Why does he have to be so goddamn perfect? He’s offering to sacrifice what he wants in order for me to be happy. No one has ever done that for me before. My stomach twists at the thought of being away from him, and I know I never really had any other option.
Groaning, I bury my head in my hands. “I don’t want to do long distance with you.”
There’s another torturous, drawn-out silence, and I struggle to contain my panic. I’m screwing this upalready. My words aren’t coming out right, and my thoughts are in complete chaos.
“Okay,” he finally says, and the pain in his voice tears me up inside. When I chance a glance at him, he’s staring out the window “If that’s what you?—”
“I wantyou, Luca.” Tears blur my vision, and I remove my glasses, swiping the moisture away. “I want to come with you.”
He clears his throat, his hands flexing on the steering wheel. “But?”
I shake my head, choking out a half-laugh, half-sob. “But nothing. I’m coming with you.”
Luca slowly turns his head to look at me. “Seriously?”
Biting my lip, I nod. “Seriously.”
Cupping my cheeks in his strong hands, he searches my eyes. “You’re not going to change your mind?”
“No,” I whisper, gripping his wrists. “I’m all in.”
A look of relief flashes over his face, and he crushes his lips to mine. The intensity with which he kisses me only confirms how much he wants me, and I know I’m making the right decision.
Epilogue
Luca
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
The changeroom is electrifying. Everyone is buzzing from the win that secured our spot in the play-offs. We sing the team song with gusto, and someone pops a bottle of cheap champagne. It’s chaos, but the good kind. The kind that makes your heart hammer in your chest, like you’re a kid again, chasing the ball under the sun.
We worked hard this season, building camaraderie and playing for each other, and its paid off. It wasn’t easy, especially after we copped some major injury setbacks, but the fortitude and trust instilled in us by our manager helped us overcome those hurdles, and it’s not over yet. We have two more games ahead of us, but right now, we’re riding the high.
My mind isn’t on the play-offs, though. It’son the beautiful blonde waiting for me near the entrance to the pitch where I asked her to meet me. It’s on the velvet box buried deep in my gym bag, and the words I’ve practised one hundred times and still can’t say without my throat tightening.
“Oi, Luca! You got a hot date or something?” Our striker, Jamie Alberfield, flicks me with his towel when I rush to get dressed after my shower.
“Yeah, mate,” I shoot back, grinning as I shove my feet into my running shoes. “A date that’s gonna change the rest of my life.”
His eyes go wide, and a few of the boys cheer and clap me on the shoulder. “Good on ya, kid. She’s a keeper.”
“She sure is,” I agree.
Having Willow over here with me has been incredible. Away from her mother’s toxic grasp, her confidence has bloomed, and she’s settled into our life in the UK. It wasn’t easy breaking away, and our parents tried to interfere, but we did it together, and I’ve never been happier. Tonight will be the icing on the cake.
Am I nervous? Hell, yeah. I’ve faced down defenders twice my size, played against some of my football idols, taken penalties in front of thousands, but nothing has quite got my heart pounding like this. Proposing to the woman I love, asking her to choose me forever.
Tonight’s win was massive, but if she says yes, that will be the real victory.
“I’m out, boys,” I announce, sliding the velvet box into the pocket of my black slacks and slinging my bag over my shoulder.
Another chorus of cheers and ‘go get her’ follows me through the changeroom door.
I can’t wipe the nervous grin off my face as I jog down the tunnel, eager to reach my girl. The evening air is cool against my skin, but everything fades when I spot her waiting for me. She’s facing away, staring out over the empty pitch, and seeing my name on the back of her jersey sends a jolt of excitement through me. If everything goes according to plan, that will be her name soon.
Forcing myself to slow down, I sneak up behind her, snaking my arms around her waist and spinning her around.
Willow laughs, her hands coming up to rest on my chest as she gazes up at me.
