Chapter Twenty Six - A Blushing Idiot

It didn't come as a surprise to me and Cheryl that our math test didn't go very well.

We'd tried our best to mug up all possible formulas and equations in the library, but after twenty minutes, we'd realized it was too late. So, while she'd decided to 'fuck it' and get a coffee with Mack instead, I'd decided to go and watch the practice, or whatever was left of it.

The moment I'd sat down in the third row, my eyes had started searching the field for him. And when they had landed on Sean, I'd deadpanned. Because I hadn't been looking for him in the first place. Who was this other him?

That was when I'd spotted my enemy in his jersey and felt like I'd found the answer, which was followed by a frown taking over my lips.

Why the hell was I looking for him?

Obviously! It's because I wanted to make sure he was on the field and not somewhere else...plotting something against me. Yes, that's it! I'd told myself with a fierce nod.

He'd been deeply focused in the game, looking just about ready to pounce and bury his opponent six feet under, and I'd started recalling how a girl had once called him the best tackle the team could ask for.

Barf

I'd been unknowingly focused on him, watching him raise one hand in the air as if to motion someone to come over. Right then, Chris had jogged up to him, Matt had said something and with a nod, Chris had sprinted back and stood next to Sean.

Sean! Sean! Why do I keep forgetting about him?

Shaking my head, I'd brought my eyes on my Prince Charming but to my surprise, he'd already been watching me. And the moment our eyes had met, he'd flashed me a quick smile.

Caught off guard, I'd smiled back.

And after five minutes, he'd winked at me after scoring a touchdown. I should've been swooning; he'd looked really hot doing that. But I had felt nothing.

It's the stress of the math test, I'd told myself.

After all, there was no way I wouldn't feel anything over something as exhilarating as my Prince Charming winking at me. It was just temporary.

I was probably right. Because once I was through with the test and my stress was over since the damage had already been done, I could think and feel clearly again.

So, while walking down the corridor, when the sound of his laugh reached my ears, I found myself smiling.

"That was one hell of a touchdown, Villin," Steve said, patting Sean on the back and Chris followed right after, faking a punch in his gut, which was something guys loved doing to each other around here for some unfathomable reason. "Damn right. That was awesome, Villin."

The three of them were hanging around next to the lockers. Sean had a little smile on his lips and he was laughing occasionally between their praises. And with the way he kept running his hand through his hair shyly, I could tell he wasn't the kind of guy whose ego was powered by praises, unlike someone I knew.

"Thanks, guys." His blue eyes were bright as he displayed his perfect teeth through his smile.

I could recall a time when one glance at him used to be enough to make me forgot about everything else. But right then, his smile reminded me of a particular car ride and suddenly I could see my enemy smiling.

It's only because Matt never smiles around me. That's it.

I'd been walking mindlessly, too engrossed in my thoughts to notice the wall up ahead and bumped right into it.

"Shit!" I gasped as my textbook slipped out of my hands and the loose pages in it chaotically scattered on the floor as if just running into a wall wasn't embarrassing enough.

At least it had felt like a wall.

"Watch where you're going, Andrews," the wall snapped in a familiar voice and I blinked in bafflement to find my nemesis frowning down at me. I fell back a step in surprise, gaping at him like I'd seen a ghost, like he could read my thoughts and know how much he'd been on my mind lately for reasons only God knew.

I cleared my throat. "Sorry."

Internally scolding myself, I bent down to retrieve the papers, thankful that Sean was still busy talking and hadn't noticed that.

"Pathetic."

Needless to mention, the compliment had come from my dearest enemy.

"I never asked for your help," I retorted absentmindedly.

"I am not helping you. You can manage picking up a few papers."

Of course. Rolling my eyes, I gathered them in the textbook and stood up. I faced him and for once, the fake smile I always kept handy for him didn't come to me. I was as blank as my history notebook and I slowly began to walk past him.

But he was quick to step in my way out of the blue, almost making me bump into his chest again.

"What the hell?" I snapped, annoyed until I saw the curiosity in his brown eyes. They held me in a silent scrutiny and when something dawned in them, I tensed up.

"Tell me something, Becks."

