“What’s that?”
“The faces. One Luca is enough, we don’t need this many.” I couldn’t help but laugh. She definitely had a point there.
“Speak for yourself. Luca Conti is a god. He’s an incredible player and we’re going to miss him,” a busty blonde in front of us scolded as she turned and gave us the stink eye.
Sienna and I looked at each other not really sure how to respond. What the hell were we supposed to say? We could crush her dreams and tell her he wasn’t actually a god. Well, except in bed, but I wasn’t going to share that nugget of information with her. Or we could let her stay in her little Luca Conti bubble.
Sienna leant over and whispered into my ear, “I think we’re going to have to behave this afternoon.”
“I agree,” I added, raising my glass and clinking it with hers, beer splashing over the side and soaking my hand.
Ten minutes before the game started, I headed for the bathroom, dumping all my rubbish in the bin as I passed. Lined up, leaning against the concrete wall, I dug my phone from the back pocket of my jeans.
Elise: Good luck today
I had no idea if Luca would get it or when, but I needed to send it.
He hadn’t told anyone, and it’d taken every trick I knew to weasel it out of him, but I’d finally got him to admit he was worried. He had no idea what would happen when the final whistle blew or what his future held. But the thing that was eating at him the most was letting someone down. He didn’t want to be the centre of attention when he wasn’t alone out there on the field. I’d done what I could to persuade him to enjoy the moment, and although he murmured his agreement, it wasn’t convincing.
When my phone vibrated in my hand, I almost dropped it.
Luca: Thanks
Luca: You’re going to wait for me after the game?
With a smile on my face that pinched my cheeks, I read his message.
Elise: Yep. See you after your game
Elise: Enjoy yourself out there. Can’t wait to watch you xoxo
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I shuffled along until it was my turn to duck into the bathrooms. After taking care of business, I washed my hands and dried them on a paper towel before heading back out.
On a mission to get back to my seat before he ran out onto the field, I weaved around people before ducking under the railing and heading for my seat.
When I smacked straight into someone, I looked up, prepared to apologise. But then I saw who it was I’d walked into, and I stumbled backwards.
“Whoa! Are you okay, Elise?”
“Yeah. Fine. What are you doing here, Corey?” I asked, stepping backwards and putting some much-needed distance between us.
“I’m here for the same reason you are. The big game.”
Corey was so full of shit I was surprised it wasn’t dripping off his chin.
Overhead, the speakers crackled and announced it was time to welcome the teams to the field. I refused to miss Luca running out for what could be the very last time. I needed to be there. I needed to be part of it. Not just for Luca, but for me too.
“I’ve gotta go,” I told Corey rudely before dashing off.
I made it without any time to spare. As soon as my butt hit the plastic, the fireworks lit up the afternoon sky, the drums pounded and the team song echoed around the stadium. The crowd stood as one. My heart was beating out of my chest. My palms were sweaty. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like I was about to play.
Beside me, Jax reached down and took my hand in his.
“Breathe, Elise. He’s got this. Get out of your head and just enjoy it for him,” Jax instructed.
“I’m trying.”
“Look.”
