Chapter Nine

Duke

Three weeks of hiding our relationship and I'm about to crack. I'm doing this for Tilly though. We sneak around at the arena, she makes up reasons to stay at my house, and I hate every second.

The energy in O'Connell's is electric, a perfect continuation of the adrenaline still coursing through me after the game. I step inside, the noise enveloping me like a warm blanket. The place is packed with fans, friends, and teammates celebrating our victory, and I can't help but feel a rush of excitement. I scan the room, spotting Tilly at the bar, her laughter brightening the dim atmosphere.

She standing next to Ryan and Paisley, her hair catching the light just right, and for a moment my heart stutters. God, she looks incredible. The way she lights up a room makes me want to shout to the world that she's mine. But tonight, it's complicated.

I head toward the bar, making my way through the crowd. Ryan claps me on the back as I approach. "The Hammer actually came out with the team?"

My gaze flicks to Tilly, "Just felt like celebrating more."

"What's that about?" Ryan gestures to Tilly, a teasing smile spreading across his face.

I try to brush it off, but I can feel the tension building in my chest. "What do you mean?"

"You're hovering like a hawk," he laughs, glancing back at Tilly as she talks animatedly with Paisley. "Just because she's young and beautiful doesn't mean you have to be so protective. She's an adult, you know."

"Yeah, I know," I mutter, irritation simmering beneath the surface. I can't help feeling jealous when I see other guys eyeing her. The way they lean in, trying to get her attention, makes my fists clench.

"Just relax," Rayan continues, oblivious. "It's just a celebration. Everyone's here to have fun.

Tuesday rushes up then and pulls Tilly onto the dance floor. She happily goes and I can't keep my eyes off her. The girls dance together for several songs and then Simon joins, turning Tuesday to him, leaving Tilly to herself. She doesn't seem to mind. Her body keeps moving to the rhythm of the music, her eyes closed and an infectious smile on her face. It's impossible not to watch her.

But then I see one of my teammates, Chase, sidle up to her, flashing a cocky grin. He leans in, saying something that makes her laugh.

My heart races in frustration. The last thing I want is for anyone to get too close to her. I glance back at Ryan, who's completely unaware of the growing tension.

"Duke, chill out," he says when he notices my intense stare. "She can handle herself."

"Yeah, but I don't like it," I admit, my voice low.

Paisley rolls her eyes at Ryan, her expression both amused and exasperated. "You are clueless, HG?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asks, frowning.

"Nothing," she replies, smirking. "Just that Duke might care about Tilly more than you realize."

I appreciate her support, but it only amplifies my frustration. I want to be the one Tilly's dancing with, not some random teammate who's trying to impress her.

Fuck this. The music shifts to something slower and I take the opportunity to push through the crowd. As I make my way to Tilly, I see her stepping away from Chase a look of mild annoyance on her face.

"Hey, can I steal you for a second?" I ask, my voice low as I reach her.

"Of course!" she replies, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I lead her away from the bar, the noise of the celebration fading into the background as we find a quieter corner near the bathrooms. It's dimly lit, but I can still see her features clearly. She looks perfect, her cheeks flushed from dancing, and I feel an overwhelming urge to kiss her.

"Tilly," I begin, my heart pounding. "I can't stand seeing other guys sniffing around you. It's driving me crazy."

She raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "You're jealous, Duke?"

"Maybe," I admit, stepping closer. The scent of her —sweet and warm— pulls me in. "I just don't want anyone else touching you. I want everyone to know you're mine."

Her expression softens, and the playful teasing fades. "I like that," she murmurs, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Without thinking, I close the distance between us, pressing her against the wall. My lips find hers, and the kiss ignites something deep within me. It's heated and passionate, a release of all the tension I've been holding back. Her hands slide up to my shoulders, pulling me closer as she melts into me.

I break the kiss, resting my forehead against hers. "I can't keep doing this, Tilly. Hiding us —it's tearing me apart."

Her expression shifts, and I see the panic begin to rise. "What do you mean?"

"I think we need to take a break," I say, my voice heavy. "Just until you're ready to tell Ryan about us."

The words hand in the air like a thick fog, and I can see her processing them. "A break? She repeats, disbelief coloring her tone. "You want to just…stop?"

"It's not that simple. I care about you too much to keep pretending like we're nothing. I want to be with you, but I can't hide anymore."

Tears glisten in her eyes, and my heart sinks further. "Duke, please don't do this," she whispers, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry, Tilly. I really am. But I can't keep pretending we don't exist in public. I can't be the guy you sneak around with. I want more than that."

Her face crumples, and I can't bear to see the hurt in her eyes. "I thought we were in this together. I thought you understood how hard this is for me."

"I understood in the beginning, but it's been over a month and you've never given me an actual reason why you're afraid to tell Ryan. I don't think he will care as long as you're happy. He loves you. I think you want to keep us a secret because you don't trust in what we have and you don't want people to know when it ends."

She gasps and I know I've found the real truth. She doesn't trust in me or us.

Tilly shakes her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "You're just going to walk away."

"I have to," I say, feeling like I'm breaking into a million pieces.

The silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. I can feel the regret seeping in, but I know that I will regret it more if I let this continue for one more day.

"I didn't want to hurt you," she whispers, her voice cracking.

"I know, princess," I say, my throat tight. "But I can't keep doing this. I'll be here when you're ready, but I need to step back until you decide what you want."

As I turn away, the sound of the bar fades behind me. I can't look back, it would break me. I step into the night, the chill wrapping around me like a cloak, a perfect companion to the ice forming around my heart.