Just a Bit Unhealthy

Six months later

By this time, Jared Sheldon hated his job.He is admired as head of sports medicine at a top Premier League football club, but whenever he looks at a computer screen and struggles to jot down the injuries of the teenage players who are unable to continue playing for the club, he is horrified. Hate this job.If he had known that he would spend most of his time sitting at a desk writing official documents, Jared would have thought about it a year ago when Chelsea's leaders gave him a promotion opportunity.

the phone is ringing.

Jared answered the phone without taking his eyes off the computer screen. "Rebecca, I told you not to disturb me..."

"I know," said his secretary, lowering his voice. "But yours is here."

Jared glanced at the door. "I don't know who you're talking about."

He didn't even need to look to know that Rebecca was rolling her eyes. "Five feet nine, dark blond hair, lovely green eyes, the one with a bad temper. Little Jia, Gabriel Duval, remember?"

①Approximately 1.75 meters.

"You're getting worse, Becca."

"I'm bad? Nope. Just let him in, okay? He's killing me. He just doesn't understand that you can't get into your office if you want to."

Jared couldn't help laughing.That sounds very Gabriel. "Didn't you tell him I was busy?"

"I said it. Do you know how he answered me? 'But it's me.' As if he doesn't have to obey the rules." She didn't hide the disgust in her tone.

Jared's smile faded away. "Stop it, Rebecca. Let him in." Jared hung up, not too pleased.He knew Rebecca meant well, she was just a little overprotective of him and didn't like Gabriel in the first place.Indeed, Xiaojia is not a warm man: he is a bit willful in front of people he doesn't care about-and he doesn't care much about most people-but he is quite obedient to the few people he cares about.

The door opened, and Gabriel swaggered into the room, still in his blue training suit.He sat down on the big chair in front of Jared's desk.

"Shouldn't you be training?" Jared asked.Although Gabriel is one of the team's star players, he can't just skip practice like this.

"really."

"You are hurt?"

Gabriel bit his lower lip with his teeth. "After getting knocked down last week I have a bit of pain in my lower back and need a massage."

Jared watched him for a moment. He knew Gabriel's body better than he knew his own. The pain he called didn't exist. Gabriel just wanted a massage.He often asks for a massage when he needs reassurance but refuses to admit it.

"Lon is the physical therapist on duty today," Jared said softly. "Call him."

Gabriel frowned.

Jared laughed. "You know I'm not your physical therapist now, right?"

Gabriel chuckled. "Why, when you become a high-ranking official, you despise trivial jobs?"

"That's right." Jared stood up and walked to the indoor consultation room. "Okay, come here. Take off your clothes and go to bed."

By the time he took out the massage oil, Gabriel was already lying on the bed.

Jared filled his palms with oil and spread the oil over Gabriel's back, sliding it down the curve of his shoulder blades with skill.

Gabriel sighed contentedly, relaxing.

Jared concentrated on massaging the swollen knots in his muscles, trying not to notice the flawless white skin beneath his hands.Gabriel's back was firm and strong, with healthy lines of muscle.Jared's eyes followed Gabriel's graceful back to his upturned ass under his thin blue shorts.

Jared gritted his teeth, looked away, and cleared his throat. "So, why are you unhappy again?"

Gabriel's body tensed up, then slowly relaxed as Gabriel massaged his lower back. "The coach wanted to put me on the right wing."

Jared frowned.Gabriel is one of the top wingers in European football, but everyone knows that he doesn't like to be a right winger, he always plays a left winger.It has always been like this.

"why?"

"What do you think?" Gabriel said unconvinced. "It's not because of the golden boy in football."

Jared said with a smile. "He's your brother, Xiaojia."

"No, he's not, we're not related by blood."

"Kinship doesn't matter," Jared said.

"Then you talk to him. He keeps reminding the media that he's British and I'm French - or Ukrainian - and he likes to say I'm what I am."

Jared shook his head secretly.He has never been able to figure out why Gabriel and his foster brother - Tristan - are always at odds.They have a lot in common. Not only are they the same age, but they are also orphans. They both like football and have excellent qualifications, but they just can't tolerate each other.Maybe the problem was that Gabriel and Tristan didn't get along as brothers very long: their adoptive parents, the Dewars, died when they were nine, and they were both adopted by distant relatives who didn't really care about raising them. What's more, these two brats have no blood relationship with him.In order to get rid of the hot potato, relatives sent them all to the French football club's junior class for training.Six years passed and both brothers were scouted by Chelsea.Jared thought it was ironic that Gabriel and Tristan didn't like each other, but they always had to live under the same roof, even in England.

