I met Lorelei’s gaze, and she wore the same, goofy grin she had all day. I glared at her, but she just stuck out her tongue. God. This girl.
“Make sure he has fun, okay, Lorelei? Please? I’ll make you famous with my Life Lessons, but in return, Luca needs fun.”
“I’ll try, ma’am, but he’s as stubborn as they come.”
My grandma eyed me up and down. “Yes, I know. Now, drive home safely. And please, visit me again soon.”
It was the soon that gutted me. She’d never tell me she missed me because she knew I’d feel bad, but seeing her laugh with Lorelei and smile so much…she never laughed with me. She loved seeing me, but Lorelei had something about her. I knew it. Hell, she’d pulled me into her like a damn magnet.
“I’ll be back even if this guy can’t get away from the field.” Lorelei hugged my grandma, and when my grandma met my eyes, she mouthedI like her.
I sighed. I did too, and that was the problem. I couldn’t afford to like her. A brief image of her spread out on her bed returned in my mind, and I shoved it away.
Lorelei and I had to remain friends. Not only for my sake, but for my grandma’s. It would never last, and if I got involved with her… it would hurt my grandma when it ended.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Lorelei
Ibroke a personal record, scoring three times in our game the next day. There was a fire lit inside me, fueling me to play harder, go harder. Maybe I was on edge because of the lusty thoughts I had all night for Luca, replaying when he watched me yesterday. Or the fact I adored his grandma, and every time I saw them together, my chest ached with a need I couldn’t explain. The third culprit for my unmatched energy was the fact my ex had liked my social posts? He was either spying on me to gain insight on the project or… what? Missing me? Not likely. Regardless of why, my adrenaline remained high, and I took advantage on the field.
I ran faster, pushed myself further, and my footwork was top-notch.
“Romano,” my coach said, pulling me in for a half-hug. She smelled like sweat and fresh-cut grass. “You rocked it today.”
“Thanks.” I grinned hard. Coach Ramirez was tough as nails and rarely smiled but knew her shit. A compliment from her was amazing. “I felt good. Focused.”
“Keep it up. Whatever it is, do it Thursday. We’re facing my cousin, and god, if I have to hear her brag about beating us during the holidays, I’ll cut off my ears.”
“Sure thing, Coach.” I snorted at the grumpy expression on her face. We played a Missouri school Thursday at their home stadium, and I wanted the win too. I was on par to have the best season of my career, yet I couldn’t let that get to me. If I thought about it, I’d overthink everything I did on the field. Being a successful athlete was almost all mental. Yes, you needed the physical skills and talents and practice to make repetition permanent, but the mental stamina and headspace were equally as important. No one really talked about that—it was just expected for us to deal with it. Coach Ramirez looked into having a part-time psychologist work with the girls, which I loved. It wasn’t the norm though. Plus, Ted Lasso honed in on the mental strength players needed, which was the right direction.
What if there was a marketing campaign about mental health of athletes? What if the Women’s National Soccer team needed a marketing specialist?
I shoved the thought away as we headed into the locker room. For girls who dreamed of having a soccer career, the USWST was endgame. Possibly play in the Olympics or World Cup. For me though, that wasn’t it. I loved the game and was grateful I could pay for school with it, but continuing after college didn’t excite me like it used to. My entire life had been soccer or Dean’s career. All my memories revolved around a sport. My first Christmas I could remember, I’d gotten a soccer ball. Every holiday after had a travel team or indoor soccer or intramurals. The future without it seemed a different kind of fun, one where I could be whoever I wanted without the crutch of being Dean’s twin sister or a soccer player.
There was a countdown on my athletic career, and for some reason, that made me play better. Coach always said leave everything on the field, and that was what I planned to do.
“Girl, let me touch you.” Mack approached me and put her arm around my neck. Her braids plastered to her face, a few loose strands blowing in the wind. “I need your sauce.”
“No sauce.” I hugged her back, our sweat combining. We laughed for a bit before letting go. She too was a scholarship recipient, but instead of planning a future career, she wanted to play for the US. It was all she’d dreamt about.
“You dominated today. Kind of annoying, actually. Like, I like when you pass to me so I get the goal. Your girl needs the stats.”
“Should’ve made more goals then,” I fired back.
Mack rolled her eyes, but there was a warmth to her words when she said, “Great game, girl. I gotta ask though…”
“Ask what?”
“You play that way cause Luca is here?”
My pulse sped up, roaring in my ears. “Wait, he’shere? At the game?”
She nodded, a spark entering her eyes. I didn’t like that spark. It meant she knew things butwhatthings? I hadn’t mentioned yesterday, our moment. I told no one. It was a secret I’d take to the grave, butwhyhad she looked at me like that?
I coughed into my fist as heat spread to my fingers. “I didn’t realize he came.”
“Him and your brother. They caused a scene because of you know, football players.” Her tone held a hint of annoyance as the sparkle shifted to something else.
