Page 18 of The Prospect

“Because it’s the right time.” Alf pulls up a chair and takes a seat beside him, groaning slightly as he plops himself down. “I’ve got grandkids now, lad, and as much as I love you boys, I want to be there for my family. I need to be there for them. You all understand, right?”

We all nod our heads to agree, but of course, there’s a looming sense of sadness throughout the room. Most of us have never known a team without Alf. What is our team without him?

Coach jumps back in before any of us can say another word. I can’t imagine how he’s taking the news, but from the way he’s clutching onto his clipboard, I can see he's trying to hold back on some emotion.

“Let’s try not to be sad about this, okay boys?” Coach attempts to reassure us all. “Alf has been a part of this club longer than some of you have even been alive. So, we need to understand that now it’s time for him to go on to the next chapter of his life. He’s been there for us, so now, we’ve got to be there for him.”

“So, that’s it?” I can’t help but wonder. “As of today, you’re just…done?”

“Christ, no.” Alf shakes his head. “You lot can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ll be here till the end of the season, which means you’re stuck with me for a little while longer. Get used to it.”

I instantly feel reassured, and based on the look of relief that washes over everyone's faces, I can tell everyone else does too.

“I’m trying to be happy for you, Alf,” Hart admits as he rises to his feet. “But…” There’s always a ‘but’ with him. “With you gone, now Coach is going to be even more of a dickhead to us than usual. How selfish of you!”

His playful remark is enough not only to make me laugh but the rest of the team laugh too. Leave it to Hart to lighten the mood.

“Thanks for the shit on me fest, Hart.” Coach rolls his eyes, though I know he knows it’s true. He and Alf have been a dynamic duo for years. Coach is the hot-headed one, and Alf is the ice that cools him down.

Things are going to be different around here.

“No more moping around,” Coach instructs. “Get dressed, keep your chins up and let’s do our best to give Alf a season that he’ll never,everforget. Alright?”

We’reall somber as we exit the changing room following the news of Alf’s impending retirement, but as we make our way out of the stadium, one by one, our moods are lifted.

Seeing the fans waiting for us is one thing, but seeing our families and friends—our people…it’s another.

Within an instant, Coach races toward Delaney, pulling her in for a prolonged kiss before Matty separates them and Coach scoops him into his arms. I can’t believe how much of anabsolute clone of Coach he is. Same eyes, same face…same temperament as he starts to fuss and reach back over to Delaney.

Mini Warren, alright.

Next, it’s Wilks, who immediately pulls Chelsie in close and plants a desperate kiss on her lips—the way the two of them show no mercy when it comes to PDA is as if he’s been away at war for months. It’s gross but at the same time, kinda cute.

The rest of the boys are greeted by their respective family, friends, spouses or partners, but when it comes to me, I’m always weaving my way through the crowd in search of one person.

My Hazel.

It never takes much to find her. She’s always in the same spot every time, waiting for me by the exit gate with a welcoming smile and bright eyes.

It means the world to me that she always comes to my games. My family tries to as much as they can, but when you run your own business, it makes it difficult to find the time off. It doesn’t matter, though. Hazel is a part of my family, she has been since the very first time I invited her over after school.

My mum and dad both fell in love with her instantly. I couldn’t blame them, she’s hard not to. Besides, I’m the youngest of two boys, so having an angelic little girl in the house was refreshing, to put it nicely.

Hazel has remained close with my family, especially my parents. The odd time, she’ll even go into their local flower shop to help them out when wedding season kicks into place. She’s good like that. She always has been.

“There you are!” She flashes me a familiar smile as she sinks her hands into her pockets for warmth. “I was beginning to think you were never coming out.”

“Miss me?” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek—always taken back by the way that out of every player on this team, she only ever shows up wearingmy jersey.

“Good game.” She cowers back at my remark, brushing her palm along the place my lips once made contact as she peers up at me. “You played really well today.”

“You think?” I debate, despite feeling a sense of confidence from her praise. Hazel has always laid it on thick. She shows no mercy when it comes to telling me when I’m off or reminding me of my areas of improvement. Maybe with Alf leaving, she’ll qualify as Coach’s assistant? Hell, I wouldn’t complain.

“I’d say so.” She nods confidently. “You were focused, found your aggression, and Christ, you defended against that one attack in the second half,” she rhymes off a list of things that sometimes I even forget about. It’s like I zone out in the moment but thankfully, Hazel’s always there to remind me. “So, all-in-all, I’d say you got your mojo back. Don’t you agree,Greenie?” she asks, gathering her hair up and into a messy ponytail.

Rarely does she wear her hair up—usually, she’ll hide behind it in an attempt to shield her face. Now, don’t get me wrong, her hair is gorgeous, but her face? It’s way more beautiful. I’ll need to remind her of that when it comes down to some first-date tips. Speaking of which…

“I figured out a solution to what was getting me down yesterday, so what can I say?” I lean back against the gate. “I was feeling…hopeful.”

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