Chapter Twenty-One

Game day. First of the season as well as being the first one Romilly ever attended. Or watched, for that matter. Thanks to YouTube, she did a crash course on the game, the rules, and the players. She sat with the other wives and girlfriends in a special viewing box overlooking the stadium. The team owner believed family was one of the biggest motivators for players, and to promote that atmosphere, he made sure wives, parents, and partners had a place to rally around each other. It was an awesome place to watch the game because she could see the entire field.

For the most part, the other women left her alone. They had greeted her with a smile, seemingly knowing who she was with. Or maybe it was Kaiden’s jersey she wore. The same one he had bought her at the farmers market. She didn’t mind if they didn’t really include her in their conversations since she’d never been easy at small talk. She was just happy to be there.

Players ran onto the field for warmup, but she only had eyes for number thirty-three below the name Demay. As if hearing her, he glanced up and sent her a thumbs-up. She knew he couldn’t see her, but she returned the gesture.

Then, the game started.

It didn’t take long for anxiety to grip her as the visiting team advanced across the field. The Archers defense, however, was able to keep them from making a touchdown and they kicked a field goal, giving them three points.

Then it was time for the offense to come on, and any apprehension she had disappeared. They looked like a well-oiled machine as they systematically marched down toward their end zone. They were second and fourth when Crew took a moment to throw, and then the ball was sailing over their heads. It landed in Kaiden’s hands, and he took off running down the field. She wasn’t even aware she was jumping up and down as his teammates knocked the opposing tackle off-kilter. It was all about protecting him as he sprinted down the field, and then he passed over the goal line to score their first touchdown. The roar of the stadium could be heard through the glass. It was electrifying.

She finally understood what everyone talked about. She wanted more of that. More action. More screaming. More jumping up and down. The rush was addictive.

The family and friends around gave her high-fives like she was part of them. She’d always had problems befriending people, so to automatically be included was nothing short of awesome.

As the seconds ticked by at the end of the fourth quarter, the Archers were ahead by twenty-one points. The game ended with the thunderous roar of the crowd.

“Come on, hun,” said one of the wives. “We meet our guys in the post-game room.”

Romilly nodded happily. Another wife whose name she couldn’t remember, linked their arms as they walked. The meet-and-greet room had beverages, finger food, and comfy chairs. She nibbled on a cookie as she waited.

“It was an awesome game, wasn’t it?” asked one woman. Romilly thought her name was Stacey.

“My first one,” she replied, still smiling.

Stacey’s eyes widened. “You must be our good luck charm! Fingers crossed the Archers blow everyone away.”

Romilly crossed the first two fingers on both hands and held them up.

Stacey laughed.

About twenty minutes later, the players started to trickle in. When Kaiden entered, he searched until their eyes met, then he made a beeline for her. She met him halfway and he hugged her. All of a sudden, emotion welled up and she had to blink away the happy tears before he saw them. They just held each other for a time.

“You were amazing,” she murmured low for his ears only.

“This was the best game of my life, and it was because I knew you were here, watching me. Cheering me on. You are my strength.” He pulled back and smiled down at her. “Come on, meet some of the guys.”

For about ten minutes he introduced her to his teammates. After a lot of handshakes and names she already forgot, they headed out to his SUV. He helped her into the passenger side then went around and slid behind the wheel.

Before he started the engine, his cell phone rang. He dug it out of his pocket and frowned at the caller ID.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“My father.”

Indecision settled on his face and she nudged him. “Go ahead. It’s time.”

He took a deep breath, nodded, and connected the call putting it on speaker. “Hello, Dad.”

“Kaiden! I’m … wow, you picked up. I, uh, just wanted to tell you that was a fantastic game.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re on your way to setting records.”

“Maybe. I’m just lucky to be playing with a great group of guys.”

“Yes, teamwork is important.”

An awkward silence fell between them, and Romilly nodded toward the phone.

“Um, Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“You want to get together soon? I think we have a lot to talk about.”

His father cleared his throat, and when he spoke emotion clogged the words. This was a man who desperately wanted to reconnect with his son.

“I’d love that.”

“Okay.”

“I can come to the next game.”

“All right. And, um. You can bring Nick.”

“Thank you, Kaiden,” his father whispered. “We’ll see you next week.”

“Yep.” Kaiden disconnected the call. “I feel like a weight has fallen off my shoulders.”

“Pain is a heavy burden to carry.”

He brought her knuckles up and kissed them. “You’re amazing. I love you, Romilly.”

“I love you back,” she said, smiling.

“Let’s go buy a house,” he said. “Then you can move in with me.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You want me to live with you?”

“Actually, I want you to marry me, but I figured we’d wait on that a bit so I can come up with a romantic surprise.”

Her mouth fell. “Uh. You definitely surprised me.”

He grinned. “Come on, Babe. Happily ever after is waiting for us.”

The End