I felt him watching me the whole time.
Callum.
His gaze didn't burn — it ached. Like the weight of a song you used to love before it broke your heart. I kept skating, forcing my body to move like nothing had shifted under my skin.
James didn't notice.
Or maybe he did and just didn't care.
He liked being the center of attention. His hand was glued to my waist every chance he got, pulling me a little too close, leaning in like we were the only people in the room. I laughed it off, batted his hand away once or twice, but the truth was — I didn't like it.
Not tonight.
Not with Callum standing a few feet away, watching with that silent, unreadable face.
James whispered something in my ear that made me roll my eyes. His hand slid down, fingers pressing against my hip in a way that wasn't even subtle anymore.
"James," I said under my breath. "Not here."
"What? You don't mind when we're alone," he smirked.
I stiffened, opened my mouth to shut it all down —
And then I heard it.
"Yo."
James turned first.
I didn't have to. I already knew the voice.
Kaden.
He was walking straight toward us, hands in his jacket pockets, his expression not amused in the slightest.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes flicking between me and James. "Thought you were out with Olivia tonight."
"I was," I said quickly. "Plans changed."
"Yeah? Looks like they really changed," he muttered.
James gave a half-smile. "Hey, man. Didn't know you'd be here."
Kaden ignored the greeting. "I saw where your hand was a second ago."
James blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Kaden said, taking one step closer. "Touch her like that again, and you and I are going to have a problem."
"Kade—" I warned under my breath.
He looked at me, jaw tight. "You can speak for yourself. I know. But I'm still not gonna stand here and pretend it's fine when some guy thinks he owns you just because you're standing next to him."
James laughed nervously. "I'm not trying to own anyone. Chill. We're dating."
"Not anymore, you're not," I said suddenly, surprising even myself.
James blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I'm serious. Go."
James looked between us, like he couldn't tell if this was a joke.
It wasn't.
And somehow, without saying a single word, I knew Callum was still watching.
James scoffed, muttered something under his breath, and walked off.
Silence settled over us.
Kaden stared at me for a moment, then sighed. "You okay?"
I nodded, even though my chest still felt tight.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Didn't mean to go nuclear. I just—when I saw him grab you like that... I don't know. You're still my little sister."
"I'm not that little anymore," I said softly.
He gave a half-smile. "Yeah. I noticed."
I looked past him — to where Callum was still standing. His eyes met mine again, unreadable as ever.
"Did you come with Callum?" I asked.
Kaden nodded. "Yeah. He almost didn't come. Said he wasn't in the mood to deal with memories."
I gave a small, sad smile. "Too late for that."