Page 177 of Falling Offsides

I won’t push her. I’ve learned when she needs coaxing and when she needs space, and right now, space is what she needs.

The silence stretches, broken only by the rhythmic whir of tires against asphalt and the low hum of the engine. I want to reach over and rest my hand on her thigh. Thread my fingers through hers. Pull her back into our bubble and tell her I’ve got her, I always fucking will—but…space.

Still, I need her to know that she’s not alone. That if she needs to break, I’ll be here to stand guard over all her pieces until she’s ready to put herself back together again.

We pull into the Comets’ lot, sun casting long streaks across the pavement. She still hasn’t said a word. Not even when I shift into park.

Then as I’m about to open my door, Courtney’s hand grips mine on the armrest.

“Something feels off today,” she says when I turn to her.

Her profile’s lit gold and bright, but her eyes are the opposite, dark and stormy.

Leaning in, I press my lips to the corner of her mouth in a soft, stolen kiss. “I’m right here, Princess,” I murmur. “No matter what.”

Her hand lingers on my chest for a beat. Then she nods and climbs out, tugging her camera bag over her shoulder. By the time we step through the facility doors, our masks are up. We’re just two friends carpooling to work.

I fucking hate it. But she’s got enough shit to deal with without my ego adding to it.

“Oh, ummm…” Courtney stops me as I’m about to head into the locker room. “Don’t forget Livia is dropping Samson at home earlier today.”

Matheo’s sister has kept Sammy at the shelter she works at during the day. He gets to socialize and run around their yard, and the small fee I pay for the service, helps keep the doors open.

Win-win.

But nothing like hearing my girl remind me that our dog is being dropped off athomeearly.

Yeah, that’s the biggest motherfucking win I’ve had in forever.

Taking Courtney’s hand, I tug her into one of the dark alcoves with a well hidden fire exit. It’s risky, but today is calling for risks when it comes to loving on her.

“Everything is going to be okay, Court,” it’s all I can tell her in lieu of how I feel.

Before I let her walk away, I steal just one more kiss.

One more taste.

The guysand I are lounging along the bench, watching Dylan and Jürgens go through drills with the goalie coaches. Eli’s sipping his green tea next to Jayden, who’s doom scrolling beside me.

I lean forward, resisting the urge to check my thread with Court. Instead, I open up the tabs I’ve had open for days. A-frame cabins in Tahoe. Hidden lake houses in Big Bear. One with a wraparound deck and looks like it’ll have zero cell reception. Another with a firepit and private dock. All of them look like a bookworm’s paradise.

“Ooo,” Jayden leans over, squinting at my screen. “That place looks…cozy.”

I glance over my shoulder to find him grinning like a fool. “Yeah, just scouting places. Might take a trip before the madness begins.”

He gives me a sideways look. “Uh huh. Solo trip?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

Jayden smirks with a knowing nod, but lets it go. Just as well because Coach stomps past the bench. A flurry of tension follows in his wake as I glance over just in time to catch him barking into his phone.

“Honey, stop panicking. I’ve already sorted a car. It’ll be waiting to take you straight to Washington Memorial.”

Washington Memorial?

I sit up straighter.

“Court,” he adds, voice breaking for a second. “Have a safe flight and text me when you land. Oh and?—”