“I don’t believe it.”
“Yes! Yes! Fuck, yes!” I jump up and down, still holding onto Tyler, as I take in the miracle that just unfolded before our eyes; the entire team runs towards us to celebrate their goal. When the referee signals them to get back into position, we try to compose ourselves – but adrenaline is coursing through my veins. I turn back to the crowd, who have sat down to watch the rest of the match; but her eyes are still on me. I lift my cap, and she flashes me a weak smile that makes me feel – for a moment – okay again. Maybe I’m not the man that she wants: someone to go out for dinner with, someone to hold her hand or kiss her in public. Someone to introduce her to his family. I may not be the man she wants to love, but I definitely won’t be the man who lets her down again.
* * *
“Have you seen my daughter?”I ask Tyler as I’m gathering up my things.
“She was on the bleachers a moment ago. Maybe she’s already gone to the car.” He hands me the whiteboard with the team tactics scribbled across it. “See you tonight, then?”
Oh, right. We won. I still can’t believe it. And, swept up in the joy of it all, I’ve invited the whole team out for pizza. This job is starting to cost me more than I’m earning.
“At seven. Don’t be late.”
Tyler waves and hurries off the field. I head towards the car park, but as soon as I pass the bleachers, I feel a hand grab my arm, pulling me back.
“What the…?”
Jordan’s hand is covering my mouth. I’d be bullshitting if I said that the feeling of her fingers brushing against my lips didn’t cause a dull pain to throb through my chest.
She slowly moves her hand away and points towards my car, where my daughter is practically crushed against the driver door, held there by Carter’s mouth.
“Are you kidd—?” Jordan’s hand flies up to my mouth again, harder this time.
“Don’t say another word.”
“Mmm… Hmm… Argh.”
“What?”
She lets me speak. “That’s my daughter!”
“Yes, I know,” she says, calmly.
“And she’s one of your students. They’rebothyour students!”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it against school rules or something?”
“We’re not at school.”
“Right. But she’s still my daughter, and he’s a kid who’s pretty close to taking his last breath.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
I scoff and turn my attention back towards them, where he’s finally left her some breathing space.
“Haven’t you noticed something?” Jordan asks.
“She’s smiling,” I say, a lump catching in my throat.
“Exactly.”
I take a deep breath and turn back around to face her.
“It’s a good thing, Niall.”
“I guess so.”
