Page 129 of Miami Ice

Beckham grabs my hand and playfully pulls me into his lap, and I happily rest against him. One hand slides around my back, and his other hand is on the outside of my thigh. “I can’t wait to see you at the game tonight,” he says.

“I’m so excited. I can’t wait to be there, wearing a tube top with your name on it.”

“What a time to be alive. I don’t get to see you wearing my name on the back of a jersey, but on a tube top.”

“Lucky you.”

“Lucky me,” he murmurs, kissing me again.

I break the kiss and put my hands on his face. “Okay, enough of this. Let’s have lunch and take naps. I won’t have you play poorly tonight because I distracted you from your pregame ritual.”

I get off his lap, and he rises. “Come on. I left my lunch on the kitchen island. Sorry I don’t have one for you. But knowing Sofia, she’s stocked the fridge for me.”

I watch as Beckham heads into the kitchen to retrieve his lunch, my heart so full. This man wants me to decorate his home in a way that I love. That brings me joy.

All because he wants to be reminded of me when he’s here.

I’m so falling in love with you,I think as I watch him.

And something tells me he’s falling in love with me, too.

* * *

I exhale slowly in front of the mirror in the restroom adjacent to the WAGS lounge at Premier Airlines Arena. My stomach istipping upside down in eagerness and excitement, and no matter what I do, I can’t settle it.

So I decide not to fight it, but embrace this magical feeling instead.

Because I’m about to go down to watch Beckham warm up before his game against Nashville tonight.And I’m wearing his name and number for the first time.

Now, it’s not on a jersey like I envisioned—I had no clue wearing other clothing to support your significant other was a thing—but I think Beckham will be pleased.

I study my reflection again. I’m wearing a black tube top bedazzled in hot pink and crystal-colored beads. It says “BAILEY 92” on it, and over it I have Ella’s black moto jacket. My hair is long and straight, cascading down past my shoulders. I’m wearing soft, neutral browns on my lids, and opted for a mascara that makes my lashes look full and long. I’ve applied highlighter across the tops of my cheekbones, giving a nice glowy finish to my skin. But my lip is the statement point.

It’s a glossy, bold pink that matches the color in the Manatees’ logo.

I smile. It’s a great shade against my pale skin, and I love that it aligns with Beckham’s team. I check my teeth, ensuring none of that vibrant pink has latched on them, and now I feel ready to go.

I exit the restroom, embracing the hummingbirds that are going crazy in my stomach. As I travel toward the rink, through the cavernous halls of the arena, I spot another young woman walking in the same direction. She has luxurious, shiny brown hair that tumbles in waves down her back. Her skin is luminous and pale, and she has piercing blue eyes. She’s wearing a black, off-the-shoulder sweater, jeans, and a strappy pair of high heels. Hoop earrings dangle from her ears, and her lips are painted in a bold, matte red.

I see the lanyard around her neck, which has a credential. I’ve met all of the other wives and girlfriends. I wonder if she’s one I missed somehow. Or perhaps she works for the team. I try to read her credential in a discreet way to find out her identity.

Either I need glasses or the printing on these credentials is too stupid small to read from a distance.

“Hello,” she says cheerfully, looking at me.

“Hi,” I say, hoping she didn’t notice me staring. I suddenly stop walking, trying to remember where I need to turn. “Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the rink? I’m here to watch my boyfriend, and I can’t remember which way to go.”

“Oh, that’s where I’m headed, I’ll take you there. I’m Scarlett Rivershon, by the way.”

Rivershon.Beckham has said the name Coach Rivershon to me before. Could she be—

She flashes me a beautiful smile. “And yes, I’m the coach’s daughter.”

GAH. I need to hide how the wheels in my brain are turning much better!

“I’m Georgie Goodwin. I’m Beckham Bailey’s girlfriend.”

I pause after those words come off my tongue. I’m Beckham Bailey’sgirlfriend.

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