Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

|| Savannah's POV ||

Another week passed in a blink of an eye. I was pretty much accustomed to living with Ares now except for the fact that we became lost in desire occasionally. But he never crossed the line and guess what, I figured out that I was in love with Ares. I could feel the changes inside him. He was a whole different person when he was with me.

The state championship was finally here. Anxieties gripped my soul as if it was me who was going to play not Ares. I believe that when you feel connected to someone emotionally, their happiness or sadness matters to you a lot.

Ares had already gone for the field. It was only me and Aria who was packing stuff to head for the gallery. Aria looked a bit different these days and lost as if she was always thinking about something. Many times, I thought about asking but then I stopped, respecting her privacy. If she wanted to tell me, she will do it today or tomorrow.

" Aria!", I called her, snapping her out of her daze. Her response came out low but she was too good at hiding her emotions,

" Umm... It's done Sav. Let's head for the car."

I nodded without interrogating her and followed her outside to get in her car. As I intended to get on the passenger seat, Aria suddenly suggested, nervousness lacing out from her tone,

" Savannah..can..can you drive for today?"

I crooked my brows slightly since Aria had always been passionate about driving. No matter how many times we rode together, she insisted on taking charge of driving. I looked up at her in worry and spotted something odd in her eyes. She seemed like crying too much but again, I didn't ask because she had her personal life with Lucas now.

Oh, that boy! They didn't hang around these days too much! Did he do something to her?

Subconsciously, my mind was occupied with various negative thoughts but the timing wasn't correct as we had only thirty minutes left before the start of the final match. Pushing the thoughts aside, I nodded in agreement before taking the keys from her grip.

Minutes later, we arrived at the City Gallery together. This place was overly crowded today. When I looked into those banners in people's hands which had a picture of Ares, a certain proud feeling coursed through my mind.

Was I that much in love with Ares?

Smiling at something, I couldn't imagine his face after the match. I decided to confess my feelings after this final match and hopefully, nothing would go wrong. Carrying our mini bags, we both went straight for our seats in the front row. Being part of a player's family had a lot of advantages. From our positions, we could see the play crystal.

Aria sat right after me. Even though her eyes were sparking with excitement, I could detect a glimmer of sadness in her eyes. She was hiding something inside her. I couldn't wait to hear about her problems. She was my best friend and obviously, I wished to see her happy.

The host's extremely piercing voice broke my attention from Aria. The audience erupted into cheering noises behind me and I dragged my eyes into the field. Players were making their way inside. The PK's players were making their way fast with coach Jonathan leading them inside. My eyes froze on Ares and I bet that my heart just skipped a beat. He was looking sexier in his uniform. His curls were perfectly settled to one side, his lips holding that arrogant smirk of a player. I heard a few girls shouting his name out loud and instantly, jealousy settled down into the pit of my stomach.

Why couldn't they keep their mouth shut?

As I drooled over Ares's handsome face, Kevin appeared in front of sight like a walking ghost. His lips pulled into a knowing smirk,

" Fucking with eyes, huh?"

My cheeks turned pink but I just rolled my eyes to avoid this obvious embarrassment. To divert his attention from teasing me, I asked casually, looking around,

" You guys are here too. Who else has come?"

Kevin chewed his bubble gum before pointing at the row, a few feet away from us,

" Some of us from our local team, coach, his niece, and a few more mates."

I nodded before taking a glimpse of their row. My blood froze instantly as soon as I spotted Brittany in short clothes. God, she applied too much makeup as if she had come to attend a party.

What was she doing here? Did Ares invite her too?

I bit the corner of my lips bitterly at the thought. As if Kevin had seen through my mind, he added further, sounding a bit nervous,

" Ah! She is familiar with us for a long time. We just called her here out of formality, you know."

I shrugged bringing my eyes back to Kevin,

" Do you think that I care? It has nothing to do with me."

Kevin let out a dark chuckle before mumbling,

" I know but your expression says the difference. Anyways, fingers crossed. Let's see how Ares beat Finn's arrogant ass."

Then, Kevin went back to his seat without any more words. My eyes followed JK's team, spotting Finn at the front. His expression was cold as if he was pissed off without even starting the game. Surprisingly, I didn't feel any ounce of guilt for sitting here and cheering for my ex-enemies. Someone like Finn deserved my hatred. To my surprise, Finn made a glance my way and our eyes locked, anger glistening from his eyes.

