But it’s no use; he’s sopping wet in seconds.
The girls cheer and clap for him as he tries to toss water back at them.
Andrés joins in as Ale steps beside me. My brother wraps an arm around my neck and gives me a side hug. “You did good this year, Carlita. They’re a fantastic group and you’re a great coach.”
I glance up at Alejandro. “Thank you.”
He flips his chin toward Luca. “What’s going on with you two?”
I bite my bottom lip, not sure how to answer that question.
Ale sighs. “He doesn’t do casual, Carla. He’s not one of your regular go-to guys that you can wake up one morning and decide you’re done with because he has a remote-control caddy.”
I snort. “I know that.”
“You’re my sister and he’s my best friend.”
“Yeah.”
My brother glances at me. “Is this a thing?”
“I think so…” I murmur. “But it’s too early to tell.”
Ale squeezes me closer for a beat, nearly strangling me. “I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
“Of course not.”
“So, be smart. Be good to each other.” He gives me a long, searching look. “And I’m going to leave it there tonight.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Seriously? You’re going to leave it there?”
Ale releases me. “Yes. I learned my lesson after Vale and Avery married. You’re my sister, Carla, and I’ll always have your back. But you’re also an annoyingly smart and capable woman. You don’t need me to meddle in your life as much as you need me to be here for you. So, I’m here.”
I nod, relieved that he’s not delving deeper. It’s unlike me not to have a sassy retort but…I glance at Luca. He’s still clowning around with the girls before calling a group huddle. Whatever he shares causes them to hop up and down with excitement.
He’s such a good fucking guy. One I’ve admired and longed for from afar for years. He orchestrated this whole evening to surprise my team. To do something sweet for me.
Can I really create a future with such a selfless, generous man? Can we move forward without causing each other pain? Or heartache? Can I be good to him the way he’s so effortlessly wonderful to me?
A ring of cheers sounds and the girls rush toward me. Following their line of vision, I turn in time to see League Valencia’s mascot, Óscar, take the field. His arms are filled with jerseys and I shake my head in disbelief.
Luca had personalized jerseys made for all the girls with their last names and numbers on the back.
He steps beside me and bumps his shoulder against mine. “You okay?”
“You didn’t have to do this. It’s too much,” I protest as the girls show off their new jerseys.
“It’s not,” he murmurs. “For you, Carla, it’s not nearly enough.”
Then, he walks toward the girls as they rush him, throwing their arms around him in gratitude. He hugs them, huddling them up for a team photo with Óscar.
“Get in here, campionessa,” he calls out to me, pointing to the spot beside Óscar.
“Yeah! Come on, Coach,” Anna echoes.
Grinning, I join the girls, throw an arm around the orange’s back, and smile for a photo.
After the flash, my eyes find Luca’s. He’s looking at me with such sincerity that emotion swells in my throat.
