Page 71 of Matched

Six.

Five.

Levi tackled the Plymouth midfielder, booting the ball to Finn, who shot it straight to Liam before anyone could get close. Liam ran to the left, darting out of the way of the defender coming for him, and kicked the ball straight at the goal. The goalie dived for it…and missed.

We were back in the lead. 3-2. The roars were deafening as LSU tasted victory. We just had to hold out for a little longer.

Four minutes to go. The Plymouth team made another substitution, switching out one of their defenders for an additional attacker, throwing everything they had into equalising the score.

Three minutes.

Two.

One.

The assistant ref held up a board indicating there would be two minutes of added time.

All the players crowded onto our end of the pitch as Plymouth made a last-ditch attempt to score. Then the unthinkable happened. They got a corner kick in the final minute of added time.

They couldn’t score. Not now.

It was like time stood still as their player kicked the ball towards our goal, Plymouth and LSU players all surging to meet it as it curved across the pitch. Then there was Nate. Messy hair curling in the heat, body glistening with sweat, and his football shirt plastered to his chest, he rose above the others, launching himself into the air, and headed the ball away from the goal.

The whistle blew three times, and it was all over.

LSU supporters stormed the field, a mass pitch invasion, and I was swept up with them, running faster and faster until I reached Nate. He didn’t even pause for a second, yanking me into his arms when I reached him, his mouth coming down on mine.

Wrapping my arms even more tightly around him, I kissed him again and again.“So. Fucking. Proud of you.”

“Charlie. Charlie.” He kept saying my name over and over, burying his head in my shoulder, his body trembling with adrenaline.

Drawing apart to take a breath, I met his gaze, his eyes sparkling and his mouth curved into a heart-stopping smile.

“Hi,” I said, the word coming out a little choked. I was fucking overwhelmed by the rush of feelings sweeping over me.

“Hi.” Nate lifted his hand, rubbing his thumb lightly over my jaw. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too. You did it. You won.”

His smile widened before dropping. “Charlie.We kissed.”

Oh, fuck.Fuck. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever be sorry for that. Ever. Maybe no one saw—” He paused, scanning the people around us. “Forget that. Peoplesaw, including my sister.” His jaw tightened, but then he sighed heavily and leaned in to kiss the tip of my nose. “Okay. Don’t worry about it. It’s time I told the truth, if you’re okay with that.”

“The truth?”

“The truth. That I have a crush on Charlie Brooks.” He gave me a boyish grin. “I dunno, I was worrying about having to explain things, and I know Sophie will have questions, but I feel so fucking high after winning, and I have you here with me… I feel like I could take anything on.”

I really fucking hoped his positivity was contagious. Despite my fears, I was tired of hiding. I was so proud of him, and I wanted everyone to know. “Yeah. I’m okay with people knowing.” Neither of us mentioned the fact that he was moving away, but maybe for now, we could tell the truth and pretend at the same time. Pretend this didn’t have an expiry date.

“Good.” He brushed a quick kiss over my lips. “Travis is waving at me. I think we have the trophy ceremony now. Don’t worry, okay? We can sort everything else out later.”

“You finally got your trophy.”

He laughed. “I seem to remember you being the trophy-obsessed one. Keep trying. You’ll get one, one day.”

“Wanker. Go on. Go and get your shiny trophy.” Before he could step away, I wrapped my fingers around my wrist, bringing his hand up so I could kiss his knuckles. “I’m seriously proud of you, Nate. You deserve this.”

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