Page 61 of Winning Match
“Yeah? Well, Valencia likes you.”
She snorts. “Gotta work on your pickup lines, García.”
“Why?” I take her hand as we start walking toward the bar, Ramón in front of us and an additional guard, Luis, behind us. “I already landed you.”
She pulls her hand away, lifting an eyebrow to call me on my bullshit.
I amend my statement by adding, “I’m off the market and not interested in picking anyone else up.” I reach for her hand, and she lets me hold it.
“Damn straight,” Marlowe laughs, and the sound is like music.
It takes nearly forty-five minutes to walk to Corcho, with all the fans stopping us along the way. As Ramón and Luis control the crowd, I pause for photos, sign my autograph, and make sure to chat with every kid that approaches me. But I also note the keen awareness that sparks in my female fans’ eyes when they look Marlowe up and down. With some of the women, there’s an interest that is deeper than genuine curiosity and I make a mental note to discuss it with Ramón and Luis.
By the time we enter the bar, I need a drink. I order the first round as thanks, and congratulations echo in the small space.
I clink my pint against Marlowe’s. “Salud, mi niña.”
“Congratulations, Ale,” she replies and it’s the sweetest, most sincere well wishes I’ve received.
Social Media Post
League Valencia Player Alejandro García Celebrates First Win of the Season by Kissing Girlfriend, Marlowe Prescott
@LeagueValenciaGirlie This picture is giving me life.
@SoccerSux33 Really? You must really need a life…
@CallMeMrsGarcia Marlowe Prescott is serving lewks
@CarrieSins12 I wonder what happened to the Claire portion of her name?
@FutbolGuru Who cares? This is the sweetest photo ever. I’m really happy for @AleGarcia9.
@LeagueValenciaGirlie Yes! Me too
@LeagueValenciaFandom @AleGarcia9 coming in hot! My boy played mad good!
@FútbolVida Si, se puede!
@CarrieSins12 I hope it’s an omen of good things to come.
@LeagueValenciaGirlie That would be so nice.
@SoccerSux33 Y’all are delusional.
@CallMeMrsGarcia#RelationshipGoals
17
Ale
Marlowe and I solidify our relationship with League Valencia’s first win. The fiery kiss we shared, the easy camaraderie that exists between us, the seamless way she fits in with my family all points to our compatibility. #RelationshipGoals is trending on social media in response to us.
For the first time in my life, Papá isn’t horrified that my face is splashed all over gossip magazines. No, he’s thrilled that that media captured Marlowe and me kissing.
“Enséñales de qué estás hecho!” he announced after seeing that first article. Show them what you’re made of.
It’s a sharp pivot from precedence—the long days he spent glaring at me and spewing nasty comments, or worse, ignoring me entirely, his silence arctic. Mamá is equally surprised by Papá’s admiration of Marlowe but embracing it wholeheartedly as it makes her household run smoother.
