Page 57 of Sinful Storms

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TRISTAN

Nothing could bring me down.Nothing. Not even the sudden downpour that soaked me to the bone and had the spectators scrambling for shelter.

Aria had come. She’d come to watch me play, and not only had she told me to my face that she cared about me, but she’d kissed me, too. And now she had the necklace that I’d been holding on to ever since that night at the manor.

She was wearing my jersey as well, and that was a big statement. We both knew it. Everyone would see my name on her back and know she was mine.

I flew down the field into the Clifton end, skidding through the mud as I twisted out of the way of the player marking me. I barely even noticed the dirt splatter up my legs as I sent the ball arcing towards Roman, who raised his stick in perfect synchronisation with my movement and caught it in mid-air. Instantly reacting to the player coming at him, he flung the ball straight at the goal. It was a long shot, but luck was on our side, and somehow, it went in. 1-0 to Hatherley Hall.

We kept pushing and pushing, and we scored again. 2-0. With eleven minutes left on the clock, Clifton scored for the firsttime, but we were still ahead, and I was determined to keep it that way. Pushing my body as hard as I could go, I shouted instructions at my teammates, along with Saunders, who was doing his usual coaching job of gesturing wildly and screaming at us from the sidelines.

I was dimly aware of a cheer from the home supporters, and as I passed Knox, I heard his shout. “Burford are beating St. Peter’s!”

Fucking yes. I was even more motivated than I had been before, if that was possible. I glanced up at the clock, realising we were almost at the end of the game. The rain was easing up a little, helping with the visibility, and the second Link passed me the ball, I took my chance, launching it in the direction of the net.

My teammates swarmed me as it went in, smacking against the net. We were winning 3-1, and there was no way Clifton could catch up with us now unless we were incredibly unlucky. I got everyone on defence, holding the Clifton players back from our goal for the final couple of minutes of play.

Then, the whistle blew, and it was all over. I glanced over at Saunders, who was holding up his fingers. “4-3 to Burford!” he shouted.

The euphoria that filled me was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.We’d done it. We’d won the league.

Instead of joining my teammates in celebrating, I dropped my stick and ran for the stands, skidding to a halt in front of the barrier separating me from my girlfriend. Drenched, wearing my jersey, her honey eyes sparkling and her lips curved into a beaming smile, she’d never looked better.

“You look so fucking good in my jersey.”

She held out a hand to stop me. “If you say I’d look even better out of it, this’ll be the shortest relationship you’ve everhad.” Her expression was a little uncertain, like she still wasn’t sure I’d meant what I said about her being my girlfriend.

I grinned. “The only relationship I’ve ever had.”

Her uncertainty disappeared as her gaze turned uncharacteristically soft. “Me too.”

I yanked her over the barrier and into my arms, spinning her around as she wound her legs around my waist. She laughed, wild and free, and I joined her.

Carefully lowering her to the grass, I removed my gloves and helmet, running my hand through my hair where it had been flattened. I glanced down at her jersey with a grimace. “Shit. I got mud all over you.”

“Do I look like I care?” She gestured to herself. “I’m already soaked through. What difference is a bit of mud going to make? And you won. We won! League champions!”

“True. Even so.”

“Tristan. I really don’t care about a bit of mud. You should be celebrating your win.” Pausing, she glanced down at the ground and then back up at me, biting down on her lip. “I’m happy you won, you know. You worked really hard for this, and I’m so proud of you. I don’t want to—” She took in the expectant look I was giving her and sighed. “As well as all that, I’m wondering about this necklace you gave me.”

When she held up the gold chain, I grimaced. Fuck, now I was going to have to explain, and hoped she understood the significance and wasn’t scared away by it.

“Tristan!”

My head shot around to the stands to see my parents seated with Knox’s mum, dad, and little sister, Quinn’s parents, and Roman’s uncle. My father was waving, and my mother was impatiently beckoning me over.

“Shit,” I muttered. I looked back at Aria. “Do you trust me?”

“Yeah…why?”

I pulled her in the direction of my parents. “Come with me.” Before we reached them, I came to a sudden stop. “Aria? Wait a second. Will you wear the necklace?”

A fucking lump appeared in my throat when she immediately nodded. Sweeping her hair out of the way, I fastened the chain around her neck.

She was wearing it.

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