Playing To Win || paused might be continued soon ||

chapter fifteen

It was supposed to be a casual night, one where we all could finally relax and let loose. My ankle was healing, but I still hadn't been back on the ice. The injury was a constant reminder of how behind I was, and the pressure to catch up was suffocating. But for once, I decided to listen to Sienna and Ava's endless nagging and take a break. We all needed it.

The movie night idea had been Logan's—mostly because he wanted an excuse to skip practice the next morning—but everyone quickly jumped on board. So, here we were, crammed into Jaxon and Connor's shared dorm room, which was way too small for the seven of us.

Jaxon had somehow convinced his coach to give the hockey team the night off after their win earlier in the week, so he, Logan, Ethan, Landon, and Connor were free. Ava and Sienna had dragged me along, not giving me a choice, but I didn't mind. It was nice to feel like part of the group again, even if the tension between Landon and me still hung thick in the air.

Everyone had claimed their spot in the room. Ava and Sienna were curled up on the couch, sharing a blanket and whispering between themselves. Jaxon had sprawled out on the floor, taking up way more space than necessary, while Connor sat next to him, already too invested in the movie. Logan had pulled up one of the kitchen chairs to lean against the wall, and Ethan lounged on the opposite end of the couch with his phone, pretending to watch the movie.

And then there was Landon.

Of course, he had chosen to sit next to me. Not directly next to me, but close enough that I could feel the heat from his body, and the way he occasionally glanced my way wasn't helping my nerves. I tried to ignore him, focusing on the screen instead. But it was impossible not to notice him—especially with the subtle shift in his body every time I moved.

The movie was some action flick that Jaxon had picked, full of car chases and explosions. My mind was barely paying attention to it, too distracted by the throbbing in my ankle and the occasional flicker of awareness that crept up my spine whenever Landon shifted beside me.

At some point, Ava got up to grab more snacks, and I took that as my chance to stretch out my legs. I slid a little closer to Landon, needing more space. Bad idea.

"You good?" Landon asked, his voice low, eyes still glued to the TV.

"Yeah, just trying to get comfortable," I muttered, but as I adjusted myself, my foot brushed against his leg, and I froze.

He glanced down, then back up at me with a smirk. "Sure you're not just trying to cop a feel?"

I shot him a glare, heat creeping up my neck. "In your dreams, Kingston."

"Pretty sure that's not how my dreams go," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to the screen. But the warmth of his leg against mine made it hard to focus. Landon had a way of getting under my skin without even trying. He knew how to push my buttons, and right now, he was doing it on purpose.

"You can move your leg, you know," I grumbled, trying to create a little more distance between us.

"Why would I? You're the one taking up all the space," he shot back, leaning into me slightly, the weight of his arm pressing against mine.

"Am not," I protested, shoving him back with my elbow.

Landon's lips twitched into a grin. "Careful, Valenti. You're gonna hurt yourself again."

Before I could respond, Landon shifted closer, his arm brushing mine, the proximity making my heart race. I was fully aware that everyone else in the room was engrossed in the movie, oblivious to whatever was happening between us.