Page 13 of Siren's Heart

Aka, their dance studio.

I wonder how they got all of this set up, considering the stadium is also in regular use, and matches are going on during the weekends. But I'm not going to question it if it means there is the slightest chance that I might run into her.

So naturally, I had to stop myself from punching the air in triumph and hope when Rich announced that we'd be training on the field today.

"Walking in here reminds me so much of PE class back in high school," I chuckle as I walk onto the field next to Asher. He suddenly stops and points at me.

"That's it! I was wondering what this reminds me of." More quietly, he adds: "I thought about that gladiator film for a minute."

"You're probably not too far off. That's likely what actual game day is going to feel like."

"Only difference is we're not fighting to the death." Both of our heads whip around when we hear a loud 'thud' to our left, and I grimace. The Walker brothers are fighting again. By now, I’m unsure what’s going on with them and if this is a brotherly thing or if they actually hate each other. Asher shakes his head and sighs. "What timing. Those four just might end up yeeting one of their family members into the afterlife."

I cringe at his choice of words, and he breaks out in laughter when he sees my face.

“I’m just kidding.”

"Well, if one of them dies, at least it's going to give headlines." I shake my head and throw my water bottle towards the side of the field, behind the white line. "Means more money for whatever charity we're doing this for."

"Right," he says with a nod and takes a last sip of his water before tossing his bottle after mine so we can easily reach them during training. "When did Rich say they're deciding on the teams again?"

"End of next week," I answer, scratching my chin. He gave us a game plan in the locker room right after the first training. During the first two weeks, he'd test us and see where our strengths and weaknesses lie. Then he's dividing us into teams and assigning positions.

I just hope I'll get a spot where I don't have to catch too many throws. I’m getting better, but more balls than not tend to hit my face or… other parts of my body. I'm covered in bruises already, and moving hurts, but I still have some interviews and promo-shootings to attend for my last movie. It's not fun.

Rich shouts for us to get into pairs of two and demonstrates the first exercise we have to practice.

Tackling. I grimace. Another way to get more bruises. How fun. Not.

Basically, one of us is supposed to do the tackling, and the other one holds onto the ball as he's being tackled. That person will supposedly receive a soft landing on one of those mats, which also reminds me of gym class in high school. He shows us the proper stance and talks about weight distribution and how to fall properly, but the only thing I'm really picking up from his speech is 'Don't stop,’ 'Keep your head up to see where you're running,' and ‘Don’t let go of the ball.’ That's it.

"Alright, everyone, find a partner." Rich's voice booms over the field. Damn, that guy’s got an organ.

Asher and I team up without exchanging a word and walk off, but once we get into position, I realize what a dumb idea that is.

He’s almost a full head taller than I am and built like a freaking mountain. With wide shoulders and muscles of steel, there's no way I'll be able to move him an inch, and there’s no chance in hell I’ll be able to tackle him.

But him? He's going to fucking annihilate me. He'll probably throw me to the other side of the field, just for the fun of it.

Suddenly, a whisper goes through the group, and I turn to where everyone’s eyes are going as they put their heads together.

She's here.

Well, they are. Strutting over like they're on a catwalk, as naturally as breathing, they’re walking across the field on the half we’re not using. I gulp, my muscles turning to stone as my eyes follow her every move, trying to take in every detail I can see from afar.

She's wearing her hair down again today, and it bounces with every step she takes, the wind moving her curls like a wind chime. It looks so soft. I want to bury my hand in it and let her silky locks glide through my fingers.

"Hey, earth to Luca." Asher snaps his fingers in front of my face until I blink and zoom in on him. Right. Training. He grabs the ball and stands five meters away from me. "Bring it on."

I look at him with wide eyes and shake my head.

"What the hell are you doing?" Rich's voice booms right into my left ear as he shouts. My saving grace. My guardian angel. Oh, I could kiss his glorious mustache for stepping in. "You." He points at me. "Team up with Tanner. Asher, go with Adam. I don't want any deaths today."

A relieved sigh escapes me, and Tanner looks damn grateful, too, as we change partners. Yeah, Adam and Asher are definitely closer in build. There’s no doubt in my mind Adam could take Asher down, and you know what? He and his damn ego deserve to be taken down a notch. I hope there’s a camera on the two of them.

Meanwhile, I try to catch another glimpse of Millie. She's huddled in a corner together with Kayla and a guy I don't recognize from afar. Shit. Does she have a boyfriend after all?

"Oof." The air violently leaves my lungs as Tanner's shoulder rams my midsection, and I let the ball fall to the ground, shortly before joining it there. So much for ‘Don’t let go of the ball.’ Sorry, Rich.

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