Page 162 of Unrivaled Love
"We have to wear suits to that?" Crosby asks.
"Yes! It's a big moment for us and you'll dress for the occasion."
Crosby looks at Aiden for help but all he does is shrug. "I'm not throwing it."
But the reason we’re getting together is because of him. He’s proposing to Harper and we’re surprising her with a party. Felix has coordinated getting all of us together in the south of France to celebrate and it works perfectly with Jo’s projected schedule for me to sneak away for a night.
"Ugh, fine." Crosby says. "But I'm going to wear crocs just to prove to you how slick they can look."
"You do that." Felix says and then he turns to me. "I created a Pinterest board for you, outfit inspiration. One guy is a German handball player and he's got great street style."
"Thank you?" I am not really sure what he's talking about.
"When you get there, ask the hotel for a men's clothing store and then show the person working there this collection of pictures," he turns his phone to me. "They'll get you outfitted and ready for the month."
"Okay, thanks guys."
"Of course. We're brothers. And what else are brothers for if not helping to pick out clothing for the other." Felix says with a straight face.
"You got us tickets to the final game, right?" Duncan asks.
"Well, they just had their first win in group play yesterday so we don't know if they're going to the final, but, yes. I've paid for a block of seats for her family, mine, and you guys. It was a shit ton of cash."
"It'll be worth it." Duncan says. "Now, I'm going to go home and pack. We only have two weeks before we leave. And if today has taught me anything it's that I need to be prepared."
"Glad my distress could be a lesson for you." I roll my eyes.
"You're the best, Boder!" Duncan says as he wraps me in a hug. "Have a good trip!"
The rest of the guys give me hugs and wish me luck and safe travels. Felix stays an extra ten minutes to show me how to use Pinterest, saying he swears by it for fashion inspiration and party planning.
When everyone is gone my place is eerily quiet. It's been months since Jo lived here but the quiet hadn't seemed so lonely. Maybe it's because she actually is halfway across the world right now and I miss her.
With my playoffs schedule and her professional games we didn't get to connect as much. Even when she came to D.C. for US Team bootcamp a month ago I only got to see her once a week for a sleepover because her coach made the whole team sleep in a hotel so they were all together.
Then they flew to Brussels and had their first game yesterday. They won three to one and Jo got the second goal.
I haven't seen her play in person since last summer and I cannot wait. I’m so proud of her and over the next month I will be following her around Europe as the US plays in the World Cup tournament.
Her parents flew out last week and will be at every game too. My parents and her siblings are coming next week. The boys fly out the week after and we have a little trip to Annecy planned. It lines up to when Jo and the US Team will be in Geneva.
I double check my passport is in my bag and carry everything to the door. I take out the trash, open the dishwasher so it doesn't get moldy, and turn the AC up to 80.
One quick overnight flight and I'll be on the same continent as my Josie and my heart can hardly wait.
Chapter 49
Jo
A Solid Semi
"IsweartogodI will buy you all the chocolate in Geneva if you score today." Brie says to me over FaceTime.
"It's going to be tough. McMillian is really fast." I tell her as I mentally picture Ireland’s star defender.
"Yeah but you're faster when you can open up your stride. Keep the ball on your right foot, to the outside, with one stutter step you'll create the room you need to turn in."
"Are you going to tell me to look for the pass?"
