Chapter 4

"Time brought resignation and melancholy sweeter than common joy." — Ellen Dean.

Before anyone, I found myself back in the swimming room, as I pulled off the blue t-shirt over my head, tucking it in the respective locker, before shutting it with a loud bang. I was on the edge today, as that hangover was still blurring my vision, and my brain was muddled with thoughts I couldn't recollect. I should've listened to Niall. Drinking that much before the game wasn't the best strategy.

I casted a brief glance at the crystal blue water in the pool, as I prepared to swim a few practice strokes before the final game. I turned around, ready to jump, when I bumped into a hard chest. Retaliating immediately, I muttered an 'excuse me'.

"Tobias." The deep, husky voice forced me to look at the person who spoke to me, after which the person standing before me gave me a bitter scowl. Alexander. What the fuck.

"Look where you're going." That was a warning, and the words hung stagnant in the air between us making me scoff. A bored expression quickly passed my facial features on this unfortunate encounter. What an amazing way it was to start off the perfect day.

Now if only my 'mini me' would fall in line and stop getting hard whenever this jackass came to my sight. I convinced myself that if I had to win this bet, I shouldn't be looking down at his bare chest. But, those cold grey eyes had me glued to one spot. I couldn't even bother to acknowledge his presence. This man oozed sex appeal, but was too much of a jerk for me to try anything with.

"Fuck off, man." I grunted in disgust, when he leaned against one of the lockers, his face twisting with unspoken rage, as he sneered, his lips pressed in a hard line. If it wasn't for the game upcoming, I would've gladly stood there and fantasized about sucking on those sculptor perfect lips.

"I hate you. I hated you before I even met you. And when you're here, standing in front of me, I can't find myself doing anything but hating you more." His eyes had this dangerous gleam to them, as if they were giving off sparks. Momentarily, I flinched at his blatant confession, feeling a pang of hurt pool in the pit of my stomach.

That expression, however, was quickly replaced by a matching glare of hatred as I looked him in the eye. I couldn't help but notice the distinct muscles of his toned chest, accompanied with the perfect masculine figure. The bare planks of his stomach were sticking out, and I felt my groin twitch, my eyes lapping up every bit of the view.

Tearing my intense gaze away from his body, I strutted forward like an agile cat, jabbing my index finger against his chest. He couldn't stifle the huff of surprise, when I uttered, "I hate you too, you nasty fucker." After the words were thrown at his face, he glowered at me, hate twisting his gut. He was nothing but a shallow, arrogant, straight male.

Giving him a rather hard shove with my shoulder, I brushed past him, ignoring the fact that all the team members had just seen that. I didn't give a fuck even if the whole world saw this. I couldn't care less. All I wanted, was to win the challenge and rub it in his already profound hatred.

—

The 'friendly' duel was over, and I felt myself rolling my eyes in half triumph, half irritation as I got up from the pool. The team boys had already left when they saw that I had won, officially shutting down the argument about my talent. I had come to know two of them now, after they introduced themselves formally. Cole, and Adrian. Jeremy wasn't the least bit upset by the outcome, and shook my hand in friendship before he headed out of the door.

Just when I was about to head to the shower, I felt a strong pair of hands pin me against one of the metal lockers. Ah, that fucker. "Alexander, I suggest you to take your filthy paws off me. Or, do you not have the balls to carry on with your defeat, huh?" I gritted my teeth, not failing to notice the naked intensity of his gaze.

"You will pay for this."