Chapter 4: Fire and Fury

Emma had made a huge mistake.

Last night in the library, she had let Jaxon Hayes kiss her. And not just kiss her—completely unravel her.

Now, as she walked onto campus, the weight of that mistake pressed down on her. Because today, she had to face him.

She wasn’t sure what was worse—the fact that she had wanted that kiss or the fact that she wanted more.

But just as she reached the quad, a familiar voice called her name.

Noah Sinclair.

The moment she turned, she was met with the easy, confident grin of her longtime friend. Noah was everything Jaxon wasn’t—polished, intelligent, and steady. While Jaxon thrived on chaos, Noah had always been a calm presence in her life.

"Where’ve you been hiding?" Noah teased, falling into step beside her.

Emma forced a smile, trying to push Jaxon from her mind. "Just… busy."

"Too busy to text back?" Noah raised a brow, but his tone was light, teasing. Still, there was something in his expression that made her stomach tighten.

Did he know? Could he tell?

Before she could answer, a shadow loomed over them.

Jaxon.

_____

His hazel eyes locked onto hers, but they weren’t teasing today. There was a storm brewing beneath the surface, something dark and unreadable. And when his gaze flicked to Noah standing so casually beside her, that storm only got worse.

Emma saw the way Jaxon’s jaw tensed, the way his hands curled into fists at his sides.

And then, just as he opened his mouth—

A sharp, mocking voice cut through the tension.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Jaxon Hayes.”

Emma turned toward the voice and felt the air shift.

Caleb Knox.

The rival quarterback, the one Jaxon hated with every fiber of his being.

Caleb’s smirk was razor-sharp, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous as he slowly approached.

"Didn’t think I’d see you here, Hayes. Not after last season’s game. You remember, don’t you?" Caleb’s voice dripped with mock sympathy. "That fumble in the fourth quarter? Cost your team the championship?"

Jaxon’s entire body went rigid.

Emma felt the tension between them ignite like a fuse, ready to explode.

But then Caleb’s gaze slid to her. And something changed.

His smirk deepened.

"And who’s this?" Caleb asked, stepping closer—too close.

Emma felt a sudden, overwhelming presence at her back. Jaxon had moved.

His hand brushed against hers, just enough to send a warning.

Possessive. Unyielding.

Emma barely had time to process it before Caleb chuckled. "Interesting."

And just like that, she knew.

This wasn’t just about football.

This was about her.