My pulse pounds double time when his eyes trace their way across my body reverently, even though I’m a hot mess covered with every colour of the rainbow. My wet T-shirt clings to my body, my running shorts the only water-resistant article I have been fortunate enough to wear.

‘Colt!’ shrieks little Rahul from a couple of paces away. I’m instantly thankful for the kid’s presence, ending my contemplation. ‘Come here! We’re going to get Aryan’s mom next!’

‘Aryan’s mom is next,’ Colt says to me, ever so seriously, like this is a mission of utmost importance. He slides his gun from my hand, his palm just brushing mine. ‘Don’t think we’re not coming back for you.’

He runs off with a clutch of at least eight kids, fitting for the man who, at least in my eyes, never bothered to grow up. Something about this is different, though. Endearing. I can’t ignore it for ever. The thoughts war in my head until he disappears in the crowd of dancing and yelling people covered in colours, and all that’s left for me to think about is the feeling of his fingers on my cheek.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Red Card

May

It’s a full house at Chester yet again, this time versus Austin, and it’s something we’ve got more and more used to seeing at our games. That and the massive cameras and broadcasting teams that are here to televise this game.

We’re also collecting new fans with every game, new Riders loyalists flooding in from across the state as ‘Lacrosse Power Couple’ goes viral. The bleachers are starting to fill to the tops, brimming like the carbonation threatening to spill over the side of a full glass of soda.

I snap on my goggles. Beside me, Jordan grabs her stick, taps it against mine with a grin. ‘Ride on, cowgirl. Let’s bring this one home.’

‘Let’s.’ I return her grin, but it’s wiped right off my face when I see Colt heading my way. I can’t let him distract me now. Especially not after the moment we shared on the backyard field, and definitely not after the feelings that suddenly overwhelmed me at Holi.

‘May, I never got a chance to give you a proper thanks,’ are the first words out of his mouth. I’m not sure what the appropriate reply would be. I let him continue. ‘Those kids from Holi asked me to play a round, you know. They’re probably gonna whoop my ass, but I still want to thank you. For just getting me out on the field that other day. I guess I could say it felt like a first step.’