Chapter 29
Donovan
Stephen wasn’t messing around when he said he’d arrange for us to have seats at his next game; we arrived to find a section with reserved signs just for us.
As overwhelming as today will be, I’m trying to focus on the easy things, like how amazing it feels to have my mom and Miguel here, the fact that Beth and the entire motorcycle club are sitting in the row next to me, along with Daisy and Jake, who looks like all his Christmases have come at once.
What I’m not trying to think about is how my mom and Miguel are about to meet Stephen’s parents for the first time, which is terrifying, even compared to the hundreds of people who have cheered in my direction today to celebrate the fact that I’m Stephen’s boyfriend.
I may not have gone on camera during the press conference, but as soon as Stephen posted a picture of us on his social media, everyone knew who I was.
Mindy has taken over our accounts temporarily, to filter out any negativity, but so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
She sends us updates of messages and comments from people who are sharing that they feel seen, we’ve given them the confidence to come out, that they’ve tried out for their school or college sports team because Stephen inspired them. That side of it has been incredible.
I’m very lucky that I’ve been shielded from any negativity, I know a lot of people don’t get that support.
I certainly feel more confident today being surrounded by the motorcycle club; even if people at the game have an issue with me, they’re sure as hell not going to say anything with seven bikers around me.
As word got around, I was scared my father would also find out.
Even though he’s in prison, he’ll still have access to the news, and there’s a good chance he’s seen or heard something about me.
I’ve tried to talk to Diablo about it, but all he says is that I don’t have to worry about him anymore.
When I asked Beth, she got quiet and wouldn’t talk about it either.
I should probably be annoyed that they’re keeping something from me, but honestly, as long as I’m safe from Frank, that’s all I need to know.
He might be my biological father, but he was never my dad, and he was the reason I lived in fear for so long.
If Diablo says I don’t need to worry about him, I need to trust that, and hope that they’ll tell me the truth one day.
“Donovan!”
Jamie’s voice stands out amongst the noise, and I look up to see him making his way down the stairs to our section, followed by Max, Vanessa, and Nathan. I haven’t seen him for about a month, not since the last time they were in Tynerston, so I run to him for a hug, and quickly hug Max as well.
“I’m so happy you’re both here,” I say.
“Us too,” Max says, “what a wild few weeks!”
“I know, it’s all been a whirlwind. You remember everyone, right?” I gesture to the motorcycle club members.
“Of course,” Jamie says, “let’s go and say hello.”
I let them by and smile when Vanessa is in front of me with her arms out for a hug.
“Hi again,” I say.
We met for dinner during the week to celebrate Stephen and I officially being a couple; they’re over the moon and keep saying how proud they are of him for how he’s handling everything.
They struggled too though, the press were hounding them for details and they hated all the attention it brought them, but Mindy helped them navigate everything.
She’s been a lifesaver throughout this whole thing, and it’s inspired me to follow in her footsteps.
This week I’ll start working as her assistant, or more officially, Junior Media Liaison for the Tynerston Warriors.
I have my journalism qualification, but after everything that’s happened, I don’t want to be on that side of things.
It’s always there as an option, but this is an amazing opportunity, and having the Warriors on my resume will open doors in the future.
“How are you feeling?” Vanessa asks.
“Okay, being here has gone better than I thought,” I say, nodding to the crowd. “Generally positive, and I’ve got the club here if anyone gives me any grief.”
“Good,” Nathan says, “and you have us too.”
“Thanks. Um… I guess… now is a good time to introduce you to my mom and stepdad?”
“We’d love to meet them,” Vanessa says.
I lead them over to where they’re talking to my brother, realizing that I’m going to have to use his real name, there’s no way I’m introducing him as Diablo to my boyfriend’s mom.
“Uh… these are Stephen’s parents,” I say, “Vanessa and Nathan. This is my mom, Sofía, my stepdad, Miguel, my brother, ángel, and this is Beth.”
Everyone greets each other, a mixture of handshakes and hugs, but we’re interrupted by some loud music and firework explosions.
“The teams are coming out,” Nathan says. “Why don’t we go for dinner and drinks after this and get to know each other properly?”
“That sounds wonderful,” my mom says.
