Bonding & Jealousy #3
The compliment wrapped up in that is huge.
I was paying attention to Holt’s stats before I started here.
Getting assigned as his mentee and then hearing that he's got nothing but good things to say about me is in a realm I didn't expect. I knew we’d be on the same team, but being close to the guy still felt unattainable, and it’s been pretty fucking euphoric to have it happen.
“Really? I mean, he’s super nice, but he’s almost legendary here,” I point out with an almost obvious fanboy inflection in my tone.
Gio laughs a bit at that. “He is super nice, but he also doesn’t dish out compliments for the sake of dishing them out.
If he didn’t think you had potential, he wouldn’t say it, and he’s had nothing but really great things to say about you since you joined the team,” he says conclusively, and I know my face is blazing at the praise.
Qiang catches my eye and gives me a grin that only makes my chest feel bigger. They have no idea what's going on, but they know enough to realize the magnitude of the compliment, and their smile, showing they are happy for me, is quite possibly even more huge than the compliment itself.
“Sounds like you’re one to keep an eye on,” Imani says with a flirty edge, and Qiang’s smile immediately drops. Not sure why they're frowning, and I know my concern is on my face because Qiang just rolls their eyes and grabs their drink.
Our exchange didn't go unnoticed, though, because now Gio’s eyes are flitting over to Qiang. They'd met once before, and it was obvious that Qiang piqued Gio’s interest at first sight.
Don't get me wrong, Gio’s an awesome guy, but I don’t like the way he looks at Qiang.
It’s completely unfair because he doesn’t look at them any differently than I do, and I have no claim to Qiang at all.
Bump that up to knowing neither of us really has a shot with Qiang, and it makes the ugly feeling in my chest whenever he pays them attention even more nonsensical.
But I can’t seem to help it, like that itch I had to punch Darryl for being too appreciative, and Darryl is my bro.
“Hey, Qiang. Nice to see you again. I was hoping, since Marcus and Tristan play and Qi cheerleads, that I’d have at least seen you at some of the practices,” Gio says.
Qiang shrugs. “I went to the first game last week,” they say nonchalantly, no more, no less. The disinterest is clear in their tone.
“Oh, you could come hang out at the practices though, or one of the afterparties,” Gio offers, completely unaware or simply ignoring Qiang’s blasé tone.
“Well, maybe,” Qiang hedges.
“Oh, that’s right, you aren’t a football person,” Gio muses, remembering the conversation from the first time they met.
Irritation licks my spine, and I take a rather vicious bite out of my bread to keep my tude to myself. It doesn’t go completely unnoticed, though, because Qiang arches an amused eyebrow, even though they are primarily focused on their conversation with Gio.
“Not especially. But you know, if Qi goes, I might consider tagging along,” they say, giving Gio hope when they should have just shot them down. They’re good at that, shooting advances down, but they’re suddenly being all nice with Gio, and it’s pissing me off.
Gio’s face curls into a smile, and his eyes twinkle at Qiang’s response. “So work on Tristan then, because if Tristan goes, then Qi will, and maybe you too. Duly noted.”
I scowl at my food as though it’s purposely offending me, and Tristan nudges my arm a bit, probably to point out that I’m being obvious as fuck and should tone it down.
“Gio, we need to head out if we’re going to catch the movie on time,” the girl with Gio says. I’ve already forgotten her name, Ivy, or Irene, or something.
Gio smiles at her before looking back at us. “Of course, it was good to see you guys,” he says before focusing his attention solely on Qiang again.
Doesn’t that fucker care that he has a date clinging to his arm? I mean, it’s most likely not really a date. They give off friend vibes, not date vibes, especially since Gio is so obviously flirting with Qiang and the girl doesn’t seem to care at all.
“And don’t forget the open invitation, Qiang,” Gio adds unnecessarily.
“I won’t,” Qiang responds with a flutter of eyelashes and a wide smile.
“Looking forward to seeing more of you,” the girl says, and it’s not until I tear my eyes away from Qiang’s face with a frown that I realize the girl’s eyes are trained solely on me.
“Was it just me, or was that a bit awkward?” Tristan leans across the table and whispers loudly to Qi.
“Don’t be rude,” Qi whispers back before Tristan smirks at his boyfriend and leans back as if he wasn’t, very obviously, talking about Qiang and me as if we weren’t here.
I studiously ignore both of their asses by stuffing a huge forkful of noodles in my mouth. Can’t talk if my mouth is full. It only takes a few bites and Tristan and Qi’s back-and-forth for the mood to lift.
It was obviously me who caused the bad mood, so once I lightened up, everyone else did too. Although the flirty back-and-forth glances between Qiang and me from earlier are notably absent now.