Page 74 of Unexpectedly Falling
I hate that for her.
And Nessa.
“I get it,” I offer quietly. “Although when I’m giving someone my autograph, it usually means I’m giving them a ticket, so it’s not quite the same excitement level.”
Glancing at me from the side she gives me a single nod, an acknowledgment of thanks—like she’d offered me the same, small comfort earlier.
And we stand like that for the rest of the game, cheering Nessa on and watching as the Blackstone University Lions win their final game of their season.
NESSA
Kinsley hadthe girls absolutely tongue-tied when she joined us on the field after the game. She didn’t know the players’ names, but she complimented every goal, assist, and play on the field and I loved her for it.
And I loved this team.
They weren’t mine.
I’d barely had a week with them but my heart had been happier and my soul lighter than it had been in a long time.
It didn’t make sense. Soccer had always been my life—mydream.
But this small and seemingly insignificant opportunity had awakened something inside me that I couldn’t explain.
“Coach! We did it!” Alana squeals as she wraps me in a hug.
Coach.
“Youdid it,” I reply, my smile real and taking over my face. “You all did it, and I’m so damn proud of you!”
Joy radiates through me as I look at each one of the girls who played their last game of the season like it was the semifinals and championship all wrapped into one. They’re tired and sweaty but they’rehappyand already chattering about dinner at Rayne’s house.
“Coach, you and Kinsley are coming to dinner, right?” Parker’s wide eyes are pleading, and it doesn’t take long for the rest of them to join in.
“Oh, what the hell,” Kinsley says with a shrug, “let’s go.” She laughs as cheers erupt around us.
They scatter to clean up the equipment as I turn to my best friend. “Are you sure you want to head over there?”
“This is important for them and for you soyes,but then you owe me chocolate lava cakes so we can eat them in bed while we binge watch whatever is on.”
“Deal.” I grin and then blush as I catch Jensen’s eyes across the field. Kinsley snorts as her gaze follows mine before pushing me toward him. “I’ll be right back.”
“Uh-huh. Take your time.”
Hustling over, I pepper kisses all over Remi’s cheeks and forehead. She reaches for me and I pull her against me for a much-needed hug.
“You were incredible out there.”
“They made it easy.”
He rolls his lips inward, the action an obvious avoidance for what he really wants to say. But I let it go.
With all the chaos tonight, it’s not something I want to get into.
“I’m taking Kinsley with me to the team dinner at Rayne’s parents’ house and then we’ll be home. I promised her lava cake.”
“Order it from the Iron Cask,” he says, a smile playing at his lips. “I’d do it for you but that’s not a wait-around dessert.”
“You’re a smart man, Sheriff,” I concede as I snuggle Remi closer, using her to keep the space between me and Jensen.
