Char chuckles next to me but says nothing.
Despite the setback of Bradshaw’s goal, the team rally and the stadium explodes when Adedayo scores the final goal of the game with seconds to spare.
Char and I spring to our feet, cheering and screaming madly with the rest of the stadium.
“FOUR-ONE!” Char screeches, throwing her arms around my neck and jumping up and down. “FOUR BLOODY ONE!”
Over Char’s shoulder, Dominic pops up on the screen, in slow motion at the moment Adedayo scored. His face lights up with pride, his mouth wide in a cheer as he throws his hands up. He’s right where he’s meant to be.
The families of the players are invited to come down to the field, and Char and I eagerly head down behind the usher.
“I’m so glad you’re here for Jordan tonight,” I murmur to Char as I squeeze her hand.
She gives me an indulgent smile. “Me, too. We’re all heading out to celebrate after this, yeah?”
“Yeah, Troy’s got a bash going at his restaurant and then afterwards we’re all headed to Amaro.”
“Ooh, fancy!” She skips along excitedly beside me as we head down the long corridors, through the open tunnel doors and out onto the field.
It’s surreal from down here.
The crowd is so loud, it’s a constant, long hum of cheers and shouts. Banners wave wildly, and flashes go off in every corner. It’s electric and awe-inspiring.
Char runs across the field to Jordan, jumping into his arms as he laughs. Ricky’s surrounded by his family, who cover him in kisses and don’t let him go. Someone has wheeled Ezra’s elderly grandmother onto the field, and she’s looking up at him like she’s about to burst into tears.
Adedayo’s mother actually is crying, holding her son’s face as he smiles widely. Only Troy is on his own, watching us allhappily. Char spots him too, and waves him over to her and Jordan. Jordan wraps his teammate in a hug, and they break out into a loud cheer and start singing the team anthem. The other team members hear and join in, and within seconds the whole stadium has cottoned onto it and is singing along.
Dominic spots me and smiles widely, barreling across the field towards me and gathering me in a fierce hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” I tell him.
“I can’t believe we won!”
“I can!” I press my lips to his, and camera flashes go wild.
This is our first public kiss - the first one with our knowledge, I guess - and it sets off a thrill in my stomach. It feelsrealnow. Public. Out in the open. And there are no Boos, no hissing, no cans being thrown our way as people display their disgust.
The crowd goes crazy and cheers even louder.
Maybe things really are going to be alright.
34
DOMINIC
A warm breezeblows in from the sea, ruffling the curtains of the open balcony door. Tank lies with his head in the shade, the sun warming his belly as he snores. I chuckle as I look down at him, and he opens his eyes very briefly to huff out a satisfied snort, then goes back to sleep.
My gaze moves to the bed, where Mia is lying on her stomach, naked and peaceful, and definitely the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. She stirs as the breeze washes over her sun-kissed skin, and I cross the room to lay a cotton blanket over her.
“Mmm.” She lifts her head and gives me a sleepy smile. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“After all that activity it’s hardly a surprise.” I lean down over her and plant a kiss on her shoulder. “Albania certainly does something to you, doesn't it?”
“Being naked in the sun with you all day does something to me,” she says with a laugh, rolling over and pulling me down to her.
We’ve been in this villa for two weeks now, a proper getaway after the hectic end of season and the press tours afterwards. Mia was ecstatic when presented with the idea of an Albaniangetaway, but balked at the suggestion of a resort. She wanted privacy, she said. Just the two of us, locked away to rest and recover.
So I’d found us this villa, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, with enormous ancient walls surrounding a peaceful garden. It was hot and sunny almost every day, and we’d walk hand-in-hand down into town to pick up delicious fresh food. Tank dashed along the beach and played in the water, napping happily in the sun when we got back to the villa.