"If you ask me how pathetic or clumsy I can be really, I'll—"

"Who did you think it was that day in the changing room?"

I don't know why I froze.

"W-what?"

His eyes narrowed. "When you asked me out, thinking I was someone else, who did you think it was?"

I licked my lips, then said quickly, "that's none of your business."

His eyes trailed somewhere behind me and I followed them down the corridor to…none other than Sean. Shit! I slowly turned back to Matt. When his eyes fell on mine and flashed knowingly, I knew he'd connected the dots.

One of his brows shot up as he folded his arms smugly. "So, you can't even admit you have a thing for him?"

Oh no, no, no!

"I... I don't know what you're talking about, Matt."

He shot me an incredulous look, clearly being able to tell that was a lie. "What's up with the denial, Andrews?" He laid out each word slowly and deliberately like he was mocking me. "It's almost like you're embarrassed to have feelings for him."

His words hit me and I suddenly questioned myself why I was acting like I was scared of him.

"Actually, you know what?" I smiled, tilting my head with newfound confidence. "Yes, I do have feelings for him."

I'd expected a look of self-satisfaction on his face for being right, but when all humour vanished from his eyes, it seemed like he'd wanted to be wrong for once. But why would he?

"And what possible reason do I have to be embarrassed?" I continued with a scoff, "he's the quarterback. He's handsome, he's smart and he certainly knows how to talk to a girl without insulting her in every sentence."

He knew that last blow was directed at him, his little eye twitch became a telltale sign of that.

"Sure, he does." He gave a slight nod, still not budging from his spot and keeping his eyes fixed on me.

"Now you can do whatever the hell you want with it. Go ahead and mess everything up, for all I care, since you love making my life difficult. Now, if you don't mind..." I side stepped him to walk away and he didn't stop me this time. "I've got things to do."

*****

"Man! That lasagna's looking good, unless you burn it, which I hope you do because I'm not getting any." Meera pouted over Facetime.

"How nice of you, bestie." I chuckled. "Poor lasagna's probably quaking in the oven. Don't worry, precious, you're gonna be fine," I whispered to it, turning back to the screen.

"So," she started hesitantly and I could immediately tell it was something I wouldn't like to hear. "Do you think he was...jealous?"

"Jealous?" I snorted loudly at how ridiculous it sounded. "Matt? Why?"

"You're not that stupid, Becks." She rolled her eyes. "You know, maybe he's got a thing for you."

Even though the possibility made my heart skip a beat for some deranged reason, I burst out laughing. "Yeah right. Matt Williams having a thing for me. Haven't we seen it all now?"

Off-topic but why are my palms getting sweaty all of a sudden?

Matt had no reason to be jealous. As far as I knew, he still hated me as much as he'd always had. We both did. We were only standing each other because of the challenge.

The only reason why he acted like that was because he just wanted to be proved right for the sake of his ego and it came easy this time, so maybe he didn't know how to react.

Meera raised a hand in surrender. "My bad. It does sound ridiculous."

"Thank you."

"But you were kinda rude to him," she pointed out.

I held up a finger. "First, I wasn't rude. And second, I'm never worried about being rude to him. He's a jerk to me most of the time."

"Again. Good point."

"Anyway, I bet he'll have forgotten all about it when I show up at his house for training in a while."

"Really hope so. Or else, good luck with the awkwardness."

"Don't worry about it. We simply don't care enough for things to get awkward." I chuckled. "You tell me, when did Chad leave?"

Her eyes lit up. "An hour ago. I'm surprised my mom even let him in, let alone stay and talk to me for like two hours. She even brought us snacks."

"Your mom must like him." I grinned. "He does seem like a nice guy."

"He is." She smiled.

"Aw! Look at you. You really like him, don't you, Mee?"

"I guess. He's sweet. And he brought me a box of chocolates. I've hidden it under my bed," she whispered the last part.

"Aw! That is so cute."

"I know!" she squealed, then looked up from the screen and nodded. "Yeah, in a second, mom."

I got a view of her neat white ceiling when she placed the phone on her bed. A moment later, she was back and her hair was up in a ponytail now. "I gotta go for my doctor's appointment."

"Is your foot any better?"

"Yes. I might come back to school in a few days."

