Chapter 67
Linda’s tone was full of sympathy when she said this, but no one would think that she was really feeling sorry for what had happened to me. She was just mocking my misfortune with a seemingly kind gesture.
Their voices faded into the background as I focused on the field.
It didn’t matter what they said.
People who didn’t know the truth would always talk, but that wasn’t my concern today. I won’t let them off the hook after the game.
The game was about to start, and the excitement in the crowd was palpable.
As the first pitch was thrown, the tension in the air sharpened.
The match today was expected to be intense, and it didn’t disappoint.
Ryan, always the center of attention, was playing like his life depended on it. Every move he made, every swing of the bat, carried a weight of determination that was impossible to miss.He wasn’t just rying to win the game–he was trying to prove something.
To me, most likely.
Ryan had always been proud, and the idea that I might no longer be interested in him seemed to light a fire under him. He couldn’t stand the thought of me looking at someone else, especially not
Lirian.
He wasn’t playing for the crowd’s admiration today; he was playing to force my gaze back to him.
Ryan might have grown to dislike me over time, but there was no way he would tolerate the idea of me disliking him.
It was like he needed to remind me–and maybe himself–that he was the one who deserved my attention, that he was still the one who should be liked.
The game was full of sparks, a friendly match but with plenty of fireworks between the teams.
The tension between Ryan and Lirian seemed to radiate from the field as they both pushed themselves harder and harder, each one unwilling to back down. The game was temporarily interrupted when Ryan’s team called for a pitching change midway through.
Lirian and Eric were resting on the sidelines not far from where I sat, so I could overhear their conversation easily.
“Are you working so hard today?” Lirian asked, glancing at Eric with a hint of curiosity. He had noticed how Eric, who usually played casually, was giving it his all today. Eric was unusually active, pushing himself harder than anyone expected.
Eric shrugged, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“A girl said I was ugly. I’ve got to perform well to show her my strength,” he said, grinning mischievously.
Lirian heard his words and didn’t respond, simply taking another sip of water, seemingly minterested.
But I couldn’t help but find Eric’s enthusiasm a little amusing.
He always managed to lighten the mood, no matter how serious things got.
Eric finished his water, glanced around, and spotted me sitting in the bleachers. His grin widened, and he called out, loud enough for everyone around us to hear, “So, how was it? Am I handsome? Your boyfriend’s being defended to death by me!”
stared at him, momentarily speechless.“..
Before I could respond, Lirian turned his head and shot Eric a look–a look that spoke volumes.
It was cold, filled with warning, and there was an undercurrent of something more dangerous.
It was as if Lirian was silently telling Eric to watch his step, that he was treading on dangerous ground. Eric, for his part, suddenly seemed to feel the weight of Lirian’s glare. He shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly unsettled.
Lirian’s cold demeanor toward me was a stark contrast to Eric’s playful antics.
Eric had no problem openly calling out to me, but Lirian barely even glanced in my direction, He was reserved, almost distant, as if he didn’t want to be In the spotlight, especially not when it involved me.
But it was exactly that distance, that coldness, that made him even more intriguing.
The more aloof he acted, the more I found myself drawn to him.
able to resist, I shouted over the noise of the crowd, “Lirian, you’re so handsome!”
Chapter 67
Éric grunted in frustration when he heard me, clearly unhappy that my attention was on Lirian.
My voice was lost in the sea of cheers from the spectators, but for a brief moment, I thought I saw something unusual–Lirian’s ears turning red.
It was barely noticeable, but it was there. He didn’t look back at me, but that small sign told me that my words had reached him.
“I’m going to start getting serious,” Lirian said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
