Caspian Blackstone.
"Yes, it's because of you she's not alive." I heard her father say, my feet unmoving as those words were said by a father to a daughter, 'No person deserves to hear such,' I thought inwardly. My fist was tightly clenched as I averted my gaze towards Jordan; his eyes were expressionless, and he folded his arms across his chest—no remorse, no guilt, nothing. I felt infuriated, but I decided to stay still and see what would happen.
"Dad...she gave me life, and the least you could do is see Mum through me, not blame me for it." Her voice cracked as those words left her lips. I felt her pain, her eyes glossy with tears. I almost regretted my actions, but I knew I did what I had to do. I wanted her to find herself, to stop chasing shadows and see the potential within her, the woman with the big dreams.
"So you are... Not going to bail me out?" She asked after a few minutes of silence from her father and brother.
Jordan stretched out his hand and wrapped it around hers. He stared into her eyes as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we would have to keep you here to learn your lesson."
"Lesson! Seriously, Jordan, after everything that we once shared not just as siblings but as teammates, don't you see that I have always..."
"Enough, August. When you are ready to learn, you can inform the cops, and they'll allow you to talk to me on the phone." Her father cut her off, and just like that, he turned away and left. Jordan stared sadly, and for the first time, I saw guilt in his eyes before he also turned and left. They took steady strides towards where I was standing. I immediately lowered my face so Jordan wouldn't have to recognize me. My heart raced when they walked past me, but fortunately, none of them recognized me. I had told the cops that I'd be coming to see and check up on her, but I didn't expect to meet her family and hear words that cut sharper than a sword.
I found myself walking towards the metal bars. She lifted her gaze, her mouth hung open, her eyes wide in shock, but nothing came out of her lips. "What did you come here to do after sabotaging my reputation?"
"You don't get it? I want what's best for you, August. I want..."
"Just shut the fuck up because I remember; you don't give a shit about anyone, and you don't care about anything, Caspian, because you act like a robot on your team, useless and unprofessional." I stared, her words haunting me, my mouth refusing to say a word, because as much as her words hurt, she was right. Maybe I'm not just trying to help her; maybe I need her to help me find myself, to see maybe I'm not emotionless as everyone thinks I am.
Suddenly she went silent, eyes scanning mine. She walked closer to the metal bars as she wrapped her hand around them. "I know I shouldn't have said that, but it won't change the fact that you put me in this situation. You put that ring in my pocket; I know it was fucking you who did it."
"Me? You think I wouldn't have gone as low as doing that cheap scheme? To what end, August?" I asked rhetorically while trying not to smile because I love it when she sounds defensive.
She scoffs, lets go of the metal bar, and says, "So now you are not just stalking me; you are denying everything that you did." The way she said it made her look hotter in her silky red dress, smeared face, and disheveled hair.
Her eyes narrowed as she leaned against the metal. "You know I have always known you to be quiet, but I didn't expect this from you."
"I have always known you to be resilient, but I didn't expect you to just put your potential on hold because of a guy who will never value your presence even in the next few years."
"You don't know anything about Jordan." She counterattacks loudly.
"But at least I know the fact that you were the mastermind behind him winning that game."
She smiled weakly as she stepped away from the metal. "So this is what it is all about, to help your team win as well?"
I paused and thought for a moment, realizing that this rare gem is not only professional; she was intelligent, she observed, and she pointed out loopholes, and it makes her more beautiful in a way I can't explain. Realizing she had noticed I was behind the theft.
"Yes, that's why I'm here. Jordan will not appreciate your effort, but I'll be ready to bail you out of this sick hole only if you agree to be my coach."
"And what if I don't agree?"
I made my face expressionless, nodded my head, and turned away. "Then you can enjoy your stay here." I took every step carefully, hoping she'd stop me, but her silence was cutting deeper than it should because I have always admired August. From the day my teammate, Seb, had a fracture; I saw the way she had helped, the worried look on her face, and the way she handled the situation with class. Since that day, I can't get her out of my mind, but unfortunately, she prefers her sick stepbrother, who only calls on her whenever he needs something, and she'll always show up like a lost puppy.
I was almost at the door, and then I heard her voice, which pleased me more than I wanted to admit. "Okay, fine, but I’ll only coach you once a week,"
A smile curled on my lips because I know it'll definitely be more than a week.
"Okay, little rabbit, we'll see about that," I said before I walked out of the room, and then I went to the counter and asked how much for the bail. I was told a million dollars. I didn't hesitate as I swiped the card on the machine because the gem right there is worth more than a million dollars.