"Really?" My eyes lit up. "That's awesome."

"Can't wait to catch up. Bye, Becks."

I hung up and averted my eyes to the island where Mrs. Brooke was sipping on her coffee while watching a video on her phone, earphones plugged in.

Sensing my gaze, she looked up. "Did you say something to me?"

"Nope. Are you liking them?" I asked hopefully, pointing to her phone.

"They were okay. Not that funny. I'm watching another video now. You'll be interested." She smirked and motioned for me to come over, playing it out loud.

I recognized his voice even before looking at the screen and deadpanned. It was a video from Matt's channel, probably one of their gigs.

"Seriously?"

"He's good." She nodded in approval. "I'm a fan now. Next time he comes over, I'll ask for a picture with him."

I scoffed. "You'll only give his huge ego a boost."

"That's fine. I'm telling you, Becks. He's gonna become very famous someday if he keeps this up. I'll be damned if I don't get a picture while he still lives across the street."

I chuckled, wanting to admit that I found him just as good as she did but held the thought.

Just then, the timer went off. Slipping my hand into an oven mitt, I got the lasagna out.

"It smells so great." She inhaled deeply.

"The credit is all yours. I'm watching you cook all the time." I set it on the island and fetched two plates.

"Really?" Her lips pulled back into a profound smile. "Nice to know."

My phone buzzed on the counter and I smiled at the contact before answering, "hey, mom. How's your day?"

"Hey, Becks. It's good. Could you go up to the study and look through the first drawer on the left? I seem to have misplaced my bank details and I need them urgently."

"Of course." I motioned for Mrs. Brooke to go ahead with the lasagna and walked out of the kitchen to go upstairs.

Once I found the document, I clicked a picture, sent it to my mom and stayed on the line until she confirmed.

"Got it. Thanks a lot. I hope I didn't disturb you."

"Not at all."

"What were you up to? Doing homework? Singing?" Her smile became audible with the last word.

"No. Cooking. I made lasagna. I can't wait for you to come back home and check it out," I said while going down the stairs.

"Oh." There was a pause. "Nice but why didn't you ask Mrs. Brooke to make it for you?"

"She offered but I wanted to cook. It was fun."

"Oh! You've got another hobby. That's wonderful but this is precious time. You can't waste it, baby. I need you to focus solely on music at the moment. You've also got academics, you know?"

"Yes, but mom," I argued. "I can't sing all day."

"Of course." She chuckled. "I'm just asking you to not distract yourself with other hobbies. Trust me on this. Keep your eyes only on the target. This could be the one thing that makes up for everything."

"Makes up for everything? What do you mean?" I frowned.

"Oh um..." she faltered for a second. "I just meant how you've never had any special hobbies your entire life. This could be it. The breakthrough, you know?"

I nodded slightly, then realized she couldn't see me. "Right. I see what you mean. I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed about music."

"Stole the words right out my mouth, baby. I gotta go. Have a nice day, okay? Can't wait to try that lasagna."

I managed a smile and hung up, walking back into the kitchen where Mrs. Brooke was watching YouTube again.

"You didn't start?" I asked, looking at the lasagna she'd served in two plates.

"Nope. I wanted you to see my reaction the moment I tasted it." She set her phone aside and rubbing her hands together, grabbed her fork and knife before cutting through the soft cheese layer and lifting the fork to her mouth.

"How is it?" I leaned over the counter excitedly.

"Oh my God!" Her eyes widened. "I didn't know I was such a great role model."

I chuckled and started eating mine. It was really good. We took our plates to the living room and sprawled on the couch to devour it.

"Next time, I'll watch you make spaghetti."

"No way." She shook her head. "That's my speciality. Besides, if you learn to cook that as well, you won't need me anymore."

I gasped dramatically. "How could you say that? I will always need you."

She ruffled my hair, a warm smile sitting on her lips. "Then I'll teach you. I'm getting old anyway so I better pass on that recipe before it dies with me."

"Hey! Don't talk to me about dying. I'm not in the best mood right now."

"What happened?" She frowned.

"A woman called Mrs. Brooke, who knows I can't function a day without her, is talking to me about dying."

