Chapter Four - Chaos Theory.

Julliette.

The training room smelled like dirty socks and sweat, and for a second, I considered whether I had actually been hired to be a therapist or a firefighter.

There was Luka, stretching with a focused intensity that made me pause. He was young, yes but not timid. Not awkward. He moved with the kind of controlled confidence that made every shift of his muscles look purposeful, calculated, and annoyingly… magnetic.

“Hold still,” I said, kneeling by his ankle, adjusting the tape. My fingers brushed his skin, but instead of a rookie’s nervous twitch, Luka just grinned at me, fully aware of the charge in the air.

“Hard to hold still when the therapist keeps looking like she’s judging my form,” he said lightly, teasing. “I’m a professional athlete, you know. I expect a professional treatment.”

I blinked, momentarily flustered not by the words, but by the easy way he teased, the confidence that radiated off him in waves.

Invisible, Julliette. Invisible. I told myself, even as my pulse betrayed me.

“Professional,” I repeated, lips curved. “Right. And I’m supposed to ignore the fact that you just winked while I was adjusting your ankle.”

“I did not wink,” he said, tilting his head. “I give full credit to my natural charm. You’re welcome.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to focus. “Natural charm? Luka, the only thing natural right now is the way your knee is about to implode if I don’t tape it properly.”

He leaned back slightly, letting me work, his grin teasing, but steady. No hesitation. Bold. Eager. And it was infectious. I had to fight the smile that tugged at my lips.

I didn’t notice Caleb’s standing at the doorway until he spoke.

“Well, this is cozy.” His voice cut through the calmness of the arena, smooth, teasing, dangerous.

He was shirtless, casual, leaning like he owned the room. The temperature in the air rose instantly.

I glanced up, trying to keep my voice even. “Caleb. What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you,” he said, eyes flicking between me and Luka with that infuriatingly grin. “Late-night rehab sessions with the rookie, huh? Secret workouts? Or just some private time with the team doc?”

I gave him a pointed look. “Nothing private about it. I’m working. Which, by the way, is why you shouldn’t—”

“Oh, I’m not distracting anyone,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “I’m just… supervising. Very professional supervision.”

Luka shifted, a smile tugging at his mouth. “She’s fine, Caleb. Totally in control. You’re the one causing… distractions.”

Caleb’s grin widened, cocky and slow. “Touché, rookie. Touché.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, muttering under my breath. “I am not in a room with two men trying to out-charm each other at my expense.”

Luka, however, was enjoying it. Bold, confident, teasing in a way that was almost… magnetic.

“You sure you want to leave me in the middle of this?” he asked casually, shifting his weight on the bench. “You look like someone who enjoys tension. Makes your pulse beat faster. Adrenaline and all that.”

I froze slightly, blinking. “I… do not—”

“You totally do,” he said with a grin, eyes dancing with mischief. “Don’t even pretend. I see it. You’re calculating, and secretly enjoying the chaos you didn’t think you would get.”

He was…right but I would rather die than admit that out loud.

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my pulse. He had no idea how right he was. And Caleb, standing a few feet away, didn’t help. His presence was like a low heat in the room that made my blood hum.

“You’re both insufferable,” I muttered, though my voice lacked conviction.

Caleb chuckled softly. “Insufferable is subjective. I prefer ‘enticing.’”

Luka’s grin widened, playful. “I think I like ‘dangerous,’ personally. Keeps things interesting.”

I shook my head, flustered despite myself. “Dangerous? You two are literally distracting me from keeping him—” I gestured at Luka’s ankle. “functional and not falling apart mid-season.”

“Functional and falling apart,” Caleb said with a smirk. “Sounds like you’re describing yourself too, Doc.” I blinked. “Excuse me?”

He leaned closer, casually, the air thick between us. “You’re trying to keep professional control, but your hands, your pulse… your little stutter when Luka makes a joke. That’s not professional. That’s intrigue. That’s wanting.”

I swallowed hard. “I am not—”

“Sure,” Caleb cut in, eyes glinting, “Keep telling yourself that, Doc. Meanwhile, we’re having fun with your…reactions.”

Luka laughed softly, “Yeah, you’re betraying yourself. Admit it. You like chaos.”

I groaned, exasperated. “I do not! I am strictly… clinical, observant, entirely professional.” Caleb and Luka exchanged a glance that made my stomach flip in ways I refused to acknowledge.

The rookie smirked, clearly enjoying this game as much as that cocky bastard, Caleb beside him. And I? I was in the middle, pulse hammering, aware of every glance, every subtle movement, every teasing comment that hinted at something I wasn’t supposed to feel.

I finished taping Luka’s ankle. Hands lingering slightly as Caleb’s presence pressed in, a proximity that made every nerve in my body burn.

“You good?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, hands brushing his socked foot one last time.

“Perfect,” he said, grin widening.“Though I can’t say the same about you.”

I stared at him, incredulous. “Excuse me?”

“You,” he said, gesturing vaguely at me with a playful tilt of the head. “Your pulse. Your stares. Your little sigh when Caleb stepped in. You enjoy this. You enjoy us.”

I swallowed hard. “I am completely focused and you are just being delusional.”

Caleb laughed, low and teasing, stepping closer. “Sure, Doc. Whatever helps you sleep tonight.”

I exhaled, feeling trapped between two extremes. Luka’s youthful, confident pull and Caleb’s seasoned, cocky heat. Neither of them gave me an easy escape, and somehow, I didn’t want one either.

Finally, Luka stretched to stand. “All set, Jullie. Thanks for.keeping me from killing my ankle.”

“Anytime,” I said tightly, hands brushing briefly against his arm in a professional adjustment that felt anything but.

Caleb leaned casually against the wall, smirk spreading. “You two make quite the pair. I would almost be jealous if I didn’t already know you were into me too”

I groaned. “I hate both of you.”

“You love both of us,” Caleb teased, voice low, playful.

Luka chuckled. “I don’t know about love,Julie but I know I enjoy this chaos.”

I shook my head, trying to steady my pulse. “You’re impossible.”

They both laughed—different styles, but the effect was the same. My chest tight, pulse racing, heart betraying every careful plan I had for being professional and invisible.

As I left the training room, both of them standing behind me, I realized one thing with chilling clarity.

This wasn’t about work anymore.

It was about desire, possession , and chaos.

And I had no idea how I was going to survive it.