Open Play (Passion Players), page 32
Shane’s mother came forward. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Ayanna. You’ve been so good to the boys. Hasn’t she?” Nadine looked to the rest of her crew for affirmation. She wore her “old mum” fragrance of lily of the valley, rose, and iris.
“Yes, you have. I may not agree with Eoghan being here when he’s got a great team of therapists and trainers in Ireland and—”
Grace quieted Donal with a wet-sounding shush. “We would have loved for him to be closer than America, but he’s done so well so fast. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Thank you, but this is what I do, and Eoghan has been a great client.” When he wasn’t cursing me out, eating shitty, drinking loads, and flaking on his sessions. She shared a knowing smile with him.
He served her uneven brows. “I was a complete arse, Ayanna, but I cleared my evaluation thanks to you. You didn’t give up on me,” Eoghan said. “I owe you big. I also owe you the truth.”
“What does that mean?” Ayanna asked.
Eoghan was quiet. “Listen, Ayanna. I wasn’t exactly truthful when I said that Shane would never leave Ireland or the Rovers. I wasn’t my best that day, but if Shane loves you, you’re as lucky a woman as he is a man.”
Ayanna frowned. If Eoghan started crying, she’d be beside herself. She latched on to his previous statement. “What truth?”
“Shane’ll do anything for the people he loves. He’d do anything for you, Ayanna.”
Ayanna felt her brows stretch up.
“Did you know, darlin’, that he took two interviews for coaching positions right here in America? One in New York and another in . . . where was the place, Conor?” Nadine asked, seeking help from her husband.
“Washington, DC,” Conor responded.
“He finally did it, huh?” Ayanna asked excitedly. “I thought he’d seek coaching positions in Ireland.” Had Shane actually considered moving to America to coach as well? Her body had already been firing with nerves, but Nadine’s reveal infused her with even more hope that she was making the right decision.
“Shane wants to coach? Football?” Eoghan asked. “Since when?”
“Since he truly accepted that he wouldn’t be able to play again,” Ayanna said.
“He mentioned it, but why did he not tell me he was serious about it?”
“You should ask him.”
Ayanna felt a pinch of sadness for Eoghan that he hadn’t known the extent of Shane’s desire to coach, but Eoghan had been focused on recovering, and Shane had snuffed his own desires to support his friend. In more ways than one.
“See, Ayanna? My son loves you,” Nadine announced.
“Even though she’s not Irish.” Donal tarnished the moment as he’d done on previous occasions. At least he’s consistent.
“You two need to make it up,” Shane’s father said.
Ayanna lifted her phone to show them that she’d already bought a ticket to go to Ireland.
“You’re going to Ireland? Might’ve told us that before we poured our guts out to ya,” Eoghan grumbled.
“It was sweet. You all were.” Ayanna laughed. “I feel like a fool about to make a big mistake.”
“Not a fool’s errand if you feel for Shane,” Nadine said.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Soon he’ll go back to his life, and I’ll go back to mine.”
“Really?” Eoghan watched her.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Well, if you think that, then you don’t know Shane.”
“Let’s all go to Ireland,” Conor suggested. “We’re heading back—all we need to do is get Eoghan a ticket. Surely since he passed his evaluation, he can have a small reward.”
“We’ll be on different flights, but we’ll wait for you at the airport,” Donal said. “You’ll stay at our Dublin flat in case Shane puts you out into a driving rain.”
“Da?” Eoghan’s shoulders slumped like all his hard work had been destroyed.
“Encouraging,” Ayanna mumbled.
“Pay no attention to me oul fella,” Grace said.
“What do you say, gaffer?” Eoghan asked her.
“You have to be back for your last few weeks, but”—Ayanna tapped her chin—“I think it might be what we all need.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Shane stepped into a soft day out of the national team’s headquarters, feeling good about his interview and prospects. He’d been shocked at the reception he’d received when he’d shown up to discuss why he’d make a good coach for the team. His confidence had returned, but as he walked to his car, he realized none of this would have been possible without his time in America. Without Ayanna.
What good was a coaching position anywhere if he’d be miserable without her? He had to try to win her back. He had to make her see that they belonged together, that he wasn’t afraid to trust her and believe unconditionally in their love. That she meant everything to him and nothing would ever feel complete without having her with him and making her happy. He’d been afraid to lose her, and even though he’d preempted what he thought would be the outcome, his worst fears had come true: he wasn’t with the woman he loved.
The metro beat of Dublin had only been slightly dulled by the passing rain, and as he maneuvered through the streets without a destination in mind, he was only half-surprised when he found himself at Aviva Stadium and heading for the stands. He looked out at the freshly cut pitch, listening to the droplets of rain patter on the seating and the overhead partial dome. He’d been incomplete since he’d left America.
Ayanna had helped him get physically and mentally stronger without ever wanting anything in return. She’d let him go, and he replayed their time together and the way she’d smiled at him, the way she’d kissed him and loved on him. Love. Ayanna was in love with him just as much as he was with her, even if she’d been scared to say the words.
