Where the Waves Taught me Love

Chapter Six: Savage but True

The sun was blazing that afternoon, the kind of heat that shimmered on the field like a mirage. From the bleachers, I could smell the grass, hear the sharp whistle of the coach, and see boys in jerseys running like their lives depended on it. Yannie sat on my left, chewing gum too loudly, while Liza lounged on my right, her oversized sunglasses sliding down her nose.

I wasn’t watching the practice, not really. My phone was in my hand, thumb lazily scrolling through places in the city that promised a good night out. Still, Yannie couldn’t resist.

“I think Liam has a crush on you, Sab,” she said, sing-song, her lips curling into a grin.

I tilted my chin high, smirk tugging at my lips. “Who wouldn’t dare?”

They burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the nearly empty bleachers. A couple of players glanced up at us—probably wondering what was so funny—but I didn’t care.

“Oh my God, you’re such a brat,” Liza giggled, nearly dropping her iced tea.

“Correction,” I said smoothly. “I’m confident. Big difference.”

She wiped her tears of laughter. “Well, looks like Louis has a rival then.”

“Rival?” I scoffed, tucking my phone against my chest for a second so I could toss my hair back. “Please. I don’t care about either of them.”

Yannie leaned closer, eyes sparkling. “Not even a little? Come on, Sab. Liam’s basically drooling over you right now.”

I finally looked up, just to prove her wrong. Sure enough, Liam was running sprints, but in between, his eyes flicked our way. His grin stretched wide when he noticed me watching.

What the hell is wrong with him? He’s new here. Plus, we only had a one-night stand. I made myself clear.

I scoffed, tossing my hair over my shoulder. “Please. He’s only acting like that because he thinks he has a chance.”

Liza giggled, kicking her legs against the bleacher. “Maybe he does. You two looked pretty cozy at the bar.”

“Cozy?” I arched a brow. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Yannie nudged me with her elbow. “You can’t deny the chemistry, Sab. The way he looks at you—”

“The way he looks at me is exactly the problem,” I cut her off. “He’s reading into something that doesn’t exist. It was one night. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Oh my god. You had a f*****g one-night stand with Liam?” Liza practically shouted, her jaw dropping.

I smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Why so surprised?”

Liza blinked at me, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe it. “I just didn’t expect you to actually… you know… go all the way with someone you just met.”

That made Yannie burst out laughing, and soon Liza joined in. Their laughter echoed across the bleachers, and for a moment, I almost laughed with them.

I leaned back, crossing my legs. “Please. Like it’s that shocking. I wanted it, he wanted it, and that’s all it was. No strings, no promises. Simple.”

Liza covered her mouth, still grinning. “You’re unreal, Sab. Seriously. Most girls would be obsessing right now, replaying the night in their heads, imagining a future—”

“Ugh, gross.” I cut her off again, pretending to gag. “That’s exactly why I don’t do relationships. I don’t have time for messy emotions or heartbreaks. I call the shots. End of story.”

Yannie, though, didn’t laugh this time. Her smile faded, and she leaned forward, her voice lower. “Be careful, Sab. You know your father. If he ever finds out about this…” She trailed off, letting the weight of her words settle.

I tensed for a second, then forced myself to shrug it off. “My father doesn’t have to know. What he doesn’t see, doesn’t matter.”

Yannie’s gaze stayed steady, like she didn’t believe me. “He always finds out.”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing my phone again to break the moment. “Whatever. You two worry too much. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

“Okay, forget it,” Yannie said, lifting her hands in surrender. But then she smirked, her tone shifting into something playful. “Anyway, if you had to choose—hypothetically—who would it be? Liam or Louis?”

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. “Neither. Boys are replaceable. Good cocktails and good company? That’s rare.”

Liza gasped dramatically, leaning closer. “You’re impossible. But come on, Louis has liked you forever. He’s been orbiting you since, what, freshman year? And you know him way better than Liam.”

I raised a brow, unimpressed. “Exactly. I know him too well. He’s sweet, sure, but he’s boring.”

Yannie chuckled, shaking her head. “So, the heiress with a whole fan club doesn’t care about either of the campus heartthrobs. Not even a little?”

