Page 140 of The Keeper

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the end of an era,” Adil said, his expression solemn. “After many, many years of frustrating our opponents on the pitch and ignoring our extremely entertaining group chat, I’m sad to say that our very own Noah Wilson, the best keeper in the Premier League, is retiring from the world of football.”

“Technically, he doesn’t retire until after the World Cup,” Stevens said.

“Shhh.” Adil glared at him. “Might I remind everyone that unsolicited interruptions will not be tolerated in the dressing room today? Anyway.” He cleared his throat. “As I was saying, Noah is abandoning—er, I mean, leaving us. Noah, you have been a grumpy but irreplaceable American delight. Despite your refusal to laugh at my jokes, you are and will always be a cherished member of the Blackcastle Football Club. We’ll miss you, and we wanted to commemorate your time on the team. Thereby, I gift you…the Noahsaurus!”

My jaw dropped when Asher and Vincent brought out a gold statuette shaped like a…

“Is that a dinosaur with my face on it?” I asked in disbelief.

“It’s your very own dinosaur trophy!” Adil beamed. “I got it custom made. Yasmin helped me design it.”

“At least he didn’t get Wilma Pebbles to write a personalized story about you and Carina the way he did for Asher and Scarlett,” Samson said. “Thank the lord—and me—for small favors. I was the one who convinced him to scrap that idea.”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t suppress a small grin. I walked to the front of the dressing room and accepted the trophy while the rest of the team hooted and clapped. It was truly ridiculous. Noahsaurus looked like a dinosaur cosplay version of me on steroids, but I knew it’d end up on display next to the Premier League Golden Glove I won last season.

Despite the silliness of the moment, my heart clenched as I looked around at the people I’d been lucky enough to call my friends and my teammates for the better part of a decade.

This was it. My contract with Blackcastle had ended. I’d known this day was coming, but now that it was here, I felt the true weight of what I was leaving behind.

I wouldn’t officially retire until after the World Cup this summer, but that was with my national team. This was with my family.

“Speech,” Vincent called out, leading the chant.

“Speech! Speech! Speech!” The guys pounded their fists against the benches and walls until the entire room shook.

I scowled. “Fuck you guys. You know I hate speeches.” Nevertheless, I cleared my throat when they quieted down and started in a halting tone. “I’m not sure what to say other than it’s been an honor and a privilege to play with you over the years. Each and every one of you. I didn’t know anyone in the UK when I moved here, and I had no idea what I was walking into when I showed up for the first day of training. I was a kid trying to prove myself, and I didn’t know where I belonged. But you made this club feel like a home. The years have flown by, and I wouldn’t be the player or person I am now without you. So…yeah. Thank you. For everything.”

The words flowed more easily by the time I finished, but a lump formed in my throat when I realized I meant every word. The dressing room was silent as the guys processed my speech, their expressions uncharacteristically somber.

“Are you crying?” Stevens asked Gallagher, who was brushing his cheeks with the back of his hand.

“No. Fuck you,” Gallagher said, giving the other man a furious glare. “I got something in my eye. That’s all.”

“That was beautiful.” Adil sniffled. “You should give more speeches.”

“No,” I said.

“Okay, well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.” He straightened, his face brightening despite his red eyes and nose. “Enough sad stuff. The day isn’t over yet. Remember: party at Noah’s place!”

The air of melancholy broke and gave way to cheers.

I sighed. I’d agreed to host a party to mark my last day, and I already regretted it.

My instincts turned out to be correct when the entire team stampeded into my house an hour later and promptly turned the place into a zoo. Stevens had somehow managed to go home, pick up Truffle, and rejoin us in time for Adil’s karaoke session.

I escaped to the kitchen, where Carina and Evie were preparing snacks and gossiping about our neighbors, two of whom were currently locked in a feud over the state of their hedges, of all things.

“Hi, Dad.” Evie leaned against the counter, nibbling on a cookie. A plate of discarded chocolate chips sat on the marble island in front of her. She was sixteen now and getting taller by the day, but some things never changed.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I said. I raised an eyebrow at the questionable length of her shorts, but I kept my mouth shut. One thing I’d learned about raising a teenager: you had to pick your battles, and any battle that involved her outfit choices never went in my favor.

“Need any help?” I asked as Carina poured popcorn into a bowl. My chest warmed as I watched her. She was always stunning, but now that she was five months pregnant, she glowed with effortless radiance.

However, I’d learned not to suggest she take it easy unless I wanted to get my head bitten off. The memory of the glare she gave me when I suggested she let me handle the groceries last month still made me shiver.

“Nope. I’m done setting up for when Scarlett and Brooklyn get here. We’re having a girls’ night while you guys do your thing.” She eyed me. “Speaking of which, you’re hiding from your team, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not,” I lied.