3

 NOAH MASON 

 “You’re the captain. I’ll consider the loss against the Wolves as a mistake but I need you to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Okay?”

 I nodded, Coach Smith squeezing my shoulders before he walked out of the locker room. He gently shut the door and seconds later it opened again, familiar footsteps approaching me.

 “Christ, is he still grilling you on last week’s loss?” Ethan, my closest friend who was also on the team walked in. “One loss doesn’t change anything. When was the last time they won anyways? You both need to cut yourselves some slack.”

 “The issue isn’t the fact that they won,” I slammed my locker shut. “It’s the fact that they won the day Takumi Williams returned. Now stupid rumors are going around saying we just can’t beat him.”

 Ethan burst into laughter, grabbing me by the shoulders to steady me. “Don’t be ridiculous, Noah. Williams isn’t a rival. The Wolves aren’t a rival. The entire team is a joke. Everyone knows it was created as a sob apology to guys who couldn’t make the official university team.”

“And yet one of the players got scouted by an international university.”

 “Takumi?” Ethan sighed. “Everyone knows it’s because of his Japanese roots. And so what? He’s back here, isn’t he? Come on, Noah, this isn’t like you. Why are you allowing useless things like this to bother you?”

 Ethan was right. He was my closest friend and knew me more than anyone else. Well enough to know I never allowed useless things bother me so all of these wasn’t supposed to be an exception.

 “Our match against Vale should be the only thing you should be worried about,” he gave my shoulder a squeeze. “And I’m confident we’re winning that so chill out.”

 “I’m chill,” I brushed his hands off my shoulders, preparing to head into the shower. “I’m calm.” 

 “Do you want to come to a party with Summer and I tonight then?” He suggested as he grabbed his towel. “Please say yes.”

 “No,” I replied without thinking. Summer was my other friend who was also his ex-girlfriend. The three of us had been friends ever since high school and ever before they decided to experiment and fail at what it would be like if they decided to date. “I’m exhausted. I just want to go home.”

 “Your girlfriend would be there too,” he added like that was going to change my mind. “If you don't want to come for us, at least come for Rayna.”

 “Not today, I’m really exhausted,” I shook my head. “And Rayna didn't tell me she’ll be there so I’ll just go to home to get some rest.”

 Rayna was my girlfriend. We had been dating for a couple of months now and my favourite thing about her had to be how understanding she was. She never forced me to socialize when I wasn’t in the mood and just allowed me be by myself most of the time.

 “Fine,” he groaned, pointing an accusing finger at me. “But just today. I promise the next time there’s a party, we’ll all drag you there. Whether you want to or not.”

 I ignored his glare and got into the shower, the cold water hitting my skin managing to calm me down a bit. As much as I’d loved to continue training till late hours at night, my thighs now felt sore and after my last injury, I’d decided to stick to my trainer’s advice to avoid pushing myself too hard.

 In less than twenty minutes, I was out of the shower and changed. Ethan was now nowhere to be found and I could guess he had left for the party with the rest of the guys that were also present until few minutes ago.

Flipping the hood of my hoodie, I walked over to my car. I had to force myself to ignore the slight relief I felt in my thighs as I got in and started my car, almost impatient to just get home and finally catch some sleep.

 Tomorrow was the last day we had before our big match with Vale and whether Ethan wanted to admit it or not, they were a thought nut to crack, their captain especially responsible for my last injury.

 I pulled over in front of the driveway, a sigh escaping my lips. It was barely one of relief though, my heart racing as usual whenever I now thought of the incident that occurred three days ago.

 Three days ago, yet it felt like it had happened just three hours ago. The confusion I felt was still fresh, the rage even fresher. I still found it impossible to wrap my head around the fact that my father had suggested Takumi moving in with me. And Takumi, had left me so speechless, the decision was quickly made without anyone regarding my previous contempt.

 It had to be a joke. There was no way any of them would actually proceed with it. There was no way Takumi would allow himself willingly be in close proximity with him.

 “No,” I shook my head as I got out of the car. My imagination ran wild though. Takumi living with me would be nothing but a disaster. I rarely had friends over, Rayna being the only exception, but it wouldn’t take long for everyone to find out he was living with me. And then what next? They’d find out he was my stepbrother? Because my father had somehow found a woman willing to marry a dick like him? “No fucking way.”

 It was too terrifying to imagine. I refused to imagine seeing that stupid face and smile of his every single day. And after every inevitable match with the Wolves? I’d rather die than watch him gloat, knowing very well we were returning to the same house.

 “No fucking way,” I muttered, adjusting the strap of my bag so I could push the front door open. I grabbed the knob, opened it and immediately, my bag almost fell off my shoulders. “What the fuck?”

 More than anything, I wished I was in the wrong house. Or that my imaginations had just gotten wilder. That was the only half reasonable explanation I could come up with.

Because other than that, I refused to believe Takumi Williams was actually in my living room. On my couch.

 With my girlfriend laying on him half naked, both their tongues shoved into each other’s mouth.