She chuckled. "Well then brighten up. Not that soon, kiddo."

"Thank you!" I placed a hand over my heart and collected her plate once she was done eating and carried it to the sink.

"I'm gonna head across the street now."

"Alright. Have fun!"

I grabbed my phone from the couch and started towards the front door.

"Becks? You're okay, right?" I looked up and found Mrs. Brooke studying my face with a little frown.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing." She shrugged.

I really couldn't keep my emotions from her, no matter how hard I tried. I wanted to tell her that I was a little upset about mom's words again, but I didn't want her to think I was still such a crybaby.

"See you later." I walked out and crossed the street.

Just as I lifted my hand to the doorbell, the sound of an engine made me turn around. Surprisingly, Matt was on a motorcycle for a change, and I assumed he was returning from the gym because he had his duffle bag sitting in front of him, its strap around his torso in a cross-body manner.

I climbed down the steps, nearing him hesitantly. "Where's your car?"

"Chris borrowed it to run some errands."

He sounded normal. Not angry. Not like he was holding a grudge.

I stayed quiet, observing him as he glanced down at his watch.

"You're early."

"Oh." I blinked, checking my phone for time before clearing my throat awkwardly. "I can come back later if you—"

"It's fine."

"Cool." I locked my hands behind my back, then crossed them over my chest awkwardly, staring at the ground while waiting to follow him into his house.

"What's up with that face?" My eyes snapped up. He raised a brow at me before killing the engine and getting off the motorcycle. "Sean didn't pay you enough attention today?"

I sighed, suppressing my escalating urge to scream at the top of my lungs at no one in particular.

"What's it going to take for guys to realize that every time a girl is feeling off, it doesn't always have something to do with a guy?" I crossed my arms.

"Who else could bother you, Andrews?" he asked rhetorically as he started towards the front door. I habitually followed him.

The first thing he did the moment he stepped inside was carelessly yeet his bag on the sofa and make his way towards the stairs. I only realized I'd been following him like a child when we passed his music room, and he started to open another door. It was his room.

I stopped in my tracks.

As if sensing my hesitation, he threw me a look over his shoulder. "You can wait inside. I just have to take a shower. I won't be long."

I started to decline but then I remembered he'd been in my room, too. Without my permission on top of that.

I crossed my arms. "Only if you promise to not walk out naked."

His brows crinkled. "Why would I walk out naked?"

"At this point, I don't think there's anything you wouldn't do to annoy me."

"Becks." There was a suggestive flicker in his eyes, and I felt my heart pick up pace with anticipation. And as he took a step towards me and leaned forward, weird flutters erupted in the pit of my stomach. It must be the lasagna. "If you ever see me naked, annoyance will be the last thing you'll be feeling, trust me."

Don't blush! Don't blush! Don't blush!

Never mind! There it goes. The unthinkable had happened. My sworn enemy Matthew Williams had just made me blush with his words and instilled a very...explicit image in my head.

I bit down at my lip and looked away before I'd composed myself enough to glare at him. Then, I glared at him like I hated him, but on the inside, I could tell our hard cold relationship was slowly warming up. And I didn't even mind that much.

"Fine." He shrugged, holding my gaze. "I promise I won't walk out naked."

"Or in just a towel."

"There goes my plan to entice you." His tone was heavily laced with sarcasm as he headed inside the bathroom.

Stifling a smile, I stepped into his room. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was definitely not that. I think I was expecting his room to be somewhat messy with papers lying around and random CDs sitting here and there, owing to his musician epithet. But it wasn't like that.

A giant king-sized bed stood right in the middle of the room. The covers were a dark shade of blue, and the bedsheets were white. There was a humongous TV mounted on a classy wooden base right in front of his bed. In the corner, right next to the window, was a study table and chair, next to which was a big shelf containing records and CDs.

Overall, his room was immaculate. Why was I even surprised? I'd been in his car before.

I carefully settled on his bed. It was really comfortable. If he wasn't in for just a quick shower, I would've kicked my shoes off and made myself more comfy.

Meow

My head turned at the voice. The little intruder was watching me from under the study chair with wary eyes. It wasn't one of the kittens; it appeared to be a regular sized cat.

