Chapter 29
Cassy
I had to pull a few strings and use my parents’ connections just to get into the football stadium. They even managed to secure me a good seat where I had a fantastic view of the game.
When I saw Ivan in his football uniform heading out, my heart surged with pride and joy. He looked very confident, handsome, and happy. He had obviously been working out a lot. His tall, muscular built was more than what I remembered about him. And he was certainly a lot more striking in person than on TV.
The crowd went wild, especially when a close-up shot of him was flashed on the big screen. He smiled at the audience, and I heard several groupies of his scream from behind me.
Thousands of people here and those watching on television saw him as a superb athlete and their local hero. How did I see him? I couldn’t help wondering.
I saw the quarterback Alex positioning behind the offensive line where Ivan stood. When the referee signaled the start of the game, the audience cheered right away. The Windfield Warriors cheerleaders on one side waved their pompoms in the air, jumping up and down in their skimpy but not so fashionable uniforms. I made a mental note to offer a new design for next season.
The players spread out on the field. I saw the football being passed from one to another as our team’s offensive players hustled. Ivan sidestepped a defender from the opposing team, hastily moving to protect his teammate who was clutching the ball. The huge guy tried to go for a touchdown, but was caught in a tackle along the way, forcing him to drop to the ground.
Windfield fans expressed disappointment. The players got back to the scrimmage line. This time, the other team took charge of the football and their quarterback actually scored a touchdown. I was so caught up in the flurry of excitement and anticipation that I found myself booing too with the others.
When the first half was done, there was a tie score. The football fans were wild with anticipation. Somewhere a band began to play as the cheerleaders rushed to the center of the field for an exhibition and dance.
I was glad I could now understand more of the sport, since I had secretly been watching all the games from Paris. Even Charlene wasn’t aware of it.
I sighed, remembering how panicked and stricken I had been upon seeing the alarming rumors about Ivan’s accident. I had instantly called Charlene, of course, but she couldn’t verify the truth at once. I had also tried ringing Alex and even Ivan, but there was no answer. So acting rashly, I packed a bag and hurried to the airport. I wasn’t even thinking. Every hour that passed made me feel like I was slowly dying. All I could think of was how much I wanted to get back home and see Ivan for myself.
When I was finally standing face to face with him in the hospital earlier, I’d recoiled like the coward I was. I had so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t get it out. All my pent up feelings were bubbling fast to the surface, ready to explode.
I stood up then, not wanting to wait any longer. I ran to the locker room of the Warriors with no plan in mind.
Ivan stepped out after a while, his face filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy at seeing me. “You came to the championship game,” he said, grinning.
“Of course,” I answered smoothly. I went on before I folded up again, all the words just tumbling out of my mouth. “I’ve watched every single game and every goddamn endorsement you have on TV. I’ve watched all your interviews, except for this last one about the false news apparently. And every time I saw you, it felt like that first time we met on the farm when I wanted to slap you, but I was so damn drawn to you. It also felt like that time we first kissed when my heart almost stopped. I kept trying to forget you and move on, but I couldn’t! You’re like a drug that I can’t get out of my system! I just, I don’t know, I can’t…I mean, I want to…”
He placed a finger on my lips, which made me cease blabbering. “It’s okay, Cassy,” he said, grinning even more. “I’ve also been keeping tabs on your social media accounts no matter how hard I tried to stay away. So I guess we’re even.”
My mouth dropped open as the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. “I came because I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing you for myself, not knowing whether you’re okay or not…” I trailed off, my eyes watering as I met his loving gaze. “I came because…because I’m in love with you.”
There. I finally said it.
“Holy shit!” I muttered, staring at him wide-eyed. “I love you, Ivan Willard. I really, really love you.”
He looked at the hallway behind us that was bustling with people, and then motioned to the door behind him from where his teammates could be heard. “Not exactly my idea of a romantic reunion,” he said with a teasing smile. “But what the hell! I love you too, Cassandra Young.”
He leaned over then to kiss me. I kissed him back, our lips meeting passionately. In the distance, the signal for the second half sounded, making us break apart in alarm.
“Go get them, tiger!” I told him. He took me into his arms for a quick hug, sweat and all, before heading back inside.
Back in the bleachers, I leaned forward excitedly, eager to see the game through to the championship. As the players went back to a huddle, they were chanting “Hut! Hut!” which blended with the crowd’s chant of “Warriors! Warriors!”
I could feel the exhilaration heightening around me as the second part commenced. The cameras focused on Ivan who seemed to be blocking the other team’s defensive players very efficiently. Even the commentator said he seemed rather inspired this second half, much more than during the first.
The game went on, both teams seemingly playing even. Each side scored another two touchdowns, so it was still tied toward the end.
Alex had the ball. He decided to make a run for it toward the opponent’s end zone, jumping and turning along the way to avoid tackles from the enemy. Meanwhile, Ivan was right beside him thwarting any attempt to dislodge the ball or bring down the quarterback. They worked as a team, covering yards together, making the crowd roar as the time ticked like a bomb.
“There they go, such amazing teamwork, dodging tackles and weaving their way to the goal!” the commentator said animatedly over the rumbling sound of the crowd. “One more yard to go! Will the Warriors make it? Here comes the defenders charging once more to try to stop the ball…Willard blocks the Big Bruno, paving the way for the speedy quarterback to take it to the end zone!”
I stood up in anticipation, along with the others in the audience. I held my breath.
“Touchdown!” the commentator yelled. “Another score for the Windfield Warriors!”
The buzzer sounded, ending the game. Everybody went wild. I saw Alex and Ivan give each other a high five right before they were hoisted up the shoulders of the other players.
“Congratulations to our new champions--- the Windfield Warriors!” the commentator announced. The fans went wild. I screamed at the top of my lungs too, punching my fist in the air in a victorious gesture.
As the crowd dispersed, I rushed down the bleachers toward the field just as I saw Ivan jumping down from his teammates’ shoulders and hurrying to meet me. At the boundary, I quickly climbed over and sprang to the ground. Ivan pulled me into a sweet embrace, both of us laughing as we turned around together.
Behind us, the Warriors were still cheering along with a drumbeat while the cheerleaders did their victory routine. Our laughter faded on our lips as we stopped spinning and stood there just gazing into each other’s eyes and holding each other closely.
“Congratulations, Mr. Willard,” I said in a formal voice, but with a mocking smile on my lips. “You were spectacular out there!”
“Thank you,” he answered, chuckling. “I believe a certain gorgeous blonde was responsible for that final surge of energy and skill that allowed me to help bring about this championship.”
I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck. “So…what now?” I asked coyly.
“So…” Ivan echoed. “How about celebrating with me by going as my date to the victory party?”
My eyes brightened and my heart soared. “I would love to!” I answered without hesitation.
Our lips met in a sweet, gentle kiss. Ivan placed his arm around me as we walked to the exit together, smiling like silly lovebirds.
“So what happens after the party, Cassy?” he asked, his tone a bit edgy. “Or do we just take it one step at a time? You’ll have to go back to Paris soon and---”
“Just shut up, you!” I told him with a playful nudge. “I’m never going to leave you again so you better get used to having me around just like old times.”
Ivan laughed, his eyes twinkling with surprise and delight. “Well, that’s good news. Glad to have someone to annoy again every single day, city farm girl!”
I laughed too, hugging him as we walked. “Looking forward to that,” I said sincerely, realizing how much I’d missed this kind of banter.
I beamed at the man I loved, visualizing the wonderful days to come. Surely there were loads of great fun and happiness in store for us. I couldn’t wait.