Chapter 57: Enemy Coffee

The bell above the entrance of Rusty’s Diner chimed continuously as students flooded inside, filling the vinyl booths with loud chatter.

Overhead, the mounted flat-screen television above the grill counter hummed with live sports coverage. The bottom ticker scrolled with bright white lettering: FRIDAY NIGHT RIVALRY SHOWDOWN: BRIAR VS. STATE.

I wiped down the polished stainless-steel counter with a damp towel, keeping my rhythm steady despite the noise.

Denise set a fresh pot of dark roast on the burner next to me, wiping her hands on her apron while glancing up at the television screen.

"Whole campus is buzzing today, Nora," Denise said, nodding toward the monitor where a sports anchor was analyzing footage. "State’s team bus rolled past the main gates an hour ago. People are saying their new captain is some kind of prodigy."

"I heard," I said smoothly, sliding a fresh ceramic mug onto a saucer.

"Hope your boy Sheridan isn’t losing sleep over it," Denise chuckled, grabbing a tray of diner tickets. "He looked like he wanted to chew through concrete when he picked up his coffee yesterday."

"Knox doesn’t lose sleep," I replied, setting the towel aside. "He just gets louder."

Before Denise could answer, the front door chimed again.

The low hum of conversation near the counter faltered slightly. Several freshmen sitting in the corner booth turned their heads, nudging each other.

Knox stepped inside.

He wore his track jacket zipped to his neck, his damp curls sticking slightly to his forehead from a morning workout. His broad shoulders cut through the crowded aisle as he walked straight toward the counter.

Knox stepped inside.

He wore his dark Briar team track jacket zipped to his neck, his damp curls sticking slightly to his forehead from a morning workout. His broad shoulders cut through the crowded aisle as he walked straight toward the counter.

His jaw was set, his posture rigid with an electric, restless energy that made the air around him feel tight.

He didn’t glance at the menu. He didn’t look at the students whispering in the booths. His gaze locked onto mine the moment he crossed the threshold.

"Morning, Denise," Knox said smoothly as he stopped on the other side of the counter, offering her a brief, charming nod before leaning over the metal pass toward me.

Before I could step back, Knox reached out, his broad hand cupping the side of my jaw as he leaned down to press a soft, lingering kiss right against my temple in full view of the crowded diner.

"Hey, babe," Knox murmured, his low voice sending a sudden, traitorous shiver straight down my spine.

"Coming right up with your black coffee, Sheridan," Denise called out with a knowing, indulgent smirk as she slid a large paper cup across the metal pass.

Knox didn’t grab the cup right away. Instead, he rested both palms flat against the stainless-steel counter, leaning in closer until his broad frame blocked out the light from the front window.

His eyes flicked up to the television screen above my head, where State’s official announcement graphic was still displaying: #11 DREW MILLER — STATE CAPTAIN.

Knox’s jaw flexed, a small muscle ticking beneath his cheek before his eyes dropped back to my face.

"You’re working late," Knox noted.

"Just covering the lunch rush," I said, meeting his intense stare without flinching. "I’m off in five minutes."

"Good," Knox growled softly, his fingers tightening against the edge of the metal counter. "Because Coach moved afternoon film to three. And I don’t want you wandering around campus alone while State is in town."

I pulled a clean glass off the shelf, setting it down with a deliberate tap. "I can handle walking across campus, Sheridan. I’ve been doing it for two years."

"Things are different this week, Bookworm," Knox murmured, leaning an inch closer until the faint scent of cedar and cold rain hit my senses. "State thinks they can walk onto my ice and set the terms."

"They’re a hockey team, Knox. Not an invading army," I reminded him quietly.

"To me, they’re the same thing," Knox said, his voice dropping an octave into a dark, possessive rumble. "And your high school buddy is leading them."

I kept my face completely impassive.

"Focus on your game, Sheridan," I said, sliding his coffee cup an inch forward. "Or Miller is going to outplay you on Friday."

Knox let out a low, dangerous scoff, a wicked smirk curving the corner of his lips as he picked up the paper cup.

"He can try," Knox said softly, holding my gaze for one long beat before turning on his heel and walking out into the autumn air.

I let out a quiet breath, smoothing down my apron as the glass door clicked shut behind him.

My phone vibrated hard in my apron pocket.

I pulled it out, sliding the screen open. It was a text from Drew.

Drew: State just checked into the Briar Inn. Got an hour so we can grab a quick coffee down the block?

I stared at the glowing text, a calm, calculating smile tugging at my lips.

Nora: See you in ten.

—

The small coffee shop three blocks off campus was quiet, filled with the rich aroma of roasted espresso beans and soft indie music playing over the speakers.

Drew was already sitting at a small wooden table near the back corner, wearing a gray State University athletic pullover over a collared shirt. He looked relaxed, warm, and grounded, completely detached from the chaotic storm brewing at the Briar Ice Arena.

When he spotted me walking through the doorway, his face lit up with genuine warmth.

"Nora!" Drew called out smoothly, standing up to pull out the wooden chair across from him. "Hey. Glad you could make it."

"Hey, Drew," I replied, setting my tote bag on the floor and sliding into the chair. "It’s good to see you."

"You look great," Drew said, leaning back and resting his elbows on the table. "Diner shift keep you busy this morning?"

"Always," I said with a faint smile. "Denise doesn’t let anyone slack off."

A barista brought over two hot drinks, setting a black coffee in front of Drew and a warm mocha in front of me before walking away.

Drew picked up his cup, taking a quiet sip before looking across at me with an amused tilt of his head.

"So," Drew began, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners. "How’s Briar treating you? Other than the intense hockey fever everywhere you look?"

"It’s loud," I said simply, holding my cup with both hands to catch the warmth. "Everyone is obsessed with Friday’s game."

"Tell me about it," Drew laughed softly. "The team bus had us up at five in the morning for early travel clearance. State takes this rivalry pretty seriously."

"I noticed," I said smoothly, keeping my voice completely casual. "You mentioned on Monday that you were traveling up with the team. Are you working with their athletic department?"

Drew paused for half a second, a subtle, confident smirk playing on his lips as he took another sip of his coffee. He looked like a guy holding a secret winning card, waiting for the perfect dramatic moment to show it on Friday night.

"Something like that," Drew replied evasively, leaning forward on his forearms. "Let’s just say I’ve got a front-row view for Friday night. Are you going to be in the stands?"

"Probably," I said, tapping my fingernail gently against the porcelain mug. "Priya usually drags me along."

"Good," Drew said, his voice softening with genuine familiarity. "It’ll be nice knowing a familiar face is in the stands for the game."

"Are you sure I’ll be cheering for State?" I teased lightly. "I live at Briar now."

Drew let out a warm laugh. "Come on, Bennett. The you I knew back then was no sports fan. You can’t honestly tell me you’re a die-hard Briar fan already."

"Stranger things have happened," I replied with a calm tilt of my head.

Drew smiled, looking down at his coffee before meeting my eyes again. "Well, I guess you’ll just have to watch closely on Friday and see how the game plays out."

I held his gaze for two long seconds.

The quiet hum of the coffee shop surrounding us faded into the background.

Slowly, I set my porcelain mug down flat against the wooden table with a sharp, clear tap.

I leaned forward slightly, resting my chin on my hand, and looked Drew straight in the eye with an unbothered, crystal-clear smile.

"So, Drew," I said, keeping my voice completely calm and light. "When were you going to reveal that you not only play center for State, but you’re actually their team captain?"

Drew froze.