Chapter 6
Daniela
“Let me guess,” I say to Layla as we approach the soccer field. Apparently, Liam plays in an adult league for fun, and both Layla and Jackson managed to coax me into tagging along to watch the game with them. I didn’t really have a great excuse not to come. “Dex plays on the team too.”
“Yep.” She smiles apologetically.
“Of course he does,” I sigh.
“Uncle Dex is literally so fast, Daniela,” Jackson says excitedly. “You’ve got to see it.”
“Hey, Liam is good too,” Layla chastises.
“Yeah, he’s the second-best on the team. But Dex is better,” Jackson states matter-of-factly .
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I say with confidence.
I know absolutely nothing about soccer. I’ve been picking up a little bit about rugby because of my current thighs and glutes obsession, but soccer? I’m clueless. It seems like they might be similar though. Lots of running up and down a field, chasing a ball.
“You’ll see,” he says.
“Do you play, Big J?” I ask, giving him a playful nudge.
“I don’t go by Big J anymore, Daniela. I’m seven,” Jackson corrects me. “And yeah, I play. I’m getting super good. The season isn’t for a couple more months, though. You’ll have to come back and watch a game.”
Layla and I exchange a look, suppressing our giggles.
“Oh, my bad,” I say with a smile. “And I would love to see it.”
“How are the eighth graders, Miss Martin?” Jackson asks with a grin. “I bet they’re crazy and don’t listen at all, huh?”
“You know what, this past year wasn’t so bad. I got lucky with some really good classes. You just have to lay down the law right away so they know they can’t run all over you.”
“I wish you could be my teacher. That would be so cool.”
“You’re right, it would be,” I agree. “Extra homework for you.”
He hangs his mouth, appalled, and I laugh .
“You know I’m teasing. Unlimited recess for my favorite student.”
He nods in satisfaction before turning his attention to the field.
I help Layla set up our chairs, and we take our seats on the sideline.
Liam is already out there warming up, and I purposely avoid letting my eyes fall on Dex, though I’m all too aware of where he is after a quick scan of the field.
It helps that he’s taller than pretty much everyone else.
Eventually, the game starts, and I’m completely lost watching all these grown men run around the field, kicking a ball around. The players’ ages probably range from maybe eighteen all the way to like fifty. Good for that guy.
“Don’t worry,” Layla says, reading my mind. “I have no idea how the game works either. Liam has tried to explain it to me, but I just kind of humor him and nod my head a lot.”
I laugh. I guess that’s part of supporting your partner—showing up and pretending to care about their hobbies. Or maybe she genuinely does care, simply because Liam is out there. I wouldn’t know much about that.
Ten or fifteen minutes in, Dex has already scored two goals, and the other team has none.
Even with my limited soccer knowledge, it’s clear that he’s the most talented one out there.
He’s faster, smoother. It’s hard to tear my eyes away from him now.
But despite his skill, it seems like he’s out there for the fun of it, with the way he’s constantly laughing and joking around with Liam and the other players.
I get the feeling that he’s not taking it too seriously.
If he’s aware that I’m here watching, he doesn’t show it. He hasn’t once looked our way.
Liam finally scores a goal, and his fiancée goes nuts beside me, standing up and clapping while she jumps up and down.
“You guys are adorable,” I laugh.
“I know.” She beams, sitting back down.
I glance back at the field and see Dex clapping Liam on the back, laughing at some joke. He lifts his shirt to wipe the sweat from his glistening face, revealing a glimpse of his abs. When I look up, I realize he’s looking right at me, his laugh fading along with his smile.
Damn it. I look away, taking a deep breath. Trying not to get caught checking out his ridiculous body again. I almost let myself forget how hot he is.
Almost.
I’m thinking it must be nearing the end as Dex scores yet another goal. But this time, just after he kicks the ball toward the net, a guy from the other team slams into him, and I swear Dex flies seven feet in the air, landing on his back with one knee bent and the other straight.
I gasp, frozen in shock, watching as Dex lies there for a moment with his hand on his stomach. He coughs, then, slowly, he rises. His face is stoic .
His black shorts ride up his thighs as he leans forward and places his hands on his muddy knees, taking a breather before spitting to the side.
His teammates are gathered nearby, but I can’t hear what anyone says from this distance.
It seems like he’s fine, maybe he just got the wind knocked out of him.
Finally, he stands upright and raises his hands. “I’m alright,” he announces, smirking. Then he cranes his neck and looks directly at me as he walks off.
Jackson and Layla both clap beside me, relieved that he’s not hurt.
“Yikes,” Layla remarks
“Yeah,” I mutter, releasing a breath.
The rest of the game flies by, with Liam and Dex’s team dominating. I lost track of what the score was. Afterward, Liam comes over to greet us and then rides back to the house with us.
Dex leaves after the game without saying a word to us.