The week leading up to the next game was tense. The whispers about Gabriel's growing interest in Olivia had reached Alex's ears more than once, and while he didn't want to admit it, it bothered him. Olivia's connection with Gabriel seemed rooted in their similar backgrounds, and though she dismissed it, Alex couldn't help but feel like an outsider.
On the field, Alex pushed himself harder than usual. His determination to excel wasn't just about football anymore—it felt personal. The team noticed his intensity, and even Marcus decided to leave the teasing aside, recognizing that Alex was in a focused but volatile mood.
"You're going all in today," Marcus commented after a grueling drill.
"Every game counts," Alex replied curtly, throwing a flawless pass.
Marcus nodded, knowing better than to push him further.
---
Meanwhile, Olivia spent most of her time in the art studio, trying to drown out the chaos in her mind with her painting. But even as she worked, her thoughts often drifted to Alex and the way he seemed to command every space he entered.
Mia dropped by, as she often did, carrying snacks and an endless supply of unsolicited advice.
"So, Gabriel hasn't given up, huh?" Mia asked, sitting on the edge of a table.
Olivia sighed, wiping paint off her hands. "He's persistent. I'll give him that."
"Persistent is one word. Annoying is another," Mia said, smirking. "And what about Alex? What's going on there?"
"Nothing," Olivia said too quickly, earning a knowing look from Mia.
"Sure. And I'm the queen of England," Mia teased. "Seriously, Liv, it's obvious you two have something going on."
Olivia rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "He's... complicated."
"And you like complicated," Mia said, grinning. "So what's the problem?"
Olivia hesitated before replying. "He's different from anyone I've ever known. And sometimes, that scares me."
---
Game Day
The stands were packed, and the energy was palpable. Alex led the team onto the field, his expression unreadable but his focus razor-sharp. He caught sight of Olivia in the crowd, sitting with Mia and Ethan. Gabriel was there too, of course, and Alex noticed how he leaned in too close, laughing at something Olivia said.
The whistle blew, and Alex forced himself to block everything else out. The opposing team was strong, but Alex's determination was unshakable. Play after play, he pushed himself to the limit, leading his team to a narrow but hard-earned victory.
As the crowd cheered, Alex looked up to the stands again. Olivia was clapping, her expression proud, but Gabriel's presence still lingered in the back of Alex's mind.
---
After the game, there was the usual chaos of celebrations, but Alex slipped away to the quieter area near the locker rooms. He needed a moment to clear his head.
"You were incredible out there," Olivia's voice broke through his thoughts.
He turned to see her standing a few feet away, her red hair catching the light in a way that made his heart skip.
"Thanks," Alex said, his voice softer than usual. "I saw you in the crowd."
"Of course you did," Olivia said with a small smile. "You always seem to know where I am."
Alex hesitated before speaking again. "And I saw him."
"Gabriel?" Olivia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Alex admitted, his tone steady but revealing a hint of frustration. "He's always around you."
Olivia stepped closer, her expression serious. "He doesn't matter, Alex. You know that, right?"
"Do I?" Alex asked, his blue eyes locking onto hers.
Olivia sighed, her voice softening. "You matter. More than anyone else."
Alex felt a weight lift off his shoulders at her words, but he didn't let it show. "You have a way of saying things that make everything else disappear."
"And you have a way of making me forget what I thought I wanted," Olivia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words. Olivia took another step closer, and Alex didn't move, his heart pounding in his chest.
"You're impossible, you know that?" Olivia murmured, her face now inches from his.
"And yet, here you are," Alex replied, his voice low and steady.
This time, neither of them hesitated. Olivia leaned in, and Alex met her halfway. The kiss was slow but intense, a culmination of everything they'd been holding back.
When they finally pulled away, Olivia smiled, her eyes locked on his. "That was... overdue."
"Definitely," Alex agreed, his voice still soft.
For a moment, they just stood there, the world around them forgotten. Then, Olivia took his hand.
"Come on, champ," she said with a teasing smile. "Let's go celebrate properly."