Page 33 of Offside Attraction

Hayes strolls in, already changed—sweatpants, sweatshirt, casual like he owns the place. He pauses just inside the doorway, his gaze dragging over me.

Slow.

Deliberate.

He stops at my torso, his eyes lingering for a beat too long. Something flashes across his face—something I don’t recognize—and then it’s gone. When his gaze lifts to mine, his expression is blank. Cold. Unreadable.

Did he just check me out?

Or am I losing my fucking mind today?

I work out regularly. There’s no fat on my body. My abs aren’t carved like marble, but they’re there. Defined. Real.

I scoff and pull the shirt down over my torso, covering myself, annoyed that he caught me mid-change. My eyes betray me anyway, sweeping over him.

Fuck.

He looks good. Effortlessly so. His hair sits perfectly, a few strands falling beneath his sharp brows like it’s intentional.

“What do you want, Hayes?” I snap. “You here to bitch, or do you actually need something?”

He chuckles, slow and lazy, licking his bottom lip as he takes a few steps toward me. He stops just inches away—too close. His scent hits me—clean, masculine, expensive. Cologne layered over something unmistakably him.

“I don’t know who you think you’re fooling with this tough-guy act,” he says calmly, “but I can see right through you, Dakota.”

I tilt my head, a slow smirk pulling at my lips.

“Is that so?”

I step forward until our noses nearly touch.

“Just so we’re clear,” I say quietly, “I don’t fucking like you. And I’m pretty sure the feeling’s mutual. This isn’t middle school. The kid you and your friends used to hit? That’s not me anymore.”

I hold his gaze. Don’t blink.

“The last thing you want to do is mess with me,” I add. “You’ll regret it.”

Hayes’s lips curve into a smug smile, white teeth flashing. “Are you threatening me, Miller?”

I shrug. “You could always find out.”

He laughs softly, nodding as if amused. “The last thing either of us needs is making senior year miserable for both of us,” he says. “Though honestly, I wouldn’t mind.”

He tilts his head.

“And this little game you’ve been playing? Flirting with my girlfriend. Winking at her. Thinking that would make mejealous?” He lets out a short laugh. “God, you’re an idiot if you think Shay could ever be used to get to me.”

He pauses. His eyes harden.

“Or was that you trying to getmyattention?” he adds softly. “Because if you haven’t noticed—you’re not my type. Not even close.”

He looks me over once more. Deliberate.

“So do yourself a favor. Drop out of the team before you even make it.” His tone turns flat. “Save yourself the embarrassment.”

“I don’t know what your daddy told you, Hayes,” I say, smiling thinly, “but the world doesn’t revolve around you.” I tilt my head. “And you and I both know what your type really is. You don’t have to keep lying to yourself.”

Hayes’s jaw tightens as he bites down on his lip, fury flashing in his eyes.