That night, I lay in bed wearing Kai's jersey, staring at my phone.
The game footage was everywhere. Me cheering for him. Him kissing me on the court. The way we'd looked at each other.
One comment stood out: "They look so in love it hurts."
I thought about tomorrow. Marcus's party. Walking into enemy territory with Kai as my only protection.
I thought about the promise he'd made. That after the party, he'd tell me the truth.
And I thought about that kiss on the court. The way it had felt different. Real.
My phone buzzed.
K: "Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be intense."
Me: "You keep saying that."
K: "Because it keeps being true."
Me: "Kai?"
K: "Yeah?"
Me: "Thank you. For tonight. For getting Marcus away from me."
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
K: "Always. That's what boyfriends do, right?"
Even through text, I could hear the irony in his words. Boyfriends. Like that's what we really were.
Me: "Right. Goodnight, Kai."
