My brothers best friend

Chapter 13: One Goal, Two Hearts

(Edited)

Chapter 13

Valerie's Point of View

The roar of the crowd is deafening, vibrating through the stadium as the players take their positions on the field. I sit between Viktoria and Paige, the crisp autumn air nipping at my cheeks. Despite the energy crackling through the stands, my mind is elsewhere, tangled in thoughts I can't escape.

I force myself to focus on the game. Jake, dressed in his team's green and white jersey, stands near midfield. His blonde hair is damp with sweat, and even from a distance, I can see the intensity etched into his features. He looks determined, focused in a way that makes my chest ache.

"Jake's on fire tonight," Viktoria says, nudging me gently. "Look at him go."

I shrug, keeping my expression neutral. "He's always good."

My best friend doesn't miss the hesitation in my voice. Viktoria tilts her head slightly, studying me. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I say quickly, plastering on a fake smile.

Paige, oblivious to the tension, cheers as Mason intercepts a pass. "That's my boyfriend!" she shouts, clapping enthusiastically.

On the field, Jake moves with precision and skill, weaving past defenders and setting up plays with an ease that makes it look effortless. He's in his element, completely at home in the chaos of the game. I hate how much I notice him, how my eyes automatically seek him out, even when I don't want them to.

In the second half, with the score tied 2-2, Jake takes control. He calls for the ball, his voice cutting through the noise, and darts toward the goal. The opposing team's defenders scramble to block him, but he's too fast, too calculated. He feints left, then right, leaving his mark in the dust before launching the ball toward the net.

The crowd erupts as the ball sails past the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the goal. Jake's teammates swarm him, their cheers blending with those of the fans.

"Wow," Paige says, shaking her head in admiration. "That was insane. He's really something else."

I don't respond. My heart is pounding, though not because of the game. Watching Jake score, seeing him light up with pride, reminds me of why I fell for him in the first place. But it also reminds me of the pain he caused, and the wall I've built around myself hardens a little more.

Jake's Point of View

I barely register the cheers as my teammates pat me on the back. Scoring feels good—great even—but it isn't enough to quiet the nagging thoughts in my head. My eyes instinctively scan the stands until they land on her.

Valerie.

She's sitting between Paige and Viktoria, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. Even from a distance, I can see the stiffness in her posture, the way she holds herself like she's bracing for something. She's not smiling, not cheering like she used to when she came to my games.

I hate it.

Ever since that night at the party, when everything went so horribly wrong, Valerie's been cold, distant, as if she put up a wall I can't climb. I know I messed up, but I don't know how to fix it. All I know is that I can't lose her.

"Focus, man," Mason says, clapping me on the shoulder. "We've still got ten minutes left."

I nod, forcing myself to push thoughts of Valerie aside. The game's not over yet, and my team needs me. I channel my frustration into my play, running harder, pushing myself further, as if scoring one more goal will somehow make things right.