Page 48 of The Keeper and I

“Sure.”

“Why’d you agree to come if you knew it’d scare you?”

He felt like an arsehole for asking the question, but it wasn’t like this was a serious obligation. There was no one there who would be intent on getting their photo.

“I thought your teammates might find it odd if I didn’t come with you,” she said. “I didn’t want to rouse any suspicions.”

“We could have come up with an excuse, Laci,” he said. “You didn’t have to put yourself through all this.”

“We’ve gotta keep up the ruse somehow, don’t we?”

He didn’t have time to answer before another firework went off. She whimpered and buried her face in his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “You don’t have to stay with me. It’s not like you signed up to comfort me through my irrational fears.”

“Fuck that. If you need me, I’m here.” He watched the corners of her mouth twitch, but the smile never came to fruition. He gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “I’m right here.”

It didn’t matter that they were fake. It didn’t matter that the fear was unfounded. It didn’t matter what it looked like for them to be away so long. All that mattered to Jordan was the woman in his arms. He would protect her from Dane, from fireworks, from anything. Because, despite his best efforts, she mattered to him.

Chapter 12

“Ican’tbelieveyou’vedragged us to a bloody Stanmore match,” Jax complained as he took his seat to Laci’s right. “I feel like we’re cheating on Chelsea.”

“It’s a football club, Jax, not our family girlfriend,” Laci returned.

To her left, Tate rolled his eyes. “It’s a small sacrifice to make our sister feel safe. Be a good brother, Jax.”

She shot him a grateful smile and signed, “Thank you.”

Proudly sporting Jordan’s kit over a jumper, she took her seat as well. With Dane still on the loose, she didn’t feel comfortable going to a match alone. However, it was important that she went so that she didn’t appear afraid.

“You could have gotten seats at midfield at least,” Jax said, hunching his shoulders against the late November chill.

It was Laci’s turn to roll her eyes. “My boyfriend is the goalkeeper. I wanted to be near him.”

She got seats directly behind the goal in the first row. The view from midfield was ideal if you were interested in the game, but Laci’s sole purpose was to see Jordan in action as up close as she could get. She didn’t know what half he would be starting on, but she wasn’t particular. She only wanted to get his perspective.

It turned out he was on the opposite side of the pitch for the first half, which Jax pointed out irritably. Laci had him to get refreshments since he was so uninterested, and he did, muttering to himself all the way up the stairs toward the concourse. Tate nudged his sister’s arm.

“Are you doing okay?” he asked with a sincere look of worry.

“I think so,” she signed. “It was really scary when I saw Dane by the house, but Jordan was there so quickly. With time, I’m sure things will feel normal again.”

“Iknow it’s all pretend, but I’m glad Jordan makes you feel safe,” Tate signed. “Have you told Mum and Dad about Dane?”

Laci shook her head. “I’m afraid they’ll insist I come stay at the estate. But with work, it’s not something I can do.”

“I think they’ll understand. Him being at your house was in the news. They may come across it and be hurt you didn’t say anything.”

“That’s a very good point. I’ll call them after the match. But I’m not telling them about me and Jordan’s arrangement.”

“Oh, gosh, no. That, they would never get.”

“Exactly.”

Jax returned with crisps and beers in hand. Laci was genuinely impressed he was able to carry it all. She thanked him, and they settled in for the first half.

Unfortunately, Stanmore conceded a penalty early on because Peter O’Riley yanked on a Wolverhampton player’s shirt as he came inside the box. Jordan wasn’t able to block the shot. Laci groaned along with the rest of the crowd. A chance didn’t come for Stanmore until the forty-minute mark when Hector Rizo fired off a rocket from fifteen yards out. The ball swished into the back of the net, and the Hive cheered, but not an uproar since an equalizer meant the game might end in yet another draw, but they went into halftime with a glimmer of hope.