“Ah, let’s not get carried away.”
“So, you going to help me eat all this?” I asked, not really wanting him to leave right now. Having him around was awesome.
“Maybe later. First though, you’re going to nap.”
I opened my mouth to protest, not because I didn’t want a nap but more because of the principle. I didn’t like being told what to do and I wasn’t a toddler. No one was going to tell me it was nap time.
“Don’t even think about arguing. Get some rest. When you wake up, if you’re up for it we’ll watch a movie and order pizza.”
Arsehole was bribing me. Like actually bribing me. Well, two could play at that game. “My choice?”
Isaac rolled his eyes and grimaced. He knew exactly what I was going to do to him and I didn’t feel at all sorry about it. “Yeah, fine. Your choice.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay. Shit! That was easier than I was expecting.”
Scooping up his haul of goodies, he stuffed it back in the bag before checking if I wanted the hot water bottle filled up. Wanting to make him feel useful, at least that was the excuse I was choosing to believe, I agreed, and he scurried away to fill it up. By the time he returned, I’d wriggled back down and settled amongst the blankets. Even though I didn’t want to be told to rest, I was desperate for sleep. After picking up my drink and draining what was left, I closed my eyes.
“Here you go.” Isaac handed me the koala hot water bottle and fixed the curtains, killing the last of the light that was streaming in.
“Thanks.”
Bending down, he kissed me softly on my forehead before murmuring, “I’ll just be in the other room if you need me.”
“Mmmkay,” I replied sleepily already feeling myself getting dragged under.
With a soft click of the door, Isaac left me to sleep. As I lay there, I still couldn’t believe this was my life. I’d been doing nothing. Minding my own business. I was sitting in my old, crappy car that was a temperamental piece of shit and I’d been robbed and beaten at knifepoint before being left for dead in an alleyway. And as much as I hated to admit it, Isaac was right. I’d never go back to the girl I was before. I couldn’t. There was no way someone, anyone, could go through something like that and walk away unscathed and without deep, painful, and permanent scars.
24
Seth
I didn’t make it.
I didn’t fucking make it.
It was Saturday morning, and I was in a foul mood. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own, but I was about to rip heads off if anyone got too close. Mum and Dad had flown in from Melbourne, convinced they needed to be at my first game, but I’d gone and fucked it up. I wasn’t playing today.
This whole week had been a shit show. First, Claire blew me off, and I had no idea what the hell I’d done wrong, but I didn’t have time to wallow. I had to focus on getting my starting jersey, but I’d fallen short even with that.
I didn’t envy Luca. In fact, I felt sorry for the poor guy. After practice on Thursday afternoon, he’d called me into his office and let me know I wouldn’t be playing. For ten minutes I’d sat there, trying to keep my emotions in check while Luca had patiently encouraged me. Reassuring me that I was on the right track, I just hadn’t quite gotten there yet. He said all the things I’ve heard before but never wanted to be on the receiving end of again. Yet that’s exactly what happened.
After leaving the club with a huge chip on my shoulder, I raced home, changed, grabbed a bag full of shit, and checked myself into a nearby hotel. While I understood Luca’s decision as my coach, going home and sitting across the dinner table from him wasn’t my idea of fun. Spending the afternoon channel surfing while lying on the oversized bed and stuffing my face on room service was exactly what I needed. I’d left my phone on silent in the bottom of my bag. I was in no mood to talk to anyone, and they most certainly did not want to know what I was thinking right now.
Feeling restless, I stripped down, changed into my board shorts, and headed down to the pool. For the amount I was paying for this place, I might as well enjoy the amenities to work out some of the frustrations.
Forty-five minutes later, my arms were aching, and I was panting. I considered myself a pretty fit guy, I mean, I was in pretty good shape, and despite my love of fried chicken and burgers, I worked hard. But after swimming up and down the pool, racking up the laps, I was stuffed.
