Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ivy
Wyatt’s arm is still linked with mine as we head toward the stadium entrance, and my cheek is still tingling where his fingers brushed it when he tucked my hair behind my ear.
For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and the wild part is, I think I wanted him to.
I don’t know what to do with that. Watching him with Luca, seeing the way his whole face lit up, the way he made that little boy’s day without even trying.
.. it stirred something in me I wasn’t expecting.
It’s made me wonder how I never truly noticed how incredible he is until now.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was sixteen, but who didn’t? The Brookes brothers were the stuff of high school daydreams. But I didn’t really know him then. And maybe I still don’t know everything about him now, but the more time I spend with him, the more I want to.
Every moment we’ve shared has felt good… and maybe that says more than enough.
“All right, let’s go and explore,” Wyatt says with a grin as we stop where Luca and his mom are waiting. I slip my arm from his as he turns to the little boy. “What do you want to see first?”
“The field and the locker room!” Luca beams.
Wyatt laughs and takes his hand. “Good choice. Let’s go.”
They head off in front, and I turn to Luca’s mom with a warm smile. “I’m Ivy.”
“April,” she replies, returning the smile, though there’s something hesitant in it. “It’s nice to meet you. I can’t believe Wyatt is doing this. Luca is going to be telling this story for the rest of his life.”
“Wyatt’s got a soft spot for the fans,” I tell her. “Especially the little ones.”
April’s expression turns to grateful, but it’s tinged with something else. “It’s just me and Luca,” she admits. “And things are… tight sometimes. I wanted to bring him, even if it was just to see the outside of the stadium.”
I reach out and touch her arm. “You don’t need to explain, April. We’re just glad you’re here.”
She gives me a sheepish look. “I hope we’re not crashing anything between you and Wyatt.”
I smile, unsure how much of the truth to give. “You’re not. It’s my first time touring the stadium too.”
Then comes the inevitable question. “Are you and Wyatt…together?” she asks, hesitantly.
I think about giving the easy no. But with the dinner later, and our plan to play pretend for Cleo’s benefit, I figure it’s simpler to go along with it. Besides, it’ll be online before dessert is served tonight anyway.
“It’s new,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm. “Very new.”
Her eyes light up. “You make a gorgeous couple. I bet he’s just as amazing behind the scenes too, huh?”
I follow her gaze to where Wyatt’s crouched beside Luca in front of a massive window that overlooks the field. He’s talking to him, and Luca’s hanging on his every word.
“Yeah,” I tell her. “He really is.”
Wyatt turns suddenly and waves us over. “Come see this, Ivy. You too, uh, Luca’s mom. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“April.” She laughs, and we walk toward them.
Luca’s practically bouncing with excitement. “This is so cool, Mom! Wyatt showed me the tunnel and the bench where the players sit. And we’re going into the locker room next!”
People are beginning to gather nearby. Nothing overwhelming, but I hear Wyatt’s name and see phones discreetly angled for a picture.
Wyatt doesn’t flinch. He’s used to this. Somehow, it makes me feel proud and protective of him at the same time.
“This,” he says, gesturing toward the field. “Is my office.”
“It’s not bad,” I tease, leaning in to get a better look through the glass. He grins.
April and Luca drift a few feet away, and I inch closer to Wyatt.
“April asked if we were together,” I say quietly. “I told her yes… since we’re playing that part tonight anyway. I hope that’s okay.”
His eyes meet mine, steady and unreadable, but then a small smile tugs at his lips. “In that case,” he murmurs, “I should probably hold my girlfriend’s hand. You know, for practice.”
His fingers find mine, and even though we’ve held hands before, this time, something’s different, and my heart flutters in a way I wasn’t expecting.
And suddenly… I’m nervous.
Twenty minutes later, we’ve made our way through all the main stops; the locker room, the gym, the trophy display, and now we’re heading toward the team store.
Along the way, a handful of fans have stopped Wyatt for photos and autographs.
He handles each interaction effortlessly, flashing that easy smile, chatting like he’s talking to friends.
He’s told me before that fame isn’t what drives him and that he just wants to play the game, but he also understands how much the fans mean to the team, and he gives them his full attention.
Watching him, I can’t help but feel proud.
Every time someone approaches him, he treats them like they matter.
It takes longer than expected to reach the store, with word clearly spreading that he’s in the building.
I’ve noticed a security guard hanging back nearby, keeping an eye on things, which is oddly comforting.
Through it all, whenever Wyatt’s hand finds mine, it feels so natural, like it’s exactly where it belongs.
Once we step into the store, Wyatt leads Luca straight to the wall of jerseys.
“All right, who’s your favorite player?” he asks, flipping through the racks in search of Luca’s size.
