Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 17

The weekend after was Eren, Lee and Andrews football game. The night before we had torrential rain, so by 5 the next evening the pitch was muddy and in some places there was still puddles that a player could easily slip on. But did that stop the game from going on? Nope. They had their togs which according to their coach was enough grip to keep them from skidding.

Our parents were pulling into the make shift parking lot around the field by 10 to 5. Ian, Nimue, Stella and Kayden were already there. I found it quite surprising when Nimue said her brother was joining us to watch the game, not that it's a problem, Kayden was great when we went to town. Just wondering why he'd want to come to one of these things. The adults took Melanie and Hudson into the stands. Which had limited space so it was reserved for families of the players. I am family, but I'd rather stand on the other side of the pitch with my friends. In the mud and the evening sun beating down on me but that's fine. It's fine

"How'd you think Andrew is going to do?" Stella asks excitedly, her hands on the railing, squeezing it in anticipation

"I hope he falls" Nimue deadpans and Kayden hits her and she looks at him like he just did the worst possible thing "Oi!"

"Don't say that. He's going to do great" Kayden said with a waver in his voice, maybe not 100% sure himself. Non of us have ever seen Amdrew play any type of sport before so this should be good. But Kayden was definitely an optimist

"I'm excited to see Lee" Ian says staring at the field like he can already see my brother running with the ball. Nimue laughs

"Wow, you really are obvious" she mutters and I laugh. He glares at us both

"At this point, I dont really care who knows... as long as he doesn't find out" He plays with his hands bashfully, leaning his arms on the rail cutting down the edge of the pitch. He perks up when he sees the players coming out onto the field. We all stand in a line against the rail and watch as the team starts to run up and down the pitch. I'm guessing they're just warming up.

I spot Lee in the front, the rest of the players following him up the pitch like a bunch of dogs. I glanced at Ian and he was looking at Lee with admiration in his eyes. My brother really isn't that amazing, Ian. I look back onto the field and see Andrew was now right beside Lee, both leading the team in their warm up. Lee and Andrew seemed to be talking whilst they ran. Andrew says something to Lee and he burst out laughing, the sun reflecting off of his white teeth. It was almost blinding.

Eren was further back, amongst the rest of the team. I think he was lagging back with the rest on purpose, probably because of Andrew. I wouldn't put it past Eren to be that petty. My eyes were fixed on him as he ran the length of the pitch. They all had their summer jerseys on which was a pair of shorts and a sleeveless top. So it displayed Erens bulky arms nicely. As they ran past the rail we were leaning against Andrew and Lee waved to us all so we did it back. Andrew wasn't nearly as built as my brother and Eren, he was more on the skinny side then the muscley side, but I did realise that he was pretty hench in his arms.

As Lee and Andrew ran down field out of sight, Eren ran past sending a quick wink in my direction making me tense up. I feel my cheeks going red and I look at Ian and Stella. Ian didn't even notice. He was just trying not to loose Lee in the swarm of the rest of the team. Stella did however. She gave me a funny look then squirmed around Ian and slipped in between us. Before she could ask I was already responding

"I don't know either, Okay?" She narrows her eyes at me

"Do you not know why youre blushing either?" She says accusingly with a raised eyebrow and I turn away from her so she can't look at my red cheeks

"I'm just warm, Stella" what a poor excuse. I hear her go 'mmhm' and I turn back to her with annoyance clear in my expression. She sighs with a nonchalant shrug