I leaned back on the bleachers, scrolling lazily through my phone, already looking up rooftop bars for later. “Nope. Not a single damn bit. Let them crush all they want—I’m not here to be anyone’s fairytale.”

They exchanged looks, probably wondering if I was serious. But I didn’t care. Boys could chase, drool, and dream all they wanted. At the end of the day, I’d always choose freedom, fun, and myself. Always.

The whistle blew again, sharp and final, signaling the end of practice. The players jogged toward the benches, sweat dripping, jerseys clinging to their backs. Some collapsed on the grass, others grabbed towels, chugging water like they’d been stranded in a desert.

Liam, predictably, spotted me immediately. He waved as if we were the only ones there, his grin stretched shamelessly across his face. I rolled my eyes, but of course, Yannie noticed.

“They’re coming up here,” she whispered, nudging me.

Sure enough, Liam was heading toward the bleachers with that annoyingly confident stride of his. Right beside him, though, was Louis—quieter, calmer, but his eyes never left me.

“Hey, beautiful,” Liam called the second he was close enough, running a hand through his damp hair. He leaned casually on the railing of the bleachers, flashing me that practiced grin. “Enjoy the show?”

I smirked, not looking up. “I’ve seen better.”

Yannie snorted, and Liza smothered a laugh.

Louis, meanwhile, climbed a step higher, towel slung around his neck. His eyes met mine, softer, steadier. “Hey, Sab.”

I looked up and gave him a small smile. “Hey.”

But before I could say anything more, Liam leaned in, resting his elbow on the railing like he owned the moment. His grin widened, boyish and smug. “So, Sab,” he said, drawing out my name like it was some secret, “how about we grab a bite after this? You and me. I know a place.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Louis’s voice cut in, firm and sharp. “She already has plans.” He stepped closer, towel slung carelessly over his shoulder. “With me.”

Liam’s smirk didn’t falter. In fact, it grew, like he’d been waiting for this. “Oh, really? With you? Since when?”

Louis turned to him fully now, shoulders squaring. His voice dropped lower, harder. “What the hell are you doing, newbie? You’ve been here five minutes and already think you can just… what? Claim her like she’s yours?”

“Claim?” Liam repeated with a laugh, leaning back casually against the railing. “I’m not claiming anything. I’m just offering her a good time. You’re the one making this sound territorial.”

Louis’s jaw clenched, his eyes dark. “You don’t even know her. Don’t act like you do.”

“And you do?” Liam shot back.

I stood, brushing off my skirt with a sharp movement. “Okay, enough.” My voice cut through their standoff, sharper than I intended. “First of all, I’m not hungry. Second, I already have plans with my girls.” I jerked my head toward Yannie and Liza, who were wide-eyed, watching the drama unfold like it was the latest Netflix drop.

“Sab—” Louis started, his voice softer now.

“No,” I cut him off, holding up a hand. “I don’t need the two of you competing like I’m some prize to be won. Newsflash: I’m not.”

Liam chuckled under his breath, but even his grin faltered when I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “And you—stop acting like a one-night stand means anything. I said it didn’t, and I meant it.”

The words hung in the air like a grenade.

Louis froze, towel slipping from his shoulder. His expression hardened, eyes narrowing. “What did you just say?” His voice was low, dangerous. “Did you just have a one-night stand with him?”

I sighed, letting my voice drip with lazy indifference. “So? What is it to you?” Without waiting for his response, I rolled my eyes and started down the bleachers. Liza and Yannie scrambled after me, whispering nervously, their eyes darting between me and Louis.

But of course, he followed. His footsteps pounded against the metal steps until he caught up, his hand closing firmly around my arm. “Why, Sabrina?” he demanded, his jaw tight, his eyes burning into mine. “Why would you do that? With him, of all people?”

I tugged at my arm, but his grip only tightened. “Do you like him? Is that what this is?”

I laughed, sharp and cold. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t like him. And even if I did, what is it to you, Louis? If I want to have s*x with someone, I will. If I don’t, I won’t. Either way, it’s none of your business.”

His mouth opened, then closed again, like he wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words. His silence only fueled my irritation.

“Stop meddling in my life,” I snapped, yanking my arm free. Without another glance at him, I walked out of the field with Yannie and Liza at my sides, leaving Louis standing there, fists clenched, anger and hurt written all over his face.

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