Page 59 of Offsides

“I’m not sure yet. I think some of the other guys are planning something, but we’ll see.”

“Capitán, you are coming with us!” Dash exclaimed, throwing his arm around Michaels. “We will hit all the best clubs in town.”

Dash dragged the veteran away, Michaels shaking his head at whatever over-the-top plan the young South American was spouting off. Theo turned, trying to see who else would be up for giving her some quotes. She didn’t need to look far, finding Liam just off to her right, holding on tightly to Avery. Holding up her camera, she wiggled it a bit, trying to communicate to him without ruining their moment.

“I’m not sure what I can say that the other guys haven’t already told you,” Liam said, shrugging. “I joined the Rising for a chance at being a part of something special, and today, well, this is it. My only regret is letting that goal in. But thankfully the offense rallied when we needed them.”

“That’s not all on you,” Cowboy said, coming up behind her.

Theo turned to look at him, her eyes dragging down his body, drinking in the deliciousness that was this man. His shirt was mostly dry from whatever had been tossed on them earlier, snugly hugging the muscular chest that was now home to a bright shiny medal. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would have the same reaction to her putting on that medal as he did when he had found her lucky jersey. Even if it was half as fervent as that encounter, she would make a point to put it on regularly.

Liam shrugged again, not seeming to be too worried about the goal. They had won after all. It seemed to reason that one goal was easy enough to move on from when you had a championship under your belt.

“I told y’all to stay away from me with that!” Felicity screeched.

Theo whipped around, trying to locate where the ruckus was coming from. Cowboy wrapped an arm around her waist, turning her in the right direction. Over by the team bench, Gunnar had his arms wrapped around his girlfriend from behind, pinning her arms in place, trying to hold her still as she wiggled, trying to escape. The brothers Bender closed in on them, the notorious orange water jug in hand.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Are they really going to douse her?” Theo asked, snuggling into Cowboy’s arm.

“Depends on if she breaks free or not.”

A second later came Felicity’s scream, almost overpowering the sound of the ice sliding out of the plastic jug. Theo bit her lip, trying not to laugh at the gorgeous blonde, now drenched in sports drink, her boyfriend still holding on to her for dear life.

“That’s mean.”

“Not mean,” Cowboy corrected her. “Tradition.”

Tradition. She liked that. Making a mental note to include that in her feature, Theo let out a long, contented sigh. This last week had been one of the best of her life, and she was sad it was coming to an end. So many questions loomed in her mind about what would happen when they returned to Atlanta. She had asked for exclusive access to the team to cover their run for the Fremont Cup, and now the tournament was over. Did that mean that her access to the team was too? And this thing with Cowboy, what was it going to look like back home? Could they really make it work, reporter and team staff?

“Hey, you two!” Felicity said, walking over to them.

“Congratulations!” Theo exclaimed, greeting her with a hug.

Her wet hair was cold against Theo’s face, but it didn’t stop her from continuing the embrace. The two of them had spent a lot of time together over the course of the tournament, hanging in the stands and watching the team. Felicity was just one more piece of the puzzle that Theo didn’t know how to solve. The woman was the owner of the team, girlfriend of the coach, and all around badass. She had also turned into a friend this week, and Theo didn’t want to lose that either.

“Dinner to celebrate? I was going to suggest we head straight there, but now that I’ve been baptized all over again, I need to shower and change.”

“I’m a little sticky myself,” Theo admitted.

“At least I’m in good company. Tripp and Zara already headed out, but they’re gonna join us too, if that’s cool.”

“They were here?” Cowboy asked.

“They were sitting next to us up there,” Theo answered, pointing to the spot where they’d all been sitting.

“I was paying attention to the game.”

“Suuure…” Gunnar commented, dragging out the word. “The game. You were focused on the game.”

Cowboy flipped his best friend the bird, the two of them bursting into laughter.

“Anyway,” Felicity continued. “See you at Steak, in like, an hour?”

“Works for us.”

“Be there on time, would you?” Gunnar quipped, pointing at Cowboy. “I’m starving, so I’m not waiting on your tattooed ass.”