England's Greatest

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As for the other plans Tristan had, well, it was a dinner date with Kendall—the last one before he headed back to the UK.

He stood outside his hotel, dressed to the nines in a sharp black suit. He wasn't one to fuss over appearances, but tonight felt like it called for a bit of effort. As he waited, hands stuffed into his pockets, the cool Los Angeles evening felt oddly calm, contrasting with the buzz in his mind.

It wasn't long before a sleek black Land Rover pulled up to the curb. The window rolled down smoothly, revealing Kendall behind the wheel. She flashed him an easy smile, her perfect teeth catching the glow of the streetlights.

"Hey," she greeted, her tone warm but tinged with curiosity. She still wasn't sure where things stood between them. The first date hadn't exactly been electric, and tonight felt like her chance to figure out if there was any real chemistry—or if they were simply two people from different worlds, forcing something that wasn't there.

Tristan returned her smile, opening the door and sliding into the passenger seat. "Hey. Right on time," he said, keeping it light.

Kendall laughed softly as she shifted the car into drive. "Of course. I'm a model, but I'm not fashionably late."

Her joke drew a small chuckle from him. "Fair enough. Wolfgang Puck's CUT restaurant,right?"

"Yep," she confirmed, glancing at him briefly before focusing back on the road. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't quite effortless either. 

 He felt a little more at ease this time, but a small part of him still wondered if this was worth pursuing. 

The last date had felt more like an interview. Tristan blamed himself for that—he hadn't talked much, just answering Kendall's questions like a student being quizzed. It wasn't that he didn't want to engage, but he genuinely hadn't known what to say.

He felt like a jerk for it, but the truth was, he had no real topics to discuss with her. Sure, she was gorgeous—there was no denying that—but she came with a whirlwind of family drama and media attention that he had no interest in getting tangled up with.

Her personality and lifestyle didn't make up for it either. Kendall's constant focus on social media and the high-octane glamour of her world clashed with his quieter, more grounded approach to life. He didn't mind if his girlfriend liked to party or post about their relationship, but there were limits. Tristan wanted someone he could spend hours cuddling with on a peaceful night, not someone who felt the need to document every detail of their lives online.

In the back of his mind, he'd already decided that dating to him wasn't just for fun after his first life—it was a path to finding the person he'd eventually marry. And he was sure that person wasn't Kendall Jenner.

There was also the matter of distance. If they started dating, she'd still be living in the U.S. while he was rooted in England. Long-distance could work if it was with someone close by—another European country, maybe—but the thought of dealing with the time zones, the flights, and the weeks without seeing each other seemed more trouble than it was worth.

He wouldn't mind if his girlfriend had a career that kept her busy—hell, he admired ambition—but it had to feel compatible with his own life. And right now, nothing about Kendall's life seemed like it would fit with his.

Still, here he was, about to give things one last shot. Not because he felt obligated, but because he wanted to be sure. If nothing else, he could walk away knowing he'd tried.

The ride was relatively quiet at first, the faint hum of the Land Rover's engine filling the space. He decided to start the conversation, determined not to let the evening feel like an awkward replay of their first date. "So, do you drive often?" he asked, glancing her way.

Kendall smiled, her hands steady on the wheel. "When I can. It's nice to have some independence, you know? I spend so much time being driven around that it's a bit of a luxury to just get behind the wheel."

At least he's trying this time, she thought, appreciating the effort but still unsure if this was going anywhere. But is that all this is going to be—small talk?

"I can imagine," Tristan replied. "I don't drive much myself—between training and games, there's just not a lot of time for it. Plus, in London, I'd rather avoid the traffic."

Kendall laughed softly, glancing at him briefly. "Fair point. LA traffic is no joke either, but I kind of like the solitude of driving. It gives me time to think."

He's so composed, she noted, watching him from the corner of her eye. Almost too composed. Where's the spark? The excitement?

He nodded, considering her words. "I get that. I think that's why I like running outside sometimes instead of in the gym. It clears your head in a way nothing else does."

"Do you get much time to yourself with your schedule?" she asked, genuinely curious but also hoping for something more personal from him.

"Not really," Tristan admitted. "It's pretty full-on during the season. Between matches, training, and travel, there's not much downtime. But it's all part of the job, so I can't complain."

Full-on schedule? Okay, fair enough, she thought. But does he ever just… relax? Or is he always this closed off?

"Sounds intense," Kendall said, her tone thoughtful. "Do you ever get to travel just for fun, or is it all work?"