Back in my room, I showered and changed before finding my phone. I’d been putting it off since Luca had told me, but time was running out. Mum and Dad were booked on a flight tomorrow morning, adamant they had to be here. They might as well save themselves the trip.
Calling had been hard. Mum had told me not to worry. That I’d get there. That I needed to be patient. All the things I’d heard her tell Bryce time and time again over the years. But they were still coming.
And they had.
They’d arrived, and we’d spent last night at Bryce’s place. Thank God for Emma. Mum was so caught up with the idea of grandkids, I got off lightly.
Now it was game day. At least it was for the rest of the team. I couldn’t even sit at home and sulk. I had to show up. Smile. Be a good teammate. Sit on the sidelines and cheer. That wasn’t something I was used to. I wasn’t a damn cheerleader. I was a player. A player who hated the fact he wasn’t playing.
Adjusting my tie, it felt like a noose around my neck, I kissed Mum’s cheek and shook Dad’s hand before watching them climb the stairs in the stands to their seats. Once they were out of sight, I turned and headed back towards the locker rooms. As much as it sucked, as much as I hated it, if I had any chance of getting a spot, no matter how much it hurt and how disappointed I was, I had to do the right thing.
Stepping into the locker room, I could hear the teasing and chatter echoing off the concrete walls. I was desperate to be a part of it. I didn’t know who I was without being part of a team. It was all I knew. Who I was.
“Masters!” Hamish called out, spotting me hovering in the doorway.
“You ready?” I asked, moving towards him before dropping down on the bench beside him.
“Yeah. Be glad to get this one over and done with.”
“Why?”
“First game always sucks. It doesn’t matter how many times everyone says they’re not going to go all out as soon as the whistle goes, by half-time you’re cooked. Second game’s much easier.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t know.”
“You’re not still pissed you’re not playing, are you?” Angus asked as he plopped down beside me and started tightening his laces.
“Not pissed. Just…”
“Pissed,” Hamish finished.
There was no point lying to them. If anyone understood what I was feeling, it was these guys. I’m sure at some point in their careers, they’d been right where I was. Didn’t make me feel any better, but I needed to stop being a big baby about it.
Before I had a chance to say anything, Luca appeared, clipboard in hand, barking final instructions. He finished up his ‘go get ‘em’ speech, and everyone filed out of the locker room, heading down the race towards the field. Falling in at the back of the pack, I made my way to the stands and took my seat.
It was painful to watch.
In my pocket my phone vibrated, but I ignored it.
Paying attention to what worked and what didn’t, I found myself making mental notes of things I could try. It wasn’t like it could hurt. I wasn’t getting a game doing what I was doing, changing it up couldn’t be all bad.
Half-time and we were down by two. As I watched my teammates walk dejectedly from the field on the way to the locker room, I realised as shitty as it was, sitting on the sidelines gave me a new perspective.
Knowing there was nothing I could do to help, I headed for the refreshments stand and grabbed myself a bottle of water, ignoring the smell of hot, greasy chips that were calling to me. The last thing I needed was to be accused o
f sitting on the sidelines, eating junk while my team got smashed. It’d look like I wasn’t committed to the cause, which was a long way from the truth.
Heading back to my seat, I took the chance to just sit and watch the crowd. Seeing the families kitted out from head to toe in our club’s uniform, waving the flags, with navy blue war stripes painted across their cheeks. They were invested. They’d bought in. The team song started over the PA system and they stood up, clapping and cheering as my teammates made their way back out onto the field.
I couldn’t help but smile.
I’d been so caught up in my own misery, I’d forgotten about this part of the game. The part where it brought people joy. The part where it was escapism for a couple of hours. When people came together from all walks of life and cheered together. Cried together. Loved the game.
Football might be my job, it might be my life, but for others it was fun.
The second half was better, but we ended up going down three goals to one. It wasn’t a great start to the season, but it was what it was. I couldn’t change the result, but I could work my arse off to take my spot out there and give them a hand. If today had shown me anything, it was my determination was driving me even harder. I had decisions to make and I knew exactly where to start.
