Letting Go (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 46: Love in the Dark

Natalie

There we were, sitting in the back of the golf cart facing the soccer field. The stars were out and the wind started picking up, whipping my ponytail behind me. I blinked as Ben finally turned the field lights on.

I was beyond confused.

Tori, Tamara, and Courtney were lined up on the sidelines about 3 feet apart waving silver and purple pom-poms in their hands. Tori shot me a wink and continued goofing off with the other two. James had a whistle around his neck and stood at the midfield with his hands placed behind his back. Connor pulled a megaphone out of his bag and ran up beside him. All of the campers were lined up on either side of the south goal and were staring at me expectantly.

Were the counselors having a soccer game in front of the campers? That didn't really make sense. They'd be bored out of their minds. And why the heck was everyone staring at me?

"Harry seriously, what's happening?"

He chuckled and stood up beside me, rubbing my head as he got his bag from the front. "Before you go off to surgery tomorrow, we wanted to give you one last gift." He appeared again in front of me with a soccer ball in his hand. His curls kept blowing across his face and he failed miserably to fight a wicked grin. Then, he knelt down on one knee.

Holy hell.

His grin widened, fully exposing both dimples. Bright green eyes gazed into mine, amused and daring. "Nattie, how would you feel about one last goal?"

I verbally exhaled, my cheeks flushing bright red as I realized what went through my head. Nope, nope nope. I did not just picture Harry Styles proposing to me. Nope nope nope nope.

NO.

What the hell Nat?

He leaned forward and bounced the ball off my knee, forcing me back to the present. Once he had my attention, he turned around on his knees so his back was now facing me. Wait, final goal? I leaned forward over his shoulder and eyed him like a crazy person. "What the hell are you doing?"

He turned his head slightly and I could feel his breath on my skin and his cheek against mine. I tried to focus on his lips instead. The way they tilted up in the left corner and...

Good gracious, woman. Words. Focus on words.

"Hop on Nattie."

I blinked. "You know we're sitting on a golf cart right? You don't have to carry me around."

He rolled his eyes and wrapped my hands around his neck. "You can't score a goal in a golf cart. How's your hip by the way, love?"

"I'm on so many pain meds, I can't even feel it. What the heck are you...?"

Before I could finish my sentence, he had pulled me onto his back and adjusted me so my legs wrapped around his waist. Then he kicked the ball towards the center of the field and started jogging after it. The campers parted so he could run through and began to cheer my name and jump and down.

"Nattie! Nattie! Nattie!"

"Ball is loose! Nat and the defender make a break for it. Who will get it first!?" Connor yelled dramatically through the megaphone and James started running beside us on the field with his whistle in his mouth.

Harry touched the ball and began dribbling it down the field, still holding tightly to me.

"Natalie Clemons takes the ball! She's going for the goal!"

That's when it finally clicked. "Oh my..."

"Number 17 is coming up on the defense and is well ahead of her teammates. She'll have to take this one in herself if she's going to make the buzzer."