Chapter 4 Chapter 4 - The Football Star's Obsession

Lucas' POV

Love.

Was I in love with her?

I didn't know.

But I knew what I felt was more than just a need to protect her. To care for her.

And when she left my presence for the third time since I'd found her recently, I almost crashed out.

Anita's incessant whinings were what distracted me, because I needed to respond to her as calmly as I could.

I prided myself in being a decent guy and there was no need to mistreat Anita when I'd never done so before.

And so, I lied to make her feel better.

The next day, I found out I was trending.

And so was Regina.

While I knew it was somewhat manipulative and I promised myself to beg for forgiveness from her at some point, I wanted to find a way to legitimately talk to Regina and the only way to do it was publicly.

While using what I had to get what I wanted made sense, if I dug up everything and reached out to her, I was sure it wouldn't endear her to me at all.

And so, I planned to apologize for causing her trouble and ask for her number.

I didn't bank on her being heavily watched during class, and my presence making things way worse for her.

And while I couldn't bear her wanting me to leave her alone, I understood it.

It'd take some time.

During practice, I was bombarded with questions about her.

"So are you with that Regina girl?" Matt, one of my closest teammates asked.

We didn't need to be here since we just had a successful game, but it was advised to have constant fun, slacking off with each other while we can before things get serious.

"No," I denied coolly. "We're just... I just met her at the party and I-"

"Decided to harass her," an angry voice interrupted me.

My eyes widened in surprise as Warren faced me, a glare on his face as his face rose higher to meet my eyes.

The other guys murmured amongst themselves, just as surprised as I was. This was the first time Warren had acted like this.

"Uh, is there a problem, bro?" I asked, unsure.

He seemed even more agitated. "You're bothering my friend, and I don't appreciate it."

That was when I realized. "Regina?"

"Yes, she is," he answered, pointing his fingers to my chest. "And I need you to stop bothering her."

I knew this was a threat, but I found the situation interesting. And slightly aggravating.

So that's why she was at the stadium and then the party. She was friends with a guy like him.

I tensed as I wondered if they liked each other like that.

If they dated, I wasn't sure I would-

Warren continued. "I'm warning you, Sinclair. You have a girlfriend, so stick to her."

I gently pushed his pointed finger away. "You don't understand."

"Then make me understand."

I tilted my head. "I honestly don't think I need to. You don't own her last time I checked, I only need to respond to her and only her."

I didn't owe him anything.

I watched him get more heated. While I was getting angry, I'd started to find this amusing. There was no way he thought I was scared of him, right? That he could beat me up.

"Come on, man. Lucas loves his girlfriend and it'll never change," someone said.

"Yeah, he probably just wants to be friends just like you," other guys added.

That definitely didn't make him feel any better.

Matt was the one who stood between us, but I remained unbothered.

"If we're done, I'll be leaving now," I announced right after, deciding on who was the best person to help me with this dilemma.

I was going to speak to my mother. But my father had to leave for a business meeting first before I got the chance.

It was dinner time and the day had passed faster than I expected.

All I did and thought about was Regina. She really was taking over my life. I didn't mind it.

At dinner, I asked my father.

"Do you remember Kyle Mason?"

His expression was thoughtful. "Who's that?"

I paused. "He's uh... Someone important to the family."

I still remembered my father's promise to him. How could my father forget him so quickly? He used to be so in favor of him, too.

I guess I'd have to do everything myself.

My father simply shrugged.

"Alright." He sipped his wine and when he dropped his cup he looked at me and said, "Are you going to attend the annual banquet this time with your girlfriend?"

I glanced at my mother who was all smiles, winking at me.

"Sure."

It's not like I had a choice.

My father grinned. "Wonderful. I'll be leaving now then."

He got up, kissed my mother on the lips, walked to me and ruffled my hair.

"Bye."

"Good bye," I replied, my voice lower than my mother's.

So mom and I were left alone as his footsteps faded after walking out the door.

I lightly tapped my fingers on the table as my thoughts drifted.

My mother's expression turned serious and her voice called me back to earth. "You seem very... different today. What happened?"

I wanted to tell her all about Regina, but I held myself.

"What do you do if someone you want doesn't want you back?"

Her brows furrowed. "Anita doesn't want you?"

"I'm talking... Hypothetically."

"Ah." She tapped on her chin. "Usually, in this scenario, you leave them alone."

That was not the answer I wanted to hear.

"But if the feeling you have is strong and you're willing to prove anything to them. You've known them for years, they don't remember you and they had a traumatic past that you're trying to help them with..."

"This is a lot of information," my mother laughed elegantly. "Anyway, in such a situation... I guess one could try by just telling them what you outrightly think under a sane environment. And if you're so interested in being in their life, it should be under their rules."

I winced. Rules.

Would Regina have rules?

Would she even agree to let me get close to her after what just happened to her? I'd pushed her into the limelight without her consent.

I was used to using charisma to get through anything, but I guess it wouldn't work with her.