The Jealousy He Didn’t Expect

For the first time in a long time, things between Caesar and Blythe weren't completely broken.

They weren't fixed either, but at least she wasn't walking away anymore. At least she didn't ignore him when he spoke. At least when their eyes met across the hallway, she didn't look at him like he was a stranger.

It wasn't much.

But it was something.

And Caesar was willing to take anything if it meant he still had a chance.

That was, until Liam.

---

It started on a Thursday.

Caesar had just finished practice when he spotted her in the parking lot, standing beside a motorcycle.

She wasn't alone.

The guy next to her was tall, lean, and had that effortlessly cool look that pissed Caesar off for no good reason. Dark hair, easy smirk, confidence that didn't seem forced.

And worst of all?

Blythe was smiling at him.

Caesar slowed his steps, gripping the strap of his bag tightly.

Who the hell was this?

Blythe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, laughing softly at something the guy said. He leaned against his bike, his posture relaxed, like he had all the time in the world.

Like he belonged there.

Caesar's chest tightened.

He hadn't seen Blythe smile like that in a while. Not at him, at least.

Something bitter twisted in his stomach.

As he watched, Liam handed Blythe his helmet.

And she took it.

Caesar clenched his jaw, his feet moving before he could stop himself.

"Blythe."

She turned at the sound of his voice, her expression shifting slightly.

It wasn't guilt, exactly.

But she definitely hadn't expected him to be there.

"Oh," she said, adjusting the helmet in her hands. "Hey."

Caesar's eyes flickered to the guy beside her, sizing him up.

Liam raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "You must be Caesar."

The casual, almost amused way he said it made Caesar want to punch something.

Caesar crossed his arms. "And you are?"

"Liam." He held out a hand like they were supposed to be friends. "Nice to meet you, man."

Caesar didn't take it.

Liam just chuckled, lowering his hand like it didn't bother him. "Fair enough."

Blythe sighed, shifting her weight. "Caesar, what do you want?"

What did he want?

For starters, he wanted to know why she was here with this guy. Why she was laughing with him. Why she was holding his helmet like she was about to—

"You ride motorcycles now?" Caesar asked, his voice coming out sharper than he intended.

Blythe rolled her eyes. "I'm just going for a ride, not buying one."

Caesar exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. "Since when?"

Blythe frowned. "Since when do I need your permission?"

Ouch.

Liam didn't say anything, but Caesar could feel his smirk, like he was enjoying the show.

Caesar turned back to Blythe, his jaw tight. "I thought we were trying to fix things."

Something in her expression faltered.

But it was gone as quickly as it came.

"We are," she said carefully. "But that doesn't mean I can't have friends, Caesar."

Friends.

Right.

That was all this was.

So why did it feel like something was being ripped out of his chest?

Caesar forced a laugh, shaking his head. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

Blythe's eyes narrowed slightly, like she could hear everything he wasn't saying.

But she didn't argue.

She just sighed, put on the helmet, and climbed onto the back of Liam's bike.

Caesar took a step back, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

Then the engine roared to life, and before he could say anything else, they were gone.

Leaving him standing there, feeling like an idiot.

---

That night, Caesar couldn't sleep.

He stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the image of Blythe laughing with Liam, the way she had chosen to leave with him.

It shouldn't have bothered him this much.

But it did.

Because no matter how much he wanted to deny it—

He wasn't the only one trying to win her over.

And for the first time, he realized—

He might not be the one she chooses.