"Mostly work," he said with a small shrug. "The only big trip I've had outside of Europe was Brazil for the World Cup. It was incredible, but I didn't get to explore much. The focus was all on the games."

Kendall raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Brazil must've been amazing, though. What was it like being there?"

"The atmosphere was insane," Tristan replied, a hint of enthusiasm creeping into his voice. "Football is everything there. The fans, the energy—it's like nothing I've ever experienced. Even though I didn't see much outside the stadiums, it was unforgettable."

She smiled at his response, feeling a flicker of something genuine from him. Okay, maybe he's just more passionate about football than anything else. That's fine, but… is there room for anything else in his life?

"I'd love to visit Brazil someday," Kendall said wistfully. "Maybe during Carnival or something. It just seems so vibrant."

"You'd definitely love it," Tristan said, his tone sincere. "It's one of those places that leaves a mark on you, even if you're just there for a short time."

Kendall smiled again, but her thoughts lingered. He's sweet, but he's so… reserved. It's like he's here, but not really here.

"Where else would you want to go if you had the time?" she asked, hoping to draw him out a bit more.

Tristan thought for a moment. "Japan, maybe. I've heard great things about it—how different it is from anywhere else. Plus, I'd love to try the food."

"Tokyo is one of my favorite cities," Kendall said, her voice brightening. "The culture, the fashion, the food—it's all so unique. You'd definitely enjoy it."

"Maybe one day," Tristan said, his tone light but noncommittal.

Kendall glanced at him again, her smile fading slightly. Is he even interested in me? Or is he just here because he feels like he should be? He's polite, yes, but it's like he's holding back, and I'm not sure I have the patience to keep digging.

As the restaurant came into view, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay present. Maybe tonight will be different. Maybe he'll open up more over dinner.

The restaurant was alive with quiet chatter and soft ambient lighting, the kind of place that exuded understated elegance. Tristan followed Kendall to a corner table, tucked away from the bustling main area. A waiter handed them menus before disappearing to give them a moment.

"This place has such a vibe, doesn't it?" Kendall said, glancing around before opening her menu. "I've been here a few times—great food, great energy. It's one of my favorites."

"Yeah, it's nice," Tristan said, scanning the menu. "Never been here before."

"Well, you're in for a treat," Kendall continued, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "Their miso-glazed black cod is incredible. Oh, and the truffle fries—so good. But honestly, everything here is worth trying. What do you usually go for when you eat out?"

"Depends on the place," Tristan replied casually. "Usually something simple, steak maybe. I'm not too picky."

"That's good," Kendall said, nodding approvingly. "You're not one of those people who overthinks their food. I respect that. But seriously, trust me on the cod. You'll thank me later."

Tristan smirked slightly. "Alright, I'll take your word for it."

The waiter came back to take their orders, and Kendall wasted no time. "I'll have the miso-glazed black cod, and we'll share the truffle fries. He'll take the wagyu," she said confidently, closing her menu before looking at Tristan. "That works for you, right?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow, caught off guard but amused. "Yeah, sure."

After the waiter left, Kendall leaned back in her chair, completely at ease. "So, tell me—what do you do when you're not on the pitch? Or are you one of those guys who eats, sleeps, and breathes football?"

"I stay busy," Tristan said, leaning back as well. "I like gaming, reading, and learning new languages when I can. And I've been watching a bit of anime lately—helps me relax after training."

Kendall tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "Really? Anime? What are you watching?"

"Right now, 'Attack on Titan' and 'One Piece.' Keeps things interesting," Tristan said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Kendall's laugh was bright and quick. "That's so unexpected. I wouldn't have pegged you for an anime guy. But I like that—it's different."

Tristan shrugged. "It's just something I got into recently. Keeps my mind off football."

"That's good," Kendall said, resting her chin on her hand. "You seem like the type who's always focused, though. I bet even when you're gaming, you're strategizing or something."

Tristan chuckled softly. "Maybe a little. But it's just for fun, mostly. What about you? What do you do when you're not working?"

"Oh, I wish I had time for hobbies like that," Kendall said, waving the idea away. "I'm either on a plane, at a shoot, or at some event. And then there's social media, which is like a whole job on its own. It's non-stop."

"Sounds intense," Tristan said, meaning it.

"It is, but it's the life I signed up for," Kendall replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "I've learned to embrace it. You kind of have to, you know? The trick is staying ahead of it. Like, if people expect me to post about one thing, I'll throw them a curveball and do something completely different. Keeps it fresh."

Tristan nodded. "Smart."

