Ayden and I had to take a nap back at his parents’ house before heading out for the game. The Stones were elated with the autographed pictures, and they both now hold special places on their photo gallery wall.

Ayden decides to put his rental car to use and drive us to Redwall stadium where the Prime League’s Southgate FC is playing against Reading FC.

I’ve never been to an outdoor soccer game before. Montreal has a soccer team, as does Toronto, which are part of the MLS (Major League Soccer) back home. I’ve heard it called the league where retired pros from the European leagues (or anywhere really) come to play a few more years since the caliber isn’t as good, but that’s just me guessing.

So, I’ve never had a chance to go to Saputo Stadium to watch the Montreal Impact play, and I’ve never been outside to watch a sporting event—only ever in a hockey rink like the Bell Center or at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

It’s weird for me, being outside.

“So, if it’s raining during a game,” I ask as Ayden tugs me along to the entrance of the stadium, the sheer size of it not what I was expecting. I still can’t conceptualize what seating sixty thousand people looks like, but there’s a whole bunch of people walking inside, getting their tickets scanned, and I stick close to Ayden, grip tightening around his hand. “If it’s raining during a game, people just sit around and get wet?”

I move my free hand over Ayden’s bicep, sticking close as can be in the crowd.

Maddie already gave us some Southgate merch, and I’m wearing her jersey, while Ayden’s wearing the training shirt, both of us blending in with the mass of people, heading towards our seats. They’re practically right along the lines of the field, almost right on top of the bench of the Southgate team.

It’s hard not to get excited and nervous at the same time. There are so many people and the noise that close to sixty thousand people actually make is astonishing. I really have no idea how we’re going to survive Wembley tomorrow night.

“You all right?” Ayden asks, making sure I take my seat first as I glance around, looking for Raleigh. Maybe she went to buy some food and beer? I would kill someone for a salty pretzel right about now, but that’s gonna make me thirsty and then I’ll drink too much water and then I’ll have to pee, and I don’t want to do that.

I nod fast, licking at my lips. “I’m nervous for her, and excited, but mostly nervous.”

Ayden smiles at me. It’s meant to be reassuring, but I just keep squeezing his hand because I feel a little lost in this sea of people. How is Maddie supposed to even know that we’re here, watching?

How can I expect anyone to pick us out of a crowd?

“I’ll go and get us something to eat and drink. Keep an eye out for Raleigh, yeah?” Ayden dips to kiss the top of my head and then waves off my offer to pay for my food. He gives me an excited grin, like a little boy that’s been presented with a surprise gift as he steps around me and heads to concession stands.

I wait around, glancing from left to right, getting some odd stares, or what I feel like are odd stares, because I feel like I’m in over my head here.

Everyone’s excited though, that’s easy to see and hear, with the excited yells and screams.

There’s another half hour until the game starts and I nervously keep checking my phone, waiting for Raleigh’s text, Jesus, anything from her so I can relax. I’m acting like a border collie, trying to keep a herd of sheep together, even though we’re going to be leaving soon.

I ignore the crushing disappointment and glance around, looking at die-hard fans of every gender taking their seats, talking excitedly. I love the turnout, even though apparently, it’s only an exhibition game.

“Hello, Aria,” a voice floats to me, and I’m standing up on my feet like I’ve gone and been electrocuted into doing the movement, limbs a jittery mess, until I spot Jesse standing by the aisle, wearing regular clothes—jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that has nothing to do with the club, and a pair of dark sunglasses on his face that look like they could cost more than my month rent back in Toronto.

“Uh, hi, hi. You’re sitting with us?” I ask, wiping my sweaty palms down the thighs of my jeans. “I mean, of course you can, I just don’t know if you’re going to be left alone, you know?” As soon as I say it, there’s a little kid that’s looking up at Jesse from the ground, little head cranked almost all the way back on his neck and staring up as if Jesse’s this wondrous thing.

Shit. Shit, shit.

If something happens to Maddie’s boyfriend, she’s going to kill me dead.

“Come and sit,” I say, waving at the little kid and pointing back to his father, holding onto a hundred snacks so there was no room to hold a kid, and the little guy goes walking across the aisle to the opposite row and running into his dad’s thighs. “Aren’t you afraid of being recognized?” I ask, huffing out a breath, trying to keep my voice low.

“Ayden hasn’t been recognized,” Jesse says, and that just doesn’t make any kind of sense.

“Because he works in Toronto. We’re here, where you work. Holy shit, are we gonna get mobbed? I don’t know what to do if we get mobbed,” I say, looking around for Raleigh and Ayden, because honestly, three against a mob is better than just one.

Jesse shakes his head. “We’ll be fine. This area’s cordoned off over the rest of the seating, and there’s security everywhere,”

“Well, I, for one, would be infinitely more comfortable if said security were standing right next to me. You know, just in case something happens.”

“Aria, it’s going to be fine. You can take a seat, you know. Where’s Ayden sitting, here?” I nod dumbly. “Great.”

I shake my head. “I think he’s going to die if you’re the one sitting next to him. Yeah, yeah, sit right there,” I say, pointing to the seat and laughing to myself. Ayden’s going to die.

“It feels a little odd talking to you over an empty seat,” Jesse says, and man, he seems like a really sweet person despite being a millionaire many times over at the ripe old age of twenty-three. Wow. Look at him, being all humble and shit.

I’m about to say something when I hear my name being called.

“Aria?”

I grin at Jesse and then smile big and wide as I turn towards Ayden, grabbing the food and drinks from him in case he pulls a me move and drops everything in his hands because he’s fanboying.

It’s pretty adorable, the way his brain seems to slowly come to a halt, like a train braking, wheels squealing as everything eventually comes to a full stop. “Jesse’s here,” I say, teasing as I take a sip of the beer, smack my lips. “Take your seat.”

Ayden shakes his head minutely, looking this close to panicking, and while I’m all for teasing, I don’t want him to actually lose it in front of the guy he’s a fan of. That would be embarrassing for everyone all around, I think.

“Here, Jesse, would like some popcorn? Ayden, you’re the best. Asian street food during a game? Yes, please.”

“Uh, sorry, mate, I didn’t think to get you anything. I’ll be right back,” Ayden stammers and then runs off, going to procure Jesse Windmeier some food and beer.

“Here. Have something,” I say, taking Ayden’s supposed seat and sitting right next to Jesse, sharing our food with him. “Please.” I hand over a carton of our beers and my diet soda. I keep the carton with our food in my lap, the smell driving me absolutely crazy, it smells so freaking good. “Take my Diet Coke. No calories, right?”

“Thank you,” Jesse says, taking a sip and sighing. “Maddie and I indulge more than we ought to.”