Chapter 84 Her Reply

Chapter 84 Her Reply
Adrian's POV

Don’t blame me.

There was no way I was ever going to give up on Inez Myers.

My eyes locked on her three rows away, and my heart hammered like a drum. Was she going to reject me outright? The thought alone had my blood running hot. The fear of rejection from Inez would sting worse than any rebuke from my father.

Seconds ticked by. I had to do something — say something.

“I’ve known Inez for a while,” I began, glancing toward Irene, who stood not far from me, her face stunned. “She’s my sister’s best friend.”

I stepped closer to the bleachers. Inez tried a wry smile, but it only made my chest tighten.

“It all started when Inez took the initiative to tutor. Yes, she’s a sophomore, but she’s the most intelligent student I’ve ever met. And I can’t keep it in anymore.” My voice rose, steady despite the tremor in my chest. “Inez Myers, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Inez began descending the stairs, each step careful, deliberate. My hope surged — she was coming to me. The aisle parted, students giving her space. But then she stopped, her gaze falling on Irene.

This makes no sense! my heart screamed. Why was she looking at Irene? Would my sister’s reaction decide my fate?

Silence pressed down like a wave. Then, suddenly, Irene smiled.

“So because I don’t school in Hartville, I missed all the sweet stories,” she said, moving toward Inez.

Inez scoffed softly. “I didn’t think you’d love the idea of me liking Adrian.”

“I’ve never seen Adrian confess publicly about a girl,” Irene replied. “This is the first. That means you’re really special to him. Do you like this?”

Inez’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at me. “I feel awful rejecting him because of what you’ll think or say… but I do like Adrian. A lot.”

I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until that moment. Her words sent my heart somersaulting. A wide smile broke across my face.

“Then go to him,” Irene urged. “Let’s not keep the quarterback star waiting.”

Inez wiped her tears, turned toward me, and broke into a run. God, I had never felt so happy in my life. When she reached me, I pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Yes, I will be your girlfriend, Adrian,” she whispered.

The crowd erupted in screams, but their noise faded into nothing when I cupped her face in my hands.

“I should have done this a long time ago,” I laughed, breathless.

She laughed too. “I’m sorry, Adrian, for taking so long to give you an answer. I pushed you away so many times, I felt I didn’t deserve to be your girl.”

I pressed a finger gently to her lips. “Shh. Don’t say that. None of it matters anymore. What matters is this moment — you, me, away from the noise, the crowd…”

Her lips crashed against mine before I could finish.

And in that instant, the world disappeared.

Irene’s POV

It was soothing, watching my brother profess his love to my best friend. Adrian’s voice rang with certainty, his smile radiant, and Inez’s tears shimmered like proof of something pure.

I should have been furious that she never told me what was happening between them. But hadn’t she just admitted it? She thought I wouldn’t like her being with my brother.

Still, I was stunned. Adrian — my reckless, stubborn brother — had found love in Inez. And Inez… when had she started falling for him? Watching them kiss and giggle as cameras flashed made me smile despite myself. I was happy for them.

But then my eyes tore away, searching frantically for Leo. He was talking to a teammate, looking utterly nonchalant, as if Adrian’s grand confession meant nothing. When his gaze accidentally met mine, he turned away at once.

My chest clenched. I tried to step toward him, but he was already walking off, not even bothering with a goodbye.

This wasn’t the Leo Miller I knew.

“You knew about them?” I asked when I finally reached him.

“Yeah,” he said with a nod. Nothing more.
The silence between us was unbearable. He forced a weak smile, then started to turn away.

“So, is this how it’s going to be between us?” The words spilled out, heavy, depressing.

Leo glanced back over his shoulder. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”

My heart cracked. “Then let’s start with why you joined the GaiGai gang,” I pressed.

His jaw tightened. “That was a mistake. Pretend you never saw me there.”

“I can’t unsee it,” I whispered.

“Irene, please. Drop this. I don’t want you in trouble because of me. Stop butting into whatever I do, okay?” His dark gaze met mine, sharp and final.

I scoffed, biting my lip. “The Leo I know wouldn’t set rules for me. We’d bicker, fight—”

“Well, that Leo is gone,” he cut in. “And whatever happened there, don’t let it reach your brother, my mom, anyone. Please.”

“You’re cruel. I hate you,” I spat, the words escaping before I realized.

I turned on my heels, tears burning. What was I expecting? That he would confess his love like Adrian had to Inez? I was a fool for love. Not anymore.

“Let’s get out of here,” I muttered to Raina, blinking back tears before anyone could notice.

But once we were alone in the car, she turned to me. “You don’t have to hold it in.”

A sob tore from me. “He didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear,” I cried.

“It’s alright. We’ll get through this,” Raina whispered, opening her arms.

I laid my head on her shoulder, and the tears finally fell.

Inez's POV

I looked behind me, but Irene was gone.

“Who are you looking for?” Adrian asked.

“Irene,” I replied. “She was just here a minute ago.”

“Your sister?” Thomas chimed in. “I saw her leaving with another friend. Cap… coach needs us,” he finished quickly.
Adrian turned back to me, his eyes warm. “I want you to stay for the after-party, Inez.”

“No, I can’t. I need to get back home,” I said firmly.

“How do you plan to get back to Hartville? Join our ride. I’m sure Coach will overlook it,” Adrian urged.

I tried a faint smile. “Okay. Just give me a few minutes. I need to go over to the platform, answer some questions for the press, and I’ll be back. I promise.” He sealed the reassurance with a kiss before skittering off toward the reporters.

That was when I heard it — a mocking voice slicing through the noise.

“Who would have thought the nerdy girl would win the heart of the quarterback star…”

My stomach clenched. I knew that voice. Hannah and Jess stood before me in their cheer leading uniforms, eyes sharp with envy.

“You don’t deserve him,” Jess sneered.

I smiled faintly, unmoved. “Alas, it is what it is. You stand no chance, do you?” I turned away, unwilling to waste breath.
But Hannah grabbed my hand, halting me. “You think because he asked you to be his girl, that gives you the right to talk to us like this?” she snapped.

I pried her hand off. “I have a mouth, and I’ll use it as I wish. Don’t dictate to me. The former Inez is gone.”

Their stunned expressions told me they hadn’t expected this fire. Jess lunged, trying to grab my hair, but I shoved her hard, my palm striking her cheek. She stumbled, crashing onto her backside, fear flashing in her eyes.

“And what are you going to do now?” I stepped toward Hannah, who instinctively backed away.

“I’m warning you. Stay away from me. If you try your tricks again, I won’t overlook it.” My voice was low, dangerous.

Hannah helped Jess up, both too shaken to reply. When I advanced another step, they fled.

A smile tugged at my lips — until I collided with a solid, sweaty body. I stumbled, but strong hands caught me before I could fall.

“Ethan?” I gasped, pulling free from his grip.

“I’ve been waiting to speak to you,” he said, his eyes unreadable.