I turn to look at him, my heart hammering away in my chest. “Are you sure this is okay?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Why wouldn’t it be okay?”
“I don’t know. I know usually it’s family and stuff who come in this way with the players and?—”
“Sunny,” he says softly, his hand squeezing mine. “You’re overthinking it. I promise it’s okay. Lucy is supposed to be coming tonight. I’m sure she’ll sit with you so you’re not alone.”
I wince. I don’t want to be an annoyance or a burden to anyone else. The last thing I want is for Lucy to feel obligated to sit with me.
“If you don’t want to come in, you can just take my car and pick me up later.”
I shake my head immediately, shoving away the negative thoughts. “No, I want to come in.”
“Okay.” He rolls his lips between his teeth. “If you want to leave at any time, you can. No questions asked.”
Relief washes over me at his words. It’s not that I feel uncomfortable… it’s just what he said exactly. I’m overthinking things. Overthinking things because we’ve been sharing a bed and now, he’s holding my hand, pulling up to his game.
But we aren’t together. We aren’t anything.
Matteo gets out of the car, walking over to my side like the gentleman he is. We bypass the players entrance, and he shakes his head at the photographers as we head over to the family entrance instead.
His hand finds the small of my back as he guides me inside and I try my hardest to ignore the flutter in my chest at the small gesture. He pulls out his phone and taps on the screen as we head down the hallway.
The entire arena buzzes with a palpable electrical energy. It’s been so long since I’ve been to a game, I forgot how intoxicating the atmosphere is.
“Lucy is going to meet you by the elevators,” he says after a second, turning down another hall. “She came with Theo and planned on sitting alone in his seats.”
“Oh, perfect,” I smile, glancing at him as we reach another hallway that leads to the dressing rooms to the left and the elevators to the right.
Matteo stops, turning to face me. “Lucy is coming down now.” He glances over his shoulder at me. “I have to head in. You remember which seats?”
“Yes,” I smile, nodding. “I have the tickets in the wallet on my phone.”
Matteo lets out a breath. “Okay. Text me when you get to your seats.”
“Okay,” I nod. “I will.”
His eyes slowly search mine before dropping down to my mouth. My heart stumbles over itself as he takes a step closer, his hand sliding along the side of my face. “For good luck,” he murmurs, leaning down as his mouth brushes mine.
Anyone could see us, yet he doesn’t shy away from kissing me in the middle of the hallway.
“Good luck,” I breathe, my eyelids fluttering open as he pulls away.
His thumb brushes against my bottom lip and he smiles down at me. “See you after the game, Sunny.”
And then he’s gone.
My head and heart are in the clouds as I slowly turn around, walking over to the elevators in a daze. I lied. The atmosphere here isn’t what’s intoxicating.
It’s him.
“Hey, Jade!”
Lucy’s voice carries down the hallway and I catch sight of her, weaving around a few employees. She waves as she jogs over to me.
“Hey!”
“I’m so glad you’re here tonight!” She pulls me in for a hug, as if we’re old friends. I don’t know Lucy well, but she’s never been anything but nice to me. There’s a warmth to her that just makes you feel welcomed.
