Page 27 of Matched (LSU #5)

I ’d never felt more like the odd one out.

Here I was, about to take a seat next to the other people watching the training session—other people who had a much more valid reason for being here than I did.

It was a big practice today, involving both the first and second teams, on the biggest grass pitch that was available.

Everyone wanted to be ready for the cup semi-final.

To my left, Elliot, Leo, Niccolò, and Noah were here for their boyfriends, straddling the benches, deep in discussion about the upcoming semi-final cup match.

To my right, there was a group of girls sprawled out across the grass—sisters, friends, and girlfriends of the players.

And there I was, in the middle of no man’s land.

It was probably my imagination. No, it was definitely my imagination. I’d trained with this team. Two of the players were my housemates. The team captain lived next door to me. I had just as much right to be here as anyone else.

Even so, I felt weirdly uncomfortable, and I knew why.

Ander and Elliot knew something had happened between me and Nate. I hadn’t confirmed anything, and they hadn’t even asked, but it was easy enough to guess. How else could I explain the two of us creeping down the stairs like burglars in the early morning?

I’d come prepared today, though. I had my earbuds in and a baseball cap pulled down low over my face, shading my eyes. Greeting the guys with a nod, I sank down onto the bench with my phone already clasped in my hand, ready to provide a distraction.

I kept my gaze averted from the group of girls—or one girl in particular, with long, golden-brown hair. She’d noticed me when I’d walked up, her wide-eyed gaze darting to mine before shifting away again. It was probably a shock to see me here.

Fuck, why was I here?

The players filed out onto the pitch then, and I remembered exactly why. The sexy, dark-haired guy jogging across the grass, his lips curving into a gorgeous smile when he saw me sitting there watching him. When our gazes connected, a jolt went through my body.

I played it cool, of course. When I deemed it safe to take out my earbuds, I got drawn into a discussion with Noah and Elliot about the cup semi-final at the weekend, which was an away game in Cardiff, and gradually relaxed when Elliot acted completely normal around me.

But I kept sneaking glances at Nate, my gaze returning to him time and time again.

“Are you coming to the match? We’ve got a block booking in a Premier Inn.”

“Huh?” It took me a second to realise Elliot was talking to me.

Ripping my gaze away from the sight of Nate’s thighs flexing as he tackled Levi, I turned to Elliot.

“Sorry. I was miles away. Uh. No. I wish I could, because I know the team needs the support, but I’ve got to work at the student union.

They have that big beach party night, and it’s all hands on deck. ”

“Shame. It won’t be the same without you. Even JJ’s going. You can’t get out of work?”

“No. I really wish I could, but it’s gonna be too busy.” Torturing myself with thoughts of what Nate and I could get up to in a hotel room was not a good idea. “Text me updates if you can. I’ll keep my phone on me, and I won’t be starting work until the match has almost finished, anyway.”

“I will.” Shifting closer, Elliot lowered his voice so he couldn’t be overheard by the others. “Hey. I just wanted to say if you ever want to talk about anything, I’m here. Ander, too.”

“Thanks.” I flashed him a quick smile. We fell silent again, returning our attention to the pitch.

As the players took a quick break, Nate jogged over to speak with his sister.

I wished he would come over to me, but there was no point in inviting questions.

It had been easy when I’d been training with the team and we’d been just friends, but now I was paranoid and second-guessing all our interactions.

Probably no one would care, but I didn’t want to make life any harder for him.

When the practice was over, everyone else headed off to cluster outside the changing rooms, waiting for the players.

Flipping my cap around so I could catch the sun’s rays on my face, I sprawled out on the grass with my earbuds in, remaining there as the players began exiting the building, people gradually trickling away until I was the only person left.

A shadow fell over me. Shielding my eyes with my hand, I looked up and smiled.

Nate sank down next to me, dropping his bag and a football next to his feet. He handed me his half-full water bottle, and I handed him one of my earbuds. Leaning over, I picked up the ball, rolling it between my legs, and then back over to Nate. We didn’t speak. There wasn’t any need.

When our eyes met, we both leaned in, and I lost myself in the slide of his mouth against mine.

This was everything I needed, right here. The sun on my skin, a football at my feet, and the company of the person who was beginning to mean everything to me.