Page 33

THIRTY-THREE

MJ

The stadium buzzed with energy, the kind that seeped into my bones and made my chest hum. I followed Tony the security guard down to the family seating area, followed by Lark, Wyatt, and Penny. We wove through a crowd decked out in team colors, faces painted and voices raised in unison.

It was electric, almost too much, but it was Logan’s world.

And this afternoon, we all wanted to be a part of it.

“Hell of a view.” Wyatt’s deep voice cut through the noise as we found our seats. His calm, commanding presence was steadying, and I appreciated how he kept an eye on Penny while taking in the field with a coach’s intensity.

I smiled at him and turned my attention to the field, where the players from both teams were warming up.

“You okay?” Lark whispered beside me.

“I’m good,” I said, offering a half smile as I scanned the players for Logan.

“Good, huh?” Lark teased, sliding into the seat next to me. Her scarf fluttered as she adjusted her coat, her movements graceful and practiced, a lingering echo of her former life on-screen. “Because you’ve been bouncing on your toes since we got here. I think someone’s smitten.”

“I’m not—” I started, but Penny cut in before I could finish.

“She totally is,” Penny said, settling into her seat with a smug grin. Her hair was a wild tangle of braids and curls she’d insisted on doing herself. That girl missed nothing. “You’ve got googly eyes.”

“I do not!” I turned to gape at her, my cheeks heating under her mischievous gaze.

“You do,” she said matter-of-factly, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. “But don’t worry, MJ. He looks googly when he looks at you too.”

My eyes flicked up just in time to see Logan grinning at me from the field. He tapped his chest twice, and I nearly melted into a puddle in the stands. But then I noticed it—a faint bruise shadowing his cheekbone, just visible under the stadium lights. My heart stuttered. Was it from practice? A tackle?

I frowned, a flicker of unease curling through the warmth of his grin. He didn’t seem fazed, his focus already back on the field, but the sight of it lingered with me, a question I couldn’t quite shake.

Wyatt chuckled, leaning back with a knowing smile. “Go easy on her, Pickle,” he murmured, his voice laced with humor. “It’s hard enough to rev yourself up for a game without knowing your woman is in the stands watching.” He smiled and knocked his shoulder gently into Lark’s.

“Can we focus on the game, please?” I muttered, tugging at my scarf to hide the blush creeping up my neck.

“Sure,” Penny said, shrugging. “But it’s more fun watching you freak out.”

Maria arrived, and as she joined in the conversation, I was relieved the focus was off Logan and me and onto the rival team.

The players finally took the field, and the crowd erupted into cheers. My eyes locked on Logan instantly, his broad shoulders and easy stride setting him apart. He looked at ease out there, focused and confident, like he belonged.

And, of course, he did.

This was his entire world.

The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The whistle blew, and the game began.

Logan was incredible, just like I’d known him to be. Every play, every tackle, every sprint, was executed with precision and skill that left me breathless. The crowd roared with every play, and I found myself caught up in the excitement despite my nerves.

When Logan glanced toward the stands, his eyes searching, our gazes locked. My heart did a stupid little flip I couldn’t control. For a moment it was just the two of us in the chaos, and everything else fell away.

Penny giggled beside me. “Told you. Googly eyes.”

“Shut up,” I muttered, but I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face.

“He’s good,” Wyatt said, nodding in approval as Logan executed a perfect play. “Great instincts. Can’t teach that.”

“He’s an Olympian. I’m not sure why you sound so surprised,” Lark said, smiling as she nudged Wyatt’s arm. She glanced at me and winked. “Though I do love a man who can command a field.”

By halftime, the team was leading, and the energy in the stadium was at an all-time high. Fans were laughing and shouting, the air buzzing with excitement. I leaned back in my seat, letting myself breathe for the first time since we’d arrived.

The announcer’s voice crackled through the speakers.

“Let’s take a moment to recognize some standout performances tonight,” the voice boomed, and the crowd quieted slightly, waiting. “Logan Brown, with his exceptional skill and leadership, has once again proven why he’s one of the best in the game. Let’s hear it for Logan!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, and I couldn’t help but smile, pride blooming in my chest as we stood and screamed from our seats.

But the announcer wasn’t done.

“And a special congratulations to Brown, who has officially been called up to rejoin the Sevens squad!”

