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Bec laughed. "Not really, we just know we want to spend our lives together. Whatever happens along the way, we'll roll with it. Things won't always be easy, but we'll work on it because we want it."
She seemed genuinely happy.
I was glad for her. She deserved it. The other wives and girlfriends were nice enough, but Bec treated me like I was an old friend.
As far as I could tell, she acted that way around everyone. I could imagine her as the team matriarch if Hawk became a coach for the Rapids some day. She'd take people under her wingleft and right. Her and a gaggle of kids, no doubt. All just as football mad as each other.
As futures went, it sounded sweet.
"Hawk seems pretty great," I said.
Bec smiled softly. "He really is. Once he grew out of his teenage asshole years." She made a face. "He was a dick in high school, but that's a whole other story. I'll tell you someday."
"I look forward to hearing it," I said. If I ever came here again. Without an invitation, I wouldn't be allowed into the private box. Without Chase, I had no reason to come. I might be converted to football, but I could watch from home, hidden under a pile of blankets on the couch. With wine.
By now, the crowd thinned considerably. Only clusters here and there remained, but they were making their way toward the doors and out.
"This place looks even bigger when it's empty," I said. I wondered how it felt to be out on the field, people all around you, shouting your name. I imagined it would be heady. Intimidating, but addictive. It must be terrifying the first time, until focus and adrenaline kicked in.
"It really does," Bec agreed. "I try not to think too much about what it cost to build and how long it took. It's brought a lot more money into the economy, of course, but it would still be eye watering."
I nodded. "People don't always think it's the best way to spend millions."
"Right." Bec looked rueful. "I'd agree, but I wrote an article once on the return to the community. The team gives back a lot."
"It's more than just entertainment," I said with half a shrug.
"Absolutely," Bec said. She glanced at her watch. "I should head down now. If I'm not seen somewhere near the press conference, people will assume Hawk and I had a fight or something." She rolled her eyes.
"Right. I should head home." I dreaded dealing with the press of people, but with any luck the worst of it was over by now. "Thank you."
Bec looked surprised. "For what?"
"For making me feel welcome," I said. "And making the game even more fun."
"I hope I didn't shout too loud in your ears," she said with a laugh.
I grinned. "Not too much. The ringing has almost stopped."
She chuckled. "Sorry about that. I get excited, especially when the game is this close and this important."
"It was exciting," I agreed. I probably cheered too loud too, but the whole box had. "Next stop, Down Under Bowl."
"All the games in between first," she said. "But with any luck, they'll make it this year." She stood and made her way toward the door. "Keep your fingers crossed."
I crossed the fingers on my right hand and held them up.
She did the same and we both laughed.
I felt like I'd known her for years. I gave her a quick hug. I didn't have many really good friends. I'd like it if Bec could be that some day. If she had the time for another friend.
"I'll see you at the next home game?" she asked.
"I don't know," I said. "It depends."
She fixed me with a firm look. "You should talk to him. If you keep your feelings to yourself, you'll never know what might have been."
"I know," I said. It might save a lot of hurt though, for me and for Chase. Were either of us ready for that with each other, or anyone else? "I'll think about it," I assured her.
