A Hockey Player's Guide To Deception

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Kayla awoke with a start, confusion swirling as the sound echoed through the room. It had been going on for far too long. She blinked herself awake and turned toward Isaah, still fast asleep, mouth slightly open, completely unbothered by the chaos unfolding a few feet away.

Of course.

Her gaze snapped to the clock beside her lamp. Dawn.

She frowned just as the sound came again... louder this time.

"Kingston!"

Her heart jumped. Kayla scrambled out of bed and hurried to the window, peering down. Louis stood a floor below, hands in his pockets, head tilted back as he looked up at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, panic threading her voice as she glanced over her shoulder to make sure Isaah hadn't stirred.

"Inviting you on a secret rendezvous, Miss Kingston."

"At dawn?"

"Especially at dawn."

She stared at him. "You know you could've just used the door, right?"

"Yes," he said solemnly. "But where's the fun in that?"

She rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her. "You're unbelievable."

"And yet," he smirked, "here you are."

"Where are you taking me? How do I know you're not going to murder me and leave my body in the woods?" she joked. He glared back in response.

"You know what I love about you, Kayla?"

"What?"

"How romantic you are." His tone dripped with sarcasm. "Will you do me the honor of joining me?"

She hesitated, fingers tightening on the windowsill. "You're insane."

"Admirable," he corrected.

"Debatable." One brow lifted slowly. "How exactly do you expect me to get down there?"

"Easy," he said far too cheerfully. "Jump."

Her eyes widened. "Absolutely not."

"I'll catch you."

"I will crush you. Lil boy," she laughed, unimpressed.

He placed a hand over his chest, mock offended. "You wound me."

"Trust me, this lil boy can take it."

She leaned farther out the window, lowering her voice. "And what if Isaah wakes up and sees me mid-air like some deranged squirrel?"

"He won't," Louis said confidently. "And if he does, I'll say you sleepwalk."

She snorted despite herself. "That's the worst lie I've ever heard."

He stepped closer, arms opening. "Come on. Just trust me."

She looked down at the distance, then back at him, nerves buzzing under her skin. "If I die--"

"Kayla, you're jumping one floor. You'll be fine."

She shook her head, breath catching as she shifted her weight. "You're ridiculous."

"And you like me anyway."

She paused, then muttered, "Don't push it."

Kayla swallowed, fingers whitening against the windowsill. The ground looked much farther away than it had a moment ago.