His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Fear flickered in Brock's eyes. Casper placed a firm hand on Brock's shoulder. "Do you want to win first place?"

Brock's eyes welled up as he shook his head.

Casper narrowed his eyes. "I'll ask you again. Do you want to win first place?"

Brock hesitated.

He saw Casper with a certain charm. Casper could make him believe anything was possible, even winning first place.

"Mhm." Brock agreed.

Casper felt a surge of pride. Brock still had some fight in him. "Alright then, let's go get that first place."

Casper and Brock joined the kindergarten relay race. These kiddie races were really all about the adults. The kids' abilities were pretty much the same across the board. Watching from the bleachers, Dillon raised an eyebrow. Hadn't Casper and Eliza had a huge fight? So, Casper caved in after all.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," a woman's anxious voice piped in from beside him.

turned to see a sweaty Eliza. He lowered his gaze slightly, turning

about to compete, and we can't wait to watch the race," the

nodded and then looked toward the field. She quickly

Casper with Brock at his sports day? Could Casper have figured something out? She shook her head. Brock looked more like her

The race started.

it about twenty or thirty meters before crashing

like he always did when he fell. He'd always been a bit fragile and not good

got up, brushed

was passing the baton, the parents

dad in this last-minute "father and son" duo

Casper

shy. He stuck close to Casper, his big, clear eyes shining with excitement and a touch of caution. Casper bent down and extended his large hand.

but then gathered

smiled, lifted him up, and placed him securely on his

on a man's shoulders, and from up there, he

below, Eliza couldn't take