"What did Tristan do this time?" Jared asked, starting the massage all over again. "Even if the coach decides to put him in your normal position, it's not his fault."

Gabriel snorted. "You believe that too? He's been trying to get my place for a long time. Never passes me the ball, always trying to embarrass me, everyone likes him because he's lovely and English, you know that. The British media just like to make a big news, and then say that I have blocked the development of the future England star." Gabriel said contemptuously. "The bastard kept adding fuel to the fire, telling the media that he would play better on the left wing."

Jared slides all over Gabriel's back. "Tristan isn't bad, I don't think he really meant that."

"No head!" He felt Gabriel's muscles stiffen under his hands. "He's a manipulative little slut. Why am I the only one who sees it? He's obviously a hypocritical sycophant, but everyone thinks he's a good guy, even you! I thought..." Gabriel's voice changed tight. "I thought you would unite with me, but you are always so kind to him."

Jared stopped massaging to stare at the back of his head beneath his dark blond hair. "I'm the senior physician for this football club," he said slowly. "And he is the star player in the team, it is my duty to treat him well, and I want to ensure that he is in the best condition." He didn't know why he had to explain so much, he didn't need to explain to Gabriel at all.Seriously, Gabriel is just one of 78 athletes, big and small, under his care, and it has nothing to do with how he treats the other players.

But apparently Gabriel didn't think so. "I don't want you to be nice to him."

Jared blinked. "What?"

Gabriel turned over and turned his mouth down, looking unhappy. "Didn't you notice that he is very sticky when he touches you? I know him, and he has a purpose for being so sticky."

Jared let out a long sigh.He knew what was going on, Gabriel was very possessive of his stuff.He rarely talks about his childhood in Ukraine—he says he doesn’t remember—but Jared can guess.The orphanage in Ukraine is definitely not a good place. Gabriel had almost nothing when he was a child. He is used to clinging to the little things that belong to him. It is normal to feel jealous easily.Gabriel wasn't a kid anymore, and he was just as possessive as ever.Everyone knows that Gabriel Dewar doesn't like to share, and it's obvious on the pitch: he's selfish, disobedient, always trying to score goals alone.So he is always the target of attacks by the major media, everyone hates him, even those who admire him are reluctant.

When Jared was sent by rehab to be Gabriel's physical therapist, he had already heard that the kid was difficult.To be honest, he was not interested at all when he received this task.The internship period was already very tiring, and he didn't want to take care of a paralyzed teenager who was sloppy.Also, he hated taking care of Gabriel's case: there was little hope of recovery, and there was little he could do to help.

But the first time he saw this skinny boy lying motionless under the quilt, with his big green eyes open, the doctor-patient relationship between them crossed the line, even if he was reluctant, there was nothing he could do.There is an insurmountable boundary between the doctor and the patient. Knowing that there is little hope of recovery, giving hope to the other party is one of the taboos, but Jared can't control himself.He could not tell the boy that he would never walk again, could not persuade him to get used to his disabled body.He really can't say it.This pale and eccentric boy had inexplicably aroused the protective desire in his heart, he wanted to see his smile, he wanted to see him happy, he wanted to see him back to health.These thoughts became obsessions, and for the next seventeen months, Jared devoted his rare leisure time to Gabriel.The boy was really difficult, but Jared didn't care.Jared was like a wounded animal (like a puppy, Jared thought lovingly) that needed help and comfort, but didn't ask.After trial and error, Jared finally learned how to discipline him.When Gabriel loses his temper, he stares at him blankly; when Gabriel refuses to train because he thinks "it's no use"; he calls him a coward, a coward; , Jared would pull him over and hug him, coaxing him softly, talking nonsense, until Gabriel laughed and regained his stubborn belief that everything would be okay.

But faith wasn't enough—let's say Gabriel's recovery was a medical miracle, but it wouldn't have happened if Gabriel hadn't persevered.The day Gabriel took a few steps on his own without falling, he hugged Jared tightly, buried him in the crook of his neck and whispered affectionately, "I can't do it without you. Love you."

Jared froze in place, feeling hot and cold in his body.He knew that this was just an unintentional confession, and patients often develop feelings for the attending doctor, especially in the case of Gabriel: he is in a foreign country, and only Jared is with him.During the months Gabriel has been in rehab, he has not been visited by anyone other than a few people from the club.So it was no surprise that Gabriel became attached to him.

But Jared's attachment to the boy was stronger than expected, although... attachment was the wrong word.Although it is very unprofessional to have an attachment, it is understandable, but his feelings for this 17-year-old injured patient, this boy ten years younger than him-really cannot be forgiven.

