Always There

by Tiara Inserto

  “Because this trip was scheduled for my life after I left the Meriton,” she whispered. “There was no reason for you to know.”

  He studied her face as if rediscovering it. “But I want to know now. I want to know where you’re going to be tomorrow, next week, next month. Look, I still have some commitments to follow through on. I also need to spend some time with my family, but I’d like to see you there.”

  “Where? In England?”

  “Yes. I’m going to take some time off. We all are. I also pulled a muscle, and I think the doctor said I strained something else. I think I need a bit of a holiday.”

  Liana laughed softly. “You sound like you do. But I won’t be in England very long. Have to head to America. I have a few college players over there I want to check out.”

  “Perfect. I love America. No one knows me there. It’ll be a real vacation.”

  “I’ll be working.”

  “Alone?”

  “Oh yes. The budget can only handle one traveler.”

  “I’ll come with you. I’ll be your driver. Let’s hire one of those big SUVs. Or a truck? Yeah, a massive truck!”

  “Mitch...”

  “Send me your itinerary. I’ll book my own rooms. I won’t bother you while you’re working. I promise.” His eyes matched the excitement in his voice.

  “Mitch...”

  He traced her jawline with his thumb before looking deeply into her eyes.

  “When I’m with you, it feels right,” Mitch said, softly. “I’m not some young bloke who has a crush on a girl. I’ve been around the block a couple of times. I’ve had a couple of serious relationships. I’m still not sure what I’m feeling. All I know is that I want to spend time with you. I need to spend time with you. And now that the Championship is over, I can. I want to think, especially after that kiss, that you’d be open to figuring out whatever it is between us. I think we owe that to ourselves, don’t you?”

  Liana stared at Mitch, her emotions scattered. “You’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?

  Mitch grinned. Liana’s heart skipped. He looked different... like he’d been freed.

  “Only in the last seventy-two hours,” he said. “Until last night, all I really was planning to do was to ask you out for dinner. But I must say, being so impulsive does have its rewards.”

  She couldn’t be blushing. This was insane, but Mitch was right. They needed to know. Could they be more than friends? “Okay. I’ll email you my itinerary when I arrive in London.”

  “Great.” He smiled widely before leaning in for a kiss, their lips just brushing each other. “I have to see the prime minister in about forty-five minutes. Barnsey is going to have a fit when he sees me still out of uniform.” He traced her lips one more time with a rough thumb.

  “I’ll see you somewhere on the other side of the world, yeah?”

  Liana nodded. He reluctantly moved his body away from her and walked to the front door.

  “Mitch?”

  He glanced over his shoulder, halfway out of the door.

  “Congratulations.”

  Mitch laughed. “Thanks.”

  He shut the door behind him, leaving Liana stunned. She touched where his thumb had lingered, her fingers trembling. She wasn’t sure what to think. Her legs finally gave way, and she slid to the floor. She should have questions, but she didn’t. Her mind wouldn’t work. She could only remember the feel of his lips, the weight of his body, the gentleness of that last touch.

  What exactly had just happened?

  Ka-boom.

  CHAPTER TEN

  England, November 2011

  Mitch was expecting his new girlfriend to greet him at Heathrow. Instead, it was Guy Tisdale—wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses—who waved at him after he cleared Customs.

  “Liana’s running behind schedule, so she asked me to come instead,” Guy explained.

  “Thanks, mate. You shouldn’t have. I could have picked up a taxi.”

  “Believe me, I was glad to get out of the house. Moira is redecorating one of our rooms, and there are only so many questions I can handle about paisley.”

  It took about an hour to get from Heathrow to the inner area of Richmond. Mitch and Guy spent the drive rehashing their experiences of the World Championship and the consequences that followed the victories and the losses. They turned into a cul-de-sac, then into a driveway paved with stone that led to a two-story white house.

  “You missed a day of rain yesterday,” Guy said. “I don’t know why you chose England over where you’re coming from. Weather’s turning nice there.”

