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I have to get ready if I'm going to get to Hunter’s game on time. I had tried calling him this morning to ask how he was feeling about the game. We usually talk the morning of the game in case he has something to get off of his chest. He never plays well if his head isn't clear.
I tried again at lunchtime, and he still didn’t answer, which sent my nerves into overdrive, worried if everything was okay. It's not like him to not answer my phone call.
Maybe he was just busy, or his phone was on silent? But even then, he always calls me back.
Getting ready for the game, I push any concern I have buzzing inside of me to the side for a moment. I’ll be at the game soon and then I can ask him what is going on.
I stand amongst a gathering crowd,dressed in a pair of jeans, my brother's jersey, and a rainbow afro wig which, now that I think about it, isn't a good thing for Riley to see. But I’ve been dressing like this to my brother's games for years, and I’m not stopping now because of what a guy will think of me. What does it matter anyway?
When I had come out of the room, Riley had given me a look and a small smile but made no comment. I kind of wish he did, then I would know what he was thinking, but instead, I’m left in the dark, wondering.
We’d gotten here early, Riley dropping me off at the door so that he could find parking, telling me that he would meet me inside so that I didn't miss my brother. I smiled as I stepped out of the car, liking that he knew what had me on edge and was trying to help.
Now as I wait, I look around after having texted Hunter, asking where he is and not getting a reply. I didn’t see his car in the parking lot, so I know he's not here yet. With a furrowed brow and my worry starting to grow, I search the crowd for a familiar, tall, muscular blonde.
I let out a relieved breath when I watch the crowd part for him as he approaches me, walking casually while looking down at the phone in his hand. Something instantly feels off.
I force a smile as I hop up to him. He stops and looks up with a look of surprise, as if not expecting me. “Hey!”
He starts to look confused, almost like he doesn't know who I am. “Hey?”
I force myself to hold back my flinch, keeping my smile in place. “Are you ready to take out the other team?” I say, bouncing on the balls of my feet with my fists up, playfully jabbing, and he simply nods.
“Yeah, it should be good.” Not a smile or a laugh. I almost feel like I'm annoying him, which is something I have never felt with my brother.
I stop bouncing, planting my feet before him, as my curiosity and worry finally win out when I finally ask, “Is everything okay?”
He looks beyond me, tucking his phone into his back pocket. “Yeah, just trying to concentrate on the game.” He says this before looking down at me pointedly, and I see what he's trying to say.
The impact of his words hits, making me blink. “Oh, um, sorry, I just wanted to wish you good luck. I’ll be cheering for you in the stands.”
I flash him a smile, and he eyes my outfit. “Yeah, I can see that.”
I furrow my brows. “Are you sure that is it?” I ask, knowing that can't be it, but something is keeping him from talking to me.
Sighing, he reaches up to rub his eyes, and it is then that I actually start to see how tired he is. Dropping his hand, he explains, “Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m just tired.”
I eye him, still not believing it. “Maybe you shouldn’t play tonight, then.”
He gives me a humorless laugh. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
Before I can even say another word, he walks around me, pulling his bag further on his shoulder, and leaves me standing there with a slight ache in my chest taking over me as I watch him walk towards the locker rooms.
I have a bad feeling about this, and I finally understood what everyone was saying. Something is definitely going on.
“Wow, they really go all out for this, huh?” I stiffen my spine at the sound of his deep voice, as if my worry for my brother made me forget that I had a date. No, not a date, but ameet upwith Riley tonight. Yes, that sounds more casual.
Swallowing my worry and storing it away for me to deal with later, I turn, and my breath instantly stops in my chest like it has been doing a lot lately with Riley.
Riley is a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, all casual, with no cares on what anyone thinks of him. I admire that about him, even envy it, but before me isn't the casual Riley I know. I allow myself to actually take him in for the first time tonight. He wears a pair of dark blue jeans that hug his muscular thighs and make his ass look amazing, because a girl can’t help but look. He paired them with a pair of black boots and a red flannel button-down with the sleeves rolled up to expose his muscular forearms, his hair still wet from the shower.
I don’t know why, but I always struggle to resist a guy in a flannel button-down because it gives me sexy cowboy vibes, which Riley is definitely doing.
Clearing my throat, I nod towards one of the entrances. “We should probably head in. The game will be starting soon.”
With a nod, he follows me towards the entrance.
We find our seats close to the field, so that Hunter can see me easily. It’s always been this way. I come to his games and sit front and centre. I look around and see so many people have come to cheer on our team, my brother, that I can’t help but smile. Once upon a time, it used to be just me cheering him on, and now there are crowds of people.