"I haven't met you," I muttered, slowly getting up. "You must be Cheeto's mother."

She grew alert, hair rising in alarm as her cautious eyes tried to pierce my soul. I didn't want her to feel threatened and scratch me out of defense, so I crouched down and patted my thigh. "Come on, girl."

She did not move, obviously. So, I settled back on the bed, shrugging. "Your loss. I give awesome head rubs. Ask your son."

I got busy using my phone and, after a minute, felt her circling my feet. "Aw!" I ducked down and petted her head. When she didn't hiss or scratch, I pulled her on my lap and stroked her soft black fur. "You are so pretty."

The bathroom door clicked open. True to his promise, Matt was dressed in a pair of jeans but seemed to be in the middle of putting his t-shirt on while opening the door as he spared me a sight of his toned abs. Nicely...toned abs.

I also caught a little tattoo right below his chest on the left side of his torso. It was just the letter 'M' in cursive, inked in black. I wondered why I hadn't noticed it before. Oh right! The last time I saw him shirtless, we were wrestling in the boys' changing room.

"Just when I thought I'd known all kinds of self-obsession," I commented, lifting my eyes to his face.

But he had already been watching me, and he looked like somebody had knocked the breath out of him. I looked around in confusion for something wrong and sat up straight since I'd gone to leaning back lazily on his bed with the cat beside me.

As if pulled out of a daze, he blinked and asked, "what?"

I averted my eyes to where the tattoo was. Looking down, he lifted his t-shirt up, revealing it to me once again. "You mean that?"

I checked it out brazenly. It was simple yet beautiful. So beautiful that I instantly thought of getting an 'R' somewhere on my own body.

I nodded, trying my best not to look at those abs again. His gym sessions were definitely paying off. I lifted my eyes to his, and he was still watching his tattoo like he'd seen it for the first time, then looked up and shrugged. "And what's so wrong with self-love?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling stupid for expecting him to have another explanation for that M. He really was full of himself.

"I see you've met Bella." He motioned his chin towards the cat on my lap.

"Oh, she's got a name? And here I thought you'd be calling her Mother Cat or something."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, but the humour in them didn't go unnoticed by me as he pointed at the door before heading towards it. "Naming one cat is easier than naming three. Not to mention, the kittens were unexpected. I'm yet to find the cat who knocked up Bella."

I set Bella down on the floor and followed him out. "Seriously? What are you gonna do when you find him?"

"Get him castrated."

I stopped dead in my tracks. "You're kidding."

He didn't turn, but I could sense the smile on his face, especially when the sides of his cheeks lifted a little, and I found myself a little desperate to see it again.

"Yes, but his owner, if he has one, is gonna have it from me for not getting it done."

"You didn't get Bella spayed either," I pointed out.

"Yeah, it was a mistake, but after she gave birth and nursed, I did. I didn't think some horny male cat would take away her innocence like that."

I scoffed. "You're the one to talk."

I bumped into him when he suddenly stopped walking and turned around with accusing eyes. "Did you just compare me with a horny male cat?"

"Seemed fitting." I shrugged. "I don't know why."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Take that back."

"What?" I chuckled. "I've called you worse. I never took any of that back. I'm not taking this back either."

"Fine. Then you can train yourself," he said stubbornly.

My mouth opened in surprise. "You're such a child."

I wanted to laugh, but I didn't wanna piss him off any further.

"I'm waiting, Andrews."

"And you can keep waiting, Williams." I shrugged with a sweet smile.

My phone buzzed, and I lifted it up. Surprisingly, it was a text from my mom. She never texted me.

Mom: How's it going? Need a guitar or a set of drums? ;) JK. Love you.

I didn't know how to react. I was happy because my mom had texted me. She had taken time out of work to take an interest in my life. But then, no amount of happiness could overthrow the feeling of anxiety I felt as the old fear of disappointing her came back.

I lifted my gaze to Matt, whose eyes were already on my face.

"Fine!" I shrugged, swallowing my pride. All of a sudden, I had lost interest in winning the little game we were playing. "I take it back. Let's go?"

His brows lowered, but without giving him a chance to speak, I walked past him and headed towards his music room.