Chapter 30 Anna
Anna
April was right, it’s cold as fuck. The crowd pours into the North London stadium in waves of blue and green, and Liam’s team colors, red and yellow.
I check the digital ticket he messaged me as I find my way toward the family and friends section: the neutral zone next to the dugouts.
I spot the two teams making their way off the pitch—I assume after warm-ups?
I have no idea—heading back down the tunnel to their dressing room.
When I arrive at my designated area, my stomach drops.
So much for being discreet. The players will be able to see my erect nipples, we’re that bloody close to the field.
When I reach my seating zone, I pick my way carefully down the concrete steps, scanning the rows for Finn’s sweet little face while simultaneously trying not to fall on my arse.
Thank God these seats are numbered because I haven’t a bloody clue where I’m going. This place is absolutely packed.
The smell of hot chips and burgers drifts through the air, making my stomach growl, but when I glance around, I notice none of the women in this section are eating.
They look so polished and flawless, and I suddenly feel self-conscious.
They’ve all got legs that go for miles, tanned skin peeking out from their coats, and gorgeous faces in “effortless” makeup that probably takes hours to apply.
They look like bloody models. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for women, a girls’ girl, but I can’t help but feel inferior to the other women in here.
Are these the kind of women Liam’s surrounded by? The thought makes something uncomfortable twist in my gut.
I move down the row and take my seat, settling in next to a broad man with dark auburn hair and a thick, trimmed beard. He’s next to a much smaller blonde woman—I’m assuming this is Liam’s cousin and his wife.
“Miss Anna! Miss Anna!” An excitable voice pierces through the roar of the crowd. A little head pops into view around the tall man’s frame, and my face breaks into a smile. Finn.
“Hey!” He scrambles past his cousin, launching himself into my arms. “You came!”
Unable to hold back my amusement, I laugh and wind my arms around him. “I did. I heard I have you to thank for inviting me.”
The man beside him turns to me with a knowing grin. “You must be Anna.” He offers me a hand. “I’m Roman, Liam’s cousin. This is my wife, Zoey.” He gestures to the blonde woman, who grins warmly and waves.
“Hi! It’s so lovely to meet you,” she says.
“And I’m Melody!” A sweet voice pipes up from where Finn was sitting: a girl who looks around Finn’s age, with Roman’s red hair and her mother’s bright smile.
“She’s my cousin!” Finn exclaims.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you all,” I say, my heart thudding hard against my ribs.
“Have you been to a game before?” Zoey asks.
I shake my head. “Never.”
“Excellent, we can be clueless together,” she says, giving me a thumbs up.
“You missed the warm-up,” Roman says.
“Oh no. How will I survive,” I tease, and he smiles.
Finn bounces up and down on his feet. “Just wait until you see how fast my da can run! He’s so quick!”
That’s not the only thing I’m excited to see, kid.
Roman laughs, tugging Finn’s arm gently. “All right, mate. Why don’t we let Anna settle in.”
Finn drops into the seat beside Melody as Zoey rips open a bag of lollies. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the kids’ eyes bugging wide before they start shoveling handfuls into their mouths.
Roman nudges me playfully with his elbow. “Believe me, they burn off the sugar.”
A laugh slips out of me. “I’d hope so.”
The whole place is humming with anticipation.
“Oh, look! There’s Uncle Liam! Number thirteen!” Melody shouts, flicking her wrist at the field.
The crowd’s excitement swells. I follow her gaze, watching as the teams spill out onto the field in lines, along with the referees and mascots. My eyes find him immediately, all powerful legs and lean muscle.
They shake hands with the officials and their opponents while photographers run around the field, snapping photos.
I narrow my eyes as the players gather in the middle of the pitch. “What are they doing?”
Roman leans in to explain over the noise. “That’s the coin toss. The captains meet with the referee to decide who kicks off first and which goal each team will attack in the first half.”
“Ah,” I say, nodding as if I’m processing this vital information but, honestly, I got none of that. Something about coins. I’m far too distracted by Liam’s arse in those shorts.
“You’ve been spending a bit of time with Liam, then?” Zoey asks casually, as if she’s asking me about the weather.
Roman’s mouth falls open. “Zoey—”
She waves her hand. “Oh, piss off. We’re all adults.” She leans across Roman’s lap. “Finn’s been talking about you nonstop.”
I like this woman.
