It will happen. Just not when her best friend gets married. I’ve seen Lilly so few times this past week that I miss her with a force that sucker punches the air from my lungs.
On the bus that drives us back to the stadium after an away game, I stare at Coach’s neck.
Roman elbows me, leaning into me. “What’s with the deep stare?”
I sigh, shoving a hand through my hair. “I’m thinking of how to tell him I love his daughter.”
He lets out a slow whistle.
“Was nice knowing you, man,” he says in a playful note, but I am not in the mood for jokes.
Sensing my vibe, he instantly turns serious. “I get it. You should go for it. You look like you don’t even care about the consequences.”
I truly don’t. I didn’t set out to fall for his daughter. Perhaps it will help knowing that we had already met long before he became my coach.
“When will you talk to him?”
“Soon.”
After Kat and Theo’s wedding during the bye week.
This is the second event we’re going to as “just friends.” It infuriates me like I never thought possible, knowing she’s my woman, but I can’t make her mine in public. I refuse to do that shit any longer. I miss kissing her, feeling that physical and emotional connection as our bodies join.
My phone pings with a message, and I smile at the picture of her and her best friend in a club, for Kat’s bachelorette party.
She’s so damn beautiful my heart races, wanting to flee my chest and sprint to her.
Having fun, I see.
We doo.
I am sure that last one is due to her having a drink too many. My girl can’t hold her liquor.
I misss you.
Miss you too. See you soon.
Just two more hours until I can have her next to me.
When the bus parks at the stadium, I get in my car and drive toward the club.
I call Lilly and she picks right up, but it’s so damn loud I can barely make out her words. A few moments later, the deafening sounds muffle, and she says, “I’m in the bathroom.”
“I’ll be there in five to pick you up.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you out front.”
I sit in my car parked next to the sidewalk, watching for her.
Some people outside the club wait in line to enter, chatting animatedly. Lilly comes out, waving at me, and I notice a guy following behind her. He pulls her by the elbow, causing her to stumble.
So much for my plan to stay in the car and avoid gathering attention.
His eyes are glassy, and he appears unsteady on his feet, but I don’t fucking care that he’s obviously drunk. No one is touching my girl without permission, but what enrages me is his next words.
“Come on, I’ll give you the best night of your life.”
She huffs, yanking her arm away. “I said no already.”