He was angry but fuck, I loved it too much!

I broke the eye contact first and turned my face sideways to look back into Ares with a smile. I must admit that ignoring Finn gave me great satisfaction.

During my time to distract Finn, Ares locked his eyes with mine and shit! He winked at me meaningfully. I didn't know why the butterflies in my tummy had begun to flutter unnecessarily. Then, the whistle from the referee died down my dirty. The nail-biting moment had begun to start and I prayed like a pure saint at that time.

God, Please let PK win!

_____________

|| Ares's POV ||

" 4: 5"

Yes, finally, we were going to make it. My mates were all sweating hard after a deadly fight between the players. The fact that my princess, Savannah was present in the gallery, cheering for me was everything that I wanted in my entire life. Before this, I used to hear her yelling for Finn and his team. I noticed that while dating Finn, she wasn't actively involved in Finn's sports life. But with us, she perfectly acted like a player's wife especially when she took a stand against Coach Jonathan. Then her sassy reply to Coach Jonathan when he tried to disgrace my character. I could make a difference and honestly, I was determined to make it win today.

Half an hour left only and our score remained one step ahead of JK. All I wanted to pass the entire time, blocking their goals so that we could stay in a winning position until the very end. Finn's action was fierce too much today. He already injured my two mates during playtime but thank goodness that it was minor. I knew where his anger was coming on.

After the day in PK, Coach Jonathan surprisingly became good to me. Perhaps, he saw through that I was in love with Savannah truly. Love changes people so did me. Before finishing our halftime, Coach Jonathan warned me about Finn and his fierce action today. His suggestion was for me to stay away from Finn's approach as much as possible. PK needed me and getting injured at this final moment could bring disaster to our team.

Ethan and I were working together as a defense. The other players were sorted out to play and pass through this halftime. Ethan and I decided to collaborate on blocking each goal, thrown by JK's member.

The ball was again rolling towards the goalpost. Now, it was Finn who was dribbling fiercely. His eyes were stuck on the post, aiming perfect angle to high jump. Ethan and I exchanged a meaningful glance and he immediately caught my hint. He was ready to work as a backup and I would use my height to block the goal.

Finn stepped closer and jumped high to drop the ball but then I used my height to block his ball. To my surprise, he let off his ball midway abruptly but his knee was aimed straight at my stomach. An unexpected blow shot through my skin, nerving each vein of my stomach. I felt an urge of vomiting but it was all blood. My body felt numb and I dropped to the ground without any guard.

His blow knocked every air out of my lungs. I couldn't register anything except the noises of Coach Jonathan, and Savannah around me. The clear noise that I heard last was from the whistle. Then everything darkened around my surroundings.

Ten minutes later, I opened my eyes groggily to discover myself in the restroom. Savannah was right beside me, her eyes were glossy as she was grabbing my hand. I called her with affection,

" Princess.."

She managed to mutter through her sobbing,

" I...I am here..How do you feel? Is it still hurt?"

I shook my head 'No' even though it was hurting like a bitch. Finn did it on purpose. Naively, I thought that he was aiming for the goalpost. I was wrong. He went there just to harm me. As all of his plans had failed miserably, he began to choose violence against me.

Suddenly, panic settled into my mind, and whirling my head around, I muttered breathlessly,

" Wait..how long have I been sleeping? Is the match over?"

Savannah said 'No' before explaining,

" Coach Jonathan has asked for a break. I heard that they are going to wait for you for 15 minutes. If you don't feel okay, they will use someone else."

" Shit! No! I am okay!", I replied instantly, attempting to get up from the bed. Savannah yelled suddenly, pressing onto my shoulders,

" Ares, you are injured. I don't think that you should play. Please don't be stubborn now. You must rest now. Please don't do this."

She begged and burst into tears. I didn't even bother to understand how much was I injured. This win was not only important to my character but also related to Savannah's reputation. If I couldn't win, Finn would make her life hell again. I couldn't let this happen.

Exhaling, I brought her arms to kiss her knuckles, assuring her in a soothing voice,

" Princess, I am not that numb. This minor injury can't stop me from playing. Besides, I promise that I will take an entire month's break after this match. Please, don't stop me anymore."

She hesitated before nodding heavily. Her eyes held guilt and I knew that she was blaming herself for Finn's action. I didn't talk about it further. We had our own sweet time to chat later on. I smiled before getting up from the bed with all my pain and determination.