  He doesn’t know about Liana and me. “Yeah, but it was always in the plans to go away for a while, just recover from all of it. It’s been a good couple of weeks. Spent most of it with family, but I’m looking forward to doing nothing with footy for a bit.”

  “I completely understand.”

  “But you’re not on break. Don’t you start your season soon?”

  “Yes, but I was done with the Championship much earlier than you.”

  Once inside, Guy led Mitch into the kitchen where, to Mitch’s surprise, Mark Johnson was having tea with Moira.

  Mitch tensed automatically. Despite their morning out on the river, he didn’t know how to gauge Mark’s influence on Liana’s life. And until he was sure of where he stood with her, he was wary of someone who could be a potential adversary. Mark stood up and approached him.

  “Well, here he is! The King of Rugby, himself! Congratulations on the Championship! That was quite a final. One point! I thought the French would break through somehow, but not Guy. He had a lot of faith in you.”

  Mitch was surprised to see a set of keys in his palm after their handshake. He looked up, confused.

  “Liana borrows one of my cars whenever she needs one. I have a few,” Mark explained. He took a step closer to Mitch, his eyes ice-cold blue and his voice suddenly void of emotion. “You kissed her yet?”

  Mitch clenched his fists. “None of your business, mate.”

  Mark laughed, stepping back. “Oh, you two did, didn’t you? She wouldn’t answer that question either!”

  “Mark, you are such a moron. It’s supposed to be a secret! Never mind him, Mitch. He just wants to be in the middle of everything,” Moira said. She pulled Mitch down for a hug and whispered. “I’m so happy that you’re here. I’ve never seen her so excited before.”

  Across the kitchen island, Guy looked at him with a biscuit suspended in front of his mouth. His eyes were wide. “Hang on—are you seeing Liana? Our Liana? When? How?” Guy turned to his wife. “But Liana doesn’t date athletes. Why do you and pretty-boy over there know, and I don’t?”

  “You’re not interested in things like this, remember?” Moira said, grinning.

  “I’m always interested in anything that has to do with Liana’s happiness.”

  Mark placed his teacup back on the counter noisily. “I think I should have seen this coming. It took a New Zealand rugby player to break through her barriers. Somebody with some real cahoonas. I did my bit to check him out. I don’t know if he likes me or whether I like him. But I think he’ll be good for our Liana. Anyway, I best be off. Moira, Guy, I’ll see you both next weekend at my place. Mitch, make sure Liana lets you have a go in the Aston Martin. It’s a fun ride.” Mark winked at Mitch, thumping him on his back as he passed.

  Guy continued to frown at Mitch, his arms folded across his broad chest. Moira touched her husband’s arm gently. “Why don’t you take Mitch out to the pub? Have a bit of a chat.”

  “Yeah, I think I could definitely use a drink,” Mitch said.

  The pub was a ten-minute walk away, almost empty in the early afternoon. The publican, a short, older man with salt-and-pepper hair, nodded at Guy as they entered. “All right, Guy?”

  “Yes, thanks. Yourself? Good. Two lagers, please.”

  Carrying their drinks, Guy led them to a partially hidden corner of the pub. Old pictures of the area were hung am
ong photographs and posters of sporting legends. These broke up the rich wooden paneling that surrounded them. Stained-glass windows caught the little sunlight that streamed through, adding to the privacy of the small space. Mitch saw a large, framed, black-and-white picture of Guy holding a large trophy. Probably from the U.K. Club Finals. He looked at the picture next to it and did a double take when he realized whom it featured.

  “Yes, that’s her. Have you seen the one of her in the National Portrait Gallery?” Guy asked.

  Mitch shook his head. He took another drink of his lager. “The National Portrait Gallery in London? The same gallery where the portraits of kings and queens hang?”

  “Yes, that one. Moira cried when she saw it for the first time. It’s a beautiful piece. Won a prize that year. You should go see it. That photo, however,” continued Guy, pointing to the framed picture on the wall, “is my favorite. And pretty rare. Everyone seems to think of her as she is now: the manager, the sports commentator, the celebrity, etcetera, etcetera. But she was an athlete first, like you and me, an international capped player. Youngest ever to represent England.”

