TWO
1749 Words
“Look who decided to show up today!” Jonah cheerfully called as Rowan walked into the gym a day later. "I thought you were dead."
The space was quiet save for the few teammates bench pressing and lifting weights and his friend's loud voice drew attention towards them.
So much for being inconspicuous.
“Good to see you too, man,” Rowan said dryly, making his way to his friend who was running on the treadmill.
“I was wondering where you were,” Jonah said as Rowan joined him on the treadmill.
“I had something to do,” the alpha murmured, adjusting his face cap.
The other hummed, running a hand through his hair. “Did you see Adrian's interview yesterday?”
The alpha shook his head. “I didn't. Why?”
“Dude,” Jonah murmured, wiping his sweaty face with a towel. “It was crazy. That asshole boasted about beating your record. He was cocky about it.”
“Just because they won the Aurelian cup last year, he thinks their team is better than ours.”
Rowan jaw clenched subtly. That sounded typically like Adrian. He never missed a chance to rub his win in their faces.
“That’s his problem,” he said instead, not letting his annoyance show on his face.
“This is why I hate Adrian Voss,” Jonah said after a while. “He's the reason why everything is so difficult for you and our team.”
“I commend your self-control, man. I would've punched him a long time ago.”
“I'm not letting him get to me,” Rowan mumbled, upping the incline. “I have more important things to do."
His only goal was becoming better than Adrian Voss. The man haunted his thoughts and all he did was think of him.
Admitting that to even his best friend would be embarrassing.
“I would've broken his nose if I were you,” Jonah continued, oblivious to Rowan's inner turmoil. “A few broken bones would make my day.”
“Adrian is—"
Rowan huffed, irritated by the persistent mention of Adrian's name. He threw his friend a glance. “Aren't you going somewhere?”
“Leave already.”
“Ouch. My fragile heart.” Jonah burst into laughter as the alpha rolled his eyes. He grabbed his bag, throwing it over his shoulder. “I'm on parenting duty today. My kids are demanding ice cream.”
“Is Jacqueline sick?” Rowan inquired.
“Nope,” his friend murmured. “She’s going for a girl's night out.”
“See you tomorrow,” Jonah said as he walked out.
The alpha continued running, increasing his speed. He closed his eyes, the world fading around him.
“Fancy seeing you here, captain.”
The alpha's eyes snapped open too see Adrian running on the treadmill beside him.
Rowan bit his lip at the question and the other continued, "Or are you that mesmerized by me?”
The alpha regained himself and shot the other a cold look. “There's nothing attractive about you.”
“My fans will argue otherwise, captain.”
“Not everyone has good tastes,” Rowan snapped, getting off the treadmill. He sat on a bench, searching his bag just to keep busy.
He grabbed a water bottle and took sip. His gaze strayed to Adrian who was still running on the treadmill.
The other's movements were controlled, just like his breathing and it didn't look like he was breaking a sweat.
Rowan's gaze lowered before he could stop himself.
Adrian's legs flexed with every stride, lean muscles moving beneath tanned skin with effortless strength. Years of professional hockey had carved his body into something that belonged on magazine covers.
He looked...
Rowan looked away so quickly his neck hurt.
What the hell was wrong with him? This was Adrian Voss, the same arrogant bastard who had spent years ruining every victory Rowan fought for.
He refused to become another one of Adrian's admirers.
“Congratulations on your win,” Adrian said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Rowan blinked before a scowl overtook his features. "I don't need it."
“I see your shoulder has healed,” the other continued, undeterred by the rude response.
Rowan rolled his eyes, impulsively flexing his arm. “I'm sure you hated that.” He stood up and made to leave.
“I'm thirsty.”
Rowan's fingers clenched tightly around his water bottle before turning to meet the other's gaze.
Adrian was looking at him expectantly, though his eyes were filled with mischief, lips slightly curled in a smirk.
The smug bastard.
“Whatever,” Rowan muttered and threw the bottle at him. “I won't be so kind next time.”
Adrian caught it. “Thanks, captain. I'll keep it in mind.”
His eyes gleamed as he unscrewed the cap. “You know you're very kind and considerate.”
Rowan stared as the other took a gulp of the water while maintaining eye contact and his gaze lowered to the single drop that slid down Adrian's throat and into his black vest.
