37. Chapter 37
Jake
Watching her kick ass was my new favorite pastime. But watching her kick ass with her whole world on the sidelines, that did something to me I wasn’t prepared for.
Her brother yelling her name like he’d been waiting his whole life to see her in a Valkyries jersey.
Her parents standing shoulder to shoulder, proud in that quiet, stunned way when families realize their kid actually made it.
And Cai, his little hands gripping the barrier, bouncing every time she touched the ball, shouting, “Mommy go!” like he was powering her with sheer will.
Yeah. That was something I never wanted to forget.
“She belongs out there,” Henry said, watching his daughter tear down the wing like she had fire in her veins.
Amy smiled beside him, Cai in her lap. “When Seren puts her mind to something, she gives it everything she has.”
“Yes, steal it,” Nate muttered proudly to himself, clapping as Teddy gained possession, recovering a fumble from the opposition.
I’d met Amy and Henry when they’d come to watch Nate play last year, but standing here with them now felt different.
“You know,” Henry said, glancing at me, “she was eight when she decided she was going to play rugby.”
“Eight?” I laughed.
“She tackled Nate in the backyard because he wouldn’t let her join in with his friends.”
“I was fourteen and didn’t want my annoying little sister around my rugby friends,” Nate defended.
Amy chuckled. “And you cried.”
“No, Mom, I didn’t cry,” Nate insisted.
“You cried because I sent your friends home,” Henry answered.
Nate thew his hands in the air. “Why am I catching strays from you two today? Is it because Jake’s here?”
“It’s fun,” I offered. “I’d love to see Uncle Nighty cry.”
Nate flipped me off but hid it as soon as Cai shouted “Nighty” and leapt toward his lap.
“Jakey, Mommy, look!”
My gaze returned to the pitch and found her straight away. “Yeah, little man, I see her. Isn’t she so strong?”
“Strong,” he repeated, nodding his head, curls flurrying with the movement. Amy’s attention lingered on me, assessing the way Cai grabbed my hand and smiled easily around me.
I hadn’t outright told her parents about us, and neither had Seren. I couldn’t exactly show up and lay it all out for them when we hadn’t had the conversation together yet. Seren was cautious because of Cai, I understood that.
We were still figuring out our situation, and keeping it easy and low pressure was a sweet spot for her at the moment, so I didn’t push.
Amy smiled at me again, and I think maybe she knew something, but I just smiled back, playing it cool for now.
I knew one thing for sure: Whatever this was becoming, I wanted to be part of moments like this.
Moments where she shone so bright the whole stadium felt it.
Where she remembered exactly who she was.
She worked harder than anyone today and took hits that would’ve folded most people and got back up like it was nothing.
Every time she touched the ball, the crowd leaned forward.
Every time she broke the line, her family lost their minds.
She pushed herself off the ground, shaking out the sting, and I felt that magic she toyed with on the pitch.
She wasn’t just good. She was fearless.
And I got to watch it. I got to be there for it.
The final whistle hit and bodies crashed together in a blur of hugs and shouts. Seren was swallowed instantly by her teammates, Evie lifting her clean off the ground while Lola yelled something with a huge smile.
I hung back, letting her have that moment. She deserved it.
Her family reached her next. Nate grabbing her in a bear hug, her mom crying, her dad pretending he wasn’t.
Cai launched himself at her, and she caught him even though her legs were probably jelly.
She kissed his cheek, whispered something that made him giggle, and I swear I felt something in my chest twist.
They were so damn proud of her; something I never had growing up but felt watching here today.
Connor came up behind me. “Mate, we’re hitting the road in twenty.”
Right. We were headed to Seattle tomorrow for several team sponsor and brand events, plus sticking around a little to train with the local team so we don’t miss out. Then we’re back Friday night, ready for our game Sunday.
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Seren finally broke free from the swarm, cheeks flushed, hair stuck to her forehead. She spotted me, her whole face lighting up with a beaming smile. Oh man, my pulse raced at the sight.
Before I could move toward her, her mom stepped in front of me, wrapping me in an unexpected hug. “Thank you for cheering with us.”
“Wouldn’t have been anywhere else,” I said, and meant it, not able to take my eyes off her daughter.
Seren reached me, Cai still on her hip, her smile bright and tired and a little shy.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” I echoed.
There was a thread of unspoken words that I couldn’t quite manifest.
Her dad took Cai from her arms, giving us space without making it obvious. Seren stepped closer, close enough that I could see the smudge of dirt on her cheek, the grass stain on her jaw, and the exhaustion mixed with elation in her eyes.
“You’re leaving already?” she asked quietly. We’d talked about it yesterday, that we wouldn’t have much time after the game.
“Yeah,” I said with a sigh. “Need to get moving.” I wished I could stay right here.
She nodded, trying to play it cool, but I saw the shift in her shoulders. She’d just had the game of her life, and I wanted to be the one celebrating it with her.
I wanted nothing more than to pull her into me, kiss her, but I kept my hands clenched.
“You were unbelievable today,” I said, my tone filled with awe I couldn’t downplay if I tried. “I’m still buzzing.”
Her eyes flicked up to mine, warm and bright.
“Thank you.” She tipped onto her toes, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, as I dipped my head, brushing a quick, rushed kiss to her neck.
It wasn’t enough, not even close, but it was all we had time for, all I could manage without raising eyebrows of anyone who didn’t know about us.
It nearly killed me to pull back. Especially when the look in her eyes was promising more.
“I’ll make it up to you,” I murmured against her hair, inhaling sugary sweetness I knew I wouldn’t get for a while. “We’ll celebrate together when I’m back.”
Leaning back, her fingers curled into my shirt, holding me there for one last second.
“You better.” Those green eyes were swirling with post-game magic, and I wished I could soak it all up with her.
The noise of the stadium faded to a distant hum when she smiled like it was meant just for me, and my brain forgot whatever thought it had been holding on to.
If there was any way I could stay here, I would.
I stepped back, hating the distance already. “Go enjoy your family. You earned this.”
“Safe travels.”
I forced myself to turn, jogging to catch up with Nate, Connor, and a few of the other guys who’d come to watch, but I looked back once more.
Seren was standing there, Cai back on her hip, her family wrapped around her, teammates screaming her name. She deserved this spotlight, and I wanted to be there to see it.
Five days suddenly felt like a lifetime.