Logan
LEE IS SITTING up in my bed, watching me. It’s not a bad way to start the day, knowing her lustful eyes are on me as I get dressed. If I had time, this could be a lot more interesting but I don’t. I have to be at the stadium shortly—even though I’m not featuring in today’s game—but I’m reluctant to leave her. If only we had woken up earlier.
Oh, the possibilities.
Lee won’t be on her own for long; Jess is coming to pick her up and I know the two of them have lots of catching up to do. Jess wants to discuss the wedding. She’s anxious to start making arrangements before Fletch takes over. I guess I’m monopolising all of Lee’s time. Just the way it should be.
I glance over my shoulder and I’m greeted with my reward; her gorgeous smile. The one that says a thousand unspoken words. Her blonde hair drapes over her shoulders. Her cheeks are flushed, giving me an indication of what’s on her mind. Then there’s those sexy eyes, sparkling. I hated myself for knowing I had taken away this look she has right now. This is how she should look all the time. Full of life. Full of colour.
The last few days have been bliss. There are still many things to work out, especially where we’re going to live. Because we will be living together on a permanent basis, especially when our baby is here. Lee has spent most nights here and I’m the first to admit having her in my bed and arms at night is heaven.
It feels perfect.
I also went to the hospital with her for a scan. Nothing prepared me for seeing our baby on the screen before me. I couldn’t stop my tears. Old, mixed-up feelings and new ones all came to life. But this is my new beginning. One I think I deserve. The midwife in charge of Lee’s care is lovely and told me there are no concerns with either Lee or the baby. Everything is going according to plan.
I stop what I was doing, my back to her. “I know you’re still watching me.”
“Of course I am. I have nothing better to do.”
Hearing both amusement and a hint of hurt, I turn at her words. “Lee, if you get your arse out of bed and get dressed, you’ll be at the stadium with me.”
“I know. I’m kinda wishing I could stay in bed.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask with a sense of urgency. I swear, by the time the baby is here I’m going to be grey-haired with worry. If only I could wrap Lee up in cotton wool until March.
“I’m just a little tired.”
I feel guilty. She’s been working hard the last few days, trying to get caught up, and at night, I’ve been keeping her awake because I’m too selfish to leave her alone. I take a few steps closer to the bed and sit down beside her, taking her hands in mine.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve realised. If you want to stay home . . .”
“No. I said I was coming to the game with you and I will. Anyway, Jess could do with some support.”
She has a point about Jess. I’ve never seen the media so interested in Fletcher’s love life as they are now. Neither of them are getting a minute’s peace. I know and Fletcher knows that it was most likely Chantelle who leaked the story to the press. What she hoped to gain from it, we don’t know.
It’s had me thinking what the hell is going to happen when my relationship with Lee is made public. I’ve tried not to think about that, but I know it’s bound to come out sooner rather than later. Lee and I have spoken about it and we would rather our news didn’t make any headlines.
Then again, my name isn’t Fletcher Adams, so maybe no one will be interested in our news. “Will you be okay on your own? I need to leave.”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. I can have a shower alone. No one following me and distracting me.” She smiles.
“What can I say? I love taking you anywhere I can have you. Bed, shower, couch, kitchen work surface. Makes no difference to me.” She blushes a gorgeous shade of red and I know where her mind is at—in the kitchen last night when we were meant to be cooking dinner. Needless to say, dinner had to wait.
“Go, before I make you late.”
I kiss her softly and do as she says. I’ve only just started to build bridges with the boss so I don’t want to fuck it up now, risking my place in the team further. I should get back in the starting line-up for next week’s game with good behaviour.
“I’m going. See you soon.” I grab what I need and leave her behind in my bed.
“How are you?” Fletcher asks me as he changes into his football strip.
“I’m good.”
“And Lee?”
I’m glad he doesn’t press me further because seeing him getting ready for a game, knowing I’ll not play a part in it, is torturing me. “She’s great.”
“Told you,” he says with the biggest smirk I’ve seen from him today. He’s looked worried since we got here and I’m sure it’s all to do with Jess and the media. Will he ever get a break? Ever since he broke into football, he’s had to live his life in the public eye, usually being scrutinised for his many women.
“Okay, okay. I’m going up into the stand. Score today.”
“I will. Do you have plans tonight?”
“Yes, dinner with Lee. Why?”
“Was going to ask if you wanted to come out for dinner with me and Jess.”
“I’ll ask her. Now, go and do your thing.”
I don’t hang about. I don’t need to hear Peter’s team talk. Hear what I’m missing out on today. The stadium is busy inside and out, but there’s an atmosphere in the air, one I’ve never experienced before. It’s eerie. It’s completely different from the atmosphere of the old firm game. I shrug it off. I’m probably only feeling like this because I’m not playing.
