Meilin's POV
Music pulsed through the floor of the private club, bass thumping in my chest. Lights flashed—violet, crimson, electric blue—as bodies swayed and danced around me.
Ava and I had only just stepped in and already the crowd parted like we were walking into a movie scene.
Because, of course, he was waiting.
Theo Ashford.
In a black shirt unbuttoned far too low, tattoos crawling up his neck like sin, and a glint in his blue eyes that said mine.
His gaze met mine immediately, and he didn't wait. No greeting. No hi.
He just crossed the room in four long strides, stopping an inch in front of me. His hand slid around my waist, firm and possessive, pulling me into him like the entire room wasn't watching.
"You came," he murmured, voice low over the music. He smelled like cologne tonight—not cigarettes—and I hated how fast my heart raced.
"You invited me," I managed, looking up. Mistake. His blue eyes were almost glowing in the neon.
He leaned in, lips brushing my ear.
"Couldn't stop thinking about you in my jersey."
I elbowed him lightly. "Theo."
He just grinned.
"Your fan club's watching," I said, glancing around at the glares from several girls. Some were whispering, others were straight-up filming.
"Let them," he said. "They've never seen me look at someone like this before."
Oh.
Before I could even process that line, some guy—tall, confident, clearly too tipsy—walked up and nodded at me. "Hey, you're the girl from the field, right? Damn, Ashford's lucky."
Theo's arm around my waist tightened. "Back off, man."
"It's just a compliment—"
"She's with me," Theo snapped, voice ice.
The guy backed off with his hands raised, and I tugged Theo toward the edge of the dance floor.
"Theo," I said, slightly breathless, "you can't just snap at people—"
"You don't get it," he growled, cornering me softly against the wall. "You think this is a game? I'm trying to not lose my mind every time someone looks at you."
I blinked. "You're… jealous?"
He laughed darkly. "Of course I'm jealous. Have you met yourself?"
We were too close again. His hands on either side of me. My knees might've given out if Ava hadn't suddenly grabbed my wrist and dragged me away.
"Drink. Now," she said. "Before your brain melts."
I caught a glimpse of Austin leaning casually by the bar, raising an eyebrow at Theo. Theo just smirked and sipped his drink, eyes still on me.
Like I was the only girl in the room.