While the crowd filed out of the stands, I dug my phone from my pocket and shot off a text.
Spying Mum and Dad coming down the steps, I waited where I was. It wasn’t until they were standing in front of me, I realised who they were talking to. Bryce and Emma had come out as well. I’d only seen them last night and they’d said nothing.
“Nice shirt,” I teased, noticing Bryce wearing a team polo.
“Thanks. Thought you’d like it.”
“Hey, Seth,” Emma greeted, reaching out and wrapping her arms around me.
“How you doing?”
“I’m so full,” Emma answered, rubbing her belly that was barely showing a bump.
“Well, you look great.”
“Hey! Stop hitting on my wife,” Bryce complained, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hugging her against him protectively.
“She loves me.” I winked at Emma causing her to giggle.
Bryce growled. “You might be wearing a fancy pants tie, but I’m not afraid to kick your arse, little brother.”
“You wish, old man.”
“Boys,” Dad said his voice full of warning. “We’re not in the backyard now. There are people everywhere. The last thing either of you needs is to end up both on the ground, rolling around like idiots.”
“Fine,” I grumbled at the same time Bryce replied with an arse-kissing, “Yes, Dad.”
“Right. Now. Are we going somewhere to eat?” Mum asked, taking control of the situation.
“Sounds good. I’m starving,” Emma answered.
“Thought you just said you were full?” Bryce asked only to be given the stink eye. “Or not,” he backtracked quickly.
“Don’t food shame me, Bryce Masters. Because of you I’m eating for three,” Emma reminded him, poking him in the stomach with her finger.
“You know you love me,” Bryce replied like the complete sap he’d turned into.
I can’t believe only a handful of years ago Bryce was the biggest player I knew. He might’ve thought he kept his activities on the down-low, but his mistakes were pretty much documented online. Then there was that drama with Madeline Higgins. The childhood friend we’d played in the dirt with, who grew up to be the demanding, cold-hearted soapie actress who couldn’t remember what it was like to be a real person. She’d tried to fuck over Emma, and Bryce had smacked her up the face with a long overdue reality check. Now he was happily pussy whipped with twins on the way, and I’d never seen him happier.
“Everyone ready to head out?”
“Yep.”
“I’ve got to run down to the locker room, but if you want to pick somewhere, I can meet you there in say half an hour?”
“Sounds good,” Mum confirmed, leaning over and pressing a kiss on my cheek before leaving me standing there and walking away.
Waiting until the crowd swallowed them up, I turned and headed down to the locker room to do whatever I needed. Unfortunately, it took longer than I’d hoped to get things finished and by the time I was sliding into the car, my family was blowing up my phone. Shooting Bryce a message telling him I was on my way and just to order whatever for me, I dialled the real estate agent.
“You’re sure?” she asked for about the thirtieth time.
“Absolutely. If you can send me whatever paperwork you need me to sign, I want this done as soon as possible,” I confirmed, holding strong.
I wanted to get this sorted before I changed my mind or someone had a chance to talk me out of it. Another five minutes of confirming details and Miranda advised she’d call me back within the hour to confirm the deal was done and when I could get the keys. With the apartment being empty, she didn’t think it’d be an issue, but you never know.
Feeling a little bit better, like there was something in my life that I could actually control, I headed for the restaurant, my stomach growling.
Finding a parking spot was surprisingly easy for a Saturday evening, and I jumped out. As I made my way up the stairs, my heart was pounding. I hadn’t been here in a while, and I had no idea if Claire was on shift today and if she was, would she even talk to me. Look at me. Or would she pretend she didn’t even know me?
At the hostess stand, I came face to face with a beautiful lady with a kind smile and a killer rack. “Can I help you?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m just…my family is already here.”
“Did you just want to take a look around?”
“That’d be great. Thanks,” I answered politely stepping into the busy restaurant, my eyes scanning back and forth.
