The player and the shy girl (english version)

Between the Lines

POV EMMA

I just finished my run and now I'm heading home. I'm exhausted, so I'll take a shower and then rest since we're going to the party later.

I open the door, and as soon as I step in, I see Lucas standing right in front of me.

He looks at me, and I look back.

"Back already, I see."

"Well, I had to come home at some point, don't you think?"
I reply sarcastically and walk past him into the house.

He grabs my arm and pulls me toward him, pressing me against the door. His hand cups my cheek as he kisses me deeply.

"Be ready by 10:30 with Mia," he says, pulling away from the kiss.
"Be careful what you wear," he whispers in my ear before winking and walking out, leaving me standing there, stunned.

What just happened?

I walk inside, and Lucas' mother gives me a knowing smile as she moves toward the kitchen.

Please tell me she didn't see anything...

I head to my room.

"He wants you. Don't ignore him," she says as I turn back to look at her. I give her a faint smile and continue to my room.

Okay, this is starting to feel... strange...

I take a shower and then head to the kitchen for something to eat.

"Sweetheart, I'm off to work. There's chicken with potatoes if you're hungry."

"Okay," I say, smiling back.

She leaves, and I grab a plate to serve myself some food. I sit down, ready to eat when the door opens. I turn to see Lucas walk in.

I freeze. His arms and face are bruised.

I get up immediately and rush over to him.
"What happened?"

"Nothing," he replies, walking past me.

"You're hurt. What do you mean nothing happened?" I follow him.
"Did you fall off your bike?"

I glance out the window and see his bike covered in scratches.

I look at him, and he looks back at me.

"Where were you?"

"It's none of your business," he says.

"Were you in a race?" I ask, my voice rising.

He looks at me and gets up from the kitchen chair.

Oh, no, he needs a lecture for sure.

"Shouldn't you go to a hospital?" I ask, worried.

"Relax, I'm fine," he says, trying to act cool.

I stare at him. Why do I even bother?

I walk past him, intentionally bumping his shoulder. He winces in pain, grabbing it immediately.

"Why did you do that?" He glares at me, growling.

"Oh, so the tough guy act doesn't hold up, does it?" I reply sarcastically.

He just looks at me. No response. Typical.

"Do you want me to clean your wounds, or are you still playing tough?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm going to take a shower. I'll call you when I'm done," he says, walking away.

"Also, put something on. There are guys here," he adds, eyeing my outfit.

I glance down at my tank top, which was showing off way too much cleavage, paired with my long pajama bottoms.

I roll my eyes as he walks away.
I sit back down, finish eating, and then put the dishes in the sink. Grabbing a juice from the fridge, I sip it as I hear Lucas calling me from his room.

I walk over and open the door.

He's sitting on his bed, shirtless, with wet hair. And he told me to put something on? I didn't even have time to change.

He looks at me, and his eyes drop to my chest.

"I told you to put something on," he says.

"I could say the same to you," I reply, winking at him.

He smiles and gestures for me to come closer.

"Let's get this over with," I say, taking another sip of my juice.

He hands me the iodine and cotton swabs.

He sits up straighter on the bed, and I kneel beside him. I start applying the iodine to his wounds, and he winces, gripping the bedsheet as the sting hits.

I blow gently on the wounds to ease the pain, and he relaxes a little.

I move to his face, but before applying the iodine, I stop and look at him.
"You okay?"

"I can handle it," he says, exhaling deeply.

"Want me to take a break?"

"No, the faster we get this done, the better."

"Alright."

I grab another cotton swab, and he closes his eyes, bracing for the sting. I gently hold his chin, applying the iodine carefully. He grabs my hand, holding it.

I wasn't expecting that.
"You sure you're okay?" I ask as he squeezes his eyes shut.

I press his chin a little.
"Do you want me to stop?" I ask again.

"No, just finish quickly," he mutters.

I bite my lip, knowing how much this must hurt. I try to move faster, applying the last bit of iodine.

"Almost done," I say, and he lets out a sigh.

I finish the last wound, and he collapses back onto the bed.

"I thought you didn't care about me anymore," he says, raising one eyebrow.

Now, what am I supposed to say to that?