Kendall smiled, clearly enjoying being in the spotlight of their conversation. "I've gotten pretty good at navigating it all. It's a lot of pressure, but honestly? I kind of thrive on it. I think people underestimate how much strategy goes into this business."

The food arrived, momentarily pausing the conversation. Tristan took a bite of the wagyu and nodded appreciatively. "This is really good."

"Right? I told you," Kendall said, already halfway through her cod. "This place never misses."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments before Kendall spoke up again. "You know, I've always admired athletes for how disciplined you all are. Like, I can't imagine waking up at the crack of dawn to train every day. Do you ever get tired of it?"

"It can be exhausting, but it's just part of the routine," Tristan said. "I don't think about it much—it's what I've always done."

"See, that's what's so interesting to me," Kendall said, her voice picking up energy again. "You're so used to that structure, and I'm out here just trying to keep everything from spiraling. My schedule's chaos most of the time."

Tristan smiled faintly, watching as Kendall seamlessly carried the conversation forward. She was charismatic, confident, and easy to talk to, but he couldn't help noticing how little space there was for him to contribute. Not that she was shutting him out—she just naturally took the lead, her energy filling every corner of the room. It wasn't a bad thing, but it was... different.

By the time the waiter returned to offer dessert, Kendall shook her head with a quick laugh. "No way, I'm stuffed. What about you?"

"I'm good," Tristan said, sitting back.

As the check arrived, Tristan instinctively reached for it. Kendall raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? We could split it."

"I've got it," Tristan said simply, giving her a polite smile.

…..

The evening had been lighthearted, filled with laughter and indulgent flavors as they savored bluefin tuna, scallops, and other delicacies. Tristan had insisted on covering the bill, much to Kendall's amusement.

"You didn't have to do that," she said as they stepped into the cool Los Angeles night.

He shrugged with a faint smile. "Consider it a thank-you for introducing me to my new favorite restaurant."

Kendall chuckled, pulling her jacket tighter around herself. "I'll hold you to that. Next time, you're picking the spot."

The banter between them flowed easily as they walked toward her black Land Rover, parked under the glow of streetlights. Neither noticed the faint click of a camera from a shadowed car nearby, a lens trained on their every move.

The drive back to Tristan's hotel was quiet but not awkward, the city lights passing by in a blur. Half an hour later, Kendall slowed the SUV to a stop in front of his hotel.

Tristan unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her with a warm smile. "Thanks for today. I had a great time."

"Me too," Kendall said, her tone softer now. "If you're ever in L.A. again,give me a call."

"And if you're in London, let me know," he replied, opening the door to step out.

He was halfway out of the car when Kendall's voice stopped him.

"Tristan," she called out, leaning slightly toward him.

He paused, one hand on the door, and turned back. "Yeah?"

She gave him a playful smile, her eyes sparkling under the streetlights. "Aren't you going to invite me up for coffee?"

Tristan froze for half a second, catching the unspoken meaning in her words. It was late—far too late for actual coffee—and her invitation carried a weight he knew he didn't want after today's dinner. 

Their relationship just wouldn't work.

He rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a soft chuckle to diffuse the moment without being a dick, "I'd offer, but I don't have any coffee in my room. Poor planning on my part."

Kendall raised an eyebrow, "Maybe next time?"

"We'll see," Tristan replied with a small grin, stepping out of the car. "Goodnight, Kendall."

She leaned back in her seat, laughing softly. "Goodnight, Tristan."

As the car door shut and she drove off, Tristan walked into the hotel lobby, exhaling a quiet breath of relief. The evening had been enjoyable—relaxing, even—but he felt no regrets about drawing the line where he had. Not a bad thing, really. Part of him couldn't shake the feeling that they were both better off as friends. Or maybe not even that if he gets a girlfriend, that media will have a field day with and he didn't want his partner dealing with that.

Kendall, meanwhile, found herself disappointed as she drove away. She liked Tristan a lot just from those few days but it seemed he wasn't that interested in her as she was.

Unbeknownst to either of them, a paparazzo from The Sun had been tailing them all evening, snapping photos. By morning, the world would speculate endlessly about what happened—or didn't—between the supermodel and the football star.

.....

You can think Tristan smashed Kendall or whatever, I just wasn't in the mind or mood to do so. And I feel like after you have sex with someone, you really can't just stay friends, it becomes awkward and just ruins it the mood especially if you are in the same friend group, it just sucks ass. 

Also this week, we have reached 1090 power stones, don't know why it doesnt show that in the ranking but anyway thank you for the support.