Page 74 of Taylor

When the game was over, she headed back to try and find Taylor before he loaded onto the bus. Even though they had just turned in an easy win by beating Nashville 0–4, she was still nervous to go back and see the players.

She trusted that Taylor had feelings for her, but when they weren’t together, it was hard to remember. The last time she’d seen him after a game felt like years ago... but it was only days ago. She couldn’t quite trust her feelings.

But all those fears were dashed when she turned the corner and her eyes met Taylor’s. He was absolutely beaming at her.

The players were on their way to the bus, getting ready to head out for the week. Taylor walked right over to her and was about to wrap her up in his arms when she heard it.

“Alice, sweetheart, did you come down to say goodbye?”

She turned, and her dad was in his suit, carrying his bag and making his way to the bus, too.

“Daddy! Oh yeah, I sure did. I just thought since I was here, I might make my way down and say goodbye before you left.”

He set his suitcase down and pulled her into a hug. Taylor had stopped in his tracks, but he smiled at her. Somehow, she carried on a conversation with her father, even though her entire being was aware of where Taylor was and what he was doing.

Taylor was now back by the bus, and he pulled out his phone and texted someone. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she itched to check it, but she was still talking with her dad.

“Are you okay, sweetheart? You seem a little distracted.”

“Oh, I’m good. I think I’m just ready to head home, but I wanted to say goodbye and have a good road trip and all that.”

“Well, thank you. Let’s get dinner when you get back.”

“Sounds good.”

Her dad gave her one last hug and turned to board.

Her eyes searched the crowd for Taylor one last time and caught sight of him right before he climbed the steps for the bus. She smiled brightly at him, and he winked at her, making her weak in her knees.

As she made her way to the car, she felt oddly emotional. She wished Taylor wasn’t leaving, so she pulled out her phone to check the message.

Taylor: I like your hair. I look forward to seeing you again once I’m home.

Alice grinned at her phone.

Alice: I’m glad you liked it. I’ll miss you. I hope you guys win and come home fast.

When she pulled up to her house, her phone sounded again.

Taylor: about to get on the plane, and I’m going to get some sleep. I hope you do the same.

Alice: I will try. Good night.

Taylor: Goodnight, Rainbow girl

Alice made it into her house and up into her room without her feet touching the ground. She was floating. That’s all there was to it. She got out of her work clothes and washed her face, getting ready for bed.

As she got in bed, the neat print covering her thigh that readMy Rainbow Girl, and she searched for local tattoo parlors on her phone. Even if things went downhill with Taylor, she needed this reminder to be who she was. Maybe part of New Year, New You was going to be more of a learning to love herself instead of changing yourself. It was time.

31

Taylor

Taylor’s alarm went off. He had one last game and had never been this ready to return in his entire life. After getting ready, he headed to the conference room where the team was eating.

The team always traveled with chefs to make sure the guys always had the food on their eating plans, which Taylor stuck to without fail.

As he made his way down, an alarm went off on his phone.

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