A general murmur of agreement. Shoulders relaxing. The tension clearly shifting frommatchtohome.
Jack turns slightly.
“Dave. Thanks for covering tonight.”
“Course,” Dave says. “How can I stand between you and T-rex?”
Jack chuckles. “Appreciate it.”
He glances around the room again.
“Bus leaves in twenty. Don’t make Dave hunt you down.”
More laughter. Someone says something I don’t catch.
Then, just like that, it’s over.
Players start grabbing bags. Someone switches music on quietly. Conversations restart like a normal workplace at five o’clock.
Jack steps aside to let one of the younger players pass, claps him briefly on the shoulder.
“Good work tonight.”
“Cheers, gaffer.”
Another quick word with someone else. A quietwell done. Atext me when you get back. Small things.
Normal things.
Not the distant authority figure from the press conference. Just… someone making sure his people are alright.
Eventually the room begins to empty. A few nods in my direction as they pass. One curious look.
Dave gives Jack a thumbs up on his way out.
“See you Monday.”
“I probably won’t get back before two but I’ll be there for the afternoon training,” Jack replies.
The door closes behind the last of them and the room suddenly feels much bigger.
And much quieter.
Jack turns.
And now he is just Jack again.
He closes the distance between us like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
One second I’m trying to think of something sensible to say. The next his hand is at the small of my back and he pulls me against him, solid and warm and very, very real.
His mouth finds mine like he’s been thinking about doing that since the press conference ended.
I melt a little.
Okay maybe a lot.
The kiss is slow. Familiar already. His thumb brushing lightly along my side like he’s checking I’m really there. Like he’s allowed to touch me now.
