Chapter 5
Rivalry on the Pitch
The next match was against the neighbouring village team, and Charlotte’s nerves were buzzing as she pulled on her whites.
“Ready to take them down?” Alexander asked, offering her a reassuring smile.
“I’m ready,” she said, gripping her bat. “And I won’t let you show me up.”
Alexander laughed. “Oh, you mean like last week when I hit that perfect six? Don’t worry, I’ll let you have your moment this time.”
The game began, and the friendly rivalry quickly turned into a playful battle between the two. Whenever Charlotte batted, Alexander cheered loudly—and occasionally teased her when she missed a ball.
“Focus, Charlotte!” he called, just as she swung and barely connected.
“Focus yourself!” she shot back, smiling despite herself.
When it was Alexander’s turn to bat, Charlotte found herself secretly enjoying watching him take the pitch, the sunlight catching his hair, his concentration turning into something oddly attractive.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered under her breath as he smirked after a perfect strike.
“And you love it,” he called over his shoulder, flashing a grin that made her cheeks heat.
By the end of the match, both had performed impressively, and the team celebrated a narrow victory. Charlotte and Alexander walked off the field together, laughing and covered in grass stains.
“You know,” Alexander said, nudging her shoulder, “we make a pretty good team. On the field, and… maybe off it too?”
Charlotte felt her heart skip. “Maybe,” she said softly, smiling up at him.
As they walked back toward the pavilion, she realized that cricket had brought them together—but it was everything beyond the game—the jokes, the teasing, the quiet moments—that was making her fall for Alexander faster than she had expected.