Chapter thirty-two : Everly

Lucifer had ditched his suit jacket and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. A girl handed him a glove, as he thanked her she blushed and smiled. Jacob turned to me with a determined expression, "I will win today Eve, trust me."

"Of course you will," I tousled his hair, "I trust you."

"Let's start this little boy," Lucifer smirked and looked at me. Oh I really wanted to rip that smug expression off his face. He passed the ball to Jacob, "You go first."

And the battle began. Jacob put his right foot behind and braced his left foot just the way I did and then he threw the ball with all his strength. It spinned just the way it was supposed to, I smiled. But it soon disappeared when Lucifer caught it without moving an inch. My mouth dropped and so did Jacob's. "You're better than the last time. Here take this." He threw the ball at Jacob and he slid on the ground to catch it. It was evident that Lucifer was going easy on him, and I hated to say this but he was real good at it. No wonder Jacob insisted on calling him his rival.

The next few minutes Jacob was running around after the ball while Lucifer stood at his same spot. He took the ball in his hand and this time he swung his arm around, the ball had a different trajectory to it. Jacob went after it and jumped in mid-air but missed and fell down, a scream left his mouth. Before I realized it he was on the ground cradling his hand left hand. I ran to him and knelt down and took his hand in mine. Lucifer was beside me within seconds, "give it to me," he said. I was reluctant to let go I didn't want Jacob to hurt. "Everly," he said softly and I put Jacob's small hand in his. He gently removed the glove and sighed, "This is gonna hurt," he murmured and then snapped his wrist, Jacob screamed again and tears left his eyes.

"What are you doing? You're hurting him." I shouted.

He ignored me completely, his eyes fixed on Jacob. "Does it hurt now?" He asked softly.

Jacob shook his head, "Not as bad," he sniffled.

Lucifer picked up a still sobbing Jacob but he didn't look as hurt as before. Will and Dora were there soon with a medical kit. Jacob sniffled while while Dora bandaged his hand. He got up and started putting on his glove when Will snatched it up, "You're injured, you cannot play."

"But I have to finish this match, Eve is here too. Give me the glove old man." He jumped at him."No Jacob." Will said sternly.

Jacob only wanted to finish the match without caring for the results, I knew that. He never quite bothered about the results, he just wanted to play and learn. But today he was really inclined on winning. He was glaring down at ground, his angry tears were almost on the way. "How about I play in your stead?" I said.

He looked up at me, "Eve," he mumbled.

"Oh come on, it won't do any harm. Will it? Moreover we have to make sure you win." I tousled his hair.

He looked at me with his big hazel, "Okay," he said softly. "Can I stay here Will?" Will smiled softly and nodded.

After making sure Jacob was comfortable we resumed the game. I slipped on the glove and grabbed the ball, "Let's get this started." Lucifer smirked. I got in my position. Jacob was smaller, so the impact of his throw was way less than mine. I'd been doing this for as long as I remember and there was no way he'd be able to catch it that easily. Bracing myself I swung the ball around and threw it to him. The ball zoomed past him while he stood there unmoving. I smirked. He shook his head and picked up the ball, "that was good." He murmured. He put his foot behind and threw the ball to me, it swung in the right direction and I lunged to get it. It was surprisingly forceful, so he was finally serious about this.

We continued throwing the ball to each other and formed quite a rally. Neither of us was ready to drop the ball, while I was all over the place Lucifer had at least moved a little too which enough for me. I finally had the ball in my hands and decided it was the final throw, I was going to end it now. I threw it with all my strength, he started stepping back to get himself under the ball. My eyes were fixed on the ball as it descended toward the ground, damn it he'll get that. The ball almost landed in his glove when he moved away his hand and ball fell on the ground. Wait what was that? He dropped the catch. Jacob was already on his feet shouting on the top of his voice, "Eve you won, we won." He started jumping.

I looked up at Lucifer who was now on a phone call. He dropped the catch because of a phone call? His call ended and he turned around, shrugging his shoulder.

He walked over to a jumping Jacob, "Your Eve is really good."

"I told you." He said with a smug face and I shook my head. He certainly didn't know the real reason and I guess it was alright. "But Eve you're all dirty." He pointed at me and I looked down at myself.

Yes I looked like a good old dog who had enjoyed a long mud bath. My clothes were all covered in mud and I had grass in my hair while Lucifer stood there spotless. I rubbed my hand on my shirt and then rubbed it on Lucifer's spotless light blue shirt. "Better," I grinned and looked up at him.

"What was that for?" His nose adorably scrunched up. Good heavens this man was also capable of looking cute.

"You looked way too clean after having such a rough match," I announced.

"That doesn't mean you'll just rub it on me," he looked down at me.

"Oh come on be a sport," I nudged him at his ribs.His arched his brow, he dragged his finger down on the muddy spot on his shirt and tapped it on my nose. "Hey," I snapped. "Oh come on be a sport," he winked at me.

"Back at ya Eve." Jacob laughed and fist bumped Lucifer.

"You kid," I bellowed, he squealed and started running. Thank God he was alright, I almost lost my mind when he screamed in agony. I never wanted to see him in pain, all I wanted was to protect him with everything I had.

"So what now?" Lucifer asked.

"Nothing I'll leave after some time. You can carry on." I picked up the ball.

"No, we'll be leaving together, there are things I wish to speak to you about." He said and headed to the mansion. I shrugged my shoulders and followed him.

Lucifer was back to being poised with his suit jacket on. Alistair was standing beside him when I emerged with Jacob after cleaning myself up. Jacob straightened himself at the sight of him, "You're still here?"

"Yes I had something I wanted to give you." He said as Alistair handed him a box. He moved forward and handed it out to Jacob, he hesitated for a moment and then accepted it.

"Can I open it now?" He said barely able to contain his excitement. Lucifer nodded. He tore away the wrappings and opened the box. I moved beside him and peered down at the box.

"Are you serious?" Jacob and I shouted at the same time. Lucifer's brow arched and he smiled, "Yes very much."

It was a Rawlings glove, the one we always talked about. Jacob threw the box and tried it on with big smile, "Eve look, it's perfect." He started jumping. He flexed his hand and swung his arm with a big smile on his face, his eyes alit with happiness. But then he stopped and looked up at Lucifer, his baby face all serious, "Why did you give me this? What do you want?"

Lucifer smirked, "I want you to practice hard with this and then I expect you to win against me in a match."

Jacob's eyes widened and he nodded, "Yes I will." Lucifer extended his hand to him and he took it in a firm handshake.

He looked totally different right now with his eyes burning with determination. And I knew he meant it, he'd work hard and then he'll challenge him yet to another match and put every ounce of his strength into winning it. I smiled, so he finally did some growing up after all.