“Eejit!” he berated himself. Only a fool could only now see that Ayanna had been in love with him. She’d shown him her love, and maybe she was scared, but he was too. Maybe all she’d needed was time, and he hadn’t given her that. Instead he’d pouted and fled the country.
“Balls up, O’Farrell.” He took out his phone and booked a flight from Dublin to the White Plains airport. He didn’t care if it took him five layovers—he’d see Ayanna as soon as possible. His chest filled with air like he’d been suffocating for the past few weeks. He loved his spot in the stadium, but the time for thinking had long passed, and it was time for him to crawl on his belly back to the woman he loved and beg her to forgive him and give him—no, give them—a chance.
He bolted out of his seat. He had some packing to do. The next sound he heard stopped him in his tracks.
“Shane,” she yelled. He moved so quickly through the stands that Ayanna had no idea if he heard her. She called him again as loudly as she could, because if she lost him in the stadium, she wasn’t sure when she’d find him again. He finally turned, spotted her wild waving, and shaded his lids as if to focus on who screamed for him.
She made her way to him. Even with her excellent conditioning routine, she still had a challenge running up to the top level.
“Ayanna?” he yelled, his voice cracking slightly, when she got close enough for him to recognize her.
“Yes,” she hollered back, continuing her climb, but he descended at lightning speed, which her lungs appreciated. He was close enough to touch now, but she hesitated. He hadn’t expected her, and she didn’t know where his feelings stood at this point with everything that had happened. But she needed him to know that she loved him and wanted to be with him. That was why she’d come all this way. She couldn’t chicken out now, but her body stilled even as she panted, as if a force field surrounded him that she feared to penetrate. “I-I came to Ireland,” she said.
Shane scooped her up in his arms and fell back with her on the steps. She lay on top of him, kissing him with abandon with no one but the birds watching them. “I love you, flower. I was a fool to leave. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry for not making it clear how important you are to me.”
“I didn’t want to push you. I know the possibility of losing someone is gut wrenching for you. I never should have left you. With everything happening, I only ever wanted to give you space and do the right thing for you, love. Please know that.”
“I do, Shane. I needed to decide for myself to take the leap.”
“I can’t be without you, Ayanna. If you don’t want to be with me, can we find a way for me to be in your life? Because I can’t be this far away from you and be okay.”
He was so good, and so good to her. “That’s why I’m here, Shane. You’re worth taking this chance for.” He was it for her. “I know we don’t know how to do this with you being based here and me in New York, but we can try, can’t we, Shane?”
“Yes, baby. Whether we’re here or in the States or both, we’ll figure it out. So long as we have each other.”
The passion in his promise tattooed her heart. She nuzzled her face against his red fur, and her tears wet his cheek. “I was afraid, and when you left”—she swallowed hard—“it felt like I was losing everything all over again.”
“I’m in love with you, flower. Tá mé i ngrá leat. I’ll never leave you again. I promise. Tá mo chroí istigh ionat. My heart is here.” He pressed a hand on her chest. “I need you, Ayanna. I need you.” He kissed her eyelids and cheeks and buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing her in and pressing his lips against her skin.
“I love you so much, Shane.” She squeezed him with all her might as if to leave the imprint of her body on his forever. “I’m yours.”
Having him in her arms again finally allowed her to put to rest the haunting bones of her past and take a chance on love with Shane. She didn’t have everything perfectly settled and resolved, but who did? She didn’t, and neither did Shane, but they were stronger in love, together, than they’d ever be apart.
He helped her up, towering over her in the protective way that she’d come to love, and sat her down, his arms refusing to let her go.
“Look there,” she said and pointed to Eoghan, his parents, and Shane’s parents.
Shane waved, his laughter massaging her through her jacket. She wiggled her finger in his beard, one of her favorite caresses to share with him besides kissing his delicious lips.
“Your mom told me about you trying out for coaching positions with MLS. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Thought it best not to share in case no one took me seriously. Your encouragement when we talked made me feel like I could do anything.” He pressed his forehead to hers.
She smiled. “Of course you can.” She fought past their clothes and the seat to hug his middle. “I believe in you, and I know others do too.”
They nestled into their new space, keeping each other warm and blissfully accepting each other for the vital piece they were to one another.
“Where were you jetting off to when I called you?” she asked at length.
“To DUB,” he cooed, his nose tracing incongruent circles on her cheek.
She held his face enough to look into love-hazy eyes that made her insides bloom. “The airport? Why?”
He showed her his e-ticket to New York for a few hours from now.
“You were going back?” she asked.
“I was coming for you, Ayanna. I refused to spend one more day without you.” He scratched his head. “Seems you beat me to it.”
She laughed. “That’s me. One step ahead of you slowpokes.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he stroked her back. She looked up into his blue eyes, which shone just for her.
“Where are you staying? With the McKinleys again?”
“Your parents’ Dublin flat,” she said. “They’re great in climactic situations.”
