Eamon:Looking forward to seeing you tonight, love.
I grin so wide that my cheeks hurt. How can something so simple make me feel so happy? I start to text him back but remember he has practice, so he likely won’t see it until later. Now that I think about it, the field isn’t far from where I am, and I don’t want to wait another two hours to see my Irishman. I turn in that direction, and my phone buzzes. It’s Layla.
“Hey, Lay Lay! What are you doing?” I ask excitedly.
“Lay Lay? Really? Am I five?”
I can just see her rolling her dark brown eyes at me. “What? I thought ‘Hey, Lay’ sounded too weird. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. What’s up?”
“I just got off work and was bored. Thought I’d come to see you if you’re free,” she suggests.
I’m about to tell her that I have plans before I remember her interaction with Teagan at the game the day before.
“Actually, I’m headed to the soccer field to wait for Eamon. They have practice for a couple of hours. Want to join?”
“Oh, uh…” Layla starts.
“Teagan will be there…” I tell her in a sing-song voice.
I can’t help it. Anyone would have to be blind to not see the sparks flying between those two, and as far as I’m concerned, everyone can benefit from a hot Irish footballer flirting with them.
“You’re the devil. You know that, right?”
“I’d like to think I’m more angelic, bestowing blessings upon my friends. I’ll see you soon! Kisses!” I hang up before Layla can say another word.
It’s not long before Layla and I are sitting halfway up the stands, watching a group of sweaty, shirtless men run around the field.
“Did you know that soccer players run an average of seven miles every game?” I ask, trailing Eamon. Even from here, I can see the sweat rolling over the dips and grooves of his abs. He hasn’t noticed me yet, so Idon’t feel too bad about gawking at his sculpted body.
“That sounds like literal hell. Why do they subject themselves to this kind of torture?” Layla questions, equally distracted by the players on the field.
“I’m not complaining,” I tell her. “God, look at him. It should be illegal to look that good. He makes me have very inappropriate thoughts.”
Layla laughs. “Who are you and what have you done with Norah Grady? I don’t think I’ve ever even heard you talk about a man’s body before!”
I sigh dramatically. “I can’t describe it, but Eamon makes me feel alive in ways I didn’t know I could feel. He’s not just the sexiest man alive, but he’s kind and thoughtful. He hasn’t even tried to pressure me into sleeping with him. Listen to me. I sound like a crazy person. We just met, and I already sound like…”
“You’re in love!”
My cheeks flame as I shake my head in denial. “No, that’s not possible. People don’t fall in love that fast in real life. I’m in lust, that’s for sure, but every time things start to get heavy, my body locks up in fear. I’m not sure if we’ll even be able to have a physical relationship.”
“Hey,” Layla says, placing a hand on my arm. “You’re not always going to feel so scared. This is the first guy you’ve talked to in years, and if he’s half as amazing as you say he is, then I’m sure he understands your hesitations. And if he doesn’t, then he can take it up with me and the rest of the girls. You know we’ve always got your back.”
I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight. “Thanks, Lay. I have the best of friends. Well, maybe not Myra at the moment, but the rest of you are the best.”
“What?” Layla snaps her head back in alarm. “What happened with Myra? I haven’t talked to her in a while.”
“Ugh. It was awful.” I groan before recounting the entire story, including Eamon’s well-timed arrival.
Layla’s mouth hangs open in disbelief. “I can’t believe she said that. I expect her to do stuff like that with everyone else, but not her friends! Especially over her newest fuckboy. Do you think she’s serious about Mac?”
“God, I hope not. He’s so sleazy. She cando so much better.”
“You’re too good, Norie,” Layla says. “After all that Myra’s done, you still give her the benefit of the doubt.”
Sighing, I prop my legs up on the seat in front of me. “I’m so pissed at her, but she’s still my friend, and I love her. We can’t all get along all of the time, right? We’re bound to have our bad moments. I don’t necessarily want to talk to her right now, but I really hope we can work this out.”
The shrill blast of a whistle interrupts our conversation and we look to the field to see the team taking a water break. My eyes instantly find Eamon. He’s lifting a water bottle to his mouth as he casually scans the bleachers. When his gaze stops on me, I give him a little wave. He grins back at me before reaching over and playfully hitting the arm of the player next to him and murmuring in their ear. Teagan’s head pops up, and his eyes land immediately on Layla. Just like Eamon, his face breaks into a huge grin, and he tosses her a wink. Giggles bubble from my mouth as I watch Layla’s tawny skin turn crimson.
