Chapter 85 The News

Chapter 85 The News
Inez’s POV

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice clipped as Ethan pulled close.

He drew in a sharp breath, fighting to form words. “I noticed your reluctance with Adrian. Do you really like him… or did the crowd corner you into saying yes?”

I scoffed, clasping my clammy hands. Ethan could still read me like a book — he always had. He saw through me, even when I tried to hide.

“What gives you the right to say that?” I raised my chin, defiant.

“I’m not stupid, Inez. I saw it all.” He stepped closer, forcing me back. “Listen… we dated for how long?” His hand waved vaguely in the air. “I know I messed up — what I did with Darien, with you. And I’m sorry.”

My brows arched skeptically. Was that what this was all about? Why were he and Darien realizing their faults only now, after they had hurt me so badly? Unless it meant only one thing — they wanted to return and finish what they had started.

“Apologize?” I scoffed. “This is really interesting.”

“I couldn’t bring myself to forget. I’ve been going over our pictures these past days, hating what I did to you. I missed you, Inez.” His voice softened, almost breaking.

My throat tightened. What was this all about?

“What about Hannah? Have you suddenly grown tired of her, and now you feel like crawling back to me?” I asked, my tone dripping with scorn.

“Hannah and I are not together anymore. I caught her messing around with some boy band from the senior class,” Ethan muttered.

I didn’t like the way he looked at me — the same eyes he once used when he claimed to love me.

“You two fit each other. I don’t see why you should leave her,” I said coldly.

“And do you think Adrian Anderson suits you? He’s a star — someone clearly out for prettier girls.” Ethan paused, biting his lip.

“Prettier girls?” I chuckled bitterly. “Turn around, Ethan. Gather your losses, and I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that to my face.”

“No. I won’t leave.” He inched closer, boldness flashing in his eyes.

Startled, I jerked back, but his hand shot out and captured mine.

“Let me go, Ethan,” I snapped.

“I need a reply from you. I fought hard on the field to earn your acknowledgment. You don’t deserve Adrian — he’s a ladies’ man, he won’t treat you well. You’ve always loved me. So come back to me! We can make it work. I’ll drive to Hartville whenever you want me to.” His eyes blazed with desperation.

My heart hammered. What the hell was wrong with Ethan?

“Ethan,” I whispered shakily, prying at his grip, but his hold was tight. “I don’t feel anything for you anymore. Even if you were the last boy on earth, I would still refuse you.”

His jaw clenched, dragging me closer until his breath bathed my face.

“So you’d rather choose someone you hesitated to choose, rather than someone who has always loved you? You think the fight on the field was for the game? I fought for your attention, Inez — but he stole it all away!” His voice raved, wild.

“You’re hurting me!” I cried, struggling against him.
Suddenly, a helmet flew through the air, striking Ethan at the back of his head. Muscled hands seized him, and a fist landed squarely on his jaw.

It was Adrian.
The punch was unexpected. Ethan stumbled to the ground, and out of sheer fright I felt my heart flee from me. My eyes widened as Adrian hauled him up from the floor.

“Say that to my face, loser!” Adrian raged, his fist flying again.

I threw myself between them, panic rising as the scene drew more and more attention. “Adrian, please, stop!” I begged, my voice trembling.

“She chose you out of pity, Adrian!” Ethan spat, blood at his lip, his voice heated. “I know Inez. When she loves, she loves fiercely. You think she chose you? Look around you — that crowd was the trigger!”

Adrian’s lips pressed into a hard line, his fist cocked back, ready to strike again. The Rangers and Frost Boars were already gathering, and I caught flashes of paparazzi cameras. My stomach twisted.

I met Adrian’s eyes, pleading silently. Please.

His jaw flexed, fury burning in his gaze. Then, with a guttural growl, he shoved Ethan away — but not before landing a gutwrenching punch into his stomach.

“That was for trying to mess around with Inez,” Adrian said coldly.

Ethan groaned, clutching his stomach, his voice hoarse. His teammates surged forward, but he shot up a hand. “This is between Adrian and me.”

He snapped his gaze back to Adrian, then to me. “I admit my loss, Adrian. But one thing you’ll never get is Inez’s heart. You think she loves you? I am her first love.” His laugh was bitter, mocking.

“You’re delusional, Ethan,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze without flinching.

“You think so?” He placed a hand on his chest, letting out another hollow laugh. “I’ll be here, Inez. When he goes after a more preferable girl — a girl of his dreams — I’ll be waiting. I regret what I did, but when he leaves you, I’ll still be here.” His smile was painful, twisted.

“That’s never going to happen,” I spoke up before Adrian could answer. My heart was pounding, my breath hot and ragged.

Ethan gave me one last look, then turned and walked away.
Adrian reached for my hand, pulling me close, his eyes searching mine. “Did he hurt you?”

