A few weeks had passed since Nelson and Akira's first one-on-one practice session, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. They'd met up after practices, texted late into the night, and even gone on a couple of casual coffee runs. But their connection wasn't lost on the rest of the team. Her teammates were curious, teasing her every time Nelson came around, and she could feel the eyes of both teams watching whenever they were together.
One evening, Akira and her team were warming up for a game when she noticed Nelson sitting with a few of his teammates in the bleachers, watching her intently. The weight of his gaze made her heart skip, but she focused on stretching, reminding herself to keep her head in the game. Her friends on the bench nudged her, exchanging knowing glances, which she tried to ignore.
Just as she was settling into her pre-game routine, a guy from the other team, Mason—tall, charismatic, with an easygoing smile—walked over to her. "Hey, Akira, right?" he said with a friendly grin.
Akira nodded, smiling back. "Yeah, that's me. Ready for a tough game?"
Mason laughed. "Always. Heard a lot about you, though. I'll have to keep an eye out." He winked, and she chuckled, appreciating the lighthearted banter.
But as they chatted, she could feel someone else's eyes on her—more intense, sharper. Glancing over Mason's shoulder, she caught Nelson's gaze, and he didn't look pleased. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were balled into fists as he watched their conversation. A small part of her was amused by his reaction, but another part felt nervous.
After the game started, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. And during halftime, as she grabbed her water and sat on the bench, Nelson appeared at her side, his voice low.
"Everything alright?" he asked, his tone calm but with an edge she'd never heard before.
Akira raised an eyebrow, surprised at his sudden presence. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"
He gave her a pointed look. "That guy seemed pretty friendly."
She laughed, nudging him playfully. "Come on, it was just small talk before the game. You're not jealous, are you?"
Nelson's eyes darkened, and he took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Maybe I am. I don't like seeing guys hit on you."
Akira's heart raced at his intensity, but she couldn't help teasing him. "You know I can handle myself, right?"
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I want to watch," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
She put a hand on his arm, softening her voice. "Nelson, relax. We're here to win a game, not make you jealous."
He exhaled, nodding reluctantly, though his eyes still held that possessive glint. "Just... don't give him any ideas."
As they headed back out for the second half, Akira couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. Nelson's protectiveness added a new thrill to their relationship. It wasn't always easy dealing with his jealous streak, but she knew one thing: this game was only heating up, both on and off the court.
