The autumn breeze tousled Sienna’s honey-blonde hair from her shoulders and pinkened her cheeks. It was that magic hour when the sun dyed everything in gold as it allowed the last few remaining rays to reach the city before it set. The calm sound of the wind rustling the freshly fallen leaves as she strolled through the commons admiring the view.

 

With the chilling of the air, the city had turned off the water that filled frog pond. Soon it would be filled with ice as the sounds of excited children learning to skate and love drunk couples holding hands as they went around. The memories of her childhood made her smile. She remembered teaching Ava and then Ava teaching Gabe while their parents waited at a nearby table with hot chocolate, waving and taking pictures of them. The thought of enjoying those moments with her own children someday only made her smile grow deeper.

 

Sienna sipped her tea, the liquid offering warmth as she passed into the public garden to head back home after doing research for an article downtown. She could’ve taken a cab but despite the weather cooling down, she didn’t mind the walk as long as she got to listen to her music and admire the foliage.

 

Her phone rang in her pocket, she sound of her ringtone interrupting the song she was listening to. Cam’s name popped up on the screen and she debated between letting it go to voicemail or answering it. He was still in hot water with her. He’d never come home last night. She’d stayed up for hours waiting for him, calling his phone, texting him, but to no avail. Why should she give him the courtesy of answering?

 

She decided to let it go to voicemail along with two more of his calls. Instead, she enjoyed her walk, popping into one or two stores along Newbury street before going up the stairs to her apartment. Upon opening the doors, the smell of food filled her nose. Fresh roses of different colors were arranged in a beautiful vase on the kitchen island accompanied by a bottle of wine and two glasses.

 

Confused, she put her bag down on the end table by the door, hanging her tan wool coat on the hook before walking further into the kitchen to smell the flowers. Their scent was intoxicating on their own without the delicious smell of a home cooked meal.

 

“Cam?” She asked as she lifted the lid on one of the pans on the stovetop.

 

Footsteps came down the hallway and she turned to see Cam, towel wrapped around his waist from having just showered as he carelessly dried his hair with another towel. His face broke out in a smile when he saw her. Stepping toward her, he placed the towel on the counter and placed his hand on her hips to pull her against him.

 

“I made us dinner. Thought we could use some quality us time since we’ve both been so busy at work.”

 

He smiled, leaning his forehead down onto hers. Sienna looked up at him, arms still crossed over her chest expecting answers but she was putty in his hands. This was his own way of apologizing to her. Maybe she had been overthinking everything. Cam had never broken her trust. She knew he’d been working tirelessly for a promotion. She should’ve been praising him instead of pushing him away.

 

Her lips curved into a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Cam leaned his head down to kiss her before pulling away.

 

“I made your favorite. Shrimp scampi on fettuccine. Figured we could have some dinner, watch a movie – sound good?”

 

“Sounds perfect babe.” She nodded, watching as he disappeared back down the hallway into the bedroom.

 

After washing her hands in the sink, she set the table for two, lighting a few candles in the middle and dimming the lighting. Cam had come back in, setting their plates and putting on some soft music in the background before they took their seats at the table to eat.

 

“To us.” He smiled, lifting a his glass of wine.

 

Sienna smile, lifting her glass to clink against his. “To us.”

 

They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, both tired from a full days work. She took the time to savor the food. He had always been an amazing cook. Yet as sweet as this was, she couldn’t hush the nagging thoughts in the back of her mind.

 

“Where were you?” She asked, taking a forkful of her pasta into her mouth.

 

Cam swallowed his food, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “Kevin’s.”

 

Kevin had been Cam’s best friend since they were kids. Though he’d always been a good friend to Sienna, his loyalty would always lie with Cam. There was no point in even asking him to confirm. She nodded her head, picking at her food for another minute.

 

“You couldn’t answer my calls at Kevin’s?”

 

Cam put his fork down, leaning forward to look at her. “Let’s not do this babe. I was upset. After working my ass of for the last year, the way you acted last night pissed me off. Should I have been home to talk it out? Yeah, but the last thing I wanted was another fight.”

 

She lowered her eyes to the table and sighed. “You’ve just been so distant. Coming home at all hours, leaving before I’m even up, it was shady. I didn’t know what to think.”

 

His hand gripped hers and he offered a smile. “I’m sorry. I just want this raise so bad. For us baby, for our life together. Once I become partner, we can get married, look for a house in the suburbs and start a family. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

 

“It is.” Sienna nodded, lacing their fingers together. “I’m sorry.”

 

——————————–

 

“Hey, Anna. Are you almost out of work?”

 

Gabe’s voice came through the phone as she balanced it between her shoulder and her ear. Her attention focused on the screen, proofreading her draft before the deadline.

 

“What?” She asked, not paying attention to what he’d just asked.

 

“When are you getting out of work?” He repeated.

 

“Uhm.” Her eyes shifted over at the clock on her desk. “I got about another half hour to go. Why?”

 

“I have four tickets to tonight’s game, do you think you can make it?”

 

“How did you get four tickets?” She asked, putting the final touches on her article.