The day Gabriel was discharged from hospital was a mixed feeling of sadness and joy, because Gabriel was going back to the UK.That night, Jared went to a bar and got very drunk.He barely remembers what happened next, other than waking up with a hangover to find a naked stranger beside him—a baby face, dark blond hair, green Eye.

"Jay?"

Jared shuddered, pushing the memory out of his head, isolating the images as usual, a technique he'd mastered long ago.Sighing, he left the massage table and went to the sink to wash his hands. "You know it's vexatious, Gavriel." Gabriel doesn't like Jared calling him by his Ukrainian name, but every time it does, it forces him to pay attention to what he's saying.Jared knew he didn't hate the name itself, but the meaning behind it.Jared liked the name, but he rarely called him that—Gabriel didn't like recalling childhood memories.As far as Jared knew, it was one of the few native words Gabriel could remember, and not only did he now have a new name, he was almost entirely French.

"You can't teach me how to treat my patients," Jared added.

"but--"

"What are you dissatisfied with?"

A moment of silence.

Then he said:

"Because you are mine."

Jared's heart skipped a beat and he told himself don't be stupid, it's just Gabriel saying it to compete with his brother.

Jared walked back to his desk, sat down, and pretended to be looking at the screen. "Go back to practice and leave me alone, Gabriel. I'm working, and you should be doing your job, and, unlike you, I'm making millions chasing a ball around the court. "

Gabriel laughed, and Jared heard him jump out of bed with a thump and stride back to his office.

"Jay," he called softly.

"Do not."

"Please."

"I said no, it's really unreasonable."

Gabriel, wearing only shorts and carrying his top, walked around the table.

Jared folded his arms.

"I don't want you to bully him or anything." Gabriel put a hand on his shoulder and leaned against him. "Just don't trust him, okay? He's too cunning."

His warm breath brushed Jared's ear, the smell of his body filled his nostrils, and his bare skin was pressed against Jared's arm.

Jared continued to stare blankly at the report, trying to catch his breath.

Gabriel sighed, nuzzling Jared's profile. "I'm just—worried about him staying with you. Promise me you'll be on your guard against him, and don't let him lead you by the nose the way he treats anyone else."

Jared almost laughed.He's a healthy needy man, and he's not blind—Tristan is indeed very good-looking, and flirts openly with him—but, really, Gabriel is the one who leads him by the nose.

"You promise," Gabriel begged him.

"I promise," Jared answered him, conceding.He had long since moved on from the illusion that he could reject Gabriel, he couldn't stand Gabriel's disturbed voice.Others think that Gabriel is arrogant and a person who doesn't care about anything, but they are all mistaken. Gabriel is just good at hiding his vulnerable side, sometimes too well.

Jared, however, is not blind to Gabriel's flaws.Gabriel is definitely not a perfect angel. He has a selfish and indulgent nature, and his possessiveness is too strong. When he meets someone he hates, he will become unreasonable.Gabriel's bad temper is well known for not admitting defeat. If the team loses the game, Gabriel will spread resentment and make people unable to get close.He will not give in, and when things go wrong, he will lose his temper like a baby, swearing and cursing.But behind these appearances is his hidden fragility. Jared just wants to wrap him in his arms and protect him from the outside world.

He thinks a lot about Gabriel, Jared admits ruefully.

Clenching his jaw, he stared straight ahead, letting Gabriel hold him. "Thank you," he murmured, pecking Jared's ear lightly with his lips.

unacceptable.Sometimes Jared really wanted to kill him.But in the end he chose to hook Gabriel with one hand and pull him closer.He savored Gabriel against his body, intoxicated by his breath, he was a drowning man, and Gabriel smelled like the air he lived on.It was a strange torture: being so close to him and yet never able to get him. "Don't strangle me, go back to training."

Gabriel straightened up with a grin. "I'll be back after training, don't leave me alone." He pinched Jared's cheek.

And just go away.

After Gabriel closed the door and left, the room immediately fell into silence.The room suddenly became quiet and empty.The piece of skin that Gabriel kissed just now still felt a little like an electric shock.

"You should tell him."

Jared looked up and saw that Rebecca was leaning against the door frame, frowning.

He turned his gaze back to the computer. "Why did you tell him?" There's no point in confessing, it's just embarrassing for them.Gabriel loves him and gets too close with him, but he's completely straight.He has a beautiful girlfriend, and he loves her very much.Jared was just his friend, that's all.

