Page 64 of Wallflower

"Thank you."

Dare's eyes fell on me.

"What'd you think, Vi?" he asked and then waited. As if he really cared about the answer.

"I thought you were amazing," I said. It was the truth. "Everyone was awesome, but to me, you stood out."

Dare arched a brow. "So, you liked the match?"

I thought about downplaying my feelings but couldn't. "I enjoyed it a lot actually. Much more than I thought I would. I'm glad I came."

"Me, too," he said quietly, almost as if he didn't mean for anyone to hear.

"Seeing you play was…"

I struggled to find the right word.

"You're just so impressive," I finished, feeling my cheeks fill with heat as he stared at me. But he deserved to hear this. "I can tell you love soccer. And it definitely loves you."

Dare's smile reached his eyes. "Thanks, flower."

He'd opened his mouth, but Tyson interrupted whatever he was about to say.

"Man," Tyson said, the smile never leaving his face as he dropped an arm over Dare's shoulders. "I hope you had as much fun as I did. Not gonna lie, it felt nice to get that first win."

The two fist-bumped, and Dare grinned. "Any win is a good win."

"Ain't it the truth," Jovonte said.

"My aunt's around here somewhere. I need to find her, but I came by to let you know Coach wants us back in the locker room before we head out," Tyson went on. "Something about mindset and using this win to drive us to more." His gaze moved to mine. "Oh, and Viola, Coach also wanted me to say he was so glad to see you, and that he can't wait to hear what you thought of the game."

"She loved it," Dare said.

"Naturally," Tyson said.

"Who wouldn't?" Jovonte supplied, and once again, the three took turns giving each other guy hugs and pats on the back. "We rock hard."

Estelle rolled her eyes. "Okay, well, we'll just leave you three to bask in your glory," she said, linking arms with me and Gigi. "Catch you all later."

"Bye," I said over my shoulder to Dare as she began leading us away.

"Thanks again, flower," he said.

Once we were out of earshot, Gigi laughed. "Not sure I've ever seen Dare smile so much before or after a game."

"Yeah, me either," Estelle said.

"But I thought he and the team win all the time," I said.

"They do." Jovonte's grandmother threw me a wink. "But I think that reaction was all for you."

Estelle grinned. "I agree."

"Oh come on," I said. "It's normal to be happy when you win."

"I'm just saying," she laughed, "he never gets that excited to see me and Gigi."

A sudden thought entered my mind.

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