a few steps.

I stood there, chest heaving, sweat dripping down my face, jaw tight as hell.

“What’s going on with you?” he asked, giving me that look like he already knew the answer.

“Nothing,” I muttered, brushing him off and motioning to the bag. “Let’s go again.”

“No. You’re not even in the right headspace right now.”

I turned away, fists clenched, trying to calm the storm inside me.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Is this about Kaia?”

I didn’t answer. Didn’t have to. The silence said enough.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he muttered, nodding slowly. “Can’t say I blame you. If my enemy was dating the girl I liked, I’d be pissed off too.”

That word—enemy—dug under my skin.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“He’s always around her,” I said, finally cracking. “Every damn time I look up, it’s him. It’s like he doesn’t have anything better to do but circle her like a fucking hawk. And that car—that red piece of shit is like a permanent fixture outside her dorm now.”

Amir raised an eyebrow. “Damn. Someone sounds jealous.”

I scoffed. “It’s more than that.”

I turned back to the bag. Amir moved behind it again, waiting.

“Then spit it out,” he said.

I started punching again, this time with a little less fire, but just as much feeling.

“I know his type. The guy thrives on attention. He’s probably using Kaia to look good—boost his image. He’s not gonna treat her right. Not the way she deserves.”

Amir was quiet for a second. Then:

“Oh? So you can?”

I stopped. Looked over my shoulder.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Amir gave me a deadpan look.

“Come on, bro. You’re not exactly a saint. You used to play around with girls like it was a sport. Party hookups, flings—hell, you didn’t even remember some of their names the next day. You’re basically a wild card when it comes to girls.”

I didn’t say anything. Mostly because I couldn’t argue.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you actually be serious about someone,” he continued. “So what happens when you get bored of Kaia? You gonna leave her and move on to the next?”

His words hit like a sucker punch. Right in the gut.

I shook my head, firm. “I wouldn’t do that to her. She’s different.”

“Then show it.” Amir’s voice was quieter now, but sharper. “Actions speak louder than words, man. You want her? Then do something about it. Don’t just stand around watching another guy treat her better than you could’ve. Make a move before it’s too late.”

I stared at the bag for a second, then threw another punch. Slower this time. Controlled.

Each hit now came with a thought, a reflection, a regret.

Because Amir wasn’t wrong.

Watching Callum make her smile while I stood on the sidelines? It made me feel like the biggest coward alive.

And maybe… maybe it was time I did something about it.