steamy nights with the rival captain

MOVING INTO JAX'S APARTMENT

~~KIRA ~~

I push open the front door, and Neisha immediately hugs me.

She pulls back, looking at my hair and makeup. "Oh my God. If I wasn't married, I'd hit on you. You look like a hot guy."

"Neisha, you're heavily pregnant. Stop jumping," I say, stepping past her into the living room.

Ethan and Dad are sitting on the couch. The second the door clicks shut, Ethan jumps up. "How did it go?"

I drop my head and walk over to the chair. I sit down silently and fake a tear like I'm crying.

Dad sighs. "I told you, sweetheart. You shouldn't have gone. Skating around town and playing pro hockey are two different things."

"f**k," Ethan mutters, pacing around. "We're doomed."

I burst out laughing. "Gotcha!"

Ethan stops.

"I made the team!" I yell.

Ethan roars, grabbing my waist and hoisting me onto his shoulders. "Yes! We did it!"

"Ethan, put me down!" I laugh, hitting his back.

He sets me back on my feet.

I look at Dad. He finally looks relaxed for the first time in weeks. Everything I'm doing is for him.

"I get my first paycheck next week," I say. "If I pass the first trial."

Everyone leans in, including Neisha. "How much?"

"Five thousand dollars. It's enough to cover Dad's bills and buy groceries."

Ethan throws his hands up. "Dinner's on me tonight!"

Neisha screams and starts jumping up and down again.

"Neisha!" I yell. "I'm calling your husband to come take you home. I'm not going to be responsible if anything happens to you. You're pregnant and jumping around!"

Everyone laughs.

I look at them, my smile fading. "Guys, there's actually one problem."

They all go silent and freeze.

"I have to move in with Jax," I say. "There's a housing shortage."

"Holy cow," Ethan says, shaking his head. "I'm not letting you move in with him. We can get you another place after your first paycheck, right?"

"Nah," I say, walking back over to the chair to sit down. "It's mandatory to stay in the team housing."

Dad shrugs. "That's not a problem. Maybe it's the universe bringing you two together again."

Neisha—who's been my best friend since middle school and knows way too much about my terrible love life—runs over to Dad and high-fives him. "Exactly, Dad!"

I stare at them in total shock. "What the f**k, guys?"

I turn to Ethan. "What's up with these people?"

Neisha smirks. "Uhhh, this is going to be spicy." She stands up, gesturing with her hands. "Two ex-lovers separated for three years, now ending up in the same apartment. It's like a movie! This isn't a coincidence, Kira. It's fate."

I stare at them, wondering if Ethan gave them something bad to eat again. His cooking might be the cause of all this crazy talk.

I groan. "You guys, just stop it. Nothing like that is happening. I'm Leo Sterling to him, not Kira Cross."

"Come on," Dad says. "We all know why you haven't gone on a single date in the last three years."

"Jesus Christ, you guys think it's because of Jax?" I yell. "I've been trying to make ends meet and you think... I'm single because I want Jax back?"

"How about you prove to us that you're actually over him?" Ethan steps closer. "Maybe Neisha and Dad are right."

Before they can say anything else, I add, "You know I have to move in today."

"Today?!" Everyone stares at me.

"Yes, guys, today. As a matter of fact, I need to get packing. I'll check up on you guys during the weekend."

I stomp off to my room, and Neisha follows right behind me.

We get to my room, and I pull my duffel bag out of the closet. I open the cupboard, take one look inside, and burst out laughing.

Neisha rushes over to look over my shoulder. "What's so funny?"

"I only have girl clothes," I say, gesturing at my dresses. "I spent all this time planning the disguise, and I completely forgot I need guy clothes."

Neisha laughs, then her expression softens. She pulls me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, Kira. You are so strong."

I hold onto her tightly. "Thanks, Neish. I really need to hear that."

She pulls back. "Oh, before I forget—the college alumni reunion is tomorrow. Are you going?"

"Hell no," I say without hesitation. "I've got way too much on my plate."

"Come on, it could be fun," she says softly.

I look at her, feeling a sharp sting. Neisha is happily married and expecting a baby. Jax is playing pro hockey for the biggest team in the state. And me? I drive a broken-down car, and I'm dressing up as a guy just to keep a roof over my head. Going to a reunion as the poorest one there sounds like actual torture.

I sigh. "I'll have to buy a few cheap guy clothes tomorrow. Let's just get through tonight."

I grab my small bag and walk back out to the living room.

Dad is sitting in his recliner, watching me closely. I walk over and kneel beside his chair.

"I'm leaving now, Dad," I say softly.

He places a hand on my shoulder. "Be careful out there, Kira. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I will, Dad. I promise," I say, kissing his cheek. "I'll call you as soon as I can."

Ethan steps up, holding out his arms. I pull him into a tight hug.

"Keep an eye on him while I'm gone," I whisper in his ear.

"Always do," Ethan says, letting go. "Go kick some ass, Leo."

I turn to Neisha one last time. "And you—stop jumping around. I'm calling your husband if I hear you were jumping after I left."

"Fine, fine!" Neisha laughs. "Go!"

I grab my bag and walk out to the driveway. My car is under the streetlamp. I climb into the driver's seat and turn the key. The engine clicks and dies.

I turn it again. On the second try, the engine sputters to life.

My right headlight stays dark as I shift into drive and roll down the street.

As I drive, the reality of what I'm doing finally starts to hit me.

Hmm, this has to be the riskiest thing I've ever tried to do.

It was one thing to pull off a disguise for a tryout on the ice. It's an entirely different nightmare to live with Jax every single day for the next six months. He knows my voice, and he knows my face better than anyone else ever has. One slip-up, and it's all over.

After twenty minutes of driving, I pull up in front of a massive two-story house.

I stare at it through the windshield. If this is just the rental house the team gives their captain, I can't even imagine what his actual house looks like.

I adjust the rearview mirror and look at my reflection. The makeup holds up.

I clear my throat, dropping my pitch as low as it can go.

"Yo, what's up, I'm Leo." I give a short nod to my reflection, then laugh quietly until my eyes tear up.

Get it together, Kira.

I grab my bag from the passenger seat and walk up the front steps. I knock loudly on the door.

No one answers.

I wait a few seconds, then I turn the knob. The door is unlocked and glides open.

"Hello?" I say in my deep voice, stepping into the apartment.

No answer. But as I take a step forward, my eyes drop to the floor. A pair of black lace panties is right in the middle of the entrance. A few feet further, a discarded shirt.

The trail leads straight into the living room.

I round the corner and freeze.

Right there on the couch, two completely naked people are on top of each other, having s*x.

It's Jax and Chloe.