Page 57 of A Play For The Heart
“There’s so many people!” Nathalie yells as we navigate our way through the stadium searching for our seats. In the car, Maren and I learned that Nathalie has never attended a football game before. She explained that it wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy sports, they are ‘fine’ according to her, but she never wanted to pay to watch the game live when it was free on T.V. To be honest, I can’t really argue against the statement.
However, the moment we stepped into the stadium, Nathalie reacted similarly to a child on their first visit to Disney, with awe and a high level of excitement. Maren and I almost peed our pants in laughter when she decided she needed a jersey to match the ones we were wearing. We watched her go and pick one out, skipping back to us wearing Deon's jersey. Except, she has no idea that it’s his, which isn’t entirely surprising since she wasn’t convinced he was a player until she saw him playing on the T.V. We had asked her if she knew which player was number fourteen, but she just shrugged and said it was her favorite number. Maren and I both decided that what she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.
We continue to make our way through the stadium until we reach our section. The worker checks our tickets and gives us directions toward our seats. As we move closer to where we’re seated, it starts to feel more and more real. The fact that Henry and I are dating. Not that it wasn’t real beforehand, but this is entirely different. This is basically a public declaration of our relationship to the world.
Suddenly, the excitement I was feeling is replaced by nerves. I clutch the poster in my hand tighter, latching onto it like a lifeline. We sit down in our seats and wait for the players to warm up on the field. I listen to Nathalie chatter about the seats and the game and how excited she is. Maren responds to her every comment and question. Maren leans towards me during one of Nathalie’s long, yet weirdly inspiring speeches about teamwork and sports.
“Henry is the real deal. It was nice of him to get us tickets. He didn’t have to do that, especially not seats this nice.”
I look towards the field, watching as the players slowly make their way onto the field. “He’s the best thing to happen to me.”
The weight of what I said to Maren hits me straight in the chest. It's true. Henry has been the best thing to walk into my life. I know my life wouldn’t be the same if we had never met, and I can’t imagine a time in my life from this point on when he isn’t.
A thought that's both thrilling and terrifying.
CHAPTER 24
“Nervous, trip over my words, you’re so pretty it hurts”
i’m yours—Isabel LaRosa
Henry
MykneeshakesasI sit at my locker. I got the confirmation email that the package was delivered, but it’s been radio silence from Sawyer. I have no idea if she liked the gift or if she’s going to show up at the stadium. Not knowing has been eating me up inside, and I haven’t been able to focus. In retrospect, surprising her may have not been my best idea. All it’s done is give me more anxiety before a game where I need to play well so Coach Barrett doesn’t bench me. Especially when it’s the final game of the regular season.
“She’ll show up,” Jack says, making his way towards me. “It was a great idea, and I’m sure Maren and Nathalie were equally excited.”
His attempt to soothe my worries is noble. I take a deep breath and repeat what he said to me in my mind.
“You’re right.”
“I’m never wrong,” Jack responds, a cocky grin plastered on his face. He sounds just like Maren.
“That’s not true,” Deon yells from the other side of the locker room.
Jack immediately begins to defend himself, asking Deon for evidence of times that he’s been wrong. Watching the two of them bicker helps reduce the pressure I feel in my chest.
We get the cue that it’s time for us to warm up out on the field, and we all make our way down the tunnel. I brace myself for the small possibility that the three seats I bought will be empty. Better to be happily surprised than disappointed.
I walk out onto the field, heading straight towards the fifty-yard line. Jack and Deon walk beside me, neither of them saying a word. As I move closer, I breathe in a sigh of relief. Right smack in the center of the stadium, Sawyer, Nathalie, and Maren are all sitting and eating popcorn. They notice the players making their way onto the field and immediately stand up, scanning the grass. All three sets of eyes land on me, and the three of them start jumping and waving, drawing the attention of everyone around them.
I break out in laughter at the sight of the three of them leaping with joy, arms flailing as they try to catch our attention. Jack and Deon walk up and stand next to me.
“See,” Deon says, his hand landing on my shoulder. “Nothing to worry about.”
I watch as Sawyer spins, showing me my last name across her back. My heart skips a beat. I would give a lot of money to see her in nothing but my jersey. Not a fantasy I realized I wanted to make a reality, but I want everything when it comes to Sawyer.
Nathalie and Sawyer turn around with Sawyer to show the jerseys they’re wearing. To my left, Jack makes a noise almost sounding like a growl. I peer over at him, and his eyes are aimed directly at the name on the back of Maren’s jersey.
I raise an eyebrow at his reaction. “Everything alright?”
He huffs in response, shifting his gaze to Nathalie’s jersey. “Is that your jersey, Deon?” he asks, shifting the attention away from his reaction to Maren’s outfit. I noticed the deflection of my question, but I let it go.
“Uh…yeah. But I have no idea why she’s wearing it.” Deon looks both uncomfortable and confused as to why Nathalie has his jersey on.
“Not a chance she knows it’s your jersey, dude. She wasn’t even convinced we played football. I would place a bet that she doesn’t even know what positions we play.”
Deon doesn’t look convinced by that, but he lets it go.
