The aluminum bench was uncomfortably cold as I shifted from side to side, attempting to alleviate the ache that the awkward seating left on my butt. I regretted not having brought a towel to sit on as most of the others around me had - clearly more experienced than I when it came to spectating.

I was at least glad that I had worn a heavy sweater, the early April weather feeling more akin to that of January as the wind gusted across the field.

"Must be a warm front," A gruff man to the right of me muttered as a surprisingly strong gust threatened to cut straight to the bone.

I nodded along with his words even as I didn't spare a glance towards him.

My gaze had designs only for Hayden, following her every step as she darted across the field with precise movements. She was like that of a gazelle, long and lithe.

I had to agree with her words from earlier this week - her teammates weren't very good. Not at all.

They reacted too slowly as plays unfolded around them, clearly lacking the simple experience to anticipate. Instead overreacting as their defense broke down continually.

I could see the blatant frustration within Hayden's face, yet she never lashed out at her own teammates. Instead I could hear her voice rising above the wind and mutters around me as she encouraged those around her.

The other team, the Niagara Knights, didn't appear any better yet continuously outclassed them at every turn.

At three to one, the score did not truly showcase the sheer difference between both teams.

Yet it was clear to me that Hayden stood apart above all others. She moved as I imagined a panther would. With both grace and aggression, she deftly moved the ball forward while darting between defenders and even her own teammates that seemed to want to simply swarm the ball.

I smiled wryly to myself as I imagined a child's soccer game - a clump of twenty preschoolers chasing a ball to and fro.

With every kick of the ball forward, the ball rolling precariously close to being intercepted, she set her teammates up to run onto the ball and press the offensive.

Yet for each pass forward, her teammates would let her down. The ball rolling too far from their reach as they failed to run on to it in time, a slight hesitation of a mere second leading to a turnover.

"I told you she was good," I heard Dalton's words as he spoke softly to my left.

I merely nodded, not bothering to offer him a glance. I could no more turn away from Hayden than a starving man could refuse a meal - her presence alone a constant draw to me. Even now my cheeks ached from the smile she so easily wrung from me.

Happiness was a foreign feeling to me - but one that I now cherished.

The play came to a sudden halt as the screech of a whistle rose above all else, the referee announcing half-time.

My face held that same goofy smile as Hayden scanned the bleachers looking for me, a slight frown emerging as her head swept back and forth. Raising my hand high above my head, I took far too much pleasure in seeing the smile that lit up her features as she finally spotted me.

Offering me a quick wave, she turned and headed towards where her teammates had huddled together along the sideline.

I could have swore that she had an extra spring to her step - her lovely ass undulating from side to side with an exaggerated sway.

It was far too mesmerizing.

Far too tempting.

The loud screech of the whistle resumed play, Hayden running out to assume her spot as a midfielder once more. Her eyes drifted over towards where I sat, offering me a smile as we locked gazes before she was joining the play.

The second half began as the first half had left off - with the Redeemer Royals being outclassed in obvious fashion.

I didn't care.

I found enjoyment in simply watching Hayden - even as her toned legs proved to be a constant distraction for me.

It was nearing the end of the game that I found myself on my feet in an instant as I watched Hayden go down hard, her feet taken out from under her by a slide tackle from behind. Gasps echoed from around me as I took a step towards where she lay before I caught myself.

She writhed around on the ground, her face contorted in pain as she grabbed at her left ankle.

The sight of her in pain tore at me, an ache within my chest that nearly spurned me forward - to simply say fuck it and run across the field to check on her.

Yet I held myself in check. Barely. Instead I stood rooted to the spot as I watched a young Asian woman run from the sidelines towards Hayden, kneeling at her side in an instant.

The woman's mouth moved, her words far too faint for me to hear from where I stood. Hayden offered her a nod of response, hands still clutching her ankle as a few stray tears slid down her cheeks.

My fingers at my sides ticked slightly, wishing to wipe away the sight of such hurt.

A clap arose from around me as Hayden finally managed to get to her feet, an arm wound around the other woman's shoulder as she limped gingerly towards the sideline. Her discomfort was plain to see, a grimace marring her features with every hobble.

The game was forgotten as I simply stared over towards where she sat, her foot elevated on the bench beside her. I watched with amusement as the other woman attempted to fawn over Hayden's leg only for her to be dismissed with a wane smile and a shake of Hayden's head.

Glancing towards the score board, the red neon lights showcasing the now five to one score, I got to my feet as I noted the time remaining, less than five minutes.

I couldn't wait any longer.

I slowly meandered around the edge of the pitch towards where Hayden sat, her gaze following me. Even from the distance I could see the curious expression she offered me - torn between whether I was headed towards her, or the parking lot, I'm sure.

As if I had any intention of leaving.

