The Line Between Us - Alejandro Balde Love Story

Chapter 8: Unforeseen Encounters

The stadium buzzed with excitement, the energy of the crowd pulsing through the air. I had never been a huge football fan, but living in Spain and having two brothers who were obsessed with the sport made it impossible to escape. As I sat in the stands with Berta, the tension in my stomach reminded me of my divided loyalties. Today was a crucial match—Athletic Bilbao against Barça—and I was here to support my brothers, Iñaki and Nico.

"Let's go, Athletic!" I cheered half-heartedly, glancing at Berta, who was decked out in her Barça gear thanks to Fermín. She shot me a sympathetic smile, her excitement for her team palpable.

As the game began, the roar of the fans created a symphony of cheers, boos, and chants that filled the air. I scanned the field, my heart swelling with pride as I saw Iñaki and Nico on the pitch, both looking fierce and focused. My attention shifted momentarily to Alejandro, wearing the number 3 jersey, who stood with an air of confidence that made my stomach twist.

The match unfolded in an electric atmosphere, and my heart sank with every point Barça scored. I couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment wash over me every time Iñaki and Nico got outplayed.

"Come on, you can do better than that!" I shouted at the screen, frustration mounting. Berta laughed beside me, her enthusiasm unwavering. "You're doing great, Isa! Just breathe!"

I forced myself to cheer for Iñaki and Nico, even as I caught glimpses of Alejandro darting around the field, his movements fluid and commanding. It was hard not to admire his skill, despite everything that had happened between us. The memories of our last encounter washed over me, my irritation bubbling back to the surface.

The game was intense, and as the minutes passed, the score remained tied. Every near miss felt like a punch to my gut. When the halftime whistle blew, I took a deep breath, thankful for the break. Berta leaned closer, her excitement palpable.

"Can you believe it? I've never seen a match like this!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"It's definitely... something," I replied, glancing around at the roaring crowd.

The second half resumed with fervor, the players giving their all. I leaned forward in my seat, the tension mounting as the clock ticked down.

Then, the final whistle blew, and I felt like I'd taken a punch to the gut. Barça had won, and with it, my mood plummeted. I turned to Berta, trying to mask my annoyance. "Great. Just great."

"Hey, it's just a game," she teased, nudging me playfully. "Besides, next time, your brothers will have their turn!"

As we left our seats, the crowd began to disperse, some lingering for autographs and post-match celebrations. I tried to keep my thoughts off the loss, but as we walked through the stadium corridors, I felt the familiar mix of annoyance and disappointment swirling inside me.

Suddenly, I bumped into someone, and I looked up to find Alejandro standing there, his jersey still damp with sweat, shirt number 3 clinging to his toned physique. His dark eyes twinkled with mischief, and my heart raced, despite my best intentions.

"Isabella," he said, leaning against the wall casually. "What did you think of the game? Your brothers didn't put up much of a fight."

My jaw clenched, and I took a step back. "You were insufferable out there. I don't want to hear it."

He grinned, clearly enjoying my irritation. "Oh, come on. Admit it, you enjoyed it a little. Especially when I scored that last goal."

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my composure, but my heart was racing in a way I didn't quite understand. "I don't think I can appreciate anything about Barça right now."

In a sudden shift, he stepped closer, effectively trapping me against the wall. My breath hitched, and for a moment, all my frustrations faded into the background. His gaze locked onto mine, and I could feel the electric tension crackling between us.

"You really shouldn't be so angry," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. "It's just a game. I'll have to make it up to you somehow."

Before I could reply, he moved in even closer, and I could feel the heat radiating off him. My heart raced, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, drawn into the moment. Our lips were a mere centimeter apart, the world around us fading away as the space between us dwindled.

Just then, Iñaki appeared out of nowhere, his protective instincts kicking in. "Isa!" he shouted, his voice breaking the charged silence.

In that instant, Alejandro stepped back, leaving me breathless and bewildered. "Looks like I'll have to come back and get my victory kiss later," he teased, winking at me before turning to leave.

I watched him go, heat creeping up my cheeks as Iñaki turned his attention to me. "What was that?" he demanded, his brow furrowed in concern. "You can't just—"

"Gosh, you're so overprotective!" I snapped, crossing my arms defensively. "I'm not a little girl anymore, Iñaki!"

"You think I'm being overprotective? Fine. But I don't care what he says, what he does—he's not good enough for you." Iñaki's voice was firm, but there was an underlying note of worry that softened the edge of his words.

"Not good enough? You don't even know him," I shot back, frustration bubbling over. "You don't get to decide who's good enough for me!"

"Maybe not," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "But I do know footballers like him. They think they can have anyone they want."

"Maybe he doesn't want anyone else!" I argued back, my heart racing. "And just because he plays for Barça doesn't mean he's a bad person!"

Iñaki looked like he wanted to respond, but the tension between us hung heavy in the air. "Just... be careful, Isa. That's all I'm asking," he finally said, his voice softer.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "I will. I promise."

As I turned to walk away, I couldn't help but steal one last glance at where Alejandro had vanished, the lingering heat of that almost-kiss still fresh in my mind. Iñaki's protectiveness was suffocating, but part of me felt drawn to the danger Alejandro represented. The game wasn't over yet, and I had a feeling the real challenge was just beginning.