The morning of Nick's game against the Brisbane Lions was electric with anticipation. The atmosphere in our Melbourne home was charged, the usual pre-game rituals taking on an added intensity. Nick had been focused all week, preparing for what was shaping up to be one of the most important matches of the season.
As Nick laced up his boots, his focus was unshakeable. He'd been working tirelessly to perfect his game, and today, all that effort would be put to the test. I could see the determination in his eyes, a fire that burned brighter than ever.
"Ready for the big day?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe of our bedroom.
Nick glanced up, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Always. How are you feeling?"
I shrugged, trying to downplay the discomfort I still felt from my knee surgery. "Getting better every day. I'll be right there in the crowd, cheering you on."
He walked over, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You've been incredible, you know that? You're tougher than anyone I know."
I smiled, touched by his words. "Well, I learned from the best."
After a quick breakfast, Nick headed to the Collingwood training grounds for the final preparations with the team. I stayed behind, my knee still too tender for the hustle and bustle of pre-game routines. Annalise had promised to come over later so we could head to the game together.
I spent the next couple of hours resting, trying to keep my mind off the lingering pain and focusing on the excitement of the day. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the energy that would soon fill the MCG.
As the afternoon approached, Annalise arrived, looking as excited as ever. She carried a Collingwood scarf in one hand and a bag of snacks in the other. "Ready to go?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Definitely," I replied, grabbing my own scarf and carefully standing up. The crutches were still necessary, but I was getting better at maneuvering with them.
We made our way to the stadium, the familiar buzz of match day filling the air. Fans clad in black and white filled the streets, their energy infectious. Even from a distance, the roar of the crowd was audible, and it sent a thrill through me.
Once inside, Annalise and I found our seats, the perfect vantage point to watch Nick in action. The MCG was alive with anticipation, the sea of Collingwood supporters creating a wall of noise that echoed through the stands. I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck, feeling a surge of pride for both the team and Nick.
As the players took to the field, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch. The opening siren blared, and the game began with a burst of intensity. Nick was in his element, moving with a combination of speed and precision that made every play look effortless. The way he read the game, his ability to anticipate the opposition's moves, was nothing short of extraordinary.
Beside me, Annalise was on the edge of her seat, cheering loudly with every play. I joined in, the adrenaline pushing aside the discomfort in my knee. For a while, I forgot about everything else—the surgery, the recovery, the uncertainty of the future. All that mattered was the game and the thrill of watching Nick do what he loved.
The match was a nail-biter, with both teams fighting hard for every point. The tension in the crowd was palpable, each goal met with a roar of approval or a collective groan of disappointment. Nick was everywhere, his presence on the field commanding. He was relentless, chasing down every ball, tackling with precision, and directing the play like a maestro.
As the final quarter began, Collingwood was just a few points ahead. The pressure was immense, every possession critical. I could see the determination on Nick's face as he pushed himself harder, refusing to let the game slip away.
In the dying minutes of the match, Nick made a crucial play, intercepting a pass and driving the ball forward. The crowd erupted as Collingwood secured a goal, pushing the lead further. The final siren sounded moments later, and the stadium exploded in celebration. Collingwood had won.
Nick was swarmed by his teammates, their joy infectious. Annalise and I cheered until our voices were hoarse, the thrill of victory washing over us. Even as the pain in my knee reminded me of my own challenges, I couldn't help but feel elated. Nick had played brilliantly, and the team had secured an important win.
After the game, Nick found us in the stands, his face still flushed from the exertion. He climbed up to our seats, wrapping me in a tight embrace. "We did it," he said, his voice filled with joy.
"You were amazing," I replied, hugging him back as tightly as I could. "I'm so proud of you."
Annalise grinned, joining in on the congratulations. "You killed it out there, Nick. That was incredible."
"Thanks," he said, smiling as he caught his breath. "I couldn't have done it without knowing you both were here, cheering me on."
As we made our way out of the stadium, the excitement still buzzing around us, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The road to recovery was still long, but today had been a reminder of the things that truly mattered love, support, and the joy of being part of something bigger than myself.
-
A/N- SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG AGAIN, and such a short chapter. ALSO THANK YOU FOR 18K READS, i never thought in a million years that would happen. if you enjoyed don't forget to vote and comment and ideas or suggestions you may have, it means the world!! i promise ill try and do more chapters soon cause im now on school holidays and bored. as i always say i love you all so much, and enjoy reading lovelies!!!
YOU ARE READING
me and him - an nick daicos story
RomanceThere was him and there was me. Aaron Cadmans sister Georgie from GWS Giants AFLW gets traded to Collingwood AFLW and meets him, they become close but is it to close for her liking? What will they do?? How will Aaron feel about this? #1 in nickdaico...