Chapter 10 Jack

The sun is barely up when I step out, heading straight to the store down the block.

I have to refresh my mind. I was actually cuddling with her this morning. With her . With my enemy.

My stomach isn't even growling yet, but I know I need something before practice.

And Lara?She definitely won't eat before showing up.

I grab two protein bars—one for me, one not for her. If she asks, I just happened to have an extra.

The reason I said yes to Lara is I got a message from my coach last night saying we are short on women soccer team.

And I knew exactly who.

After that,I make my way to the stadium, where Coach is already waiting for me in his

office. As the captain, I have a meeting with him about the upcoming matches.

Steve's there too, slouched in his seat like he owns the place.

I don't pay him any attention.

Coach runs me through our strategy, what needs improvement, and which players will be crucial for the season. It's nothing I don't already know, but I take note of a few key points.

Then, as we wrap up, I say, "By the way, I might have someone for the women's team."

Coach raises an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"She's new to it, but she's competitive," I say. "Fast learner."

"Bring her in for a trial," he says.

I nod. That's the plan.

After the meeting, I step out into the field, scanning for a certain someone.

And just as I expect—

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

I don't even check. I already know it's her.

I smirk, slipping my phone back in as I call out, "Lara."

She turns, and—

What. The.Hell.

She's wearing my clothes.

I stop in my tracks, annoyance flaring up instantly. The shirt is slightly baggy on her, but

it's the sweatpants that get me. Way too big. The waistband is tied up, but they're still loose.

This girl is a menace.

"What the-"

She blinks up at me, all fake innocence. "What?"

I gesture at her, exasperated. "You're wearing my clothes."

She shrugs like it's the most natural thing in the world. "Yeah, so?"

I groan, dragging a hand through my already messy hair. "Lara, for once in your life,

could you not be a menace?"

She grins, completely unbothered. "Nope."

Unbelievable.

I exhale,shaking my head. There's no point in arguing—she's impossible. Instead, I reach

into my bag, pull out a protein bar, and toss it at her.

"Eat," I say.

Lara catches it, frowning. "Huh?"

I cross my arms. "I brought an extra.. And considering what I'm about to put you through, you're going to need it."

Her eyes narrow. "Why do I feel like that's a threat?"

I smirk. "Because it is."

She stares at me like she wants to argue, but then—probably realizing I'm right—she sighs

dramatically and plops onto the bench, unwrapping the bar.

I watch her take a bite, satisfied. Good. At least she's not completely reckless.

"Stay here," I say, turning on my heel and heading to the locker room.

Two minutes later, I'm back, tossing a set of clothes at her.

I can't let her practice in these loose shorts that have the chances of falling down.

Lara's still catching her breath, hands on her knees, sweat glistening on her forehead. She

looks exhausted.

Good.

Maybe she'll take this seriously now.

"Water?" I hold out a bottle.

She snatches it from me and takes a long gulp, glaring at me over the rim like she's

considering throwing it at my face.

I smirk. "Ready for drills?"

Lara groans. "I thought the laps were the drills."

I snort.

"That was warm-up. Now, come on."

She mutters something under her breath but follows me to the field.

I toss a ball at her. "Let's see what I'm working with."

She catches it, rolling her shoulders back like she's preparing for war. Then, without

hesitation, she kicks it toward the goal.

It's a decent kick. Not perfect, but not bad either. The ball veers slightly to the right, missing the goal by a few feet.

I nod. "Not terrible."

She beams. "Really?"

I smirk. "For someone who has no idea what they're doing? Yeah."

Her face falls. "I hate you."

"Doubt that,"

After two hours of relentless training, I finally blow the whistle. Lara drops to the

ground, sprawled out on the grass like a starfish, her chest rising and falling

rapidly.

"I hate you," she mutters, voice hoarse.

I crouch down beside her, resting my elbows on my knees. "That makes three times you've

said that today. You're losing creativity."

She cracks one eye open to glare at me. "Shut up."

I smirk. "No can do."

She groans,throwing an arm over her face. "Are we done?"

I glance at my watch. "Yeah. For today."

Her arm drops, and she blinks at me, confused. "Wait. For today?"

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. "Oh, Lara. Today was just day one. The first of seven."

She sits up instantly. "Seven?"

"Yeah," I say, standing up and stretching my arms. "You really think you're gonna get

good in one day? That's not how this works."

Her mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. "You—you never said a week!"

I give her a pointed look. "You never asked."

She looks like she wants to strangle me.

I cross my arms. "Listen, you wanted to do this. I told you, I don't half-ass training. If

you're serious about learning, you're going to commit. Seven days, no slacking."

She groans again, flopping back onto the grass. "I regret everything."

"You should," I reply casually. "And trust me, by the end of this, you'll regret

even more."

Lara groans louder, and I chuckle, nudging her leg with my foot. "Come on, get up. You need to stretch before your muscles lock up. And drink water, unless you want to be sore

tomorrow."

She grumbles something under her breath but slowly pushes herself up.

As she does,I watch her carefully. Despite all the complaining, all the dramatic whining, I

can see it—the fire in her eyes, the determination beneath the exhaustion.

She might be annoying, but she's not a quitter.

Good.

Because she has no idea what's coming next.