Offside Hearts

Chapter 4: Under A Roof

Ethan's POV

I stared at the mansion in awe as the gates slowly opened, as the car drove up the long driveway, the house seemed to get bigger with every second, i looked down at my two bags, thinking this was supposed to be home for the next six months. Great. Just great.

Noah got out of the car without saying anything and walked toward the entrance. I followed behind him, trying not to look as impressed as I actually was, but damn the mansion was enormous, with tall windows, polished floors and enough rooms to make getting lost seem like a genuine possibility.

I tightened my grip on my bag, my entire apartment could probably fit inside Noah's living room.

When we stepped inside, Daniel was already waiting for us. “Before you get settled, there are a few things you both need to understand.” I glanced at Noah.

Noah, he didn't look particularly interested.

Daniel opened the folder in his hands.“Ethan, your room is in the east wing. You'll have your own bathroom and access to the kitchen and common areas.” I nodded.

“Noah's private rooms are off-limits.” “Understood.” “The training room is also off-limits.” I looked at Noah, he finally lifted his eyes from his phone. “It's private.” “I got that.”

Daniel continued. “Your schedules will remain separate unless you're attending a public appearance together. Any photographs taken for the arrangement must be approved by the team.” I nodded. “And neither of you discusses the contract with anyone outside the agreed parties.” “Got it.” Daniel closed the folder. “Good. Then we're clear.”

My phone buzzed, Carla, I stepped away from them and answered. “Hey.” “Ethan, where are you? I've been worried sick.” “I'm fine.” “That's not what I asked.” I glanced around the mansion. “Everything is under control now.” There was a pause. “What does that mean?” “I signed an agreement.” “ohhh” “Yeah.” “And?” I looked at Noah, he was standing near the staircase, scrolling through his phone as though none of this concerned him. “I've moved in.” Carla went silent. “You moved in where?” “With Noah.” Another silence. “Ethan.” “Don't worry. Seriously. Everything is under control.” “You better know what you're doing.” “I don't,” I admitted. “But I'm going to figure it out.” She sighed. “Call me if anything goes wrong.” “I will.” “And Ethan?” “Yeah?” “Don't let them take advantage of you.” I smiled faintly. “I won't.”

When the call ended, I slipped my phone into my pocket.Maybe this wasn't such a terrible decision after all.

---

Daniel left shortly afterward.Noah remained in the living room, staring at his phone, I picked up my bags.“So, where exactly am I going?”

“East wing.” “I know that. Where is it?” He looked up. “You'll find it.” I stared at him. “That was really helpful.” He returned his attention to his phone, i dragged my bags toward the hallway. After taking three wrong turns and walking past what looked like an indoor library, I finally found the guest room.

I stopped at the doorway, this was bigger than my entire apartment, a large bed sat in the middle of the room, with a desk near the window and a private bathroom behind another door.

I dropped my bags onto the floor. “This is ridiculous.” my phone buzzed again. Mum, I answered immediately.

Me; “Hey, Mum.”

Mum: “Ethan, are you busy?”

Me : “Not anymore.”

Mum: “How did everything go?” I sat on the edge of the bed

Me: “Good.”

Mum: “Did you get the money?” I smiled.

Me: “Yeah.”

Mum: “And the hospital?”

Me: “Paid.” There was a brief silence.

Mum: “All of it?”

Me: “All of it.”

Mum; “Ethan…”

Me: “You don't have to worry anymore, Mum.”

Mum:“How did you manage that much money?” I hesitated, I couldn't exactly explain the contract. So I gave her the simplest answer.

Me: “My job paid well.”

Mum: “Your photography job?”

Me: “Yeah.”

Mum: “That much?” I laughed softly.

Me:“Apparently.” She didn't sound completely convinced.

Mum: “Are you sure everything is okay?”

Me: “Everything is fine.”

Mum: “You're not doing anything dangerous for that money, are you?” I looked toward the door.

Me: “No.” That wasn't exactly a lie, at least, I hoped it wasn't.

Me: “You just focus on getting better. I'll handle everything else.” She sighed.

Mum: “You've always tried to take care of everyone.”

Me: “Someone has to.”

Mum: “I'm proud of you.”, those words hit harder than I expected.

Me ; “Thanks, Mum.”

Mum: “I love you.”

Mum: “I love you too.”

When the call ended, I sat quietly for a moment, the first payment had already changed everything,mum could get the treatment she needed, the landlord couldn't threaten us anymore, the debts could finally be cleared, for once, I wasn't running after money, I had it, i looked around the enormous room. I could survive six months. Couldn't I?

---

I was hungry. I left my room and followed the hallway toward the kitchen, at least, I thought it was the kitchen, i opened a door. Not the kitchen, I closed it ,another door, a study another, a bathroom. I sighed. “How does anyone live in a place this big?” I continued down the hallway until I noticed a door at the far end. I opened it without thinking.

The room beyond was nothing like the rest of the mansion, It wasn't decorated like a normal room, It was a training facility, weights lined one wall. Exercise equipment filled another section, while a large hockey goal stood at the far end, there were training mats, a punching bag and shelves filled with hockey equipment.

I stepped inside. “So this is the famous training room.” I took a few steps forward, curiosity getting the better of me, a picture of Noah in his Black Wolves uniform hung on one wall, he looked completely different in it.

He looked so confident and focused,couldn't help but look at it for a minute, then I heard the door close behind me, I turned to ses Noah standing there.

His expression changed the moment he saw me. “What are you doing here?” “I got lost.”

“You were told not to come in here.” “I know. I wasn't exactly planning a tour.” He walked past me and placed his training towel on a bench. “Leave.” Something about his voice made me stop joking. “Fine.” I turned toward the door.

Then I heard something hit the floor behind me, I looked back Noah was standing beside the bench, one hand gripping its edge, his breathing had changed.

It was fast and uneven, his face had gone pale. “Noah?” he didn't answer, i took a cautious step toward him.

His eyes were fixed somewhere ahead, but there was nothing there. “Hey, Noah.” he shook his head. “Don't.”

I stopped, his breathing became faster, and his fingers tightened around the edge of the bench, I watched him struggle to steady himself, then it dawned on me, my eyes widened.

“Oh my God.” I took another cautious step toward him. “You're having a panic attack.”