She’s her. And that’s all she needs to be.
All we both need to be.
Mae melts into the kiss. Her hands find the back of my neck, nails digging into my skin and making me groan.
People are hushed around us, and I almost want to pull away early just to see the look on everyone’s faces. We’ll probably get a mixed reaction, but I’m showing everyone this is our choice.
This is whatwewant.
My father’s photos won’t mean shit to anyone now. No tabloids are going to want them when they can plaster a photograph of Mae and I macking on with each other in front of a crowd of sixty thousand people on the front cover of their magazines.
I eventually pull away, but I don’t bother looking around yet. I allow my thumb to caress Mae’s flushed cheek, and she grins and presses her face into my jersey.
“Can’t take it back now, princess,” I tell her.
But she just looks up at me with those doe-like hazel eyes and says, “Wouldn’t want to even if I could, Nate.”
My head jerks at the sound of a deep “Whoop.” Bennett’s clapping, smiling from ear to ear. Evan’s chuckling, giving me a look that saysimpressive.But the rest of my teammates are staring with their mouths open—so wide they could catch flies.
Cam isn’t here, but I have no doubt the news will travel fast and I’ll receive some choice words from him when I next look at my phone.
He came to me the other week after finding out about Mae and me, and although I took his threat seriously, I know he’s clever enough not to follow through with it. Cam’s not a violent guy.
The crowd are cheering. Because I’m showing them that Mae isn’t just some fling. I’ve made our relationship public.
And even though a lot of them look fucking confused, as if they’ve missed something, I love it. I lovethis. I gaze at Mae. I loveus.
My eyes travel to my father’s seat, but I find it empty, and Mae sighs when she meets her mother’s shocked stare. Her throat bobs, but Renee quickly averts her eyes and sits back on the bench, eyes latched onto the grass below as she takes it in.
She doesn’t look happy, but she isn’t enraged like I assumed she’d be.
Darrell strolls up to me and claps me on the back, the force harsh but friendly. He shakes his head and chuckles before saying, “About fucking time, Slater. I was wondering when you would get the guts to do something for yourself.”
“Slater, what was that?” Peter’s stocky form steps in front of me, the fluorescent lights above beaming down on his bald head in the stadium corridor.
I wonder if he polishes it or if it’s just naturally that blinding.
I shrug. I’m trying not to give Peter attitude, but he hasn’t bothered to show up for any of our games until now. So, I don’t understand how he demands respect when he doesn’t even care about the team he manages.
Darrell’s the one who puts in all the hard work. Peter just takes the money.
He pinches the bridge of his nose as my coach rounds the corner. “Darrell, you reminded them of the no-fraternisation rule, yes?”
“Of course. It’s in the contract.” Darrell tries to hide his smile. Although he wants me on the team, I think he knows I’m done with football. I have been for a long time. We’ve not spoken about it, but he’s not an idiot.
“I understand the terms of the contract I signed and the repercussions I’ll face,” I tell them both.
“You surely can’t proceed with legal action, Peter?” Darrell tries to reason with him, gesturing to me. “He’s been a loyal captain. Nathan has done a lot for this team. More than most.” He eyes him up, his subtle dig not so subtle.
Peter shakes his head. “Legal action will cost the team money. Sponsorships. Their image.”
Of course. It all comes back to money.
“Nathan,” Peter sighs, “Fuck.” His hand finds his bald head, and he rubs it as if it’s a crystal ball that will give him the answer on how to handle this predicament. “Right, we’ll claim it was a publicity stunt. To get people talking about the team.”
I cock my head. “Excuse me?”
My father’s now joined the conversation, arms crossed over his chest as his nostrils flare. “So you’re saying you won’t kick Nathan off the team? As long as he runs with the narrative that it was all for show?”
