Page 58 of Playing for Keeps
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ivy
Wyatt’s arm is still linked with mine as we head toward the stadium entrance, and my cheek is still tingling where his fingers brushed it when he tucked my hair behind my ear. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and the wild part is, I think I wanted him to. I don’t know what to do with that. Watching him with Luca, seeing the way his whole face lit up, the way he made that little boy’s day without even trying... it stirred something in me I wasn’t expecting.
It’s made me wonder how I never truly noticed how incredible he is until now.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was sixteen, but who didn’t? The Brookes brothers were the stuff of high school daydreams. But I didn’t reallyknowhim then. And maybe I still don’t know everything about him now, but the more time I spend with him, the more Iwantto.
Every moment we’ve shared has felt good… and maybe that says more than enough.
“All right, let’s go and explore,” Wyatt says with a grin as we stop where Luca and his mom are waiting. I slip my arm from his as he turns to the little boy. “What do you want to see first?”
“The field and the locker room!” Luca beams.
Wyatt laughs and takes his hand. “Good choice. Let’s go.”
They head off in front, and I turn to Luca’s mom with a warm smile. “I’m Ivy.”
“April,” she replies, returning the smile, though there’s something hesitant in it. “It’s nice to meet you. I can’t believe Wyatt is doing this. Luca is going to be telling this story for the rest of his life.”
“Wyatt’s got a soft spot for the fans,” I tell her. “Especially the little ones.”
April’s expression turns to grateful, but it’s tinged with something else. “It’s just me and Luca,” she admits. “And things are… tight sometimes. I wanted to bring him, even if it was just to see the outside of the stadium.”
I reach out and touch her arm. “You don’t need to explain, April. We’re just glad you’re here.”
She gives me a sheepish look. “I hope we’re not crashing anything between you and Wyatt.”
I smile, unsure how much of the truth to give. “You’re not. It’s my first time touring the stadium too.”
Then comes the inevitable question. “Are you and Wyatt…together?” she asks, hesitantly.
I think about giving the easy no. But with the dinner later, and our plan to play pretend for Cleo’s benefit, I figure it’s simpler to go along with it. Besides, it’ll be online before dessert is served tonight anyway.
“It’s new,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm. “Very new.”
Her eyes light up. “You make a gorgeous couple. I bet he’s just as amazing behind the scenes too, huh?”
I follow her gaze to where Wyatt’s crouched beside Luca in front of a massive window that overlooks the field. He’s talking to him, and Luca’s hanging on his every word.
“Yeah,” I tell her. “He really is.”
Wyatt turns suddenly and waves us over. “Come see this, Ivy. You too, uh, Luca’s mom. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“April.” She laughs, and we walk toward them.
Luca’s practically bouncing with excitement. “This is so cool, Mom! Wyatt showed me the tunnel and the bench where the players sit. And we’re going into the locker room next!”
People are beginning to gather nearby. Nothing overwhelming, but I hear Wyatt’s name and see phones discreetly angled for a picture.
Wyatt doesn’t flinch. He’s used to this. Somehow, it makes me feel proud and protective of him at the same time.
“This,” he says, gesturing toward the field. “Is my office.”
“It’s not bad,” I tease, leaning in to get a better look through the glass. He grins.
April and Luca drift a few feet away, and I inch closer to Wyatt.