The alpha lifted his eyes, breath hitching when he met Adrian's amused gaze. “What?” he asked, inwardly hating how defensive he sounded.
It wasn't like he was doing anything wrong.
Adrian had the audacity to laugh. “I didn't say anything, captain.”
“I'm keeping this.” He wiggled the now empty bottle in his hand. “It will be a souvenir for our delightful conversation.”
“f**k off, Voss.” Rowan walked out of the gym, irritated. His fingers slid to the patch of scent blockers on his neck and he huffed, finding it wet.
He briefly wondered if any of his scent had leaked during his time in the gym and huffed when he realized that Adrian had gotten under his skin again.
“Damn you, Adrian.”
******************
“And the player of the year goes to,” the presenter looked at the black envelope before a smile spread on his face. “Adrian Voss!”
Rowan had expected the result long before the envelope was opened.
It didn't make losing any easier.
As he watched Adrian climb the stage amongst enthusiastic claps from the audience, it was a reminder that no matter how hard he worked, Adrian was always one step ahead.
The camera panned to him, displaying Rowan's face on the big screen and he kept the practiced smile on his face.
He didn't want to wake up the next day to blogs making up stories about him. Tomorrow, they'll publish articles about Adrian's speech and he'll hear the same words that have followed him for five years.
Adrian Voss is a better player than Rowan Kane.
Jonah leaned over after the camera moved away. “Are you okay, buddy?”
"You've been drinking for a while now."
“Yeah,” Rowan breathed, tugging at his necktie. “I just hate wearing suits.”
His friend snorted, taking a sip of his wine. “You and me alike.”
The audience quieted as Adrian leaned over the mic to give his speech.
“I want to thank my team, my coach and the Aurelian Ice Honors for giving me this award,” he stated.
His gaze swept over the crowd and Rowan's heart skipped a beat when they landed on him.
“I also want to use this opportunity to thank the person who has been my muse and inspiration throughout my life,” Adrian continued. “They have been my biggest strength and my reason to live.”
“You mean so much to me.” He lifted the award with a smile. “Thank you.”
The audience cheered once more as Adrian made his way back to his seat.
“That was one hell of a speech,” the presenter said.
Rowan let out a shaky breath, recalling Adrian's gaze on him as he spoke and briefly wondered who the other was talking about.
Was it a secret lover, perhaps?
The alpha downed the rest of his wine abruptly to curb the heat pooling in his belly, causing his friend to look at him in worry.
“Are you okay?”
Rowan nodded curtly, keeping his gaze fixed on the stage as the awards kept getting announced. He had already taken his fifth glass of the night and world was slightly spinning.
"You're drunk," his friend pointed out and he hummed in response.
Rowan's phone vibrated in his pocket and he brought it out, shoulders tensing at the caller.
Jonah glanced at him. “Your Dad?”
The alpha nodded, standing up. He made his way to the restroom, placing the phone against his ear. “Good evening, Father.”
“You took your time,” came his father's gruff voice, ignoring his greeting.
“I wanted somewhere more private to answer the call,” Rowan murmured.
“Come home tomorrow,” his father instructed.
“I will, Fath—” Rowan's words were cut off when the call was hung up.
His father had never asked about his shoulder or congratulated him for a successful season.
Hell, Rowan couldn't remember the last conversation they had shared that wasn't about criticizing his skills and praising Adrian.
His gaze slid to the black, three-piece suit he was wearing and his traitorous mind decided to remind him of another person who was dressed like him tonight.
Adrian Voss.
Somehow, that name had followed him all through his career. He had spent years trying to become someone his family could be proud of but Adrian was always there first.
Rowan released a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. “You’re the reason why everything is falling apart.”
Maybe his parents just needed something to be disappointed about and Adrian was the perfect reason.
Still, “I'm going to beat you, Adrian Voss,” he swore, eyes flashing red in anger as the scent of sandalwood crowded everywhere for a moment. "Even if it's the last thing I do."
After a while, Rowan smoothed his suit and walked out of the restroom in confident strides.
As the alpha rounded the corner, his vision turned blurry and he grabbed the wall for stability. His blinked multiple times, a shaky breath escaping his lips.
“What the hell—” he whispered as the world turned dark.
- Writer
