“Yeah. It’s time.”
“Are you… are you sure? You’re not even that old.”
“I am in athlete years. I’m getting slow. It’s time.”
“And you’re okay with this?”
The way she said it made me believe she really cared. Or maybe that’s just what I wanted to believe. Right now, I didn’t have either the time or the balls to dive further into it. First things first, I needed to get through this. Everything else I could deal with later.
“Honestly? Yeah, I am. It’s been a long time coming, but ultimately it was my call. Are you okay with it?” I don’t know why I felt the need to ask but having her on my team was important to me.
“Of course. It’s not like it’s any of my business anyway. Did you want me to just wait in the car?”
When Elise offered to stay in the car, I saw red. I knew we didn’t really know each other yet, but I hadn’t brought her here to hide outside while I went in. No. I wanted her front and centre, standing there beside me. If I could’ve had her holding my hand every step of the way, I would never let go. I needed her there as I ended one phase of my life and prepared to take steps towards the next challenge. Whatever that may be.
Not answering, I jumped out of the car, ignored my name being called from behind me, and stomped around to the passenger door before nearly tearing it off its hinges. Squatting down to Elise’s eye level, I dropped my hands onto her thighs, feeling the warmth of her skin through her jeans.
“I want you to come inside. Ineedyou to come inside. I may know this is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t mean I’m not completely shitting myself at the thought of actually doing it. I need you to come inside with me and give me someone in there to look at. Someone to talk to.”
I paused, letting my words sink in. Then when a sneaky look crept over her face, I braced myself. Her words almost dropped me to my knees. “So, let me just get this straight. I’m just here as your eye candy?”
Elise had done it. Without even really trying, she’d broken through my anxieties and made me feel like I was a superhero. All I needed was a cape.
“Absolutely,” I grunted out before crushing her lips to mine, swallowing her moans.
Chapter Sixteen – Elise
I’d never been to a press conference before, and it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Tucked away in the back corner of the room, I’d been standing there, trying to make myself invisible when I was swallowed up by Luca’s family. This was way too much for a second date.
Thankfully, the press conference didn’t last long, and after a bunch of intrusive questions about his love life—something that made me almost choke on my own saliva—what was next, and even what he thought about the up and coming generation following in his footsteps, the woman who’d been at the school with him, Marianne I think her name was, called everything to a close.
Finally relaxing, Luca reached for the bottle of water in front of him while his eyes searched out mine. When his gaze locked with mine, I felt myself shiver. His stare was intense. It was almost like everyone else in the room evaporated and it was just the two of us standing there, having a private conversation.
“Elise, sweetheart, did you want to come with us?” Luca’s mother, Gabriella, asked.
“I’ve gotta wait for Luca…” I began to explain but was quickly cut off by Isabella.
“He’ll find us. Come on, I know where the good champagne is.”
Always a fan of champagne, I let Isabella guide me out of the room and down the hall. But not before I looked up and caught Luca watching us leave, offering me a wink. He’d find me. Of that I had no doubt.
***
“Come on,” Luca encouraged as enthusiasm buzzed around him. It was hard not to get caught up in his excitement. He was a different guy to the one I’d arrived with a couple of hours ago. This version was lighter. Carefree. And full of mischief.
With his fingers laced with mine, he led me out into the centre of the field. “Are you sure we should be out here?” I asked, looking around. We were completely on our own. Not another person in sight. With the heavy flood lights beaming down on us, it was definitely a unique experience. The grass smelt freshly cut and was damp with the evening dew. Overhead the dark night sky was settling in.
“Absolutely.” Letting my hand go, he dropped the ball he was cradling under his arm and booted it towards the goals. “You want to play?” he asked, jogging backwards after the ball.
It showed how little Luca knew me. I didn’t run. I didn’t do sports. I definitely didn’t chase after soccer balls. But turns out, I did chase after sexy, playful soccer players.
By the time I caught up to him, he was dribbling the ball and showing off his fancy footwork while I was puffing and panting and trying not to cough up a lung.
“You okay?” he asked genuinely as the ball bounced hypnotically on his knees. The man definitely had some skills.
“Yep,” I wheezed, refusing to concede defeat. I may not be into sports, but I was dead against losing.
Luca let the ball drop to the ground and nudged it in my direction. I tried to stop it with my foot and it bounced back towards him.