“Speaking of climactic situations.” He kissed her neck, his scruff tickling a laugh out of her.
“Shane,” she called, but her hands encouraged his playfulness.
“Okay, we’ll stop by there on the way to my place.” He stopped and pulled her to her feet.
“Why?” she asked, still stuck on climactic situations.
“To get your things. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you out of my sight for a long while.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said, and just as the wonky weather of Ireland turned from misty rain to bright sunshine, so too had she and Shane made it through the storm, and their future together had never looked brighter.
Epilogue
Damn if this man doesn’t know how to wear a fucking suit.
Ayanna held Shane’s hand as they entered the ballroom, which was decorated in gold and white for the KPTA ceremony and dinner, but the grand space wasn’t what held her attention. She stared up at him with heart eyes. He intertwined his fingers with hers, his thumb a constant caress on the back of her hand. She was overjoyed to have him with her, but nerves bubbled in her chest.
“All right?” he asked.
“Why?”
“Your hand’s gone all sweaty.” He jiggled their hand connection but didn’t let her go.
“It’s just that everyone is going to be here.”
“Like you wanted.”
“I know.”
Everyone was there: Eoghan, Jada, Charlotte, her mother, Solomon, and others from the team. As the guest of honor she’d negotiated an entire table for her people. As she watched the full table, she reflected that she’d never imagined this moment in all her life. She had so many things to be grateful for.
“Are you nervous for me to meet your ma?”
“I didn’t think I would be, but I guess so.”
She’d decided to be a better daughter and give more of herself. After finding Shane, she felt like she understood how intense her mother’s love for her father was, and she couldn’t blame her for grieving, especially when Ayanna herself had fallen into despair when Shane had left. If it killed her, she’d be a more understanding daughter and hopefully be able to be closer with her mother.
Shane blew on her palm and then kissed her hand several times. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m here. Okay?”
She nodded.
“Have I told you you’re a fleá tonight?” he teased.
She laughed and pulled him down for a kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you more, flower,” he said.
Shane had offers from both US and Irish teams wanting him to coach, and she’d agreed with the institute that if he settled on Ireland, they’d manage a way for her to be with him, even if that meant part-time travel to and from the US. Shane had also made plans to leave after the season and join her in the US if he chose to coach for MLS.
They were making it work, and she knew it was only because they respected and loved each other enough to do whatever they could to be happy and still be successful. She felt his eyes evaluating her and looked up into those dreamy blue eyes that made her panties drop without his even asking.
“There they are.” Charlotte leaped out of her seat when she saw her and Shane. She hugged Ayanna.
“You okay? You’re mad tense,” Ayanna asked, concerned.
“I’m good,” Charlotte assured her.
Ayanna looked at the table and saw a similar expression on Eoghan’s face and wondered what had happened in the short time that they’d been there. The other quagmire was that she didn’t know if what was happening was good or bad.
“You’re sure?” Ayanna asked.
“Yeah. You look the fiercest tonight. Thanks for inviting me to this shindig. You know how I like nice things,” Charlotte said.
“You know you were first on the list.”
“I thought I was,” Jada said, stunning in a red dress, and Ayanna knew without even asking that her sister would have after-gala plans.
“You both are,” Ayanna said.
Her mother tentatively approached in a blue short-sleeve A-line dress. Her thin but older frame still looked amazing. “Is this him?” Morgan asked.
“Yes. This is Shane.”
“Pleasure to meet you, young man. I hope we get a chance to know each other. You must be something special if my daughter chose you.”
“She’s the one that’s special,” Shane said with admiration that only he knew how to shower her with.
“I like him,” Morgan said before sitting back down.
“Thank you all for coming. You don’t know how happy it makes me to have you all here to celebrate this moment. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for each and every one of you, and that’s the truth.” She choked on her words.
“You ready for this?” Shane asked.
She knew he was talking about receiving her award and her speech, but she was ready for so much more. “I’m ready for all of it.”
The ceremony began, and when her award was announced, the room clapped for her. The table that sat the people she loved, in particular, cheered louder than the rest.
“Go get your award, baby,” Shane said and kissed her lips with the tender love that she’d never tire of. She’d already won her award . . . and so much more.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, I thank God for his gifts and blessings.
A heartfelt and hearty thank-you goes to my magnificent and absolutely amazing agent, Sarah E. Younger. Thank you, Maria Gomez, for seeing my vision, hearing my voice, and working with me to share my stories. A special thank-you to my editor, Andrea Hurst, and the extraordinary Montlake editing and marketing teams for all your support throughout the process. Lastly, to Keisha Mennefee and the team at Honey Magnolia for all your hard work, thank you!
To my family and friends, thank you for your understanding, love, and support, as well as for helping me find balance through all the challenges so I could enjoy this journey. You guys are rock and roll.
Last but not least, to the readers and fans, thank you for escaping in these stories with me. I hope, whether in real life or through my books, you are surrounded by love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