The cheers grew deafening, but I didn’t hear them.

The words hung in the air, sinking into me like a blade.

Called up? Rejoin the Sevens?

My heart plummeted, the warmth and excitement of the afternoon evaporating in an instant. I stared at Logan on the field, his expression frozen in shock as the camera zoomed in on him.

The shock of the announcement was evident, but, as he searched for me, it was clear—he had known.

He hadn’t told me.

Lark leaned closer, her voice low and steady. “Did you know about this?”

I shook my head, unable to speak.

“Wow.” Wyatt’s hand found my shoulder, patting me. “That’s great news?—”

Maria leaned over. “MJ, I’m?—”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, pulling away. But I wasn’t fine. Not even close.

The game resumed, but I couldn’t focus. The cheers and whistles and the pounding of feet on the turf blurred into white noise as my thoughts spiraled.

He didn’t tell me.

Why didn’t he tell me?

Was I just a distraction? Someone to pass the time with until he left?

When Logan glanced toward the stands again, his eyes searching, I looked away. I couldn’t bear to meet his gaze, not now. Not when I could feel the tears welling in my eyes and my resolve crumbling.

By the time the final whistle blew and Logan’s team secured the win, I was numb. Wyatt and Lark stood, clapping and cheering, while Penny shouted something about Logan being a superhero. I stayed rooted in my seat, staring blankly at the field.

“Hey,” Lark said softly, touching my arm.

“I think I’m going to go,” I said quickly, grabbing my bag. “I’ll see you later. Thanks for coming.” I choked out the words and hustled toward the exit before she could stop me.

The cool evening air hit my face as I stepped outside the stadium, but it didn’t clear my head. I moved quickly, my steps purposeful, hoping to outrun the ache in my chest.

“Julep!”

His voice stopped me cold.

I turned to see Logan jogging toward me, still in his gear, his hair damp with sweat. The sight of him—so familiar, so infuriatingly Logan—made my chest tighten.

“Wait,” he said, his breath coming in short bursts as he caught up to me. “I need to explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” I said, my voice trembling. “It’s an incredible opportunity—the one you’ve been waiting for. I’m really happy for you.”

“It’s not that simple,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

“Isn’t it?” I shot back, my anger bubbling to the surface. “You weren’t going to tell me at all, were you? Or were you just waiting until the last second, so it wouldn’t hurt so much when you left?”

Logan’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. “I was never trying to hurt you, MJ. Things happened quickly and I was going to tell you everything in person.”

“Well,” I said bitterly. “I promise you, I would have rather you told me over the phone than let me find out alongside a stadium full of strangers.”

He let loose a frustrated sigh. “I swear I had no idea they were going to announce anything today. I would never?—”

I shook my head. “Your team is waiting to celebrate with you.” I gestured toward the stadium. “Don’t let them down.”

The tic of his jaw was heavy and pronounced.

Logan’s shoulders stiffened, and for the first time he looked unsure—vulnerable. “Julep, please?—”

“I really don’t want to do this in front of everyone, you know?” I said, my voice breaking and betraying me. “I need to go. I’ll see you later.”

I turned and walked away, my vision blurring as tears filled my eyes.

The ache in my chest was unbearable, but I didn’t look back.

* * *

The hours-long drive felt like minutes. Once I got home, I collapsed onto the couch, the events of the night replaying in my mind like a cruel movie. I had researched the Sevens. Eight separate countries hosted a leg of the tournament, which meant once he left, he’d be gone for a very long time.

The look on Logan’s face, the pain in his voice, the reality that he was really leaving—it was too much.

Aunt Bug appeared with a mug of tea, setting it on the table in front of me without a word. She sat down beside me, her hand resting on my knee.

“Everything all right?” she asked softly.

I shook my head, unable to speak.

She didn’t push, just sat with me in silence, her presence a quiet comfort. But even with my aunt beside me, the ache didn’t ease.

Logan’s words echoed in my mind.

I was never trying to hurt you.

I curled up on the couch, pulling a blanket around me as the tears finally came.

And for the first time I let myself feel it all—the anger, the hurt, the uncertainty.

Because as much as I wanted to believe what I had with Logan was different, the truth was undeniable.

He was leaving.

And I loved him too much to beg him to give up his dream and stay. I just didn’t know whether I could survive being left behind again.