 

“One of the players families couldn’t make it. They’re practically on the field. You can bring Olivia, Cam, and someone else. “

 

“That sounds amazing, Gabe. Have you told Ava?”

 

“Yeah, she has an exam in the morning. Said she won’t be leaving campus tonight.”

 

“Alright, I’ll see who can make it. Thanks little bro.”

 

“You’re welcome, text me when you get to the stadium, I’ll meet you there with the tickets.”

 

Sienna hung up, looking at the clock. Just enough time to turn in the article and get home to change.

 

After hitting the send button, she rushed to catch a cab, calling Cam and Olivia on the way. Both were excited about catching a free game. Tickets to see the Pats play were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and way to pricey. She only briefly had time to go home and change into a pair of Jeans and her Brady jersey before throwing on her camel coat to get a cab to take her and Cam to Gillette. Last minute plans were always fun, but Boston traffic, especially near the stadium was a nightmare.

 

The game was well into the second quarter when they got there. They were met by Olivia and Kevin at the parking lot and got the tickets Gabe had left at box office. An usher came out to see them and they were escorted inside to the seats right behind the players bench. She had to admit, aside from accidentally walking onto the field, this was the second coolest place to be.

 

“Guess it pays to have your girl’s brother get the hook up.” Cam laughed, high-fiving Cam.

 

Olivia rolled her eyes. Sienna might have been quick to forgive him, but she still found him suspicious as hell.

 

The game was well into the second quarter when they got there. The crowd suddenly roared as they were getting adjusted in the seats and Sienna looked up to see number     11 catch an interception and start running down the other end of the field.

 

“Oh my god!” She cheered. “Go! Go! Go!”
Julian got the touch down and the crowd went wild. On his walk back to the bench, he took off his helmet and his eyes fell right to Sienna. He smirked giving her a wave.

 

“Hey” He leaned, back into his seat.

“Hey.” Sienna smiled, raising her hand in a small wave.
“Hey!” Cam interfered. “Big fan, been following you since…”

 

“Edelman!” Belichick yelled, “get your ass over here!”

 

Julian gave Cameron a polite nod but ran back over to his coach. Cam looked at her grinning from ear to ear as he threw an arm over her shoulder.

 

“This is why I’d never leave you.” He said, surely intending on it to be a compliment, but Sienna didn’t take it that way as he kissed the side of her head before watching the game at play again.

 
——————————–

 
After the game ended, the crowd soon exited the arena. Cam went outside to get a cab while Sienna went to find Gabe. She walked past everyone and down towards the locker rooms where a large security guy stopped her.

 

Texting Gabe where she was, she leaned against the wall, looking through her instagram to feed. She scrolled down all the pictures of people she followed when one picture caught her eye. In the background of her old college friend’s picture, her eyes landed on a man that looked almost exactly like Cameron with a girl dancing in front of him.
It couldn’t be him. She thought to herself. Cameron had been super busy at work. He’d made that clear every chance he’d gotten.

 

“Hey Anna.” She heard Gabe’s voice and immediately lifted her head, forcing a smile on her face.

 

“Hey.” She smiled, giving her brother a hug. “I just wanted to come back here and thank you. The tickets were amazing.”

 

He laughed, hugging her back before leading her through the doors towards the locker rooms. “I know. I can’t believe Ava didn’t come.”

 

“Seriously. Opportunity of a lifetime. I can’t believe you got them for free.”

 

“Yeah, I know. I really hope they keep me on after the internship is over.”

 

“How’s the relationship with Belichick going?” She asked, leaning against the wall to talk to him.

 

“Really good. He doesn’t say much about it but everyone else says he’s got a soft spot for me.” Gabe nodded.

 

“Well hopefully it works out. Are you almost out of here?”

 

“Not yet, I have to file a few things first. I’ll talk to you soon, though.”
“Alright” She hugged him again. “Get home safe.”

 

Gabe hugged her back, giving her a wave before he walked down the hallway. She started walking towards the door they came, scrolling back down her feed again to take another look at the picture. It left a bad taste in her mouth. Especially with everything going on with Cam.

 

“Sienna?”

 

She looked towards the sound of her name to see Julian. He wasn’t in his game attire anymore. Instead freshly showered and dressed down in a pair of joggers and a hoodie.

 

“Oh, Hi.” She smiled, softly. “Why do I feel like I run into you everywhere?”

“Maybe it’s destiny?” He joked, throwing his duffle strap over his shoulder.

 

She laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good game tonight. I think this is the first time I’ve actually paid attention to you playing.”

 

“Ouch.” He laughed. “Hopefully it becomes a regular thing. What that your man earlier?”

“Cam?” She asked. “Yeah.”
“Hmm.” He nodded, not saying anything for a moment. “Not what I pictured.”

 

“What did you picture?” She laughed again.

 

“Someone less frat boy looking.” He laughed.
“Yeah – I guess he does kinda have that look huh.”

 

“Oh yeah.” Julian laughed.

 

“Well it was good seeing you again. My frat boy’s probably pissed I’m taking so long.” Sienna replied.

 

Julian nodded, wrapping an arm around her to give her a hug. “I’ll see you.” He replied.