The breaking point

The days after the extra practice session with Marcus passed in a blur, but the tension between Ethan and Caleb only grew stronger. Ethan’s determination to prove himself against Caleb had reached a boiling point, and every moment they spent on the field together felt like a confrontation, like a clash of egos.

At practice, Caleb continued to dominate, his moves flawless and confident. It was as if Ethan was playing catch-up the entire time, trying to match Caleb's intensity and skill. The more he tried, the more Caleb seemed to outmaneuver him, and it made Ethan question his own abilities. Was he really as good as he thought he was? Or was Caleb just that much better?

But Caleb wasn’t just on the field, challenging Ethan’s skills. He was also in his head, constantly pushing Ethan’s buttons. Whether it was a sly comment after a blocked shot or a taunt after every failed pass, Caleb seemed to be everywhere, poking at Ethan’s confidence, testing his limits.

One afternoon, during a particularly intense drill, Ethan felt the pressure mounting. Caleb was on the opposite side of the field, effortlessly controlling the ball, making perfect passes, and taking shots that seemed impossible to defend. Ethan was losing focus, feeling more and more frustrated with every move Caleb made.

“Come on, Reed!” Caleb called from across the field, grinning. “You’re not going to let me have all the fun, are you?”

The way Caleb said it—so casual, so confident—was like a challenge, and it was like a switch flipped inside Ethan. He wasn’t going to let Caleb get under his skin anymore. With a growl of frustration, Ethan charged toward Caleb, his focus sharpening.

Caleb saw him coming, and just when Ethan thought he had him cornered, Caleb smoothly passed the ball to a teammate and sprinted in the opposite direction. Ethan was left standing there, out of position, his temper flaring. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as Caleb laughed, a low, mocking sound.

“You’ll have to do better than that, Reed,” Caleb called, his voice laced with amusement.

Ethan’s face burned with anger. He clenched his fists, refusing to show how much Caleb’s words were affecting him. He didn’t need to be reminded that Caleb was always one step ahead. He had always prided himself on his quick thinking, his ability to read the game. But Caleb was making him feel like none of that mattered.

For the rest of practice, Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that Caleb was always just out of reach. Every time he thought he had the upper hand, Caleb slipped away, slipping past him like a ghost. It was maddening.

When practice finally ended, Ethan stormed off the field, his mind racing with frustration. He had to get away, to clear his head, before he did something he would regret. The locker room was quiet when he entered, the only sounds the faint echoes of the team talking and the rush of showers running. He pulled off his cleats, not bothering to look around.

“Hey, Reed,” a voice called from behind him.

Ethan didn’t need to turn around to know it was Caleb. He had been avoiding him for days, but Caleb had a way of finding him no matter where he went.

“What do you want, Westwood?” Ethan snapped, his patience running thin.

Caleb leaned casually against the doorframe, his eyes glinting with that annoying mix of superiority and amusement. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t sulking in here alone.”

Ethan’s jaw clenched. He wasn’t going to give Caleb the satisfaction of seeing how much his words hurt. “I’m fine,” he replied, his voice colder than he intended. “I don’t need your help.”

Caleb shrugged, unfazed. “I didn’t offer. Just making sure you’re not throwing a pity party.”

Ethan stood up, glaring at Caleb. “You don’t know anything about me, Westwood. Stop acting like you have all the answers.”

Caleb’s expression flickered for a second, almost like he was surprised by the outburst. But then, just as quickly, his smirk returned. “Oh, I know more than you think, Reed. And I can see you’re struggling. It’s not a bad thing to admit it.”

“I’m not struggling,” Ethan said through gritted teeth, his chest tight with frustration. “You’re just—” He stopped, trying to gather his thoughts, but Caleb was already getting under his skin again.

Caleb raised an eyebrow, his voice almost a taunt. “Just what? You’re not good enough to beat me?”

Ethan’s heart pounded, and he stepped closer to Caleb, not caring about the space between them. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. His eyes locked onto Caleb’s, the rivalry between them so palpable that it almost felt like a physical thing.

“I’ll show you,” Ethan growled. “Next time we play, I’m not holding back. You won’t even know what hit you.”

For a moment, Caleb’s eyes softened just a little. There was something in his gaze, something deeper than just the cocky bravado. But it was gone in a flash, replaced by that same infuriating smirk.

“Sure, Reed. I’m looking forward to it,” Caleb said, his voice low, almost a challenge.

Ethan stared at him for a beat longer, then turned and stormed out of the locker room, his mind racing. He couldn’t understand why Caleb had this effect on him. It wasn’t just about the game. It wasn’t just about beating him. It was something else, something that made Ethan feel like he was losing control.

That night, Ethan lay awake in his bed, his thoughts racing. His mind kept going back to the confrontation with Caleb. There was something about Caleb that was getting to him, something that pushed him to his limits. But what was it? Was it the constant competition? Or was it something deeper, something he didn’t want to admit?

The rivalry was becoming something more than just a fight for first place. It was consuming him, clouding his thoughts, making it hard to focus on anything else. Caleb’s words, his smirk, his every move on the field—Ethan couldn’t escape it.

The next day at practice, Ethan was determined to take control. He was going to show Caleb that he wasn’t just a challenge, that he wasn’t just someone to be bested. He was going to make Caleb respect him.

When practice started, Ethan was sharper than he’d been in days. His movements were quick, his passes precise. But as soon as Caleb stepped onto the field, the challenge began again. Caleb was there, in his face, always a step ahead.

But Ethan didn’t back down. This time, he was ready. This time, he wasn’t going to let Caleb have the last word.

The battle between them was far from over. It was just beginning. But as the intensity of their rivalry grew, Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just about soccer anymore. Something was shifting between them, something that neither of them could control.

And Ethan had no idea what to do with it.

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