Page 64 of Falling Fast
‘I thought you might need an extra pair of hands setting up.’ He hands me a coffee as he gets out, dressed in grey shorts and a white Pangaia T-shirt.
‘That’s sweet, but you should be resting. You have a game to play this afternoon.’
‘I’ve had plenty of rest, trust me.’ He throws a quick look about and then wraps his arms around me, smoothing his hands from my shoulder blades down to the small of my back. ‘You’ve been working so hard on this. I want to help.’
‘Well, the moral support is nice. And I appreciate the coffee.’ I can’t resist pressing myself against him.
‘It’s the least I could do. When I suggested doing something for charity, I never imagined anything like this. I can’t believe you’ve pulled it together so quickly. You’re incredible, Ava.’
‘Thank you.’ I feel a warm glow in my chest, one that has nothing to do with the temperature of my coffee. ‘Just don’t get hurt! If you twist an ankle or break a leg, Vienna will never forgive me.’
‘I won’t.’ His eyes spark. ‘I mean, how risky can it be, playing football with a group of teenagers?’
‘Don’t say that!’ I stiffen in panic. ‘Promise me you won’t get competitive – and stay away from tackles.’
‘Don’t worry. Corey and I are only here to support the kids.’
‘Have you told Corey that?’
‘Good point. I’ll remind him it’s for charity.’
‘We’llbothremind him.’ I glance round at the sound of another engine, just in time to see a shiny blue Maserati drive through the gates.
‘I guess I’m not the only F1 driver who’s come to help out this morning.’ Leif grins.
‘I guess not …’ Instinctively, I start to pull away from him, before changing my mind and curling an arm around his waist instead, as we head over to greet Maisie and Gio. ‘Hey! I thought you guys were flying to Italy this morning?’
‘We decided it could wait a day.’ Maisie springs out of the car. ‘Hi, Leif.’
‘Hi, Maisie, Gio.’ He tightens his hold on my waist.
‘We’re here to help.’ Gio rubs his hands together. ‘Just tell us what to do.’
‘Amazing, thank you! Well, we have a banner to put up, but you could start getting chairs out for me.’ I gesture in the direction of the clubhouse. ‘There are two hundred stacked up inside. They can go in the marquee when it arrives.’
‘Sounds good.’ Maisie nods. ‘But no slacking off to gaze into each other’s eyes. I saw you when we drove in.’
‘Let them gaze,’ Gio objects. ‘It’s romantic.’
She winks at me and then reaches for his hand. ‘Andiamo, caro.’
‘Molte grazie!’ I call after them.
‘OK, no more gazing.’ Leif turns his head, pressing a kiss into my hair. ‘Let’s get to work.’
‘THANKS SO MUCH FOR doing this.’ I give Corey a hug when he arrives just after noon.
‘No worries!’ His face splits into a wide smile. ‘It’s good to have a chance of beating Leif for a change.’
I smile back, although I can’t help thinking there’s an edge to his words. It’s one thing being outperformed by drivers in different cars, but being consistently beaten by your teammate,even when it’s only by seconds, must be tough, even for someone as easy-going as Corey.
‘Well, your team are waiting in the clubhouse,’ I say, gesturing for him to follow. ‘Come on, I’ll introduce you.’
Forty minutes later, when every last item on my list is ticked, I take a deep breath, cross my fingers for luck and text Emika to say it’s time to open the gates. Then I take up position with Maisie beside the grandstands, ready to help anyone with mobility issues or those who can’t find their seat.
Kick-off is right on time. Leif and Corey shake hands, the spectators cheer, the whistle blows and … it’s total madness. There are four goals in the first ten minutes, two to each team, and the crowd goes wild every time. It’s more exciting than I’d expected, not to mention nerve-wracking. Now that the possibility of an injury has occurred to me, it’s all I can think about. Leif and Corey are passing the ball to the kids every chance they get, but I have to keep moving, checking on the stalls, on security, on the arrangement of chairs in the marquee, to control my nerves.
‘There you are.’ I hear Dan’s voice during one of my stationary moments. There are only ten minutes left and I’ve finally ventured back to the side of the pitch. ‘You’re a hard person to find.’
