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Show-off.

I smiled.

Then I found Chief.

My smile changed.

He stood farther downfield with the defense, helmet on, listening to an assistant coach. When the coach finished, Chief said something I couldn’t hear.

Two players shifted. Another moved closer.

Chief pointed once.

Everybody moved.

Sadie followed my stare. “Does he ever relax?”

“No.”

She watched him for another second. “That seems exhausting.”

“For everybody.”

“Mostly him,” she decided.

Chief turned his head.

I looked away automatically. Then stopped myself.

Why?

He had told me I wasn’t bothering him. He had told me he wanted me there.

The memory still did something embarrassing to my chest.

I looked back.

His gaze was moving through the stands. It stopped on me.

Even from that distance, I knew.

My heart gave one hard beat.

He didn’t smile.

Neither did I.

For a second we just looked at each other through all the people between us.

Then I lifted one hand. Barely. A small wave.

His chin dipped once.

That was it.

Someone beside him said something and he turned away.

I lowered my hand.