Page 17 of Keeper
After he leaves, I have to doubt Hayden’s judgement skills a bit because Rocky is getting all kinds of jostled by Vi’s exuberant screams to sing along with the song. It’s quite a comical sight. Rocky’s big blue eyes stare up at her mother in wonder as Vi focuses all of her energy toward the pitch and projects her voice as loud as she can.
“Do you want me to…” I hold my hands out to the baby and Vi nods eagerly.
“Thanks!” she says as she passes Rocky off to me and then stands up on her seat to sing even louder.
I clutch Rocky to my side, enjoying the weight of her. I’ve always loved babies and have never shied away from holding someone’s if they let me. Rocky nestles into me, all cuddly and soft and oozing warmth and cosiness. I smile brightly at her and wave her hand to the anthem. Her smile is heart-melting, and I laugh when I look up to see Vi still cheering at maximum volume after the song has ended.
I press my lips to Rocky’s ear and whisper, “Your mummy is a little nutty for footy, isn’t she?”
Rocky coos and giggles at me as if she’s saying I’m late to the party and this isn’t new information. I laugh and nuzzle her with a hug, finally turning to look out at the pitch. I’m surprised to see Booker lined up with his team right below us, only twenty feet away. But while everyone else is facing the pitch, he’s facing us.
Our eyes lock and it’s a peculiar exchange. He’s not smiling or frowning. He’s simply…watching. The intensity in his gaze makes my chest flutter. And he won’t look away, which makes it impossible for me to look away. It’s like his glower is holding me captive. As I stand here, feeling the weight of his eyes on me, a pressure-filled sensation moves up my chest and into my throat. It continues all the way to my eyes, blurring my vision.
Finally, Hayden breaks our eye contact as he attempts to shuffle past me and Rocky with a tray full of food. While he returns to his seat between Vi and Belle, I shake my head to try and clear my foggy brain.
I manage to hold Rocky for most of the first half of the game, but she begins fussing around halftime. Hayden takes her from me and tips her into a sideways position in his arms. He starts rocking her back and forth in a swinging motion. I watch in awe because it seriously takes all of three minutes for her to pass out in his arms, asleep like a baby. He holds Rocky the rest of the game while Vi continues screaming at the refs. Hayden is too busy laughing at her to mind. Belle is a bit more of a silent sport watcher. She looks nervous and completely focused on Tanner.
In the end, the match was quite exciting for the Bethnal Green offense as they racked up five goals to the opponents’ zero. Bethnal truly bossed the game in the first half, only allowing the opponents one shot. It was a sudden, unexpected back kick to Booker that had my heart in my throat, but it was all for naught. He caught it with ease and punted it so far back down the field, my jaw dropped. So much power in his legs. So much precision in his hands. He really has blossomed into an incredible athlete.
The attacking duo of Tanner and his fellow striker, Roan DeWalt, was impressive to witness. The two volleyed off each other and went goal for goal, earning a pair each. The fifth goal was from a gorgeous back-pass assist from Tanner to a midfielder who shot high, right past the keeper’s gloves.
The second half was when Booker truly had his shining moment in the game. After a poor tackle from a Bethnal defender, the opponent earned a penalty kick. My nerves were at an all-time high as I watched the player standing so close to Booker, preparing for his shot. The chances of Booker stopping the kick were small. The striker clearly had the advantage. But Booker held his ground—gloves out, eyes narrowed, legs bent. That boyish face of his was gone and replaced by the image of a supreme career athlete.
He has never looked more intimidating.
The kicker had a delayed run up on the penalty shot. He angled like he was going to kick to the right, but it ended up whizzing low and down the middle. Booker took the fake and dove left, overshooting by a lot. I cringed because it looked like the ball was going to skate right past his legs. But at the last second, Booker stretched his boot out and blocked the ball with his foot, sending the fast kick flying out of bounds.
The crowd was absolutely deafening. It was an incredible save. And watching Tanner rush the goal and pick Booker up to celebrate such a miraculous stop was even more incredible. Booker’s reaction was far less animated than Tanner’s. His control still evident, his body still tense from the near miss. But he was happy. I could see his beaming smile easily from my seat, and it was a beautiful Harris moment to witness on the pitch.
After the game, I’m on a high like I’ve never been. Maybe it was the trick save. Maybe it was the fact that it was a home match and we won. Or maybe it was the fact that Poppy was in the stands.
Watching her up there with my family felt so right, like the stars had aligned and she was exactly where she belonged. My best friend, cheering from the front row.
When I started playing football in my teens, I never let Poppy come to any of my matches. I was always on the sidelines, never playing. The first choice keeper was older, more experienced, and at least twice my size. It was depressing because my brothers walked on the pitch and owned it from day one. That’s the shit thing about the keeper position. You’re competing for one, single, solitary position. If you’re not the best, you’re as good as nothing to the team.
So football and Poppy were always kept separate. It was easier that way at the time. But having her here today felt like an immense relief. Like she was extending a peace offering. Like she was saying,“Look, I know we buggered up on night one, but that doesn’t change anything. We’re still mates and I’m not going anywhere.”
Whatever it was, I can’t get up into the stands to see her fast enough. The endorphins coursing through my veins are at an ultimate high, making me feel like I could run ten miles.
I manage to sneak up beside her as she’s chatting with Vi, and she jumps nearly a foot in the air when she lays eyes on me.
“Booker!” Vi yells, pulling my focus off of Poppy. She wraps me in a hug. “Fucking aces game, my love. That last save. It was amazing! I can’t wait to watch it on the highlights I recorded at home. Seriously, career best save by far.”
I smile sheepishly as everyone else gives me a pat on the back, but the one I’m most curious for a reaction from remains silent. When their attention turns to something Rocky does, I step toward Poppy and nudge her with my elbow.
“Hello.” My voice is quiet as I lean over her, inhaling her scent—a vast improvement from the sweat and dirt wafting off of me.
“Hello,” she replies, looking up at me as she frowns with a puzzled expression.
I smirk as I continue to tower over her. “How’d you like the game?”
Her eyes fixate on my mouth as I lick my lips. As if in some sort of daze, she twitches slightly and swallows. “Good seats.” Her cheeks flame red.
This amuses me and I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing. Of all the things she could have said after never having seen me play, she comments on the seats. It makes me want to tackle her to the ground and tickle her until she admits how bloody good I am.
I quirk my brow. “That’s all you have to comment on?”
“Oh yeah, good game or whatever.” She flicks her wrist in the air like today is any old Saturday and she didn’t just witness my career best save.