I shook my head quickly. “No.”

“Let’s go home,” he said, his voice softer now, though the storm still lingered in his eyes.

A thousand thoughts ran wild in my head. I was so lost in my own mess that I barely noticed Adrian and Ethan tearing into each other. By the time I thought to move toward them, the fight had already broken apart.

Inez appeared beside me just as Coach Clarence called Adrian over again — something about an NFL draft. I couldn’t care less. My heart was already wrenching, bleeding out in my own hands. That stark look on Irene’s face kept replaying in my mind, breaking me over and over.

I’ll admit it — masking emotions has never been my strength. Where I learned to hide them, I couldn’t even say. But I knew how hard I fought to confess to Irene how much she dazzled me, how much she puzzled and amused me.

And yet, what good would it do?

Golden Hand wanted me in his gang. Staying away from Irene was the only way I could protect her. I thought about that kiss back in my bedroom — the disappointment etched on her face when I pushed her away. She needed a better guy, not someone like me. If Golden Hand ever hunted her down because of me…

Christ. I palmed my face. They all thought she was my sister. If anything happened to Irene, I’d never forgive myself. Adrian wouldn’t either.

At least Golden Hand didn’t have my phone anymore. I could get another one with the money from the bet Adrian had given me. That way, Golden Hand wouldn’t have access to me. Or so I told myself.

“Did you see Irene before she left?” Inez’s voice cut through my thoughts. I looked up at her, startled. Had she been watching me?

“No,” I answered quickly.

“You guys were talking before she left…” she pressed. “Perhaps you should call her.”

I didn’t want to talk about Irene.

“Is something wrong, Leo? Ever since I asked you to do something about Dan, you never said anything afterwards. Irene mentioned the GaiGai gang — it had me worried you might’ve gotten into trouble with them.”

I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. I forced a smile. “I met Dan with the description you gave me, and we settled it like boys.”

Her brows rose. “But… you never asked me to describe Dan.”

My chest tightened. Before I could stumble over an excuse, Adrian appeared, grabbing Inez’s hand and pulling her away.

“Where are we going?” she asked, startled.

“Don’t you want to go home?” Adrian replied, sliding her hand into his.

And as I watched them walk off together, a hollow ache gnawed at me. That could have been me and Irene.



“Alright guys, we’ve got great news!” Coach Clarence announced as the bus rolled onto the main road. All eyes turned toward him.

“Let’s hope it’s not a scandal between one of our players and the Frost Boars’ coach’s daughter,” Thomas teased, his grin wicked as he scanned the bus.

“Oh, shut up, Thomas!” Hank barked, hurling his water bottle. Thomas dodged, and it splashed across his seatmate’s thighs.

Laughter erupted.

“Come to think of it, that would make a good story,” Frederick added, clutching his leg out of the aisle as Timberland walked past.

“Are you taking sides with Thomas now? He should’ve been a journalist, not a player,” Hank shot back.

“Well, I’d still be making money,” Thomas smirked. “But admit it — Coach Killard’s daughter is pretty.”

“I’ll warn you to take your eyes off her,” another teammate cut in.

I shifted my gaze to the window, letting their voices fade. Weren’t they just boys? Football was over, and now their attention had turned to our rival’s daughter. Trust Thomas to be the life of the party.

“Okay, boys, here it comes — Adrian got the deal to be drafted to the Blackwood Bulls,” Clarence spilled, breaking into my trance.

“Really? That’s one of the Super Bowl stars.”

Eyes spun toward Adrian, who sat with his new girlfriend, Inez Myers.

“Guys, guys, a contract hasn’t been signed yet, once signed I get to start with them after graduation next year.” Adrian said, smiling.

“Congratulations, Rain. But what’s the hesitation?” I asked, surprising everyone. I hadn’t spoken since the chatter began, and my voice drew their attention.

Adrian’s eyes met mine. “Thanks. I’ll need my parents’ approval.”

I nodded. “We can work something out. I’m happy for you.”

He smiled. We both knew how strongly Adrian’s father disapproved of football. If his father wouldn’t sign the papers, his mother would. That was a given. She supported him, even if her career kept her neckdeep elsewhere.

“Can I borrow your phone for a minute?” I asked Hank, who sat beside me.

“Okay,” Hank said eagerly, thrusting it into my hand without a second thought.

I logged into Instagram with his account, scrolling through Irene’s recent pictures. They were taken today. Every time I stared at her, my chest combusted with pride. She was beautiful. I zoomed in on her lips, recalling the kiss we shared. Without realizing it, I typed in 'stunning' and click the send button.

Fuck, what have I done?

“Isn’t that Adrian’s sister?” Hank asked, peering over my shoulder.

My heart clenched. I snapped the phone shut.