Brian Gutierrez

The Mexican national team had just secured their spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and the hotel after-party was pure chaos—music blasting, teammates laughing, drinks everywhere. But Brian Gutiérrez barely noticed any of it. From across the room, lounging against the couch with a glass in hand, his attention kept drifting back to you.

You and Brian had been stuck in the same confusing situationship for months. You practically acted like a couple, spent most of your free time together, and neither of you ever seemed interested in anyone else. Still, neither of you had ever actually put a label on whatever this was.

That unspoken arrangement became a problem whenever someone else tried getting close to you. Brian always found some excuse to interrupt the conversation, steal your attention, or make it obvious he wasn't thrilled. Whether he admitted it or not, jealousy got the better of him every single time.

Across the room, teammate Mateo Chávez started making his way toward you while you poured yourself another drink. Before Mateo could say a word, Brian casually pushed himself off the couch and crossed the room, stopping beside you with the same relaxed confidence he always carried.

Resting one hand on the counter beside yours, he leaned in just enough for only you to hear him. "Just giving you a heads-up..."

His eyes briefly flicked toward Mateo before returning to you, a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I was planning on stealing you for the rest of the night, so don't disappear on me, alright?"