All Chapters of Sidelined Hearts : An M x M Original : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Christian "Can you believe I'm being restricted from playing today because of it?" I suddenly blurt out. I don't know if Nate knows about the restriction yet, but I suddenly want to share my anger over the situation with someone else. His eyes widen briefly, before he looks at me with a sympathetic gaze. I flinch, hating that look in his eyes. "You seriously mean that? And Jared allowed it? How the fuck could they do something like that?" I smile, feeling oddly satisfied that he at least feels as upset as I am about the whole thing. Not like it can change anything about it, but it's good to know I'm not the only one who finds this situation extremely ridiculous. "Yeah, that's what he called me to tell me. It seems the fans are really giving the team a lot of heat for it." I reply. His gaze turns hard. "So what? We can take a little heat. No need to suck up to that American! How can they put down a teammate just because of the opposing team?" Listening to his words,

Ashford. "Why are you sulking, blondie?" I turn to my teammate, I think his name is Salvatore—I remember because his Italian looks is a dead giveaway. A small chuckle escapes my lips because of the nickname. He used to call me American the first time we met. I can't believe it's Blondie now. I give him a small smile. "I'm not sulking. Why do you think I am?" Okay, I may or may not be lying a bit. I'm still upset because Pierce is hell-bent on doing absolutely nothing to ease the heat Christian is facing. And it's all because of what Cole said. Thinking about it brings another scowl to my face, and I grip the ball in my hand tighter. "Liar, you're full on glaring at the ball now. Chill or you're going to ruin it." He answers. My eyes fly back to the ball in my hand, and I take his advice to mind, easing my hold on the ball. "It's nothing. I'll handle it myself." I try to say dismissively. It's not like he can do anything to help me after all. But Salvatore gives

Ashford I push myself away from him, holding my hands by my side. He's right about one thing. It's stupid to fight him over Christian, because Christian is no one to me. I still glare at Cole. "I never thought you to be a vindictive person, Cole. For fucks sake, you're letting a guy be dragged through the mud because he gossiped about me in some toilet stall?" Thankfully, he gives me a shameful look, but it’s quickly replaced with a defiant expression. "I'm not letting anything happen. He was mean and he's facing the consequences of his actions. It's not like I'm the one who released the news." I hiss and turn away from him, rubbing my hand down my face. "Just get out. I don't want to see your face. And stop trying to call me." I bite back harshly. His face crumbles, and I almost feel bad for my words. Almost. "You don't mean that. Stop it, Ash. Stop acting like a lunatic because of this—this man. It's me, Cole." I can't he

Christian So Nate knows. He knows that Ashford Ryder isn't a straight as an arrow football player. I should have known Of course I should have. That's probably the reason everyone is acting so delicately about his career. I glared at an openly gay soccer player on the field. I mean, I should have thought about it, but after I dropped Nate back at his room, I allow myself find out just how bad things are. A quick glance at the clock reveals that it's early evening, close to 5pm, which means in less than three hours, my teammates will play against Brooklyn Bruisers' again. Without me. I nod at the thought, lacking the strength to truly be upset about it anymore. It's for the better anyway. But that thought didn't stop me an hour ago, from picking up my laptop and looking up that disastrous headline that tagged me and Ashford together. After one embarras

Christian It takes me a while to shower again, because I hate smelling like alcohol, and then I'm clad in loose fitting jeans and a grey sweater shirt. After barely five minutes of waiting inside the cafe, and ordering just a single cup of tea, I hear a familiar shriek coming from right in front of me. A smile lines my face, as I envelope Sophia in a hug. "It's great to see you. You don't look too bad since I last saw you." She says with a bright look. She always says that whenever we meet. I think it's an inside joke between us about how she expects my wrinkles to come anytime now since according to her, I frown a lot. "And you don't look bad yourself, Soph. It's always a pleasure seeing you." I offer her a seat, and she takes it. She picks up the menu, glancing at it with interest, before placing it back on the table. "Tea should be good, no? I don't really want to ea