August Flynn.
"I know deep inside you care about him; everyone in the team knows." He lets out a breath. I lift my gaze, eyes boring into his; I straighten up, feeling a newfound confidence.
"And if I care about him, so what? Does that make you feel better? At least I care—unlike you.”
He smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "You are playing a dangerous game, honey."
"At least it's for someone I care about, but unfortunately, some people are too cold to coach their teammates well enough in love and care; they prefer to be cold, stoic, and brutal."
The smile that was once on his face slowly disappeared; he didn't say a word before he walked out of sight, leaving me alone in the crowd. I found myself turning back; my father was standing, welcoming his now favorite son to the stage. He applauded him, and right in front of my eyes, he offered him a key to a brand new Rolls-Royce. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing escaped; I could feel the growing lump in my throat when Jordan pulled her into his arms and sealed his lips with hers.
I couldn't hold the tears anymore; they slowly found their way down my cheeks, smearing my makeup and making me look like a cheap little nerd, begging for scraps of attention.
"Is it now clear that you really care?"
"Fuck off," I roared as I bolted out of the crowd, taking every step as briskly as I could, until I found myself outside the building. The air felt dense; the night felt cold as the wind blew my hair into curly waves.
'Fuck, why does my heart have to choose my stepbrother of all people?' I thought inwardly, tears slipping. My chest tightened, my emotions spiraling, and suddenly, I realized I needed the restroom.
……
When I was done emptying my once full bladder, I found myself standing in front of the mirror, watching my blotchy face. I turned to leave, and I figured someone was standing by the door. "What the fuck..." I cursed; I placed my hand on my chest, heart pounding while my breathing was slightly ragged.
I saw the coach walk towards me, a smile that was creepy yet seductive, revealing his set of white teeth. His masculine cologne gave him a dangerous look, unlike the simple one I had known him to have.
I was done with mind games. I stared into his eyes, my chest slightly straightened, my eyes intense as I said, "Are you now following me?"
"Yeah, if only you could help me with a favor."
"A favor?" I can't believe this man has some real nerve, forgetting the fact that he's a rival.
His smile turned mischievous; he leaned, his breath fanned my skin, and my heartbeat increased. "Be my personal coach," he muttered.
I lifted my gaze, eyes wide, almost having a strong urge to land a slap across his face. "This is ridiculous, a coach wanting a coach?" This is the greatest joke of the year.
He slightly pulled back, his gaze averting in a different direction; his expression turned dark and dangerous, like he was capable of anything. I saw the opportunity to leave, so I ignored his presence and briskly walked towards the door. I felt his strong hand wrapped around mine, pulled me into a warm embrace, and whispered, "You are going nowhere; we aren't done talking."
"From the way you sound, you don't need a coach; you certainly need a therapist because you are mentally un…" Words were caught in my throat, and my breath hitched when he removed what seemed like a silicone mask, my brow slightly furrowed, knowing the face was familiar yet unable to recall.
"So you are now walking around in disguise, or should I say eggshells?" I asked. My lips sealed as I stared at his sharp features and hazel green eyes, which took me off guard.
"Or it seems you are no longer the nerdy rabbit that has been following Jordan everywhere he sets foot; today you seem quite feisty, huh?"
"I have always been feisty for jerks like yourself; if you don't let me leave, I might as well act defensive."
He lifted his hands in surrender, the annoying smile still evident on his face as he took a step back. I took the opportunity to leave, but before I reached the door, he said something that made me rethink, "Remember, your family and crush, who is your stepbrother, they don't give a shit about you, August; they are just using you to get what they want. After they are done, you will be dumped like a piece of shit." I ignored him and walked outside the building, feeling my temperature rising. I cursed under the dimly lit environment. I found myself leaning against the wall for support; my breathing was ragged while trying to calm my aching heart. Then a crowd of people poured out of the building; they were all standing in front of a car that was beautifully decorated with flowers and was wrapped in red wrappings, making the whole process look more beautiful. I saw the crowd give way, allowing Jordan and Avery to pass through; they walked like the power couple that they were towards the car, and my father handed them a pair of scissors while encouraging them to cut the wrap. Jordan stretched out his hand to cut the wrappings only for Avery to stop the process.
"Mr. Stones, or I might as well call you my father-in-law, don't you think it won't be fair that Jordan is the only one cutting the linen? Don't you think August, who's also your daughter, should be here?" When she said those words, deep inside, I felt somehow included even though I knew the motive of Avery was not a good one, but at least she thought about me, knowing how I have always felt left out in most of the family occasions.
"Uh...I think she'll get her time to celebrate w..."
"Dad, she's right, August needs to be here as well; she's also your child," Jordan interrupted, his smile evident as he stared at the car. When he made that statement, I wished to see some warmth in his eyes, but nothing. The uncomfortable look on my father's face clearly showed he didn't want me there, knowing there were people of high caliber that were present and they'll know that he has a nerdy daughter he had never appreciated since the death of his wife.
He forces a smile before he calls out my name in the crowd. Before I could react, a hand covered my mouth from behind; this deep voice echoed through the dimly lit night. "You don't expect to see your brother with that smeared face, do you?" The voice of the man who had just stalked me in the restroom said, his voice deep, which made the memory come flooding in. I now recalled the jerk who was standing in front of me; it was the quiet, calculated rival in Jordan's opposite team, which is the Hotchedog Team. Whenever Jordan's team wins, I have seen him a couple of times the way he doesn't smile or show disappointment; he just stares, his eyes cold and expression stoic. I have never seen or heard him say a word, and his talking to me today is almost a miracle.
"Caspian!" I sounded shocked.
"Or the little bunny now remembers me."
He averts his gaze, turns back to me, and says, "Believe me when I say that is not the best decision for you to meet your father right now."
"But..."
"Just hide there; I'll take care of the situation."
"August…" The voice of my father resounded again.
"I have to go and meet them." My voice trembled, almost imagining how my father would make a scene when we eventually got home. I stared at Caspian, almost forgetting that he was someone who was never to be trusted, recalling how his words had always been weighed before being spoken.
I saw him walk away; only then was I able to properly observe his well-sculptured face and his eyes focused as he took steady strides towards them.
I could see my father's eyes scanning the people around, waiting for me to show up.
In less than a minute, Caspian was standing beside Avery; he whispered something her that suddenly made her let out a horrendous scream.
