They left after the soccer game was over, all of them declaring they would take every opportunity to sing Holt’s praises anytime they’re in the headquarters office.
And they took all of my gratitude with them.
Even if they fail, they care. They’re cheering for us.
I didn’t realize how much that would mean to me. But after everything with Abby Nora, I haven’t had a lot of faith in people.
If you can’t trust your best friend, who can you trust?
Apparently a ragtag team of rugby players.
Holt sets his plate aside and stretches out, pulling me closer. “Guess we’ll find out.”
I lean my head on his chest, listening to his beating heart. “Mom wants to introduce me to some business guy Dad has other dealings with.”
His pulse kicks up under my ear. “Ew.”
“That’s what Miranda said too. But also, I figured out one of Dad’s biggest issues.”
He kisses my hair. “Is it overcome-able?”
“Maybe. I got the impression he’s worried that we’d come second after the sport. That he thinks all of you would put rugby over relationships and family and everything else.”
He rubs his pec. “Great to hear our club’s owner thinks so much of us. Or maybe expects that much of us.”
For real. “You literally gave up your career in Europe to take care of your brother. I don’t understand why he can’t see that. And if you’re gone for games?—”
“Matches.”
“—if you’re gone for matches, how’s that any differentfrom a businessperson going on a business trip? You come home?—”
“Usually only one night away.”
“—and you cannot possibly work your bodies and have practices fourteen hours a day and still play games—matcheson the weekends.”
He chuckles. “You’re half right.”
“Where am I half wrong?”
“It’s not all about practice time. We also watch a lot of match video to study our opponents. Spend a lot of time doing community service and volunteer work for visibility. Help sell tickets. Do photo ops. Help the social media team. It’s a full-time job during the season. Sometimes more.”
And the season starts in February.
Right after the baby’s born.
“But when Crew’s down with a cold, Porter and Tatum step in and cover for him. If Fletcher twists an ankle, believe it or not, Silas steps in to do the public appearances that he doesn’t want to limp around at. And when Silas’s girlfriend had a baby five years ago, the coaches sent him home with match video so he could be around to help Brittany with Hallie and watch when he had time.”
I snuggle closer to him. “Because you’re a family.”
“Because we’re a family,” he agrees.
It makes something flutter low in my belly.
I freeze.
Wait.
Wait.
