The roar of the crowd swelled at the sight of him. It was deafening, but excitement grew inside me. It was infectious, and I found myself mirroring the fans, clapping and yelling alongside everyone.
Mateo drew closer to the sidelines and where we were all seated. His head turned to face the stands, eyes seemingly scanning the crowd. That sharp whistle met my ears again, and it did its job at drawing Mateo’s gaze toward the group.
Josie, Lydia, Tasha, and Mila waved their signs, jumping up and down with excited grins. I watched Mateo smile and shake his head at what was written. Even though he was down below us quite a few feet, I could spot the happiness on his face at seeing his family here.
My hands clapped on their own as I watched him. I’d seen him in his uniform during preseason but this…this was indescribable. The way he walked like he owned the field, like it washis kingdom.It was by far the hottest thing I had ever seen in my twenty-five years on this earth.
His gaze swept along our section before locking onto me. If I hadn’t already been watching him, I would’ve missed the way his lips parted and his eyes widened just a fraction. For a split second, it was like the rest of the stadium disappeared.
I gave him a small wave, trying to not draw too muchattention my way, but at the same time, I truly didn’t care who saw. It became abundantly clear I was falling for Mateo.
His grin was soft, but it felt like it was meant just for me. With a wink, he jogged toward his team, leaving me there with my heart beating wildly in my chest.
A quietawcame from my side before it was quickly muffled. I settled back in my seat with burning cheeks, glancing to the side to find a few pairs of eyes on me. Josie looked giddy, like she was seconds from launching out of her seat. Lydia, Tasha, and Mila stared at me with what I assumed was excitement, like they were trying to keep quiet, too. Even Evelyn looked at me with curiosity.
If they were like Erin in any way, I wasn’t leaving this game without them knowing exactly who I was to Mateo.
I turned my focus back to the game, pretending I didn’t feel their questioning glances.
As conversation went on around me, I searched through the players below and caught sight of my dad. He turned around as if he felt my eyes, finding me almost instantly.
Seeing the way Mateo’s family was, even for just a brief period of time, instilled the fact I needed to talk to my dad and try to fix things. He was the only family I had, and if I was honest with myself, I missed him. Missed the way we were before he took this job and figure skating became my life. Maybe at lunch tomorrow we could make a step in the right direction.
I waved and smiled. He returned both before taking hold of his playbook and putting on his headset. The softness disappeared from his expression as he sunk back into coach mode.
Knowing the game wouldn’t actually start for another ten minutes or so, I settled back in my seat. The others were occupied, so I sent off a quick message to Erin, telling her Iwas seated right next to Mateo’s family. As expected, I received a response in zero point two seconds.
Erin: Holy shit. Do they know?
Me: Only Josie. So far, the others don’t.
Erin: You’re so lucky being around all those hot hockey players. Sneak a picture of Wyatt for me, please.
I shook my head at her text. That would make things even more weird.
Me: I’m trying to get them to like me, not get a restraining order.
Erin: I really should have come with you to the game.
Me: No shit. Then I wouldn’t be here alone!
I sent multiple middle finger emojis.
Erin: At least you can make a good impression before meeting tonight. Show them how amazing Emmie James is.
I could do that.
“Hey, Emmie.” The sound of my name being said made me drop my phone in my lap, hastily turning toward the voice who said it. Tasha leaned forward and around Trevor to talk to me.
“Hm?”
“Is anyone else coming to watch the game with you?” Her question threw me, but I shook my head,
“No, just me.”
“Perfect.” She beamed a bright smile in my direction before she stood up and tapped her husband’s shoulder. “Seat change,” Tasha announced.
I watched, confused while the others didn’t even bat an eyelash as they stood. They shuffled around so Tasha could shimmy her way down the aisle. When she gestured to the empty seat beside me, I stood up so she could get by.
