Page 30

Maya was here.

I hid the football behind my back.

She was wearing a black crop top, barely covering her hips, paired with a high waisted gray pants and a oversized denim jacket.

Her long, straight hair cascaded over her shoulders, her makeup strangely lighter than usual, but she wore a beautiful burgundy lipstick.

Her gaze was intense—sharp with purpose, as if reminding me that she was always a step ahead—commanding attention without even trying.

I was about to say something, but she cut me off before I even had the chance. Saw that coming...

"Grace," she said, her voice unwavering. "Come with me. Get in the car." Her tone carried a calm, steady vibe.

"Uh, didn't know you were into football..." I burst out.

Maya crossed her arms and sighed in frustration. "Yeah, good match, don't you think?!"

"Oh, yeah. Especially when Nick scored that touchdown." That's when I pulled out the football he gave me.

Her expression hardened instantly as her eyes burned into the football, then shifted back to me. "What's next? A fan club for him or something?!"

I pursed my lips into a thin smile, her frustration, with no clear reason behind it—kind of funny.

Maya rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like I finally got a smile out of you, Grace. Before I showed up, you looked like you wanted to disappear."

God, how annoyingly true that was.

I spun around and started walking in the opposite direction to get rid of her, but she didn't hesitate to follow.

"My car is in the other direction, Grace," she insisted, trying hard to stay calm.

"Okay, bye, then."

Maya let out a dramatic sigh, stepping even closer. "Quit it, Grace."

I quickened my pace instead. "No, you quit it, Maya. Leave me alone."

I guess she's faster than me—of course, with those long legs of hers—she stepped right in front of me, forcing me to stop inches from her chest.

God, her body is... perfection...

"Listen, Grace," she clenched her jaw. "I'm trying to be patient here, but you're really pushing it."

I refused to back down. "Oh, I'm pushing it? You show up out of nowhere, and expect me to just go along with whatever you want?" I let out a dry laugh. "You're pushing it, Maya."

Her eyes narrowed, taking one single step—but it was enough to close the space between us.

Now we were chest to chest, barely a breath apart.

The air shifted—the tension almost electric.

"Maybe it's time to admit we're both pushing each other, Grace."

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest rising as I processed her words, but even though I tried to fight it... I couldn't deny it.

"Maybe we are," I let out quietly.

Maya's lips curved into a slight smirk. Her satisfaction said it all—she knew I was just as caught up in this push and pull as she was.

"I'm really trying, Grace, especially after everything," she emphasized, her voice lower now, more controlled.

I stood there, frozen, trying to make sense of it. I could feel my heart pounding as I tried to decipher her—every word, every look, every unspoken thing between us.

"What is everything, Maya?" I asked, my voice low—somewhere between pleading and demanding.

She let out a breath, her gaze not leaving mine. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, or why I'm here."

"No, actually, I don't. Explain it to me! Why are you here?" I called out. My eyes unintentionally fell on her boobs.

"Stop whatever dumbass plan you've got going on." She folded her arms tighter, making her boobs pop even more.

Focus.

"That's none of your business!" I exclaimed in frustration. "I've already told you too many times!"

"Maybe you should keep telling me," she said, a grin tugging at her lips. "I'm starting to enjoy it."

I didn't say anything. My heart was beating way too fast. I looked away for half a second, pretending to focus on anything else—but the heat rising in my cheeks gave me away. And she knew it.

A sudden cold gust of wind blew through me, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around my chest, clutching this stupid ball.

"You're exhausting and—"

Before I could say anything else, Maya took off her jacket and, without saying a word, came closer.

Unconsciously, I took a step back, but I couldn't help watching as she carefully insisted on putting her jacket over my shoulders. I lowered my gaze in surrender, affected by the softness of her gesture.

Our bodies brushed against each other, so close that I could feel the warmth of her radiating through me.

Maya gently placed her hands on my arms, massaging them—her touch soothing against the fabric of her jacket, trying to chase away the cold that had settled in me.

I finally looked up. Her brow furrowed slightly in concern, and her lips curved into a small smile.

My chest warmed, something soft and comforting spreading through me.

"Better?" Maya asked softly.

I nodded, but inside, I could feel something deeper stirring.

"Grace," she said. "Stop making this difficult than it needs to be. I really want you to come with me," her voice gentle now.

I hate that, despite everything, she always makes me feel at ease. She calms the storm inside me—even when she's the one who caused it.

And her touch... it's making me melt.

My feet began to move on their own, starting to walk in the direction of her car...

I walked slower, wanting her to be close to me—needing her around.

Maya slid her hand around my lower back, and I instinctively leaned into her as I pulled her jacket tighter around myself, a small smile playing on my lips.

I spotted Maya's friend Lily standing in the middle of the parking lot, smirking like she knew something. I just smiled back, unsure of what was going through her mind...

We all started walking toward Maya's car, until—we were interrupted halfway

And we stopped smiling.

Nick blocked our way with his tall figure, back in his polo and pants, his gaze oddly focused between me and Lily.

"Lily, long time no see..." he muttered, his voice laced with something unsettling.

Lily froze, as if Nick's presence alone made her feel very uncomfortable or scared.

I didn't know what this was exactly, but something about it didn't feel right.

Maya wasn't having any of this. Her hand on my back tensed before she dropped it, walking past us to stand right in front of Nick.