__________

|| Savannah's POV ||

He was gone despite my plead and requests. It was hard to resist those puppy eyes. I knew what this match meant for him. He was more desperate to show off Finn rather than that shining trophy. But who could stop a determined player like him?

I was scared! The moment, his blood slipped out of his mouth, I was horrified to death. I didn't even know how did I drag myself over him. It was intentional. Although JK claimed that Finn didn't mean it since he was trying to perform a goal I felt that everything he did there was to hurt Ares only. That goal posture was just his cover-up acting to hide his crime. I felt like my blood boiling in rage and a part of me felt guilty. Finn and Ares were always rivals of each other. Now, my addition to Ares's life had increased their wrath. But it was payback time for Finn. Because this time, I wasn't going to just sit down and watch him, doing everything to hurt Ares.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I stormed outside to see Finn laughing with his mate. His eyes pulled on me and I failed to control my words anymore. Marching over to stand in front of him, I spoke gnashing my teeth,

" You did this on purpose, aren't you, Finn? How can you stoop so low?"

Finn gestured at his friend to leave and once, he parted from us, that devilish, inhuman-like smirk returned to Finn's lip. He stared hard into my stained eyes as if he was enjoying my state. He teased first, dodging my question,

" Shit!! Why didn't I notice this affection before? Crying for Ares already? Did he fuck you that good that you are so into him?"

His words only raised my disgust for him. I didn't know which Finn I knew before but the look in his eyes only defined that he was no good for anyone. Everything that he did for his win was his deadly play.

I yelped glaring at him,

" Such dirty mouth suits you well. Was I blind? Yes, he fucked me well. So better than you but at least, he doesn't play double role games like you. If you want to vent out your anger on me, keep your hands off Ares because this time, you will have to pay forever for harming Ares. I am so done with your shit, Finn."

Finn hissed, his nostrils flaring in rage as he stepped closer, challenging me. His tone sounded wicked, not modest like before,

" What will you do, huh? What can you do, Savannah? Yes, I did it intentionally. Now go and tell everyone around. Because you know what? No one is going to fucking believe you without evidence."

He paused before giving me a malicious smirk. Pulling the corner of his lips, he continued, keeping his eyes on me,

" You know what? I will do it again because I fucking hate you two. You can't stop me, Savannah. I won't stop until Ares admits his defeat and get out from the team on his own."

His words left me rendered speechless as I watched him, turn around before running back to the field. How did I fail to recognize a monster like him?

_________

|| Ares's POV ||

" Ares!!"

" Ares!!"

" Ares!!"

The crowd began to scream and yell my name consecutively. Their applause and cheering began once I stepped into the field, the surrounding engulfed with glory. Coach Jonathan shot me a glance that could be described as affection. His eyes clarified that he was proud of me for rejoining the match. Passing him a small smile, I shifted my eyes back at my fans who were crazily cheering my comeback. In a flash of a moment, I forgot all the pains in my body. The hunger to win ran through my veins wildly and I was generated into a different human being after those voices of encouragement.

The host proudly announced my come-back,

" Wow! Ares Thatcher is finally back after his injury. It seems like JK is going to have a tough time again. He looks okay and we hope that he will continue his play until the very end."

Ethan jogged over me, his frown tightening in anger,

" What the fuck was that? Finn was intentional but the referee told that it was just an accident. I wished that I could punch his face."

I patted his shoulder and winked, boosting back our energy,

" Nothing is more powerful than loose, Ethan. We must give them a better show. Let's kill it!"

Ethan chuckled with a smirk, determination flaring in his eyes. I understood that my entire team was mad at Finn but it wasn't the right time to fight over this topic. We had only 30 something like minutes left to complete our game. We had to stay in the final position until the end of our game.

" Tsk! You recovered too quick, Thacher?", a voice pulled back our attention and without turning back, I knew who it was. Smiling, I turned back to face Finn who looked pleased after seeing my fall. Chuckling, I joked wiping the dust from my mouth,

" Yes! Your angle was so bad. It couldn't break any bone. Practice your aim more next time or else you will miss the goal like you are missing it now."

Finn's expression turned dark and I heard Ethan's laughter on the back. Gnashing through his teeth, Finn scoffed, shooting me his hateful glare,

" The game isn't quit yet."

I chuckled more and stepped closer until the space became so close that only we could hear our voices. My lips quirked up as I gave him my warning words,

" Be careful Finn because this blow is going to be heavy on you."