Page 126 of Play On

Noah is flying across the pitch with the ball. Everyone in the stadium rises to their feet. He is cutting between Oakleaf Palace players. Outrunning them. Now he’s come across the halfway point and he’s still running!

“Come on, Noah!” I yell.

He continues to run around and between Oakleaf Palace players. Camden is running up behind him. I gasp as I watch him fly. It’s like he’s in a different gear! Noah closes in on the goal, and I hold my breath as the keeper for Oakleaf Palace slides out in front of him at the same time Noah strikes the ball with his foot, lifting it over the goalie’s body.

Bam! The ball hits the back of the net.

The Stonebridge United fans erupt into cheers. I’m cheering as loud as I can as Noah runs, drops to his knees, and slides across the pitch in triumph.

I think it’s the hottest thing I have ever seen.

Noah stands up, and all of his teammates pile onto him, celebrating the goal. Then he turns in my direction, and I hold my breath as he makes a V with his fingers and flashes it right at me, giving me a smile so big and so beautiful, I have to blink back tears.

That goal was for me.

And something tells me it might not be the last one I see this evening scored by the man I love.

* * *

It turns out I was right.

Noah scored his second goal right before half-time, headingin a ball that came off a corner kick by Harvey Cross. Once again, he looked at me and flashed me the V, and I had the same feeling of pride and excitement I did the first time he scored. Now we’re nearing the end of the match, and Stonebridge United lead 3-1, with Camden scoring the other goal for the team.

They are on the opposite end of the pitch from me, but I still follow along, my eyes rarely straying from number seven. He’s still attacking with the same energy he had at the start of the game, which is amazing to see in person. I don’t know how he does it! Surely he has to be exhausted from running up and down the pitch!

But Noah doesn’t act like it.

My phone continues to vibrate in my coat pocket. I ignore it, as I’m not missing a second of this match. I’m living in this moment, being present for Noah. That means not answering text messages or even taking pictures.

He’s spent his whole professional career with nobody watching.

That changed tonight.

It’s announced that there is five minutes of stoppage time, and I’m still riveted to the play on the pitch. Some of the players have been substituted, and Noah and Camden both come off at the same time. As he comes closer to the bench in his grass- and dirt-stained kit, his head turns in my direction. His espresso-coloured eyes search me out, and when they land on me, he flashes me the V sign once again, the biggest smile passing over his face.

I smile back at him, my heart so full of love for this man, I think it might burst. He takes his seat and grabs a bottle of water, squeezing it over the top of his head and down the back of his neck.

So. Hot.

It now seems like an eternity before the clock winds down, but when it does, I’m on my feet and cheering. Players from both teams walk around the pitch, clapping for their fans who have made it to Melbourne for tonight’s friendly. I see the Stonebridge United players making their way to their fan section at the back of the goal, but Noah doesn’t go there first.

He comes straight to me.

Emotions overtake me as I see him heading my way. I fight back tears of joy as Noah jogs up to me.

As soon as he’s standing before me, I reach for him, holding his face in my hands. He’s dirty and sweaty, and I wipe flecks of grass from his cheek.

“Noah,” I say, my voice thick, “I’m so proud of you. You were amazing tonight. I can’t believe what I saw! You’re so talented, and seeing it in person is just … just … incredible! Incredible! And I love you so much.”

His eyes once again grow rimmed with red. Noah draws my forehead to his, simply holding me in place as the crowd begins singing a Stonebridge United song.

Finally, he moves back so he can look at me.

“Having you here,” he says, his voice unsteady, “is one of the greatest moments of my football career. I will never forget this, Violet.”

I blink rapidly so I don’t begin to cry. Noah swallows hard, and I know he’s trying to do the same.

“I love you so much,” he says, drawing my mouth to his for a kiss. “I love you.”

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