I can tell that having his family support him means a lot to him.
His team wins the ball and starts advancing up the field. Sebastian just got passed the ball, and he looks aroundfor an opening before sending it toward another player, before he runs the last stretch.
He’s positioned inside the 16-metre perimeter, and when the ball comes flying towards him, he kicks it straight into the net.
I jump up from my seat, screaming out in excitement together with all the other fans around us. People are waving with their team scarves, the red and white spreading out in the stands. I probably won’t have much of a voice left when I wake up tomorrow, but I don’t care.
His mom is teary-eyed as she watches her son and his teammates gather around him.
Joseph and his dad are cheering loudly for him, too.
Experiencing this moment with his family feels perfect.
The rest of the game is equally as fun, and his team ends up winning 4-1.
After the game, Sebastian runs over to where we are seated.
His whole family hugs him, telling him how proud they are of him.
I stand back, watching the exchange and feeling my own emotions run high.
I know it’s taken some sacrifices for him to get to this point. Leaving your home country must feel daunting.
Seeing him in this moment makes perfect sense. He’s right where he belongs.
When he’s done with his family, he comes over to me, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest—unsure how to act around him after things changed between us.
I really want to kiss him, but we’re in a public space, and his family is right there; so instead, I hug him.
“I’m so proud of you,” I murmur into his neck, standing on my tiptoes to reach as high as I can.
The noise around us seems to fade as I hug him tightly against me.
“Thank you. I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispers, making me squeeze him a little harder.
“I know the feeling, but there are so many people here, not to mention your family.”
We break apart, our hands still resting around each other. I don’t want to let go of him just yet.
“Later, then,” he says before he drops his arms around me.
I can’t wait for later.
~
When we get back to the apartment, Dean is blowing up Sebastian’s phone, telling him that he needs to go out and celebrate his great game with him and the guys.
Joseph is all for it, eager to experience London’s nightlife.
I’m happy to do anything Sebastian wants.
He should celebrate. I’m always teasing him about living, and a night out with his mates seems like a good place to do that.
I’m putting away the clean dishes when I feel his arms around my waist.
He nuzzles into my neck.
“I don’t think I want to ask you, because I think you’ll say the same thing as the others, and I just want to stay here with you,” he murmurs.