Rebecca sighed heavily. "Then move on, Jared. You deserve someone better, and you can find someone better than him! Look at you, how can you still be single when you grow up like this? How many years has it been? Three years? Four Year?"

"Brother, I also have an appointment." Occasionally.

Rebecca said incredulously. "Aren't you satisfied with dating? Don't you want a stable relationship? Can't you find someone you love—who also loves you? Find someone—"

"Enough, Becca." He stopped her aloud.

"It's been years, Jared. How many more years are you going to last? You know his girlfriend is already talking about getting married and having kids. He's such a deadhead, he can't tell anything, I'm sure He'll ask you to be best man. What are you going to do then?"

The numbers on the screen suddenly became blurred.Then I will be the same as usual.He was about to say that, but his throat tightened in pain.

"Okay," he interrupted her. "Leave me alone."

She shook her head and closed the door, leaving Jared alone in his thoughts once again.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.Rebecca was absolutely right: this was hopeless love, and he should give it up.Alexander, his cousin, said the same thing after learning about it half a year ago.Alexander wanted him to leave England--leave Gabriel--and go back to America.

Let's be honest, if it weren't for Gabriel, Jared wouldn't have left America in the first place.For the sake of this young man who has penetrated into his bones, he left home and all the familiar people. He couldn't imagine the scene of himself and him across the sea.But in a way, being so close to him was more painful than imagined.Watching Gabriel fall for Claire disillusioned him so much.

It really doesn't make sense for him to do this, he should go home.The problem is, America no longer feels like home to him, either.

The phone rang again.

"What's the matter, Rebecca?" Jared asked.

"Mr. Mavis would like to speak to you."

Jared frowned. "Let him in."

He sat up straight, and Paul Mavis then entered the room.

"Paul," Jared greeted softly, a little surprised.Paul is a conscientious coach and rarely leaves when training players. "Sit down, what's the matter?"

The man sat heavily on the chair opposite him, frowning. "I'm here because of Duvall. Oh, Gabriel, of course. Tristan has been acting very well, unlike his brother."

Jared tried to keep his face impassive. "What happened to Gabriel?"

Paul folded his arms across his chest. "Are you serious? Haven't you found him difficult lately? You know him better than I do, so I thought you'd be the first to notice."

Jared's frown deepened.He racked his brains, trying to recall something odd about Gabriel's behavior, but he couldn't find it.In fact, Gabriel has been pretty good lately, and he seems to be trying to manage his temper.

"What are you talking about?" Jared asked.

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Won't he lose his temper casually when he's around you?"

"Quite the opposite," Jared said. "He will not."

Paul shook his head. "He has been really unreasonable in recent months. He always disobeyed my arrangements, and quarreled with other players, making the locker room a mess."

"It's not like him," Jared said slowly.Gabriel is stubborn and selfish on the court, but he is also very cooperative, and he knows that a good atmosphere in the locker room is very important.

"I know." Paul pouted. "I thought he was over it - no matter what happened - but now it seems that he is getting more and more irritable. Little things can make him angry, and even start to get into physical altercations with other players. He was still playing temper tantrums to fans and reporters."

The more Jared listened, the more he couldn't believe that he didn't see it.It's also possible that Gabriel deliberately kept him from discovering his emotions, which would be even worse.

"You put him on the right wing and it made him unhappy," Jared said. "Probably for that."

"No, it's just a consequence of his rage, but not the cause of his rage."

"Have you talked to him? Asked him what the hell happened?"

Paul grimaced. "I tried, but you know his character too. He pretends not to know what I'm talking about when I say it." He shook his head. "If the team wasn't affected, I wouldn't care about him, but now that things have become like this, I can't just ignore him. At first I thought he was stressed because he was going to be a father, but..."

"Being a dad?" Jared said.

"Yeah, he's a young man after all. I know a lot of players who become dads at a young age, but personally, I don't think Gabriel was ready at all."

"How did you—how did you find out about the pregnancy?" Jared could barely recognize his own voice, now he could hear nothing but the pounding of his heart in his ears.

Paul snorted contemptuously. "He didn't say it anyway. I just overheard him talking to Lambert. I think only Lambert, me—and you, of course, knew about it. He must have been months ago." Just told you his girlfriend is pregnant, right?"

Jared didn't answer.

"Never mind," Paul said. "Can you persuade him? If he still refuses to change after repeated admonitions, I will punish him to sit on the bench. I don't care whether he is a top winger in the country."

Jared felt as if he nodded as Paul stood up and left.

Jared didn't move when the door closed.

He just sat there blankly.