Always One More.... [Finished]

Day 7

Karyl watched from the stands as Louis practiced on the football field with the rest of the team. A few of the other players' girlfriends were there as well, and they were all cheering their boyfriends on. They'd yelled profanities occasionallly, but mostly were good natured.

Unless one accidently hit another with an elbow. Then the catfight started until the coach paused practice to break them apart.

With the exception of Aeron, who she had grown fond of during the past week, no one else could take Louis down. None of the others could stop him from reaching the goal post, no matter how hard they tried.

She smiled at the memory of Louis teaching her about the goal post and what it was only yesterday. He'd brought her to the field and explained more of his world of football to her. He had pointed out several things and explained other words and references he'd used while there.

When she had asked about the practice sessions, he'd invited her to today's practice.

She discovered quickly why Louis claimed himself and Aeron the best of the players. While the others were proficient - something she only assumed, since she had no experience with football outside Louis - he and Aeron were stars. They masterfully evaded the others and maneuvered the ball down the field for touchdowns time and again.

Finally the coach called break, and the players came to the bench.

Staying back from the testy girlfriends, Karyl waited patiently to the side of the benches until Louis noticed her. He immediately brightened, his hunched shoulders going back with pride and his head coming up. Like all his tiredness evaporated just at the sight of her.

Her fluttered at the change, though her mind rebelled. Her sisters had often told her what men were like, especially when they liked a girl; really liked her. They changed like that: just seeing their girl perked them up.

Louis, you promised. Please, don't make this harder than it will be. Because in the end, it didn't matter that she liked him more than she should. It didn't matter than more than anything else, she wanted to stay.

She had duties to attend to. Duties that her family relied on her fulfilling, lest they wind up in another blood feude with the Mastrons.

Stupid American drug lords. The Mastrons dealt illegally in almost every aspect of their lives. While her father wasn't very clean himself - more than a few illegal activities occured outside the walls of their ville home - his slate was far cleaner than the Mastrons.

It was only by chance this opportunity for peace had turned up.

I wish you were back, Astella. Her sister was the reason they could have peace between their families. Six months ago, Astella had been severely beaten and fell into a coma. She had not woken, and now, Karyl was taking her place.

"Karyl! You made it!" Louis's voice drew her from her dark thoughts.

The moment her eyes landed on him, she felt a smile curl her lips upward. No, no, no! She tried to shake the smile, but the sight of Louis's smile made it impossible. His happiness made her happy.

"Hey, superstar. How is practice going?" Dumb question. You've been watching, and you can tell him and Aeron are the best.

Instead of getting irritated with her for the question as her sisters and mother often did, Louis shrugged. He pointed to the team with a thumb over his shoulder. "The guys are complaining about getting beaten as usual by two players, but that's normal. Otherwise, awesome." Sweat glistened over his skin.

His panting drew her gaze to his lips, and Karyl swallowed. "They lips getting beat?" she asked, not fully aware of her words.

"Huh?"