I tell myself it’s fine, that I can have it all.She will understand that this is all a part of being with someone who plays sports at this level.
But when the interviews finally wrap, the static under my skin doesn’t fade.
I find her near the player exit.She is a vision, cheeks pink, eyes bright, in my jersey, a dark blue that could almost be purple, that sets off the colour of her hair.She’s standing beside my mom, laughing at something Eli said.
The picture they paint is so beautiful, in the most ordinary way, that it nearly undoes me.
She sees me before I can call out.That smile again, the one that starts small, builds, then takes over her whole face.
“Hey, Captain,” she teases when I reach her.
“Hey, Red.”
And just like that, I forget the cameras, the pressure, the world around us.
I grab her, pull her in, and kiss her right there in front of everyone, my family, teammates, the media.It’s not planned, probably not smart.But it’s real.It's us.
Her hands clutch my suit jacket, and when she kisses me back, the noise fades.
Kenzie whistles.Someone behind us whoops.I think it’s Petrov.
I pull back, forehead resting against hers.“I missed you.”
“I think you are getting a little attached,” she murmurs, smiling.
“I think you might be stuck with me.”
She laughs softly.That sound will kill me someday.
Flashes go off to our side, and Tessa stiffens in my arms.Her eyes drift to the press, and I squeeze her, "Just ignore them."
She huffs, but her eyes meet mine again, "Easier said than done.Not sure how you handle this all the time."
"You get used to it," And I really hope she will.
She gives me a small reassuring smile, but I am not sure if it is for her or me."Are you able to join us for dinner?I thought maybe we could take your family out."
A few more flashes go off, and Tessa instinctively steps in closer to me.
"I have a few more things I need to do before I head out."
"Ok, ah...I can just take them out.Call me later?"
Shit, I said that wrong, she thinks I don't want to see them tonight."No."
'No?"
“Go with my family to my place instead,” I say.“I am sure everyone is tired after a long day.You would all probably be more comfortable in the privacy of my place.Order dinner, make yourself at home.I’ll meet you there in an hour or so.”
She hesitates.“Will the doorman let us in?”
That’s when I reach into my suit pocket, reaching for the key that I had made for her yesterday.Small, silver, attached to a leather horse keychain I had made just for her.
I was supposed to give it to her tonight, alone.Quietly.I had a whole thing planned out.
But she’s standing here with my family waiting behind her.The way she makes me feel is like the world might finally make sense, and it feels like the only right time.
Like, I don't want to wait for anything with her.
