Tempted by My Buddy after Getting Cheated On

Chapter 7 He's Got My Back

It was Elrod!

He stood there in his football uniform, helmet in hand, flanked by ten teammates, all perfectly outfitted.

His broad shoulders and muscular frame filled out the gear, radiating raw strength.

There was no mistaking it. He was a leader. His presence alone commanded respect.

I watched him scan the crowd around me, his lips set in a thin, hard line. It wasn't just his size that intimidated everyone. It was the sheer power in his gaze. He looked like someone who wasn't easily approached.

It was the first time I'd ever seen him in football gear, and honestly, it looked incredible.

A wave of pride rushed through me. I couldn't help but feel lucky to call him a friend. He was a force of nature, and somehow, he was on my side.

But just as I was savoring the moment, I saw someone step forward, clearly aiming to challenge Elrod.

The guy probably thought he could push Elrod aside like he was some bystander and moved to shove him.

"Stay out of it..."

But before he could finish, Elrod seized his arm in a vice-like grip, gripping with a strength that made a sickening crack sound. The guy screamed in pain!

But Elrod didn't flinch or let go! He twisted the man's arm behind his back like he was nothing.

Then, without a glance back, Elrod started walking toward me.

Every step he took was like a declaration. The people around me instinctively shrank back, no one daring to get in his way. Even the air seemed to shift when he moved.

I was so excited I almost shouted, "What are you doing here?"

But before I could speak, Kiana, that b***h, suddenly lunged at me, grabbing the uniform I was holding.

"It's mine! Give it to me!"

I held on, refusing to let go. I kicked at her, trying to push her off.

But she fought back, scratching at my hand with her nails.

"Ash, help me!" Kiana screamed, looking over at Ash for backup.

Ash, who had been glaring at Elrod just moments before, now turned and rushed to Kiana's side, focusing on me instead of the bigger threat.

I could feel my temper flaring. They thought I was powerless, but I wasn't.

"Bastards, you think I'm alone?" I shouted, my voice filled with fury. "Elrod! Help me!"

I just finished speaking. I heard Elrod's voice, loud, commanding, and unwavering.

"Mellissa. Step aside."

I looked up to find him standing tall, his face set in a grim expression. With one swift motion, he pushed the guy he'd been holding away, and then, with the precision of someone who had done this a hundred times, he caught a football.

The way he positioned himself was almost like a hero preparing for battle, his posture bold and fearless.

Without a moment's hesitation, Elrod pulled back and hurled the football toward us with all his might.

The force behind his throw was incredible, like a bullet slicing through the air, so fast and fierce it sent everyone around me scattering. Ash and Kiana quickly stepped back, letting go of their hands to dodge the ball.

"Elrod..."

I blinked, still feeling the heat from the ball as it whipped past my face, inches away from my skin.

I stood frozen, staring at him, my breath catching. That throw... it was perfect!

As a cheerleader, I had always been passionate about football.

But I'd always thought Ash was the best, until now. Watching Elrod throw that ball, I realized he was on a whole different level.

But when had he even started playing football? Why didn't I know about this?

Before I could process it, Elrod was already striding toward me, his thick arm looping around my waist and pulling me into his chest. I melted into him, my heart hammering in my ears.

The people he brought with him moved quickly, effortlessly taking control of Ash's group neutralizing the threat in a matter of seconds.

"Hey, isn't it a little unfair? Bullying the outnumbered, huh?"

"Yeah, real tough picking on a girl. How many championships have you won at the interschool league again?"

"Look at you all. All you do is play these petty games at school. Pathetic."

The insults rang out, echoing through the stadium.

The match hadn't even started yet, but already, a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered, eager for a spectacle.

Their eyes fixed on Elrod as he stood tall, his presence so commanding that it made even the bravest seem small.

Girls in the crowd screamed, some almost swooning at the sight of Elrod's dominance.

I watched him, excitement bubbling up inside me, feeling a rush of pride as I heard the admiration in their voices. Just as I was basking in the moment, Elrod's voice broke through the noise, his tone teasing but with an edge to it. "What's the matter, Mellissa? You wanna scream like them, too?"

I looked up at him, and before I could respond, he pulled me even closer, his chest swelling with a proud, almost defiant smile. His eyes turned to the people who had dared to challenge me, his gaze like fire.

It was as if he was silently saying, "With me here, who dares to lay a finger on you?"

In his embrace, I could feel the sheer power radiating off him. It wasn't just his presence. His body was strong solid. We were pressed close together, and I could clearly smell his unique scent, which was warm and intoxicating.

I grinned a playful challenge dancing in my eyes as I ran my hand over his solid muscles, feeling the heat beneath his shirt. "You're my friend," I teased, my voice light but mischievous. "Do I really need to scream just because I can touch you? Screaming's for strangers."

"Friend?" Elrod's eyes darkened for a fraction of a second, so brief I almost missed it, before it disappeared as quickly as it came.

I almost responded, agreeing with what I'd just said, but before I could, his brow furrowed. His eyes locked onto my messy blonde hair, the sharpness in them unmistakable. "You're hurt?"

Without waiting for my reply, he began to check me over, his hands moving swiftly over my body as if looking for any sign of injury. But he found nothing.

"I'm fine," I lied, quietly moving my hand behind my back.

Elrod noticed the subtle movement, his grip tightening around my wrist as he pulled my hand forward. When he saw the scratches on the back of my hand, his eyes flared with fury. "They hurt you?" His voice was a low growl. "That shot should've hit them. I should've hit them right in the face..."

His anger was palpable, and I could see his thoughts racing toward Ash and Kiana, ready to make them pay for what had happened. But I stepped in front of him, my hand gently pressing against his chest.

"Mellissa, you..."

He started, probably assuming I was defending Ash, but instead, I straightened his shirt, calming him with a soft touch.

"Elrod, don't let these people get to you," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "If it came to a fight, you'd end up with the upper hand. But right now, I'm more concerned about you. Why are you even here?"

The question hung in the air. I was worried about him. This wasn't his school, and I didn't want him to get caught up in something that could backfire.

Before Elrod could respond, Ash suddenly appeared like an irritating fly buzzing around. He pointed at Elrod, his face twisted in a mocking sneer.

"You dare hurt someone on my turf? You're asking for trouble!"

"You're the one asking for trouble," I shot back, my voice sharp. "You think it's okay to gang up on me, but I'm not allowed to get backup? Ash Rothman, you've sunk to a new low. And Elrod? You should know exactly who he is."

I leaned in just enough for Ash and Kiana to hear, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "He's my new boyfriend! Is it wrong for him to have my back?"

Ash's face twisted in anger, his pride stung. He took a step forward, ready to confront Elrod, but he hesitated, clearly aware of the power Elrod held.

Instead, he shouted, "Even if that's true, this is our school! He has no right to interfere and doesn't belong here. You get out of here. This isn't your playground!"

At that, Elrod finally smiled slowly, almost like he was savoring the moment.

"Doesn't belong here?" He gently pointed to someone beside him. "Perhaps you could tell him why I'm here?"

The person Elrod pointed to stepped forward, removing the helmet he had been wearing. His grin was wide, and he had a look of pure amusement in his eyes as he addressed Ash. "Hey, don't you remember me?" he asked his tone light and teasing.

"Wait... Is that... Talon Kane? The former center?"

Someone recognized him and whispered it first, but the murmurs quickly spread.