“You two don’t even like each other,” I say, trying to process.“You said so yourself.And he bullies you—constantly.”
“Yeah, he does,” Landon admits.“That’s his way of getting back at me, I guess.”
“Getting back at you for what?”
Landon glances around the bleachers, clearly uneasy.“We’ll talk about it later,” he says in a low voice.“Someone might hear.”
I nod, though my mind is racing.
This is insane.They were a thing?All this time?How did I not see it?
The game ends with our school winning 4–2.The crowd erupts into cheers, and the girls scream as the players celebrate.People begin to file out of the stands, but I stay seated, watching the team revel in their victory.Fox laughs as Blaze pulls him into a brotherly hug.
Then, suddenly, Fox looks up, and our eyes meet.He freezes, clearly surprised to see me.I look away immediately, my heart racing.
“This is the part where it gets awkward,” Nat mutters.“We should leave.”
The field is almost empty now, save for a few lingering families of the players.I stand, and Nat and Landon follow suit.
“Can you give me a minute?”I ask.“I need to talk to Blaze.”
Landon gives me a wary look.“Just don’t tell him what I told you,” he warns.
I bite my lip and nod before heading down the bleachers.I spot Fox speaking to Blaze.Whatever they’re talking about, it doesn’t look pleasant.Both of them look tense, the earlier joy of the game completely gone.
Fox suddenly turns away, walking toward a woman who looks to be in her forties.She’s stunning—bright brown hair, tall, with elegant features that mirror his.She smiles warmly as Fox embraces her.
“That’s Lila, Fox’s mom,” Blaze says as I approach, noticing where my gaze is fixed.
“Korean?”I ask, distracted.
Blaze laughs.“Canadian and Chinese.Don’t worry—Fox will tell you all about her someday.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, turning back to him.
“Did you enjoy the game?”Blaze asks.
I smile.“I did, even if I barely understood what was going on.Landon spent half the time explaining it to me.”
Blaze chuckles.“I’m glad you came.With time, you’ll pick up on it.Soccer isn’t too complicated.”
I bite my lip and glance at my feet, feeling his eyes on me.But when I look up, it’s not just Blaze watching me—Fox is, too.He’s standing with his mom, who’s talking to him, but he isn’t paying her any attention.His intense gaze is locked on me, and my stomach flips.
“I need to tell you something,” I say, shifting my focus back to Blaze.As I step back, I realize how close we’re standing.
“Go ahead,” Blaze says, a small smile playing on his lips.“I’m guessing this is about my date proposal.”
I nod slowly, hesitating.
“It’s fine if you don’t think it’s a good idea,” Blaze adds.
I sigh, gathering my thoughts.“It’s not about that, exactly.”
“Have you told him you like him?”Blaze asks.He doesn’t need to say Fox’s name for me to know who he means.
“Yeah,” I admit.“He panicked.Stopped coming to the apartment.Started avoiding me.”
Blaze shakes his head, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face.“Fox,” he says softly.“I’m sorry about that.”