"You better back off," she hissed.

Nick smirked. "Come on, Maya, change your threat for once..."

"Shut the fuck up. You're not even worth my energy," her voice ice-cold.

Nick chuckled, shaking his head. "You think you can intimidate me with this attitude, Maya? I know your little games. Drop it."

My stomach twisted. I hated how he was getting a kick out of purposely provoking Maya.

"Relax, you big fucking baby," Maya mocked, her smirk growing. "I'm just messing with you."

Nick staggered back for a second. Now, he seemed the one losing it. His posture shifted.

"You better watch your mouth, you spoiled brat."

The insults hit harder when they were aimed at Maya.

"Or what, huh? Did you finally grow a pair, Nick?" Maya raised a brow, her tone sarcastic but cutting.

Nick's face turned red with anger, his body tensing up, but Maya remained unfazed, almost enjoying it.

That was it.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, standing between them, but I knew they needed more than just physical distance.

"Enough for tonight. Let's go," I said firmly, giving Maya a gentle push forward.

"Yeah, Grace, come on, come with me," Nick suggested—or more like ordered.

I shot him a dirty look, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with him anymore.

"I'm coming back home with them, Nick."

As I said it, he stepped forward, blocking my way. But Maya didn't let him get any closer, positioning herself firmly between him and me.

Her gaze was hard, unyielding, her expression warning as she looked directly at him.

"You just walk away, Grace?!" he demanded, his voice dripping with irritation.

How fast he flipped, how fast his mask slipped. Something inside me tightened—this wasn't normal.

I stood my ground, meeting his gaze. "Ehm, yes, I do," I replied coldly. "And you have no say in it."

I guided Maya away from the scene and glanced back at Lily, who immediately followed us.

Maya, however, turned back to him, stubbornly ready to snap again. I gently grabbed her wrist, giving her a reassuring look, and she seemed to calm down. She pulled me closer—our hips brushing as she did.

My body felt like a rush of pleasure.

We all started walking away, the tension easing with each step. The parking lot grew quieter, the noise fading into the background, until—

"Is that it, Grace?! After everything I've done for you?!" Nick's voice echoed through the air, full of disbelief and anger.

I almost flinched at these meaningless words, obviously put there just to provoke.

Maya turned to me immediately. "What the hell is he talking about?"

"I have no idea. Really," I replied firmly, my hand slipping unconsciously over her back, trying to soothe her.

From that touch alone, I could feel how freaking tense her body was now.

She still opened the front passenger seat of her car for me.

"There's no space for this stupid ball, Grace. Give it to me," she stated, holding out her hand.

Her mood shifted drastically.

I just ignored her and sat down, thinking it wasn't a big deal if I didn't give in to what she wanted for once—especially when she didn't even ask.

I was wrong.

Maya opened my door and we literally argued for like five minutes over the damn football, me trying to keep it and her trying to take it.

Lily regained her usual mood and started giggling in the backseat.

Maya took a step closer, and before I could react, she started tickling me. Her fingers were on my sides, poking and prodding with precision.

My skin felt like it was burning wherever she touched, and my stomach fluttered.

"Stop it!" I half-laughed, half-protested.

"You're not getting out of this," Maya teased, her hands relentless as she found my ticklish spots.

Laughter bubbled out of me before I could stop it, and I had to give in. Maya quickly grabbed the ball from my hands and tossed it somewhere.

Now I was mad.

Not because of the damn ball—I didn't fucking care about it. It was how she always managed to get the upper hand, never asking, just taking what she wanted.

And now she's seriously losing it over this stupid ball.

"You're impossible," I murmured.

"And you're so easily offended," Maya replied, pushing my legs inside and making sure I was wearing the seatbelt before closing the door.

Her touch sent chills all over my body.

I watched her round the car and slide into the driver's seat effortlessly. Her gaze shifted to the rearview mirror.

"Lily, are you okay?"

"Yes," she answered quickly. "Yes," she repeated more slowly.

So I was right. Something's definitely off between Lily and Nick. It feels wrong, unsettling in a way I can't shake.

Maya nodded slowly, then looked at me—defensive, suspicious.

I crossed my arms tighter, leaning back against the seat as I tried desperately to calm down but it was impossible.

"Come on, Grace. Don't get all worked up over nothing," she said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

"Enough," I warned her, my voice low.

Maya raised an eyebrow, clearly not intimidated, but I could see the slight change in her as she took in my pissed-off expression—one that wasn't budging.

"What's the matter, Grace?" she asked, her arms resting steadily on the steering wheel, but the car was still turned off.

"The matter is that you always decide for me, Maya, instead of asking what I want." I kept my voice firm but my frustration was clear.

Maya flinched slightly. Has she learned her lesson? From her expression, she seemed genuinely affected by my words.

"Okay, Grace," she murmured, turning fully towards me. "What do you want?" she asked, her tone genuine.

I felt a weight lift off my chest. For the first time, she finally cared enough to ask—and that mattered.

"I've already made it clear what I want," I murmured. "But right now, I just want to go home. You've made me lose my patience," I added, a subtle playful edge to my words.

In the back, Lily chuckled, entertained by what was happening. And honestly, who could blame her?

Maya didn't argue at all, she immediately started the car, and we drove off—away from the field, away from Nick, away from everything.

Ten more FULL minutes in a car with Maya. I wonder what could possibly go wrong...