The official team news had been released.
Lexi immediately unlocked her phone and opened her football app.
"There it is."
The Manchester City lineup appeared on the screen.
She barely glanced at the goalkeeper or the defence before her eyes found the right wing.
BRANDT 17.
Lukas' picture, wearing the Manchester City shirt, sat on the right side of the front three.
"He's starting!"
Lexi turned the screen toward Joanna with a huge grin.
"Your boyfriend is so good-looking."
Joanna laughed.
"Of course he is. He's my boyfriend."
The two burst into laughter together.
As Joanna looked across the row once more...
She noticed Jane looking down at her own phone.
But this time...
She was smiling.
* * *
An hour later, the Etihad Stadium had become a wall of noise.