The crowd erupts in cheers as the players run onto the field, so we move to the front of our section. Tank and Pretty Boy both have a ‘Choi 88’ banner, and Jake is wearing the signed jersey Stephen gave him. He’s also carrying a banner with ‘Warriors #1 Fan’ in bold letters.
The players finish their lap, and Stephen runs over to us, hugging his parents, Jamie, and Max, before arriving at me.
I’m expecting a hug too, so I’m shocked when he grabs my face and pulls me into a kiss, in front of everyone.
There must be a camera on us because the sound is deafening, but it’s all background noise.
I’m kissing my boyfriend, live on national television, and everyone knows I’m his, and he’s mine.
If I thought watching a football game on TV was exhausting, it’s nothing compared to the real deal.
The crowd and the noise were one thing, but the hits the players take, you can practically feel them when you’re so close to the action.
Seeing Stephen get tackled is never fun, I found myself gathered with my mom and Vanessa, wincing every time it happened.
But he always jumped back up and shrugged it off, flashing me a smile to let me know he’s okay.
They won their second game by a huge margin, and Stephen made the most incredible touchdown, no-one thought he was going to catch this pass, but he did, one-handed too.
We’re waiting for them in the friends and family area; Beth and the club have gone home so it’s just me and our parents, who luckily have been getting on like a house on fire and are all excited to go out for dinner.
There are a few screens above us showing the various interviews taking place in the locker rooms, there’s no sound, but Stephen’s smiling so I’m taking that to mean they’re going well.
The interviews come to a close, players start filing out, greeting their own families, and it’s not long before Stephen arrives. He’s changed out of his Bellegarde suit and is in jeans and a T-shirt, always looking delicious when he’s freshly showered.
He hugs his parents first, having a private conversation with them, no doubt they’re telling him how proud they are and that they love him.
My mom hugs him too when they’re finished and he shakes Miguel’s hand as he congratulates him on winning.
I’m in his arms then, nestling against his chest, loving that we can be so open together.
“We’re going to go for dinner and drinks,” Nathan says, “get to know Sofía and Miguel a bit. Do you want to join, or are you tired after the game?”
“We can join for drinks,” Stephen says, “but I actually have a date night planned for us.”
“A date night? Tonight?” I ask. “You’ve just played a whole football game.”
“I know,” he chuckles, “and I want to celebrate our win by taking my boyfriend on a date.”
A date… the thought gives me butterflies; it will be our first one out in public since the press conference. We’ve spent all of our time at the clubhouse or Marcus’s place, whenever we have gone out it’s been in a group, safety in numbers and all that.
“Okay then,” I say.
We all head into town for drinks; our moms wanted somewhere nice, so I suggested Platinum. I’ve never been myself, but before Beth was with my brother, she’d come here to meet guys and always said it was too overpriced and upmarket for her, but I figured this is the type of place they might want.
Stephen orders me a Pina Colada, my favorite as it reminds me of the night we first kissed.
He’s still not drinking because of training, so orders a soda, while our moms share a bottle of wine, talking like they’ve been friends for years.
It’s nice to see my mom getting on so well with someone; my father isolated her and it’s only since she’s been with Miguel that she’s started to put herself out there more.
I love the thought of her becoming close to Vanessa.
I can already hear them talking about visiting each other for a weekend, going shopping while Miguel and Nathan play golf.
“It’s nice to see them getting on so well,” Stephen murmurs in my ear.
“I was just thinking the same,” I chuckle, resting my head against his shoulder.
“You’re not getting sleepy are you? I’ve still got a whole date planned.”
“Not sleepy, just content, comfortable. I love being out with you and our families like this.”
“Me too, baby. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t more excited about our date, and then taking you home after.”
“Yeah,” I say, “for sleep. Forget about me being tired, you must be exhausted.”
“I’m not exhausted, more like, horny as fuck from the win,” he murmurs, nuzzling my ear.
“Insatiable jock,” I chuckle.
Stephen
We leave our parents to their drinks and walk the short distance to the restaurant I’ve booked a table at.
I’ve never been, but Beth told me it’s perfect for a relaxed but romantic date.
The small family-run Italian is dark, lit purely by candles, all dripping wax onto the wine bottle candle holders.