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“We did it!” I squeal once we’re safe, the flock of magpies happily devouring my chocolate treat far from our refuge. “We’re safe.”
Matthew’s breathing starts to settle and his face regains some colour. “You saved us.”
He sounds so sincere that I hug him close to me, resting my head against his racing heart. “We’re OK.”
I pull back to see him rubbing his neck, embarrassment taking over the fear that had been coating his face. “Uh, sorry for that back there. That freak out. I just really hate birds.”
A shudder shakes his body and I give him another hug. You know, just to console him, not because I enjoy having my arms wrapped around his muscled torso.
“It’s OK. I like knowing you’re not perfect.”
“New Girl, there’s no world where I’m perfect. But I am good at some things…” he trails off and I peer up at him from my spot plastered against his body. Neither of us seems in a hurry to end this embrace. “Speaking of which, do you want to come and watch our game tomorrow night?”
Matthew’s team, the Redback Soccer Team, have made the grand final for their division. I know this game is a really, really big deal for him. My complete lack of any interest in sport means I’ve paid little attention to the hype surrounding it, but for him to ask me to watch him play…that means something. Right?
“Can I bring a book to read?” I ask, only half-teasing. Soccer is a really boring game to watch.
He pinches my side and I squeak.
“Which book?” he asks.
I smile at him and he grins in response.
“The Fundamentals of Human Physiology,” we say at the same time, while I secretly delight that he knows me so well.
“You can bring any book you want, New Girl. I just want to know that when I look up in the stands, I’ll see you there.”
Warmth fills my belly and I step away from him, scared that if I remain close, I’ll do something stupid…like kiss him.
“Well, if it means that much to you, I guess I can clear my schedule…”
His grin grows. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
This sounds like a promise of something more, something I don’t know how to interpret, but all I know is that for the first time ever, I’m actually looking forward to watching a soccer match. And it’s all because of the handsome team captain who’s afraid of birds and has managed to capture my heart.
CHAPTER 3
“I can’t believe we’re actually here.” Bianca is buzzing with excitement along with the rest of the ten thousand-strong crowd—who knew this was so big?—and I need for her to calm down. I brought her along for a specific reason, to gauge what’s going on between me and Matthew, which after the bird debacle feels like something more, and I can’t have her getting distracted from the mission by the excitement of the game.
“I just don’t get it.” I’m looking at the scoreboard, which has remained zero/zero for the past hour, and I’m baffled at all the hoopla surrounding this game. It’s almost worse than watching paint dry.
“They look so good in their uniform,” she points out and I can’t help but agree. It’s the only reason I’m here and not at home watching paint dry.
“They don’t look so bad,” I agree dryly, diverting my eyes briefly from my book to watch Matthew as he runs up and down the field, everything he does looking like second nature. It’s apparent to even a novice like me that he’s the star of this team; a fact that is further illustrated by the bevvy of scouts watching on from the sidelines. Bianca had pointed them out when we sat down and now, I can’t help watching them watch Matthew. His future is in their hands and suddenly it had felt imperative that I try to gauge their opinions about our team captain.
“Come on, Nat. I know your book is interesting and all,” Bianca scoffs, giving the textbook open on my lap a dirty look. “But your man is out there playing the game of his life.”
I dart a look at the still nil-all score line and want to argue. But then Matthew tackles his opponent, takes the ball and starts dribbling it towards his goal. He makes it look so easy; it’s like watching poetry in motion.
“Run!” I yell at Matthew while Bianca laughs at me. “Kick it!” I scream along with the rest of the crowd. My heart is in my throat as Matthew lines up in front of goal, juggling the ball between his feet before launching it into the net.
“GOAL!”
The hairs on my neck stand to attention as the crowd goes bananas. Everyone is on their feet cheering and clapping and hugging each other. Bianca has her arms around me, strangling me in her enthusiasm and I’m swept along with them all.
So, this is the beauty of soccer.
“He’s amazing,” Bianca breathes as we sit back down, watching him as he looks up at the sky, oblivious of his teammates dancing around him. “But what’s he doing?”
