The finals were finally over. The team captain lifted the trophy high, his teammates gathering around as photographers snapped away and the roaring crowd chanted victory songs. Moments later, the captain passed the trophy to Jayden. With a wide grin, Jayden sprinted around the pitch holding it aloft, his teammates chasing after him, soaking in the glory.
The fans went wild, clapping and shouting his name.
Emma watched it all from the television, her lips curving into a smile. She was relieved this chapter was finally behind them and Jayden was finally coming home. They'd spoken right before the match, and he assured her he would be home in two days. She couldn't wait.
When the car pulled up in front of the house, Emma ran inside and Jayden was right there waiting on her. She let out a joyful scream as she jumped on him. He caught her easily, wrapping an arm around her waist while she clung to his neck. He twirled her once before gently setting her back down.
"I missed you," he said softly, eyes locked on hers.
"Me too," she replied with a shy smile.
Emma's gaze drifted to the side stool where three gleaming awards were lined up. Each bore his club's logo, his name, and the title. She picked one up and read it aloud.
"MVP of the Tournament," she said with pride.
She set it down and picked up the others. "Best Forward... and Golden Boot."
"Congratulations," she beamed, still holding on to them.
"Come on, let's put them in the trophy room," Jayden said, picking up the last one.
Inside, Emma had the honor of arranging the awards herself. She placed each one carefully on its own shelf before stepping back, smiling.
"They're beautiful," she said.
"I know," Jayden teased, pulling her into his arms.
He kissed her deeply, then pulled away with a grin.
"So... victory cupcakes at Cupcake Republic?" Emma asked, raising her brows playfully.
Cupcake Republic was their little spot. They'd gotten cupcakes there countless times, and Jayden never failed to surprise her with her favorite box of cupcakes when coming over to visit her.
"Nahhh..." Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm cutting down on sugar."
"What?" Emma gasped, staring at him in disbelief. "Since when?"
"While I was away. Just... a personal decision," he explained with a shrug.
She studied him, narrowing her eyes. "You leave for a little more than a month and suddenly I don't even know you anymore."
Jayden leaned in with a mischievous grin. "You know what's better than cupcakes?"
She shook her head.
"Victory sex," he whispered.
Emma burst into laughter, tugging him closer by the waist.
"That could work," she said with a sly smile before pecking his lips.
"I don't even know what his issue is," Emma complained, throwing her phone on the table.
"He wasn't like this when he first got back from Spain. Now he'll go an entire day without replying to my texts."
Mandy leaned back in her chair. Emma kept going.
"He only managed to reply to my good morning text from four days ago just the evening before yesterday. And then he promised he'd see me at the pitch yesterday... and didn't even show up."
"Don't you think there's someone else?" Mandy asked bluntly. "There has to be."
"Shut up," Emma groaned, rubbing her forehead.
"See? You just don't want to hear it whenever I suggest other possibilities."
"It's not that..." Emma sighed.
"Then what is it?" Mandy pressed.
"I jus—"
"See," Mandy cut in, "he got back from Spain, and you two were basically glued together. Y'all legit fucked every single day until he probably got tired."
"He's not tired," Emma interrupted quickly.
"Whatever." Mandy rolled her eyes. "Look, he won't even put a tag on what you two have, and he dodges saying he loves you. Don't you see the signs? He's just using you."
"The only reason I won't scream at you to get out," Emma shot back, "is because I'm not done yapping yet."
Mandy smirked. "Fine. What about this, next time you see him, just tell him you're tired of the uncertainty. Ask him straight up where you stand. If he's not ready to make it official, maybe that's your cue things will never get serious."
"You sure?" Emma asked softly.
"Come on, give it a shot. Let's practice. I'm Jayden."
Emma straightened. "Okay... so, what are we?"
"What do you think we are?" Mandy replied, mimicking Jayden's voice.
"Friends?" Emma asked, but her tone made it sound more like a question than an answer.
"Something slightly more than that," Mandy shrugged.
Emma leaned in, serious. "Look, I really like you. We've been at this for long enough. We should have figured out what we want by now. I know what I want... what about you?"
Mandy gave her best imitation of a thoughtful pause. "I don't want a relationship. I want a best friend I can sleep with, shop with, build with, travel with. I want a partnership. Someone who, even if I lose everything, would still be there. Relationships are overrated. Partnerships? I'd take 100% all the way."
"Wow, that was deep," Emma said, fighting a smile.
"Thank you." Mandy gave a dramatic chair bow.
"Poetic," Emma added.
"I know," Mandy said proudly.
"You thought of that all on your own, huh?" Emma teased.
"I did."
"You basically just swapped out the word 'relation' with 'partner' but it ends in shit!" Emma burst out laughing, hurling a pillow at her.
"Ship," Mandy corrected, grinning.
"Just shut up." Emma shook her head.
"Well, now you need to reply," Mandy said. "Something that beats mine."
"Fine." Emma sat up straight, pretending to think hard.
"I don't want a salad. I want lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, Italian dressing... carrots, maybe even a little cheese on top."
Mandy squinted.
"Salads are overrated," Emma continued. "But shredded vegetables all mixed together in a bowl? Yeah, I'd take that , 100% all the way."
Mandy gave her a sly smile. "I see what you did there."
"You hear how that sounds?!" Emma asked, proud of herself.
"It sounds stupid," Mandy said flatly.
Emma gasped, then laughed.
"Well, now I know you're ready," Mandy said, smiling knowingly.
Just then, Emma's phone rang. She glanced at the screen.
Footballer Crush lit up across it.
"Speak of the devil," Emma muttered.
Emma smirked and showed her friend the screen before swiping to answer. She put the call on speaker.
"Emma..." Jayden's voice came through the line immediately.
"So suddenly you remember I exist, huh?" she asked, her tone sharp.
"I've just been really busy," he said.
"Doing what?" she pressed.
"I know no matter how I explain, it won't change the fact that I've been distant for days now," he admitted.
"So smart of you," Emma shot back.
"What are you up to?" he asked quickly, clearly trying to change the subject.
"Nothing," she replied flatly. Then, after a pause, she added, "My birthday's in two days."
"Really?" he asked, sounding almost surprised.
"What? You forgot?" she demanded.
"No...no, I didn't," he lied quickly. "In fact, that's why I called. I promised you a car for your eighteenth, remember? Ben's already on his way to pick you up. You'll meet me at the car gallery."
Emma's jaw dropped. "Oh my gawd... Are you for real right now?"
"Yes, I am. I'll see you in thirty minutes, max." And just like that, he ended the call.
Emma screamed in excitement, grabbing Mandy and shaking her shoulders almost violently. "Did you hear that, Mandy?"
Mandy laughed, trying not to get whiplash. "See? It was so easy for you to stop being mad at him."
Emma rolled her eyes, still smiling from ear to ear.
"He knows exactly what he's doing," Mandy added knowingly.
"Oh, shut up," Emma said, still buzzing with excitement.
Mandy only smiled. No matter how she felt about Jayden, she had to support her best friend.