He loved how she leaned into him on the train ride, even when she was speaking animatedly to Emmaline and Lily, as though she drew strength from being next to him, strength that he was happy to provide her, for he received it from her in turn, whether she realized it or not. When they were offered food and drink, he loved how they ate together, how they worked in synch, seeming to understand the rhythm they had set with one another.
At one point when she leaned over to speak with her friends, Colin looked at him knowingly from his seat across from him.
“The two of you get on well together,” he noted.
“We do,” Tommy said cautiously, not wanting to say too much with Minnie close enough to possibly hear his response.
“Has it all become real?” Colin murmured.
“It is real. She’s my wife.”
“Yes, but inallthe ways?”
Tommy sighed before running a hand through his hair.
“In some ways yes, in some ways no,” he said, unsure of the answer himself. “We have an understanding.”
“I see,” Colin said, his mouth set in a grim line as he nodded slowly. “I think there could be more there, Tom. It’s not like you to be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid,” he said indignantly before lowering his voice to nearly a whisper. “I just… I don’t want to ruin this.” He leaned forward. “First, I have to make sure she’s safe. That she won’t be taken from me, by her father or this Blackwood. Then we’ll worry about the rest later.”
“I don’t think the two intentions have to be separated,” Colin said, furrowing his brow. “Not like you to plan things out like this.”
“Maybe not,” Tommy said with a shrug. “But this all has me feeling some kind of way, Colin.”
“What does?” Minnie asked, choosing that moment to return to the conversation.
“The game,” Tommy lied easily. “We just barely beat Notts County when we played them a couple of seasons ago. 'Tis going to be a tough one again.”
She didn’t appear to completely believe him, but she let it go, reaching out and taking his hand, squeezing his fingers between hers, warming his heart.
When they arrived in Nottingham, Tommy kept her close beside him as they walked through the train station, never losing the grip on her hand, even during the short carriage ride to The County Ground.
When they arrived, he looked around, wondering if he should be wary of this crowd. He didn’t even want to let herout of his sight, so concerned was he about her, that he wouldn't even enter the bathhouse.
“Not to worry, Tommy,” Lily said as the women began to leave them for the stands. “We will sit with my parents and their footman the entire time. We’ll keep a close eye on her.”
“Thank you,” he said with a nod before running off to join his teammates in the changing house, although he was on edge, and it was a feeling he didn’t like. Not one bit. This was why he had never allowed anyone too far into his heart before. It brought up too many emotions that he preferred to set aside.
After changing as quickly as possible, he returned outside, refusing to enter the pitch until he ensured Minnie was safe. He scanned the stands, searching for her familiar face. There she was, in the front row, flanked by Lily and Emmaline, her golden curls shining in the afternoon sun, the three of them a bright spot amidst the sea of spectators. Minnie caught his eye and waved, a tentative smile on her lips.
Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived as the rest of the team joined him, pushing him along. Tommy's heart pounded in an unfamiliar uncertainty as he sprinted onto the pitch, his boots digging into the grass.
The roar of the crowd faded to a dull buzz as his mind was consumed with thoughts of Minnie.
Tommy tried to focus on the ball, on his teammates' shouts, and the rhythm of his feet against the turf. But his mind kept drifting to the danger that might lurk in the shadows. What if Blackwood had sent men to snatch her from the stands? What if her father had discovered their whereabouts and dragged her away to make good on his promises?
The ball flew past him as the game began, jolting him back to the present. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog of worry, and sprinted after the ball. But his movements felt sluggish, his reactions a beat too slow. He misplaced passes andstumbled over his own feet, earning frustrated shouts from his teammates.
"Get your head in the game, Tom!" Colin called out as he streaked past, chasing down an opponent.
Tommy gritted his teeth, angry at himself. He had to focus. The team was counting on him. Minnie was counting on him. He glanced up at the stands again, needing to reassure himself that she was still there, still safe.
But the momentary distraction cost him. An opposing player slammed into his side, sending him sprawling to the turf. Pain shot through his hip as he struggled to his feet, wincing. The crowd groaned, and he caught a flash of Minnie's concerned face.
Rhys jogged over, his brow furrowed. "Everything all right, Tommy? You’re off today."
Tommy wiped the sweat from his forehead, frustrated. "I'm fine. Just...got a lot on my mind."
