Page 136 of Chasing After You
“Did you come today with your family, or did you stay at the house?” he asks urgently, and Tom is looking at me with concern.
“I’m here in a private room with Tom. What’s going on?”
“I need you in the locker room as quickly as you can get here,” Uncle Owen says.
“The locker room? Why?” I ask, but the line drops. “He hung up,” I say, looking at Tom confused.
“Who is asking you to go to the locker room?” Tom asks, handing me the hat we used to get me into the stadium without drawing everyone’s attention to me. I’m wearing the jersey Henry gave me earlier in the season, along with jeans and sneakers, so at least I’ll blend in.
“My uncle,” I say, pulling the hat low to hide my face, leaving the rest of my things in the room.
Tom leads the way, getting us there without anyone seeing, and I slip into the locker room. Every single player looks at me, and I feel my face flush bright red under the attention. I breathe a sigh of relief when Wilson walks toward me, a warm smile on his familiar face, but I’m distracted by the arguing in the background.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you,” Wilson says, grabbing my hand to pull me along.
“Why am I here?” I ask, trying to keep up with his long strides.
“I already told you I’m not going out there unless it’s wearing this jersey,” Henry says firmly, not seeing me because his back is to me.What’s wrong with his jersey?
“Price, I’m sympathetic to the big romantic gesture you’re trying to do for my niece, but unless you’ve legally changed your last name to Walker, the league isn’t going to let you wear that jersey. All you’re going to do is rack up fines, and I can’t play you without the whole team facing penalties,” my uncle argues, and I realize instead ofPricein block letters on the back of Henry’s jersey, it readsWalkerwith his number below it.
Oh. That’s why I’m here.
“Then I’m not going out there.”
Oh my god. I know I’m hallucinating. Henry did not have an official jersey made with my last name on it.
“It’s a fucking playoff game. Your teammates did nothing to deserve their quarterback—” My uncle falters, finally noticing me. “Thank god. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. He won’t listen to me.” Uncle Owen scoffs, throwing his hands up in the air.
When Henry turns around to look at me, it feels like the world has stopped spinning and time stands still.
His eyes widen as he blinks, rubbing them as if he can’t believe I’m actually here.
“Hi.” I offer a short wave, and I immediately feel my cheeks burn from mortification.Waving? I seriously couldn’t think of anything better?
“Mirabelle?”
Oh god, I messed up thinking I was doing the right thing by pushing Henry away.
“How are you here?” he asks, and I shrug.
“Haven’t you heard my dad used to be someone important here, or something?” I joke, and an impatient look from my uncle tells me I need to hurry this up.Got it. This isn’t our romantic reunion yet.I wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs. “You’re wearing the wrong jersey,” I say, and Henry shakes his head.
“I’m not.”
It’s the intensity of his gaze that tells me he means it. “Henry, they’re not going to let you play. This game is more important than the last name on your jersey,” I say, and he drags a hand through his dark hair.
“Is it?” he questions, rendering me fucking speechless.
I’ve missed him more than words could ever try to explain.
“I-I can’t be the reason you’re not on the field with your team today. I would never forgive myself, so if you won’t do it for them, do it for me,” I say, and Henry looks as torn as I feel. Uncle Owen stops his pacing as an official comes up to him, and it’s now or never.
“I’d like to make it clear I’m only doing this for you,” he says, pulling off the jersey, and I can’t resist smiling as the whole locker room erupts into cheers when Henry pulls the proper one over his gear.
“Thank fuck, get your asses out to the tunnel before we’re fucking late,” Uncle Owen yells, and the locker room explodes into chaos.
I turn to disappear the way I came, when my hand is caught, stopping me. “Can I see you after the game?” Henry asks, and I hate the uncertainty in the question. I put that fear in him, but we’re stronger together than we are apart.
