“When are you leaving for the game?” I checked my watch. This was a way better plan than stalking her bedroom until she returned. I could watch her play and cheer her on. Maybe even tell Dean the truth while we were there. “I’m coming too.”
“In like five minutes.” Dean took a huge bite of a protein bar and frowned at me. “Why do you want to go?”
“Support your sister.”
“Fair. I like that you two are friends.” He held out a fist for a bump and finished the rest of his snack. “I’m driving cause it’s cold. Meet me outside in five.”
I did, and my nerves were frayed. Torn to little bits at the thought of telling him the truth. He tapped his fingers on the wheel, whistling and in an entirely better mood than he’d been the last few weeks. I could destroy his happiness and our friendship, with one sentence.I want to date your sister.
My lips cracked from my constant chewing. I would wait for the right time. Yes, I’d wait it out. I didn’t have to do it right now. Content with postponing, we parked and headed toward the stands as we chatted about the football team.
Once we got to the seats, my gaze went directly to Lorelei. She stood on the sidelines, hands on her hips and her hair in a big ponytail. She smiled and did a leg kick handshake with her friend before spinning in a circle. Her shorts showcased her muscles, andfuck,she took my breath away.
“So, you thinking about staying then or unsure?” Dean asked, his brows coming together as he followed my gaze.
“I’m staying.”
“Dude, that’s huge. Fuck yes!” He pulled me into a side hug. “We can make ourselves legends next year. Legends.”
I nodded, barely paying attention when the game started. The weather was terrible, almost freezing and overcast. I shivered in my winter coat, but the girls wore shorts and Under Armour. That was it. Lorelei sprinted down the field, the ball near her feet whenthud.An opponent slammed into her, the yellow jersey clashing with our navy ones, and Lorelei hit the ground. The sound of their bodies hitting echoed in the air. That couldn’t have been a legal hit. Their heads clashed.
My vision blurred,my stomach clenching. She remained lying down, unmoving. Her teammates swarmed her, the crowd going silent as my pulse blared in my ears like a siren.
Is she moving?
Why wasn’t she getting up?
Without thinking, I walked down the stairs and closer to the field. Her friend Mack stood by her, her face pale. The coach and team trainer ran toward her, someone shouting in the distance.
“Get up,” I mumbled, fear paralyzing me as I stood against the fence. “Get up, Lo. Get up.”
I gripped the edge of the railing, damn near ready to break it off when Lorelei sat up. The trainer lifted her and supported her weight. People in the stands clapped. I tuned it all out and stared at the girl I loved.
How could I have been so stupid? She owned my heart, and I was gonna pretend she didn’t? She seemed dazed, hazy even. She moved from one person to the next, her legs wobbly. She had to be scared. Fuck, I wanted to be there to comfort her. Would they let me go back there? Hold her hand? Tell her I’d be there no matter what?
I could jump the fence. Yeah, they wouldn’t stop me. I hoisted myself up right as Dean approached, his face twisted with worry. “What are you doing?”
“Going back there. She must be terrified, and I want to be there for her. She needs me.”
“The fuck you mean by that?” He stilled, his gaze moving from my face to his sister, then back. “I’m here. I can be there for her.”
“Romano!” Someone yelled.
Dean glared at me, suspicion and hurt in his eyes before he hopped the fence. With one scathing look, he jogged toward the trainer and disappeared into the locker room with his sister.
I had no idea what to do. My girl was hurt, and she had no idea I was completely hers. She had her brother, who was probably going to kill me, and I just needed to know she was okay. Was it a concussion? A strained ligament? Would she be able to play again soon?
The game continued, and Dean and Lorelei were gone. I’d find a way home and wait for them there, desperate and hopeful that they’d both still speak to me. In my plan to win Lorelei back and talk to Dean, it backfired.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t worried aboutfootball.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Lorelei
Statistically, it was common to get a concussion playing soccer. I knew of the chances, but holy macaroni salad, it hurt like a mofo. I groaned, covering my eyes from the light of the training room. I wanted my bedroom, my fuzzy blanket, and zero lights.
They kept me in the training room until they did the CT scan and confirmed that I had a big whopper of a concussion. My first one, oddly. I’d been playing soccer my whole life, and today was winning bingo on the card for pain.
