Offside Secrets

PROLOGUE

Prologue

After a successful match and the interview, Ethan made his way to his car. As he unlocked the door, he noticed Leo approaching him with a confident smirk.

"You seemed pretty tense back then. Why? Because I was sitting too close to you?"

"Probably because you stink," Ethan said back.

"Ouch, you just pierced my heart, Ethy," Leo said in a joking manner. "Were you naturally this annoying, or are you going to blame it on peer influence?" Ethan said in an almost angry tone.

"Look who’s talking. You never wondered why our teammates don’t even get close to you?" Leo replied.

"Do I look like I give a f**k?" Ethan, now angry, replied.

"Woah, easy, cupcake," Leo said as he headed over to his car. "Not sure what it was, but you didn’t look disgusted. It’s like…. How do I put this? Mmm, like when you are so hungry and the food is right in front of you, but you don’t want to show it. Something like that," Leo said, opening his palms.

"Tsk, right, stop blabbering nonsense and leave me alone already, and stop following me," Ethan replied.

"Following you?" Leo let out a laugh. "Dude, it seems that you’ve forgotten that this is a public space, not your personal garage, and moreover, I was just heading to my car."

As Leo got close to his car, he turned around and said, “By the way, nice outfit, Ethan.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “f**k off.”

Leo chuckled softly. “Umm, the last time I checked, when someone gives you a compliment, you should say something like, ‘Thanks.’ I’m sure they taught you that, Ethy.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “I told you, don’t call me that.”

Leo stepped closer, his voice dropping to a teasing, almost daring tone.

Leo: “Why? Does it make your heart skip a beat?”

“Tsk, you think so highly of yourself, don’t you? You think you’ll ever make me blush?” Ethan replied, almost stuttering.

Leo, this time too close to Ethan—their bodies almost rubbing against each other—brought his hand to Ethan’s face, touched his lips, and said, "Your mouth is telling a different story from your..." He stroked his chin and said, "...your face, Ethy." For five seconds, they stood there staring at each other.

Regaining himself, Ethan quickly pushed Leo away and said, "Piss off," as he hurried to his car, trembling as he tried the door. He finally did, drove off, but stopped when he realized Leo was out of sight.

Ethan clutched his chest, trying to steady himself. What was that? Did I just...? Did he...? Was I...? He couldn’t quite understand what he was feeling at that moment. His mind was thrown into a state of confusion.

He took a deep breath, trying to convince himself. "I must be tired. Yeah, after all, it was a hell of a match. I need a break,” he muttered. He started the engine and drove home, his mind racing and heart still pounding.