The stadium flares with screams, and camera crews swarm. It’s showtime. I’m on the edge of my seat as the dense fog and bright lights fill the front of the Sharks’ tunnel.
And there they are.
Nathan emerges first with the team on his heels. They sprint through the fog with a self-confidence that shivers over everyone’s skin. In this moment, I don’t care what you think about the sport—you want to be these athletes.
Jamal flexes both arms and gladiator-yells. Other men are fist-pumping and air-kicking their way across the field to their bench. Nathan is quietly Nathan. He runs out with steel in his veins, unflappable as always. When he’s on the fifty-yard line, he stops and his helmet tilts up. I can feel his eyes on me as if his fingers were trailing across my skin. He smiles for the first time and lifts his arm to wave at me. And then he points. The universal gesture of This is for you, love. I make a goofy face then blow him a kiss. He catches it. Fans turn and zero their laser-beam eyes on me—but all I care about is Nathan.
During halftime, Lily and Mrs. Donelson are attempting to chitchat, but since Lily is talking through clenched teeth, I’m assuming it’s probably not going well. I’ve slipped away into the snack bar area of the box to stare at my phone just in case Nathan gets a minute to text me.
“…it’s because he’s been…distracted lately,” says Mrs. Donelson in a not-so-veiled attempt to blame the fact that the Sharks are down by a touchdown on me. I select a cookie from the table and take a large bite. Mmm, chocolate chips.
Lily feels the need to go to bat for me and Nathan—which is adorable and hilarious to me because I don’t waste one feeling on Vivian. “Distractions are good for humans. I think his distractions are what helped him evade that sack in the second quarter.” A bit of a reach, Lil, but the gesture is sweet.
Mrs. Donelson huffs. I continue to eat my cookie. “Not likely. He looks sluggish today. I don’t think he’s been spending enough time training.”
“I don’t think you’ve been spending enough time telling him he is doing a great job!!”
Whoa, that escalated quickly. Lily stands. Mrs. Donelson stands. These women are about to throw down, and I’m just back here enjoying my cookie.
My phone buzzes so I turn away and get lost in conversation with my favorite person.
* * *
Nathan: Hi. How’s your day going?
Me: Oh, fine. How’s yours?
Nathan: Pretty boring. Nothing’s really happening. I miss you.
* * *
Mrs. Donelson’s voice cuts through my thoughts briefly. “I push him because I love him!”
* * *
Me: Same. Same.
Nathan: Are we still on for our plans later?
* * *
“THAT IS NOT LOVE,” Lily shouts.
“And just how long have you been a mom, missy?”
“Don’t missy me!”
* * *
Me: Our elopement? Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that. Sounds good though.
* * *
I love that we’re joking like this. Behind me a daytime soap opera is unfolding, and Nathan and I are pretending we’re going to elope.
* * *
Nathan: Perfect. Well, my boss says I gotta get back to work. Love you.
Me: Love you!! Go kick your fellow employees’ asses!
Nathan: shark emoji
* * *
I turn around to the sight of Mrs. Donelson and Lily hugging. What the hell did I miss?!