He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

I spotted DeLuca first,

Not because he was trying to stand out. If anything, it was the opposite.

He looked completely comfortable, moving with the relaxed confidence of someone who belonged exactly where he was.

There was no performance in it, no attempt to impress anyone. The confidence simply existed, effortless and natural, and somehow that made it even more noticeable.

The captain designation suddenly made perfect sense, and around me, several girls seemed to agree.

Very loudly.

I shook my head and then my attention drifted elsewhere.

A few yards away, I spotted Nathan. The sight immediately pulled me out of my amusement.

Because for a brief moment, Nathan wasn’t watching the field.

He wasn’t watching the crowd either.

He was watching DeLuca.

The intensity of the look lasted only a second before he turned away and continued preparing with the rest of the team, but it was enough to mean something to me.

My stomach tightened.

Nathan’s warning from before immediately resurfaced.

The challenge. The rivalry. The promise.

I made a mental note to tell DeLuca later.

Eventually I spotted Archer as well.

Unlike Nathan, he looked completely focused on the upcoming game, and before long all three of them were moving into position with the others as the opposing team did the same.

The crowd’s anticipation continued building.

People leaned forward.

Phones rose into the air.

Conversations quieted.

The opening whistle felt moments away.

Theftement near the sideline caught my attention.

DeLuca had stepped away briefly.

One of the staff members handed him bottle of water, and he tilted his head back to drink while the crowd continued making fools of themselves around him.

Or rather, the girls around him did. (

Several were practically yelling his name.

Others waved.

One even attempted what looked like a very enthusiastic flirtation from twenty yards away.

DeLuca ignored all of them with impressive efficiency. Apparently being admired by more than half the female population had become normal enough that he no longer noticed.

I shook my head.

Ridiculous.

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