Chapter 35
Sebastian
“All ready?” Joseph asks me from the couch.
I’m getting ready to leave for the most important game of my career: the Champions League final, which is taking place tonight.
My whole family is here, together with Luke and Jessica.
“Ready as I can be.”
The last few months have prepared my team and me for this match. We’ve played games, perfected our play, and worked for this specific moment in our careers.
Tonight, we can accomplish the biggest goal of our careers.
I feel ready.
The nerves that first started appearing when Lily attended my games have quickly become a sensation I welcome.
Together with her, I’ve worked on my mental game, using nerves to regain focus and adrenaline to perform better.
She’s also been working with some of the other guys, who were like me.
They didn’t necessarily feel they needed to talk with a professional, but as they got to know her and saw the progress I, Fredrick, and Ian had made, they approached me.
She’s started her own freelance service where players can book appointments with her to discuss stress, nerves, sleep, and injuries in a comfortable setting.
Her spirit tends to draw people in, make them feel safe in her presence, which is less daunting than speaking to a strict professional.
Our team has a team of physical and mental coaches, but I do know some of us have struggled with connecting with them.
Opening up about your fears, goals, and aspirations can be scary. Talking with Lily has been a great path for several of us—taking the edge off.
With Lily, they meet a professional and a friend.
Or girlfriend for me, which I’m planning on changing soon enough.
If her brother allows it.
I’m experiencing a sense of déjà vu, knowing what I’m going to ask him this weekend.
The last time I had this kind of conversation with him, I told him I liked his sister.
A lot.
Now, I’m going to ask him if he’s alright with me proposing to her.
It might be a little old-fashioned, and the correct way would be to ask their father.
To me, it feels natural to ask Luke.
It feels like a full-circle moment in our relationship, having his blessing to make us family.
Lily comes out of the bathroom, and I smile as I take her in.
I’ll never get tired of seeing her in my jersey and having my name across her back.
Hopefully, it will be her legal name soon enough.
She walks into my arms, hugging me tightly and wishing me luck, even if I don’t need it.
Her confidence in me is all I need.
With her by my side, I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
I bring my lips to hers, enjoying the glide of her tongue against my own.
Joseph mutters something about getting a room, but I don’t care.
He still insists on staying here whenever he comes to visit, which means he’ll have to accept the PDA.
I’m not going to tone it down in our own home, and having a good make-out session has become the perfect pre-game ritual.
“Go get that championship.”
～
The final whistle blows, and our team gathers in a big circle before we start jumping around, celebrating our win.
We fucking did it.
Dean grabs me in a hug, and I wrap my arms around him.
“We are the fucking champions!” he yells out loud.
Just as he says it, the anthem comes out over the speakers, and Dean looks like he thinks he has God-given abilities.
I shake my head at him, chuckling as our team belts out the lyrics together.
When the song ends, I make my way to the section of the stands where my family and friends are seated.
My mom, dad, and Joseph are the first ones I see. Lily, Luke, and Jessica are also here, together with Harriet and her husband.
I hug my mom first, tears running down her cheeks as she hugs me tightly and tells me how proud she is.
Next up is my father, who looks just as emotional, but he’s able to keep the tears at bay.
At least for now.
When Joseph comes next, I’m looking over his shoulder for Lily.
Don’t get me wrong—I love my family.
But I’d really like to greet my girl.
The one who’s been here for most of the season and experienced every high and low together with me.
Supporting me and cheering for us, wearing my name across her back.
Finally, I spot her as she makes her way to me, together with Luke and Jessica by her side.
She starts running towards me, and I step away from Joseph, who looks a little confused, until he spots Lily and understanding dawns.
“You did it! Congratulations, babe,” Lily exclaims as she jumps into my arms.
I swing her around before pressing my lips to hers.
“Thanks, babe,” I murmur, the noise around us fading to the background.
Part of me still can’t believe I actually got her.
After years of pining and wanting.
I may have won one of the biggest tournaments with my team, but having Lily in my arms feels like the icing on the biggest cake.
Her wearing my jersey? Another thing I’ll never tire of.
Luke clears his throat beside us, but when I look over, he’s looking at us fondly.
Together with his own girl.
“Got any love for your best friend as well, Bennet?”
“I got plenty for all the Hastings siblings.”
～
I’m out for lunch with Luke whilst Lily and Jessica are off to do some shopping.
When we’ve ordered, I feel the nerves rising as I know what I’ll ask of him—as soon as I find the words.
The last few days have been like a dream come true. Our team winning the cup after years of hardship and dedication to this sport that gathers millions across the world.
Having my girlfriend, family, and friends in the stands, cheering me on and celebrating our win made it all even better.
Nothing would be possible without their support along the way.
Especially Lily, who’s been there every step of the way.
“I have something to ask you,” I start, taking a deep breath and reminding myself that Luke is a good guy.
There is no reason for me to be nervous about this, but I guess my body doesn’t get the memo as I sit there in front of him, my palms sweaty and heart hammering.
It’s a weird feeling of déjà vu, a lot like our conversation months back, when I told him about my feelings for Lily.
“Would you be okay with me proposing to Lily?”
There it is.
Out in the world.
Saying it out loud feels daunting as hell, but I’ve thought about this—planned it for months—so the thought isn’t foreign.
I haven’t talked with anyone about it, though. Afraid Lily would find out.
She likes being sneaky, which is why I’ve had to keep this under wraps.
Luke looks at me with shock in his eyes, a dazed expression crossing his face.
Then it seems to really register, and he gets up to give me a hug.
“Fucking hell, we’ll be brothers for real now. Of course I’m okay with that.”
I hug him back, grateful for his blessing and support as I take this next step.
When we’re all hugged out, we sit down again, and Luke is back to looking dazed.
“You’re proposing before me. You just love to beat me, don’t you?” Luke says, chuckling as we think back to the one time I beat him in go-karting.
“You planning on popping the question soon?”
Luke gets a fond smile on his face.
“Yes, I have the ring and everything. Going to do it when we’re in Bahrain.”
The city where they first met.
My best friend is a romantic, but I’m not one to judge.
I got my own plan for the proposal.
“Christ, when did we get so grown up?” I say, making us both chuckle.
We enjoy our lunch and when the girls catch up to us, I share a secret smile with my best friend, knowing what they have in store soon.