Chapter 8 CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
YAEL
The first thing I registered when I woke up was warmth. The second was the smell—chlorine and something faintly like smoke and cedarwood.
My eyes fluttered open. For half a second, I didn’t remember where I was. Then I saw him.
Knox Hale.
Lying right beside me. One arm behind his head. His jacket tossed carelessly nearby. His lips parted slightly like he didn’t have a single worry in the world.
And that’s when it hit me—
Oh. My. God.
I was sleeping beside my brother’s biggest rival.
I shot up so fast I nearly fell into the pool.
“What—” I whispered under my breath, clutching my hair. “I must be insane. Actually clinically insane.”
Knox stirred slightly, eyes still closed, the ghost of a smirk forming on his lips. “Morning, princess.”
I froze. “Don’t. Call. Me. That.”
He cracked one eye open. “You talk in your sleep, you know that?”
“What?”
He grinned lazily. “You said my name. Twice.”
“I did not,” I hissed.
“You did. Sounded pretty too.”
I wanted to drown him right then and there. “You’re delusional.”
“Maybe,” he said, sitting up and stretching like this was just another Tuesday morning. “But you’re still here.”
That was enough to snap me out of whatever fog my brain was in. I stood, grabbed my bag, and glared. “I’m leaving.”
“Door’s still locked,” he said casually, nodding toward the hallway.
“I’ll find another way.”
He chuckled. “You always this dramatic in the morning?”
I ignored him and scanned the area, finally spotting a small exit door half-hidden behind a stack of cleaning supplies. I yanked it open and muttered, “Perfect.”
“Yael,” Knox called, voice teasing.
I didn’t turn back. “Don’t. Talk. To. Me.”
I ran.
By the time I made it back to my dorm, my pulse was still racing. I was drenched in sweat, my hair wild, my shirt creased—and I probably smelled like chlorine and bad decisions.
The hallway was empty, thank God. I fumbled for my key, slipped in, and slammed the door behind me.
Then I saw it.
Eighteen missed calls.
All from Aaron.
“Oh, no.” I dragged my hands down my face. “I’m so dead.”
I quickly changed into my softest pajamas, sprayed some of my night perfume to mask the pool smell, and dove into bed. I grabbed my phone, dimmed the light, and forced my breathing to slow.
Ten minutes later, there was a knock.
I froze.
Another knock, harder this time.
Then his voice. “Yael.”
Crap. Crap. Crap.
I yawned loudly, dramatically. “Mmmh? Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
I faked a sleepy groan. “Aaron? It’s so early…”
“Uh.” I said, rubbing fake sleep from my eyes as I shuffled to the door. I cracked it open.
Aaron stood there, arms crossed, his expression the perfect mix of suspicion and brotherly irritation.
“Why didn’t you open the door last night?” he asked.
I blinked innocently. “Last night?”
“Yes, Yael. I came by after the race. I knocked for ten minutes. You didn’t answer.”
“Oh,” I said quickly, brain scrambling. “That. Yeah, I was… studying.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Studying? With your light off?”
Crap. “I—uh—fell asleep while studying! You know me.” I forced a laugh. “Work hard, pass out harder.”
Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “You sure about that?”
I smiled too widely. “Positive.”
He sighed, stepping inside without permission, scanning the room like he’d find a criminal hiding behind my wardrobe. “You didn’t go anywhere last night, right?”
“Go anywhere? Me? Nooo,” I said, shaking my head so fast my ponytail smacked my shoulder. “Totally in bed. All night.”
His gaze was skeptical. “You look exhausted.”
“Insomnia.”
“You’re wearing perfume.”
“Mosquitoes hate it.”
His lips twitched. “You always lie this badly?”
I crossed my arms. “You always interrogate your sister like a cop?”
He exhaled sharply, rubbing his jaw. “You know how I get about safety, Yael. Especially after—”
“Don’t.” My tone came out sharper than I meant. “Don’t bring that up.”
His expression softened slightly. “Fine. I just… worry about you, okay?”
I nodded, guilt pricking my chest. “I know.”
He studied me a moment longer, then sighed. “Alright. I’ve got class. Try not to overwork yourself, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
He gave me one last suspicious look before walking out. The door clicked shut.
I slumped back against it, exhaling hard. “Holy crap.”
That was way too close.
My phone buzzed again.
This time—Maya and Liam.
Both had called. Multiple times.
I groaned. “What is this, National Let’s-Check-On-Yael Day?”
I texted quickly:
Yael: I’m fine. Just tired. Will explain later. Promise.
Maya replied instantly.
Maya: GIRL WHERE DID YOU GO LAST NIGHT???
Maya: You’re not expelled right???
I typed back fast.
Yael: No, no, no. I’m alive. Long story. Tell you after class.
Liam’s text popped up next.
Liam: Just making sure you didn’t end up in jail.
I rolled my eyes, smiling faintly.
Yael: Appreciate the concern, mom and dad.
Liam: You’re welcome.
I threw my phone on the bed and groaned into my pillow.
Trouble. That was the perfect word for it.
Trouble in leather and messy hair and a smirk that made my heart do weird things.
I sat up, clutching my head. “Get a grip, Yael. He’s your brother’s rival. Literally public enemy number one. You can’t—”
My mind flashed to last night.
His voice.
His laugh.
The stars reflected in his eyes when he said “You’re still here.”
I swallowed hard.
Nope. No. Absolutely not.
I grabbed my towel, stormed into the bathroom, and turned on the shower full blast. Maybe water pressure could wash away stupidity.
As the steam filled the room, I leaned my head against the wall and whispered to myself, “You’re not falling for Knox Hale.”
I repeated it again, louder this time.
“You’re not.”
But even as I said it, my stomach flipped in that same annoying, traitorous way.
When I came out, dressed for lectures and pretending to be a responsible human agai
n, I glanced at my reflection.
Still the same girl. Still sane. Still totally not affected by a guy who broke every rule she believed in.
Except for one tiny thing—
I couldn’t stop smiling.