Half-time and we were down by two. As I watched my teammates walk dejectedly from the field on the way to the locker room, I realised as shitty as it was, sitting on the sidelines gave me a new perspective.
Knowing there was nothing I could do to help, I headed for the refreshments stand and grabbed myself a bottle of water, ignoring the smell of hot, greasy chips that were calling to me. The last thing I needed was to be accused of sitting on the sidelines, eating junk while my team got smashed. It’d look like I wasn’t committed to the cause, which was a long way from the truth.
Heading back to my seat, I took the chance to just sit and watch the crowd. Seeing the families kitted out from head to toe in our club’s uniform, waving the flags, with navy blue war stripes painted across their cheeks. They were invested. They’d bought in. The team song started over the PA system and they stood up, clapping and cheering as my teammates made their way back out onto the field.
I couldn’t help but smile.
I’d been so caught up in my own misery, I’d forgotten about this part of the game. The part where it brought people joy. The part where it was escapism for a couple of hours. When people came together from all walks of life and cheered together. Cried together. Loved the game.
Football might be my job, it might be my life, but for others it was fun.
The second half was better, but we ended up going down three goals to one. It wasn’t a great start to the season, but it was what it was. I couldn’t change the result, but I could work my arse off to take my spot out there and give them a hand. If today had shown me anything, it was my determination was driving me even harder. I had decisions to make and I knew exactly where to start.
While the crowd filed out of the stands, I dug my phone from my pocket and shot off a text.
Spying Mum and Dad coming down the steps, I waited where I was. It wasn’t until they were standing in front of me, I realised who they were talking to. Bryce and Emma had come out as well. I’d only seen them last night and they’d said nothing.
“Nice shirt,” I teased, noticing Bryce wearing a team polo.
“Thanks. Thought you’d like it.”
“Hey, Seth,” Emma greeted, reaching out and wrapping her arms around me.
“How you doing?”
“I’m so full,” Emma answered, rubbing her belly that was barely showing a bump.
“Well, you look great.”
“Hey! Stop hitting on my wife,” Bryce complained, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hugging her against him protectively.
“She loves me.” I winked at Emma causing her to giggle.
Bryce growled. “You might be wearing a fancy pants tie, but I’m not afraid to kick your arse, little brother.”
“You wish, old man.”
“Boys,” Dad said his voice full of warning. “We’re not in the backyard now. There are people everywhere. The last thing either of you needs is to end up both on the ground, rolling around like idiots.”
“Fine,” I grumbled at the same time Bryce replied with an arse-kissing, “Yes, Dad.”
“Right. Now. Are we going somewhere to eat?” Mum asked, taking control of the situation.
“Sounds good. I’m starving,” Emma answered.
“Thought you just said you were full?” Bryce asked only to be given the stink eye. “Or not,” he backtracked quickly.
“Don’t food shame me, Bryce Masters. Because of you I’m eating for three,” Emma reminded him, poking him in the stomach with her finger.
“You know you love me,” Bryce replied like the complete sap he’d turned into.
I can’t believe only a handful of years ago Bryce was the biggest player I knew. He might’ve thought he kept his activities on the down-low, but his mistakes were pretty much documented online. Then there was that drama with Madeline Higgins. The childhood friend we’d played in the dirt with, who grew up to be the demanding, cold-hearted soapie actress who couldn’t remember what it was like to be a real person. She’d tried to fuck over Emma, and Bryce had smacked her up the face with a long overdue reality check. Now he was happily pussy whipped with twins on the way, and I’d never seen him happier.
“Everyone ready to head out?”
“Yep.”
“I’ve got to run down to the locker room, but if you want to pick somewhere, I can meet you there in say half an hour?”
