I shrugged.
“What team did you say you played for?” he asked.
I was surprised he didn’t know or hadn’t heard any of the spectators ask me for my autograph. Thankfully, I didn’t have a chance to answer before someone approached us with a few bottles of water.
Jake straightened, a hand on his waist. “Maybe you could teach me some moves tomorrow?” he asked between gulps of air.
The hope in his eyes was unmistakable, yet it wasn’t full of lust. There was no secret innuendo or hidden meaning behind his invitation. Just a desire to spend some more time with me.
“I’d like that,” I agreed.
A small set of arms flew around my waist, and I looked down to see a familiar head of light blond hair. “Hey, Harris. You have fun?”
“You were awesome!” Harrison beamed.
Within seconds, Jake and I were swarmed by about six other students from my team, each with their own enthusiastic praise. Their families lingered behind, trying to make their way to us. I looked at each of them and knew the moment I spotted Harrison’s father, as he was the only one I hadn’t seen before. He was an older man with thinning gray hair and light blue eyes that were fixed on the boy at my waist. His skin was pale, lips dry, and he looked a bit worn down, as if time hadn’t been kind to him.
I reached my hand out to shake his, which he accepted.
“Thanks for coming,” I said.
The man’s smile barely cracked his face. “Sure. Name’s Wyatt.”
“Dad, ask him!” Harris pressed. “You said you would.”
Wyatt glanced at Harrison before turning back to me. “I’m sorry for the poor timing, but since I can’t drive, I can’t get here very often. It’s getting too cold for Harrison to walk to practice—"
“So, can you drive me, Coach?” Harrison asked impatiently. “Please? Otherwise I’ll need to stop coming, and I don’t want to do that! Practice is my favorite part of the week!”
I grinned at his enthusiasm, tucking him in for a hug. “Sí, amigo. No problemo.”Harrison and Tim both smiled and began bouncing on their toes. I turned back to Wyatt.
“I don’t mean to cause trouble if—” he started.
“No, it’s no problem. I don’t mind at all, especially if it means Harris gets to keep coming. He’s a great kid and we love having him.”
Wyatt gave a small nod, looking at the kid with a mix of sadness and joy. “That he is.”
The older man had come prepared, pulling out a piece of paper with his phone number and address on it before thanking me and walking away.
Jake’s raised voice caught my attention. Two of the kids were praising him and admiring his moves, but Jake was trying to break away from their contact. It would have been comical had I not seen the look of panic in his eyes. It was the same look I’s seen on him earlier, when kids wanted a picture with him.
It was disappointing to realize Jake truly didn’t like kids, but I barely had time to process that before a few of his friends surrounded him. I recognized Amelia and Preston right away and could only assume the man next to Preston was his boyfriend, since I remembered the other two men from our night at the club. Isaac and Brad.
Jake seemed equally surprised and relieved they’d come out for the game, and it struck me how wonderful it must have been for Jake to have people to support him. I’d had thousands of screaming fans during my career as a professional soccer player but rarely a true show of support from the people who meant something to me. My family only managed to attend one or two games each year because of their work schedules, but it always meant a lot when they did.
Preston caught my attention and shook my hand in awe as he gestured around. “Well done,” he said. “This is amazing! Do you know if you made your goal yet?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. They should announce it soon.”
“I hope so. Anyway, Reyes, this is my boyfriend, Beckett.”
Jake whipped his head up as Beckett and I shook hands.
Beckett gave Jake a smirk. “So…thisis your blind date, huh?”
I had no clue why Jake was so surprised Beckett and I hadn’t met before, but clearly something was going on between them. Both Amelia and Preston were watching the two like hawks, barely containing their laughter.
“Are youserious?”he complained. “You didn’t even know him?”