A smile emerged once more as she realized I was on my way towards her. I ignored the curious looks my presence garnered as I walked past a few of the girls relegated to the bench, focused solely on where Hayden lay.

"I thought you said you were good at soccer?"

The flash of indignation within her jade eyes was far too charming, the cute set of her frown reigniting the ache in my chest.

"It's why they had to take me out with a dirty play," She answered, eyebrows knit in consternation. "They knew I had five goals in me today."

"And those five goals were going to happen any minute, right?"

"Any minute!"

I chuckled softly as I knelt beside her, my gaze trailing across her leg before coming to rest at her ankle. Swelling had already begun, the hint of cleat marks clearly visible indented in her flesh that now held an angry reddish hue. "How is it?"

She offered me a brave smile as I turned up to look at her, meeting those swirling green depths once more.

"I'm okay - just stings."

I knew she was lying, her teeth practically clenching around each word. Her strength made me well up with pride.

I caressed her cheek with my hand, the act unconscious, as I asked "Do they not have ice?"

She shook her head gently even as she nuzzled her cheek against my hand. The act was both sensual and heartfelt, the vulnerability she exhibited tugging at something within me that I had long thought lost.

I slowly pulled my hand away, immediately hating myself for losing the feel of her against me - if only my hand. Her cheek had been as smooth as silk, and surprisingly warm. The pink flush of exertion still darkened her skin.

My eyes turned further down the bench, self-consciousness storming in as several of Hayden's teammates held knowing smiles as they looked over at us.

Attempting to ignore them, I chatted softly with Hayden as her team played out the last few minutes remaining in the game. Their heroic comeback fell short, the final score being that of six to one as the spectators offered the team an ovation regardless.

"Is this your bag?" I asked, gesturing towards the simple drawstring sack that sat at her feet.

With a nod from her, I grabbed it before sliding it over my shoulder.

"Come on," I began as I got to my feet in front of her, "I'll carry you to your car."

"Gray, you don't need to." She offered weakly, struggling to push herself up even as she struggled to keep weight off her injured ankle. "It's, like, three-hundred meters. I can walk that."

Without a word I simply scooped her up, supporting her weight easily enough as I cradled her against my chest.

"Gray!" Came the shrill shriek, her eyes wide as a re-ignited pink dusting crept across her cheeks. Her gaze swung around, no doubt hearing the chuckles my actions had earned from her teammates. "Put me down this instant."

I feigned dropping her, her body jerking as she traveled all of two inches before I caught her descent. Her eyes widened even more, appearing like those in the cartoons on Saturday morning I had grown up on, while her lips parted in sheer surprise.

The withering glare she offered me, wide eyes narrowing into tiny slits, was far too cute. "You are such a dick," She muttered darkly, yet her actions weren't lost on me - her arm around my shoulder pulling herself tighter against my chest.

I could feel the goose flesh as it spread across her thighs under my hand. It hastened my steps even as I used my body to shield her from the worst of the wind.

She was as light as a feather, yet her weight felt good in my arms.

"Did you carry my brother like this?" Hayden teased, her eyes goading me.

I couldn't help but grin down at her, "Only once," I answered, enjoying the way her grin mirrored my own as I played along with her joke. "And only because it was our wedding night."

"Christ," She mumbled, offering me a shake of her head.

"All I'm saying is Afghanistan wasn't the only thing that got invaded."

"You're such a gay boy," She chastised, blanching noticeably at my joke.

"How dare you?" I growled in fake outrage, frowning. "I will have you know that we said 'no homo' every time!"

"You're right," She responded, feigning sheepishness. "How dare I!"

I offered her a curt nod, failing miserably as I attempted to hold a frown. It was nigh impossible with the way she grinned up at me, her eyes so expressive - so alive.

With much shimmying, Hayden doing little to help as she laughed and wiggled in my arms, I managed to pry open her car door and slide her into the passenger seat.

"My hero," She praised softly.

"I'm sensing sarcasm and I don't appreciate it for one second." I offered in retort, a finger emerging to wag at her.

"And I thought Batman was a good detective..."

"Keep it up and I'll carry you back over to the bench just to make you hobble your ass back here!"

"God, you're so mean!"

"Do you even know how to drive?" Hayden asked as I slid into the driver's seat, her tone far too teasing for my liking.

Even in obvious discomfort she was out to be a pain in my ass.

I scoffed, "Do I know how to drive."

"What are you looking for?" She asked, noting the way I was peering down towards the floor of the car between my feet.

"Where is the hole for me to put my feet through the floor so I can walk?" I asked in all seriousness before glancing towards her.

Her sigh was loud within the confines of the car, looking far too unimpressed with me. "I honestly never thought someone would be able to reference the Flintstones yet here you are... disappointing me."

"If you think that's disappointing, just wait until the sex."