‘Oh, Kai,’ I exclaim, placing a hand on my chest. ‘You scared me. Aren’t you meant to be in the locker room, enduring a long-winded pep talk or something?’
‘Yeah.’ He shrugs, looking somewhere off to the distance. ‘I come and go as I please.’
I try to control my reaction as he says that, wondering if he thinks I would for some reason be impressed. I’ve heard Mason and Zayden talk about the team, and I know Kai is someone who doesn’t contribute as much as the others, both on and off the field. My brother can see the good in everyone, but he is also a great judge of character, so when I hear him talk like that, I take his word for it.
‘Okay,’ I say eventually, when it appears he isn’t going to say anything more.
‘You haven’t replied to any of my messages.’ Kai’s eyes are focused on mine, and I bristle a little at the intensity. ‘You’re starting to hurt my feelings.’
‘Sorry, I’ve been really slammed this week.’
He nods. ‘Sure. I get that.’ His eyes bounce down to my arms. ‘Where’s your jacket?’
‘I was in a rush. Accidentally left without it.’
‘Wait here,’ he says, quickly disappearing.
I should take this as my chance to flee, but to be fair, I really am cold, just like Nora said I would be. Stepping towards the grandstand, I hesitate, torn between rushing away and waiting for him to return. He makes the decision for me when he reappears, holding out his jersey. My throat feels dry as I blink at it.
‘Here,’ he says.
‘Oh, I couldn’t,’ I quickly say.
‘Why not? You’re cold; I have a jersey.’ He extends his hand. ‘Take it.’
The crowd hollers again, and I shiver as the cool wind chooses this moment to remind me that we’re at the beginning of a long game, and it’s only going to get colder as the night goes on.
‘Thanks, Kai,’ I say, reluctantly reaching for it. Though I’m unsure what his true intentions are, I don’t have another option right now, or much time to argue. ‘I’ll return it to you after the game.’
‘No stress,’ he says, as I slip it over my head. ‘Looks better on you anyway.’
It completely envelopes me, landing mid-thigh, the sleeves stretching way past my hands. It feels wrong, and the scent is not the one I’m used to. It’s not Zayden’s.
It’s not Mason’s.
‘Good luck tonight. I hope it’s a good game.’
His smirk widens. ‘Oh, it will be.’
I love the atmosphere of the game.
The excitement in the air, the thunderous stamping on the cement beneath our feet, the cheers and whistles erupting every few moments. When Cami struts out onto the field, Nora and I leap to our feet and scream so loudly the group in front of us turns back and gives us a dirty look.
The football field is gigantic. Much bigger than the ones we had back at school. This has a more professional feel to it, with the cheerleaders and the high-rise stands bordering the edge of the field. I get so caught up in the hype of the game and all that comes before it, my earlier worries evaporate from my mind.
Nora and I hold one side each of a sign we made. I used neon pink and sparkles to paint Cami’s name in big, bold letters. I can’t take my eyes off her as she performs, hitting each move perfectly in time with the beat.
‘She’s incredible!’ Nora murmurs, looking as awe-struck as I feel.
The cheering has barely subsided when the guys start jogging onto the field. An excited smile spreads across my face as I take in the long, even strides of Mason. A flutter ofsomethingswoops through my stomach. His head turns, those whisky eyes sweep through the crowd, landing heavily on mine. His lips tilt, and warmth rushes through me.
After a few minutes, the game begins. I love watching Zayden and Mason play. The way they can silently communicate has always made them such a deadly combination. I’m on the edge of my seat as a player launches himself at Zayden. He flings the ball out to Mason barely a second before he gets tackled hard into the ground. Mason is like lightning. He weaves in and out of the players with an electric speed that has made him legendary in past games. Shooting forward, he runs half the length of the field before launching himself across the line. I’m on my feet, screaming before my mind can even catch up. Mason’s best move is always getting the first try, and he never fails.
‘Damn,’ Nora mutters, looking impressed as she claps. ‘He’s fast.’
‘Yup.’ I smile, feeling proud. I watch Zayden clap him on the back as they exchange a moment of victory.
Zayden and Mason are both incredible players, and it baffles me that Mason thinks Zayden works harder than him. In the past, Mason definitely let himself get distracted, but I’ve noticed a big difference in his commitment since he’s been back. He is training harder than ever, showing up to every practice, and it’s delivering tonight. He is playing fiercely.
