In Love With My Half Brother

Chapter Seven: Everyone Was Watching

I didn’t plan to come.

That was the truth.

But somehow, I was here anyway.

The basketball court was louder than I expected—sneakers squeaking, voices bouncing off metal bleachers, the constant rhythm of the game mixing with cheering and laughter.

And of course…

Everyone was here.

“Tell me again why we’re watching this?” Maya asked, leaning back on the bench.

“I didn’t say we were watching,” I muttered.

She raised an eyebrow. “We are literally sitting in the front row.”

I didn’t answer.

Because my eyes were already on the court.

And more specifically—

On Jason.

He looked different out here.

Not different like changed.

Different like… he belonged.

No hesitation in his movements. No wasted energy. Just calm focus. Controlled precision.

And people noticed.

Of course they did.

“Number 11 is actually insane,” someone behind me said.

“That’s the new guy, right?”

“Yeah, Jason something.”

I tightened my fingers around the edge of the bench.

Of course he was number 11.

Of course he was good at this too.

“Why is he so good at everything annoying?” I muttered.

Maya smirked. “Sounds personal.”

“It’s not.”

“Sure.”

I ignored her.

But I couldn’t ignore the court.

Especially not when Liam stepped in.

I felt it instantly—the change in energy.

The crowd noticed too.

“Ohhh,” someone said nearby. “This just got interesting.”

Liam bounced the ball once.

Smiling.

Looking directly at Jason.

Like this was exactly what he wanted.

I sat up slightly without meaning to.

“What is he doing?” I whispered.

Maya leaned forward. “That’s the guy from earlier, right?”

“Yes.”

“He looks like trouble.”

“Correct.”

The game restarted.

But it didn’t feel like a game anymore.

It felt like something else.

Something sharper.

Faster.

Personal.

Liam moved first—quick, confident, showing off a little too much. The crowd reacted instantly.

Cheers.

Gasps.

Even applause.

But Jason didn’t react.

Not even slightly.

He just watched.

Waited.

Then moved.

It happened fast.

Too fast to fully follow.

One second Liam had control.

The next—

Jason took it.

Clean.

Effortless.

Like it wasn’t even a challenge.

The crowd reacted louder now.

“That was cold,” someone said behind me.

Liam laughed on the court, shaking his head like he enjoyed it.

But I saw it.

The shift in his eyes.

He was enjoying this too much.

The game continued.

Back and forth.

But it wasn’t balanced.

Not really.

Every time Liam pushed, Jason answered.

Every time Liam tried to impress, Jason shut it down.

And the more it went on…

The quieter I became.

Because something about it didn’t feel like basketball anymore.

It felt like a message.

“You okay?” Maya asked quietly.

I blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

She shrugged. “You’re staring.”

“I’m watching the game.”

“Mm-hmm.”

I ignored her again.

Until—

Liam scored.

The crowd exploded.

But instead of celebrating with his team…

He looked at me.

Directly.

My breath caught slightly.

No.

No way.

He smiled.

Then pointed slightly toward the bench.

At me.

“What is he doing?” I said under my breath.

Maya straightened immediately. “Oh my God, did he just—”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” I snapped.

But it was too late.

People were already reacting.

Whispers.

Smirks.

Attention shifting.

And then—

Jason saw it.

Everything changed.

Not dramatically.

Not obviously.

But I felt it.

Like the air got heavier.

He stopped moving for half a second.

Just one.

Then—

He turned.

Looked at Liam.

And something in his expression hardened.

The game restarted.

But Jason wasn’t playing the same anymore.

Now he was fast.

Sharper.

More focused.

Less patient.

“Okay,” Maya said slowly. “He’s definitely mad now.”

“I can see that,” I muttered.

Liam noticed too.

And instead of backing off—

He smiled wider.

That was the problem.

The final play came faster than expected.

Too fast.

Liam went for the shot.

Jason intercepted.

Clean.

No hesitation.

He moved down the court instantly.

Everything blurred.

Then—

He scored.

Silence for half a second.

Then the crowd erupted.

But I didn’t hear it properly.

Because Jason didn’t celebrate.

He just stood there.

Looking straight ahead.

Breathing steady.

And for some reason…

I felt it.

Not the game.

Not the crowd.

Just him.

When the whistle blew, the game ended.

People started standing, talking, reacting.

But I didn’t move.

Because Jason was already walking off the court.

Straight toward us.

And I didn’t know why—

But my heart started beating faster.

“Why is he coming here?” Maya whispered.

I didn’t answer.

Because I didn’t know either.

Jason stopped in front of the bench.

Sweat on his shirt. Calm face. Controlled breathing.

But his eyes—

His eyes were on me.

Not anyone else.

Just me.

“You saw that?” he asked.

I blinked. “Saw what?”

A pause.

Then—quietly.

“Nothing.”

But he didn’t move away.

Neither did I.

And for the first time since all of this started…

The noise around us didn’t matter.

Only the silence between us did.