“You,” Luca replies without missing a beat.
Wyatt laughs. “You don’t have to say me, bud. You can pick anyone.”
Luca shrugs. “Still you.”
Wyatt grins, clearly touched. “Well, in that case…” He pulls out a jersey with the number eleven on it and holds it up. “What do you think?”
“For me?” Luca breathes, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Yep. Now, do you want your name on the back or mine?”
Before Luca can answer, April steps in, shaking her head. “Wyatt, no. I can’t let you buy that. The tour was already more than generous.”
Wyatt gives her a warm smile. “It’s just a little something to remember the day by. Please, let me do this.”
She hesitates, then glances down at Luca, who’s practically bouncing with excitement. Her eyes well up. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You don’t have to. Meeting Luca’s been a highlight of my day.”
When the jersey is finished, complete with Wyatt’s name on the back, Wyatt pays and hands it to Luca, who hugs it like it’s the greatest thing he’s ever owned. Then Wyatt scribbles down April’s email address, promising his agent will send over tickets once the season starts.
April throws her arms around him in gratitude, and Wyatt laughs as he returns the hug, completely unfazed by the attention building around us.
As we say goodbye, Wyatt reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine as he steers us away from the growing crowd and back toward the locker room.
“I’m sorry your birthday kind of got hijacked,” Wyatt says as we weave through the stadium’s hallways.
I stop walking, tugging him to a halt beside me.
“Don’t be. That was incredible, Wyatt. What you did for that little boy and his mom…
they’re never going to forget today.” I glance up at him.
“She told me it’s just the two of them, and how hard things can be.
That jersey? There’s no way she could’ve bought that for him. ”
“I’m just glad I could do something,” he says simply.
“You’re sending them tickets too?”
He nods. “I’ll get Ronnie to reach out.”
“Make it the same game you get me tickets for,” I say. “I’d like to see her again.”
A smile pulls at his lips. “So, you do want to come watch me play?”
I nod. “You did offer, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I just didn’t know if you were serious.”
“Well, I am. But regular seats. I want the full fan experience.”
He grins. “You got it.”
We fall silent, our gazes locked on each other for a moment until I finally pull my eyes away, glancing around.
“So where are you taking me?” I ask, needing the distraction.
“The field,” he says. “Come on.”
His hand is still wrapped around mine, even though there’s no crowd to impress anymore, and no cameras to pretend for. He leads me down the tunnel and into the locker room, grabbing a football with his free hand. Then we’re out on the field, and I can barely believe it.
“Whoa,” I breathe, taking it all in. Seeing it from the windows upstairs was one thing, but this, standing in the middle of it... it’s massive. I do a slow spin, staring up at the endless tiers of seats. “Those ones way up there might as well be in another zip code.”
“Want me to get you a seat closer to the action?” he asks.
“Please. If I’m all the way back there,” I say, pointing upwards, “I won’t be able to see you.”
He laughs. “You do know there’s a whole game going on, not just me, right?”
“But you’re the only player I know.”
“Not true. You know Ricky.”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny.”
“I’ll get you the best seats in the house,” he promises.
“Deal,” I say, snatching the ball from his hand. I hold it up like I’ve just won the Super Bowl. “Go long!”
“Go long?” he repeats, grinning. “I’m a linebacker, Ivy.”
I shrug. “It’s the only football term I know.”
He laughs warmly. “Clearly, I’ve got a lot to teach you, Ivy James.”
We spend the next half hour or so on the field, with Wyatt doing his best to explain the rules of football.
I nod along, trying to keep up, but most of it goes right over my head.
I’m hoping that once I actually watch a game on TV, it’ll start to click, because right now, it’s like he’s speaking another language.
“We should probably head back,” Wyatt says. “The car’s picking us up at seven for dinner.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
He doesn’t take my hand again as we make our way through the stadium and out to the parking lot, but he’s stopped a few more times along the way. Even with the clock ticking, he doesn’t rush anyone, signing shirts, smiling for photos, and talking to people. He’s genuine with everyone.
When we finally reach the truck, he opens the door for me and helps me up into the seat.
“I hope you’re planning to sign my jersey when we get back,” I tease when he slides into the driver’s seat. “It’s only fair.”
He laughs. “You’re starting to sound like a real football fan, Ivy. I’m impressed.”
“Glad to hear it,” I shoot back, smiling. The banter between us comes so naturally, like it always has, but lately, it feels like there’s something more beneath it.
It’s easy with Wyatt. Easier than it’s ever been with any guy, not that there’s been more than one or two to compare to. But maybe that’s what’s starting to mess with my head, because the way I’m beginning to see him? It’s different now. And that terrifies me.