  “You’re right,” Mitch admitted. “I don’t know anything about that part of her life.”

  “Haven’t you read anything about her online?”

  Mitch shook his head. “I had her right in front of me. I wanted to get to know her that way and not through what someone else wrote about her.”

  Mitch continued to study the picture. She couldn’t have been more than sixteen years old, but he recognized the look, the intensity that crosses her face whenever she watched her players. The photographer caught her just as her right foot was about to make contact with the ball. Lean and fit, she looked strong.

  “Did you ever see her play in a match?” Mitch asked.

  “Yes, a few times. Converted my mum into a football fan,” Guy said. “But the match I’ll never forget was when she played for the Under-20s. They played at Wembley against Italy. We made a big day out of it. Dad, Mum, my sister, and I drove up from Exeter, and it was amazing. It was one of those moments that made me think about being a professional rugby player, to one day walk onto the turf of a stadium like that. She scored a hat-trick that day. They couldn’t do anything. She was in that zone we all wish we could be in all the time. It turned out that was going to be her last match. Her mum and Adam died that same weekend.”

  “I understand they were in an accident.”

  Guy took a drink. “Yes. The morning after the match at Wembley, Liana, Theresa, and Adam went cycling. There’s this pub along the River Exe that they’d often cycle to, nothing strenuous. Liam was at an away match in Plymouth. A young lad lost control of his car and drove straight into them. Adam died instantly; he was thrown off his bike and hit a tree. Liana was knocked off her bike as well. She was in a coma for two days. Theresa was pinned under the car and died at the hospital. My dad drove to Plymouth. It wasn’t news you could tell over the phone.”

  Mitch shook his head at the tragedy of it. He couldn’t imagine how Liam must have felt, hearing the news all at once, grieving but also hoping for his daughter’s survival. “She didn’t mention that she was also hurt in the same accident.”

  Guy sighed. “She’s been hurt a lot in life. Despite all you see, all the accolades, the pictures up on the walls of pubs, she protects herself. She’s famous, but she’s intensely private. Most people she meets cannot see past the image of Liana Murphy. Sometimes, I think she created that image so that no one would look beyond it.”

  Mitch recognized the unspoken plea in that statement. It reminded him of his conversation with Mark months ago. “I won’t hurt her.”

  Guy leaned back in his chair and studied Mitch. He started to speak but stopped. He tapped his thumb nervously on the table before trying again. “I hope not. And I don’t think you would intentionally. You’re a good bloke, Mitch. You’re respected both on and off the pitch. Liana... well... We all just want her to be happy. To be honest, she’s been alone for such a long time that we were beginning to wonder if she would ever let anyone get close.”

  “I still find it hard to believe that you, your babysitter, and her friend from primary school are all now fairly famous.”

  Guy laughed. “Yes, imagine that. The three of us rotate each year as the Lord Mayor’s special guest at the Lammas Fair. It is a bit of a coincidence, but maybe not. She taught me how to be a committed athlete, how to train. Even back then, she had the stuff of managers. She was a really strict babysitter, actually. But my sister and I adored her, still do. As for Mark—he was just born good-looking. I don’t care what my wife says; I think that acting award was a fluke. But the camera loves him, prat that he is.”

  Their laughter stopped only when the door suddenly opened, lighting up the pub momentarily with sunlight. The publican’s grin of recognition was instantaneous. He opened up his arms. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, darlin’!” he announced.

  Liana walked in quickly, her arms also outstretched. She moved behind the pub counter, giving the older man a big hug. Their affection for each other was evident, and he laughed loudly at whatever was said between them.

  Mitch stood up, and his movement garnered the result he had hoped; he had her attention.

  She’d turned in response to the sound of his chair scraping the timber floor. And his heart stopped for a second at the sheer delight that crossed her face at her seeing him. Mitch was overwhelmed by a different emotion, an emotion he had never felt before in such a situation: humility. He was humbled that this radiant creature who was walking towards him was smiling just for him.

  She looked beautiful, the whiteness of her winter coat a bright contrast to the dark masculine colors of an English pub.

