Page 295

The microphone is handed to me.

She looks at it.

Then at me.

Then at the Rovers standing behind me.

Then at the wives.

Carolina is crying already.

Amateur.

Layla looks back at me.

“Mitchell Knight.”

That's a warning.

I love those.

I take her hand.

The stadium gets quieter.

“You once asked me why rugby.”

Her expression changes.

“I did.”

“I didn't tell you the truth.”

Her fingers tighten around mine.

“Not then.”

“No.”

I look around us.

“At first, rugby belonged to my grandfather.”

The stadium goes completely silent.

“It was something we shared. Something he taught me to love. Something we dreamed about together.”

My throat tightens.

I don't fight it.

Not anymore.

“Then the Rovers became mine.”

I glance behind me.

Koa.