Chapter 17 KYLE
“Damn.”
Joe’s voice pulled Kyle’s attention away from his drink.
Kyle frowned and turned to see his best friend Joe and his defencemen Jason staring at the door, eyes wide in shock.
“Wow,” Jason muttered. “Did not see that coming.”
Curious, Kyle followed their line of sight—and then he saw her.
Debby. Walking in. With Susan.
Kyle’s lips twitched into a small smirk. She actually came.
Before he could think too much about it, Joe grabbed his shoulder.
“Dude,” Joe said, still staring at Debby. “What’s Debby doing at your party? Is she here because you went to hers?”
Kyle didn’t answer.
Instead, he slid off the stool and made his way toward her.
He could feel Joe’s gaze burning into his back, but he ignored it. Joe had a thing for Debby—everyone in the team knew it—but that wasn’t Kyle’s problem.
As soon as they stepped inside, Susan spotted a friend and quickly veered off in another direction, leaving Debby standing alone.
Perfect.
Kyle stopped in front of her just as she turned to him, eyes sharp, lips pressed into a thin line.
“You didn’t tell me it’s your birthday,” she demanded, crossing her arms. “Why?”
Kyle blinked at her. “You sound offended.”
“I am,” she shot back. “I had to hear it from Susan.”
Kyle rolled his eyes before pulling out his phone. He scrolled for a second before holding it up for her to see.
“Read this.”
Debby squinted at the screen.
“See you at my birthday party tonight. Come earlier than others because I have a surprise for you. Party starts at 7:30 PM.”
Her brows furrowed. What the hell? He had actually sent her a message? She never knew.
Then she glanced at the sender’s name and realized he had saved her number as Sweet Deb.
Her eyes widened and her face turned red.
And before she could help herself, she let out a laugh.
Kyle smirked. “Still mad?”
She looked at him, shaking her head. “I didn’t know you had my number.”
“I have my ways,” he admitted shamelessly.
Debby shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. There was a brief silence before Kyle subtly jerked his chin toward the hallway.
“Meet me in the kitchen in five minutes.”
Her smile faltered slightly, but she nodded. They couldn’t let people know what was going on between them. Not yet.
Before disappearing down the hall, Kyle noticed Joe approaching Debby. His stomach tightened. What was Joe going to say to her?
Shaking off the thought, he stepped into the kitchen. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small box. His fingers traced over it as he paced back and forth.
Five minutes.
She’d be here in five minutes.
The kitchen door opened, but instead of Debby, Rachel walked in.
Kyle froze.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked.
Rachel smiled sweetly and held out a gift.
“Happy birthday to you~” she sang, walking toward him.
Kyle tensed.
Rachel didn’t act like they had broken up.
“Get out,” he said flatly.
Rachel’s smile never wavered. She simply set the gift on the counter and took another step toward him. Kyle stepped sideways and the box in his hand fell.
The lid popped open.
A necklace slipped out, landing with a soft clink on the floor.
Rachel’s eyes darted to it.
Her smirk deepened.
“Oh,” she mused. “Is that for Debby?”
Kyle clenched his jaw. “None of your business.”
Rachel ignored him and made herself comfortable on the sofa, crossing her legs.
“You know,” she drawled, “If you’re expecting she’ll come to meet you here, you’re wrong. She’s busy.”
Kyle stiffened.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Rachel’s smirk widened.
“Joe.”
Kyle’s hands balled into fists. What was Joe doing with Debby?
Rachel watched him for a moment before sighing dramatically.
“Poor thing,” she said. “You have no idea, do you?”
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “No idea about what?”
Rachel let out a mocking laugh.
“Oh, this is priceless,” she said. “You didn’t know?”
“Rachel.” His voice was low. Dangerous. “Know what?”
She tapped her chin. “Your friends made a bet.”
Kyle’s stomach dropped.
“What?”
Rachel leaned forward. Enjoying this.
“Ever since Debby’s birthday,” she continued, “when she kissed you and left with you, your friends made a bet.”
Kyle didn’t say a word.
He just stared.
Rachel’s smile was cruel.
“Two of them bet you’d get Debby into your bed,” she said. “And the other two bet that you wouldn’t—but Joe would.”
Kyle’s blood ran cold. His hands shook.
Rachel cocked her head.
“So now,” she whispered, “it’s a battle between you and Joe. And you didn’t even know.”
Before Kyle could react, the door swung open.
Debby stood there.
Her face was pale and her eyes were wide.
And when she spoke, her voice was filled with disbelief. “What? They did what?”