  “Hello,” she said as she reached him, a trace of nervousness in her voice.

  He took her gloved hands and held them firmly. He bent slightly to brush his lips against hers, then moved a hand behind her neck to deepen his kiss. “I’ve missed you,” he said and pulled her into his arms.

  * * *

  Liana inhaled deeply, remembering their first hug. He was finally here. She tightened her arms around his waist, enjoying the feel of his strength despite the layers of clothes that separated them. She could do that now. She had crossed the line, and there was no turning back. They were going to be more than friends, and it both scared and excited her.

  They parted slowly. Mitch pulled out his chair for her to sit then grabbed another. Liana turned to Guy, who was smiling widely.

  “Thanks for picking up Mitch,” she said. “Mark said he’d drop the keys off. What did he leave me this time? Please tell me he didn’t leave the ‘Vera’ car. I don’t know why he bought that thing.”

  “Because he’s slightly obsessed with Brenda Blethyn,” Guy said. “But, no, it wasn’t the old Land Rover. The Aston Martin is outside my house as we speak.”

  Liana gasped. “I don’t believe it.”

  “He loves that car,” Guy explained to Mitch. “None of us were allowed to touch it for a good year, let alone get inside the thing. He must be getting sentimental in his old age.”

  “He’s the same age as I am,” Liana retorted, punching Guy in the arm affectionately.

  “Are you sure you and Mitch wouldn’t want to stay for dinner?” Guy asked. “Moira and I would enjoy having you as our guests. It’d be no trouble.”

  Liana glanced at Mitch, who was now seated next to her. “Thank you, but we were always meant to head down to Exeter today. My grandparents will be waiting. They’re excited to meet you, Mitch.”

  Guy grinned. “You must be special, Mitch. Liana doesn’t introduce just anyone to Raj and Anusha. And here’s a tip: always eat Anusha’s achaar. If you do, you’re in her good books for life. But be warned; it’s got a kick.”

  When she had offered the spare bedroom in her house in Exeter, Liana hadn’t thought Mitch would accept it, mainly because her grandparents were also going to be there. But he seemed very enthusiastic. She wa
s surprised and a little apprehensive at his acceptance, surprised he would want to meet her family but nervous that he was going to see more of her private life.

  As the men finished their drinks, the conversation centered on Liana’s activities in England over the last couple of weeks. She had been busy attending many football matches and practices. Then there were the endless meetings with her business advisors and too many others.

  But this week, she was going to spend time with only her grandparents and Mitch. He had asked if he could see her childhood haunts. It appealed to her to show him Devon, to enjoy the moors and the beaches. It’d been a long time since she enjoyed the beauty of her country. It was something her mum always made sure they did when she was younger.

  She had talked with Mitch frequently over the last couple of weeks, fun and thoughtful conversations. Unsurprisingly, this was the most relaxed she had ever seen him. His status among the rugby elite was cemented the minute the final whistle was blown. His sporting legacy was now complete.

  Whether any of that had any influence on his decision to delay retirement, Liana was uncertain. He had said, simply, that he wasn’t sure if that was what he wanted to do anymore. “There’s something about reaching a goal that now makes other goals more doable,” he had said.

  The other topic absent from their talks was their relationship. Neither of them brought it up, content to keep things comfortable during their chat sessions.

  An hour after leaving the pub, Liana took the wheel of the silver custom-designed Aston Martin. She usually hated driving, especially in the city. Whenever she could, she took the train down to Exeter. But even her sensibilities were appeased by the superior engineering of the sports car.

  “Your friend does have good taste in cars,” Mitch said, as they moved through London traffic. “You handle it well. And you say you’ve never driven it before?”

  “I’ve driven an Aston Martin before,” Liana corrected him. “When I turned thirty-five, Mark’s present to me was a weekend driving course at the Aston Martin facilities. I hate speed and dislike driving. But it was actually a useful gift. Made me face fears I’d forgotten I had. I didn’t want to take the course. But Mark knew I hated wasting money more, so he made sure I knew how much the gift cost him.”