“Oh, has he?” We get along well in class, but I’m slightly taken aback to hear he’s been talking about me with his extended family. Yet I find myself smiling.
“I was starting to worry another woman was taking my place in Finn’s life!” Zoey says.
I meet Zoey’s eyes, suddenly feeling a little defensive. “Oh no, it’s not like that.” I press my palm to my chest. “I’m not trying to take anybody’s place.”
She reaches over, placing her warm hand over mine. “Anna, I’m teasing. It’s absolutely fine.” Her eyes look sincere. “It’s just so wonderful seeing Finn this happy again. That little boy has been through enough, and it’s lovely to meet someone who cares about him the same way we do.”
I feel a blush creep up my neck as I struggle with how to respond.
I’m totally flattered to hear that Finn talks about me outside of school and home, because I do care about him, probably more than I should as his teacher.
But I’m also acutely aware that what Liam and I are doing isn’t conventional.
It’s not serious and I’d hate for Finn to get the wrong idea just because we failed to be careful.
Instead of spiraling too far into what she’s just said, I settle for something safer. “Liam’s been a great friend. And it’s amazing teaching Finn. I feel honored.”
Zoey’s eyes crinkle with understanding, like she can tell I’m trying to be diplomatic but she can read all the words I’m not voicing. “Well, I’m so glad to hear that,” she says, her tone tender. “They’re good people.”
Roman snorts. “If only he realized that and let himself be happy.”
“Roman,” Zoey chides, but there’s gentleness in her voice.
“What?” he says, turning to Zoey. “It’s true. The man’s been bloody miserable for months, and now look at him.” Roman points toward the pitch. “Tell me he doesn’t look different today.”
I pretend not to hear, because honestly? I don’t know what that knowledge will do to me, hearing that I could be the source of his happiness. I almost don’t want to give myself that kind of hope.
It’s safer to assume he’s just happy because his family is here, because Finn is here.
Squeals and cheers break out around us as something happens on the pitch. Players spread out, tearing down the field as the ball is passed from man to man. This is nothing like watching the game on TV. It’s a totally different experience. It’s loud, with an energy that vibrates through you.
“Oh! Oh!” Finn shouts, pointing as he jumps up and down in his seat. “Da’s got the ball!”
My eyes follow his finger to where I catch a glimpse of red and yellow sprinting toward the goal, passing the ball off to another teammate before it’s intercepted and kicked the other way.
Liam tosses his arms up in frustration. As if he can hear his son’s voice over all the groans of disappointment, he turns toward our section, quickly scanning the stands until his eyes find our group.
And then he’s looking directly at me.
The moment is only brief but it stretches between us like taffy.
A burning glow flares through me that has nothing to do with the game and everything to do with the way his expression changes from hard and focused to…
well, whatever that is when he sees me in the stands.
His dimple pops as his mouth tilts into a boyish grin.
Then his eyes find Finn and he beams as he raises his hand in a quick wave and darts off into the game.
Heat rushes to my face, and I don’t know how I feel about it. I can sense Zoey and Roman looking at me, but I ignore it, pretending to be wholly invested in the game.
Later, I watch as one of Liam’s teammates snags the ball and clears it long, dropping it directly into his path up ahead.
The crowd leans forward as the ball finds his feet.
He doesn’t hesitate, striking as fast as lightning, and the ball rockets past the goalie, who throws his hands up milliseconds too late. It slams into the back of the net.
In a wave, the stadium erupts as thousands jump to their feet, scarves whipping through the air in celebration.
Liam punches the air with a scream as his teammates swarm him, slapping his back.
A weird, unexpected rush of pride ripples through me as he turns toward us.
His searing gaze pins me in place and he winks. He fucking winks at me.
Oh, shit.
Every head in the dugout swivels to follow the line of his gaze and panic flashes hot across my face.
Roman must catch it, because he instantly swoops in, reaching around Zoey and hooking his hands under Finn’s arms to hoist him high in the air.
Finn shrieks with delight and everyone’s attention shifts to him instead, including Liam’s.
Luckily the cameras didn’t pan our way because I would have been screwed.
As the game progresses, Liam’s team scores more goals, mostly thanks to him.
“He’s on fire!” Roman says, high-fiving Finn.
But all I can focus on is his tall, athletic body moving like this was what he was born to do. He makes it look so damn effortless.