Quickly I figured out they weren’t inside and headed for the huge open doors. I heard Dad before I got there. His booming laughter and the undeniable snort from Mum. Slowing my pace, I considered turning around and heading back the way I came from. As much as I loved my family, and I really did, they didn’t know how to do subtle.
A kid with short pigtails in her hair and pink sparkly dress barrelled past me with a squeal, and I sidestepped out of her way. With my eyes focused on the little girl, I didn’t watch where I was going and bounced off someone.
Hearing them gasp, I spun around and came face to face with the woman who’d ghosted on me.
“Claire…”
25
Claire
“Claire.”
My name fell from his lips with a gasp. The last person I was expecting to see today, and the last person I was ready to see today was Seth. I wasn’t ready. I don’t know if I ever would be, but I didn’t have a choice now. Here he was, standing in front of me looking all sorts of delicious in his pressed navy pants, white business shirt with the top couple of buttons undone flashing a glimpse of that chest I had memorised, and his sleeves rolled up reminding me of the way they felt wrapped around me.
Feeling the warmth radiating off him, I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us. Just the scent of his expensive cologne was doing things to me I wasn’t ready for. Until I explained why I’d been such a bitch and ghosted him, I didn’t understand more. Seth deserved the truth before we moved forward. Bumping straight into a chair, I gasped as Seth’s hand reached out and wrapped around my forearm. Pain raced through my arm and made my eyes water. He couldn’t see it, but my long sleeve shirt covered up the bruises that scarred my arm.
Yanking it out of his grip, I cradled my arm rubbing softly at the spot. Biting my lip, I hoped the thick layer of makeup I’d caked on before leaving home hid the rest. The last thing I needed right now was for Seth to start asking questions. Especially not while I was working. I’d been lucky. Somehow when I’d come to see Isla a few days ago to tell her what had happened and ask for some time, she hadn’t batted an eyelid. Told me to take as much time as I needed. Assured me that
my job would be here if and when I was ready.
Well, I was back.
I didn’t know if I was ready, or if I’d ever be. But I was nothing if not stubborn. I needed this. I needed to be out from under the watchful eye of my brother and his mates. I knew they meant well and all they wanted to do was protect me, but they couldn’t see that in trying to keep me safe, they were smothering me. If I had any hope of getting my life back, getting back to normal, then I had to take life by the balls and get on with it. No one was going to hand it to me on a silver platter, so there was no point hiding out in my room.
It’d taken some convincing, but eventually Isaac agreed to let me work, but only if he could drop me off at the door and pick me up. I agreed quickly. It wasn’t like I had much choice. Since the prick who’d done this had taken my car, which I found out later from the cops was found burnt out a couple of suburbs away, I was relying on Isaac to take me where I needed to go. Not that I’d gone anywhere yet, but for right now, he had me over a barrel. Today was step one in getting my life back. Step two was, step two had to be, mastering public transport.
Seth eyed me warily as I rubbed my arm. I could see a million questions in his eyes, and I knew I owed him answers but now wasn’t the time. And it certainly wasn’t the place.
Without giving me a chance to say anything, his shoulders slumped, and he mumbled something about finding his family before shuffling away leaving me stunned.
I hated seeing him like this. Defeated. Deflated. It was like the cocky, confident guy I’d met was gone, and in his place was an empty shell. Surely it couldn’t be my fault. At least not entirely. Yeah, we’d fucked, and we’d been hanging out, but we weren’t anything serious. I mean, I’d hoped that’s where we were headed but everything had changed now. And seeing him like that, I realised just how little I actually knew him.
Ignoring the ache in my arm, I picked up the cloth I’d dropped and headed back inside to refill the salt and pepper shakers. The last thing I wanted to do was to get caught up in my head. I was better off focusing on keeping busy than trying to untangle my feelings for the sexy soccer star sitting barely thirty feet away.
Rookie (Playing The Field Book 2) Page 15