Page 126 of Close Knit

Victoria, Ben’s wife, idly stirs her Lyndhurst Martini—a regular martini sprinkled with dried beet powder to give it a vibrant purple hue. She’s perched on a stool as one of hertoddlers teeters at her feet. “That holiday rest did the whole team good. They’ve been untouchable for the past four matches.”

“Or perhaps it was the lack of rest.” Bea playfully nudges my ribs. Heat rises to my cheeks. “Wait, don’t sit there.” Like Cameron diving for the ball moments ago, Bea lunges and blocks Maya—one of the players’ kids—from sinking into the leather chaise. “Nobody sits there on game days, okay, sweetie? It’s bad luck.”

A chuckle bubbles up from me. No one beats football fans when it comes to superstitions.

“Give ’em hell, Tamu!” I whoop. Between the rain and his speed, our striker is a blur of motion, the enemy defense line nothing more than a temporary roadblock. The room collectively holds its breath, every gaze riveted to the screen.

Then, Tamu shoots…and he scores! Applause erupts through the living room like a sudden downpour. He just secured another win for Lyndhurst.

I never thought I’d be a sports girl, but I love being here, cheering on a man I’m head over heels for. That intense but ridiculously hot stare as he claps his gloved hands together, sweat trickling down his face and mud splattered across his uniform.

“Daphne,” Bea says, sliding into the seat beside me. “I’m so excited for your retreat, my love. Our financial manager wrote a very generous check to support The Kindness Coalition.”

“I appreciate you so much. They’ve been doing amazing work.” My heart warms at our community rallying behind my cause. “I was thrilled to highlight them in theStone Timespiece on cyberbullying.”

In the recent article, I emphasized how cyberbullying leads to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.

“I adored that article!” Amelia, a successful news anchor married to one of the team’s starting midfielders, says nextto us. “Before Daniel transferred to Lyndhurst, I was under constant public scrutiny. From my fashion choices to my career, I was pigeonholed as just a footballer’s wife instead of a businesswoman.”

“Remember what happened to Rebekah after the Wagatha Christie scandal?” Victoria chimes in.

They all shudder at the memory. Tabloid wounds run deep, but I think about Bea’s words from when we first met.At least we have each other.Spreading empathy, fostering positivity, and supporting each other is crucial. We all play a role in creating a kinder internet, and I’m empowered to carry that message forward.

“When Nero and I holidayed in Aruba and I dared to wear a bikini four months after giving birth, the hounds made it seem like I was cheating on my husband. When we returned, all my collaboration offers were to promote weight loss gummies or bedroom toys.” Emily, a budding fashion influencer and Nero’s childhood sweetheart, laughs.

“Did you accept any of them?” Bea asks, eyebrow raised, glass midair.

“Only the bedroom toys. I like my momma curves as they are, but who doesn’t want to spice up the bedroom? Nero loves our well-stocked bedside drawer.”

“Nero, huh?” Bea says cheekily, setting off a chain reaction of giggles.

“A French boutique sent us some new beads,” Emily whispers conspiratorially. “Let’s just say he’s in for a treat after tonight’s win.”

“I’m going to need more details on that. Anything with the wordbeadsin it sounds like something I would enjoy,” I chuckle.

“What you need is the guide they sent me on tantric massages.” Emily winks. “I’ll send it over to you right now.”

“Yes, please!” The sex with Cameron has been amazing, but adding a few Yes Year activities—sex edition—seems fun. I blush, remembering how Cameron used the rose-shaped vibrator from my nightstand last week. With my anxiety meds, it’s easier for me toget therewith a little extra help.

My phone pings, like he knew I was thinking of him.

Goose

Are you still at Bea’s?

Daphne

Yes!

Goose

See you soon. x

It feels like time is flying by since we returned from California three weeks ago. Cameron has joined us for the last two weeks ofTheGreat British Bake Off, even taking bets with the guys on who will win this season, We’ve been ice skating and have gone to winter pop-up markets. He’s spent the night every night except for his away games.

Bit by bit, I’ve been sneaking cozy touches into his place: potholders in the kitchen and a throw blanket on his lone chair. Even his bed is gradually turning into a nest of my knitted creations.

But my real pièce de résistance? The tiny designs I’ve been quietly embroidering into his things. It started with the small heart in his leather jacket sleeve and has grown to secret flowers in his training shorts, a sheep on his socks, and a redwood tree inside his pillowcase. The jersey he has on today even has a hidden duck and goose stitched into the hem.

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