Page 86 of Lose You Twice

My grip tightens around my clothes. “Is it?”

He doesn’t answer, which is answer enough. I escape into the bathroom.

When I emerge twelve minutes later, Kai is making the bed.

Actually making it.

“Absolutely not.”

He looks over his shoulder. “What?”

“You cannot make that bed right now.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s deeply unhinged.”

“It was messy.”

“Does anyone actually make their beds at hotels?”

He raises a brow at me and smooths one last wrinkle because apparently he has chosen violence.

He heads to the bathroom while I finish packing, then we head downstairs.

The lobby is full of players in team sweats and staff clutching coffee. Weston is wearing sunglasses indoors like someone who either committed a crime or slept for four minutes.

He sees us. His mouth opens, but Asher covers it with one hand. “Don’t.”

Weston makes an offended noise into his palm.

Grayson looks from me to Kai, then at our faces.

Before anyone can say anything, Donnelly appears beside me with a clipboard. “Calloway.”

I jump. “Yes?”

He studies me. “You look like you fought a ghost.”

“Hotel pillows.”

He hands me the clipboard. “Grab some food, then meet me at the van. We’re going to head over to the arena and get things in order.”

Across the lobby, Coach calls Kai’s name.

Kai starts toward him, then pauses beside me. His hand hovers near my back without touching.

“You okay?” he asks quietly.

I should make a joke, but suddenly I have no words. I nod my head.

Something in his face softens. “Good.”

Then he walks away.

The team moves toward breakfast in a loud, hungry pack. Kai goes ahead with Grayson while I follow beside Donnelly.

The distance is appropriate.