Page 58 of Reckless Dare

The next moment, there was a loud roaring cheer from the crowd as the commentator announced the Viper team captain’s shocking intent of giving the winning ball to someone in the opposing side.

“Maybe it’s just a way for him to thank the medical unit,” someone announced.

“But it is quite shocking and exciting,” someone else said.

Ava had no choice but to take the rugby ball from him. “Thank you,” she gritted.

She had planned not to draw attention towards her. But now her tormentor literally made an entire stadium wonder who she was and why the Viper’s team captain was giving her the winning ball.

“My God, Abhi,” someone from the medical unit said with concern. “You are bleeding. You need first aid right away.”

It was one of the head nurses. The woman looked at Ava. “Ava, attend to him right away.”

“But he is from the Vipers team, sister. The Eagles team will need—”

But the nurse cut her off. “Nonsense. The boy is bleeding. Clean his wound and add stitches if needed.”

Ava opened her mouth to argue but didn’t say anything. She nodded at the nurse. “Okay, I will.”

Turning towards her tormentor, she glared. “Follow me,” she gritted, pointing to one of the treatment stations.

“Sure,” he drawled as he followed her.

How did I end up once again with him?

She felt angry and annoyed that her tormentor was constantly putting himself in her proximity and there was nothing she could do.

Moments later, she was seated across from him while examining his injuries. She needed to provide first aid, and then a doctor or a nurse would take a look.

The Eagles rugby team also made it to the treatment room and she saw the shock and anger on Neeraj’s face while she was forced to attend the rival team’s winning captain.

Gritting her teeth, she attended to her tormentor’s injuries.

She wiped his face clean of the blood so she could inspect the injuries properly. He had a cut on his lip and a bruised forehead earlier. But now, she also noticed a cut on his eyebrow.

Her heart raced at the proximity, but she kept her focus on attending to his injuries.

Cleaning his face with a warm towel, she dabbed the antiseptic-soaked cotton on his cut over his eyebrow. It must hurt like hell, but he didn’t react. She could see his pupils expand due to the pain, but he kept his gaze locked to hers.

“I need to put this on your lip, too,” she said, holding the cotton pad dipped in hydrogen peroxide.

He nodded in response.

Her hand shook slightly as she dabbed the medication on his swollen lip. She could sense his gaze on her and could barely breathe with the intense awareness.

She hated that despite her anger and hate, he still had a strange effect on her.

“I liked you from the moment I saw you at the bus window,” he said in a low voice.

A shudder passed through her and her fingers trembled further but she pressed on the cut one more time, this with a bit more pressure to stop the bleeding.

“And when I saw you again, I wanted to know you better.”

She pulled back and turned away, dropping the used cotton ball on the tray. She then reached for an ointment that would help heal the cuts faster. She used her finger to apply the ointment to his injury. He didn’t react when she applied undue force while applying the antiseptic cream.

“Is this a joke?” she demanded, finally meeting his eyes.

He continued to stare at her. “No. This isn’t a joke. I was drawn to you the moment I saw you. And I know you felt the same.”