My phone buzzes; a text from Lee.
Jess is just parking the car.
Me: I’ll meet you both at the entrance.
I wander down to the entrance, offering a polite hello to everyone I pass. Security is everywhere. From here inside the doorway, I can see Lee and Jess. There is security keeping reporters to the side behind a barrier to the right of the entrance. Fans are walking in all directions, heading towards the turnstiles to enter the stadium.
I’m gutted to be missing out on today’s game, and I know I’ve only myself to blame. The only saving grace is, it’s only this week’s. With my eyes still on Lee, I find myself smiling, but also feeling anxious. I want to go outside and be right there with her, but that would only cause more speculation. All the talk has been about me and what’s going on. Headlines in the papers: Is Logan Walker On His Way Out of Glasgow? It will all die down, but I don’t want news of our baby leaked yet. Lee and I want to enjoy this without the added pressure of the media.
One of the security guards starts talking to me and I try to be polite and still keep my eyes on Lee, but it’s hard, especially when he’s being so animated over the story he’s telling. I look at him and laugh loudly. It’s only for a split second before something outside catches my eye.
Security is rushing to where I last saw Lee and Jess. I run outside, even though the guy that was talking to me attempts to hold me back.
I can’t see Lee.
Reporters are everywhere. Police rush to intervene as well. What the hell has happened? And why can’t I see Lee? Security and police push people back. Cameras flash. And I finally see Jess, kneeling on the ground.
That means . . .
“Move!” I call out to a security guard who tries to push me back. Lee is on the ground. She’s hurt. There’s a small trickle of blood rolling down from just above her eyebrow. “What the hell happened?” I roar.
Again, someone tries to pull me back. This time I lash out, pushing them out of my way. Jess releases her hold of Lee and moves slowly to the side.
“Lee, tell me you’re both okay. What happened?” She nods slowly and reaches her hand out to me. Her other hand is placed delicately over her stomach. I want to pick her up and take her inside, but I’m being told to leave her until someone checks her over. Clutching her hand in mine, my eyes scan the area surrounding us. There’s no way this won’t make tomorrow’s pa
pers with the amount of flashing camera’s.
“Jess, what happened?” I ask as calmly as I can. The noise around us is deafening.
“It was an accident. Some lads running. They didn’t look where they where going and ran straight into us. I tried to keep her from falling.”
“Jess, this isn’t your fault.”
“Logan, I’m fine,” Lee says. “We both are. I want to get up. I feel foolish here.”
“Lee, you have to stay here until the club doctor is with you.”
She shakes her head in frustration and closes her eyes firmly, shutting everyone, including me, out.
Voices catch my attention and the sea of people part to make way for not only the club doctor, but Peter and Fletcher. The doctor starts asking Lee questions and cleaning the cut. I hope Peter has already told him that she’s pregnant, because I don’t want this announced out here. Fletcher goes to Jess and they stand at the side, waiting. “I think we should get you checked over at the hospital given your condition,” the doctor tells Lee.
“No. I’m fine. Nothing more than a bruised ego. Now, if someone could help me up?”
“Miss MacKay, I would feel better if we got you checked over to be on the safe side.” With the doctor’s words, fear floods me.
“Doctor, honestly. I’m fine and, right now, I want to be anywhere but lying on the ground.” He nods, and after a few minutes of checking her over, the doctor allows Lee to get up.
“I’m taking you to the hospital or home,” I state, holding her close, my arm wrapped around her waist.
“I agree with Logan.” Peter’s words surprise me.
“I’m not going home. You can all see I’m fine, although I wish you would’ve let me get up sooner. I came here to watch a game of football and that’s what I intend to do.”
She pulls out of my hold and Jess is by her side. The two of them walk in front.
“Bloody stubborn woman.” Fletcher and Peter laugh beside me. Lee dusts down her dress before running her fingers through her hair. And just like that, she looks incredible. Stubborn, but perfect. Cameras flash and I watch on as Lee and Jess smile before going inside the stadium.
Lee
“LOGAN, I SWEAR to God if you don’t stop fussing, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.” He’s doing my head in. Jess laughs beside me. The stadium erupts with clapping and cheering as the team take to the pitch.
“I’m just making sure you’re okay.”
He’s asked the same question repeatedly in the last ten minutes. If he keeps up with the fussing, I’m going home to my apartment alone. I’m smiling deep down inside because it’s nice to know he cares. This warm, affectionate side to him is really endearing and a far cry from the man with the bad boy image portrayed in the media.
Just as the game kicks off, we all sit down and he takes my hand in his, gently stroking his thumb along mine. A warm fuzzy feeling spreads through me.
Fran takes the empty seat beside Jess, smiling as she does. Only a few months ago, neither Jess nor I knew Fran, but now we class her as a very good friend. Fran is so easy to be around, I feel as though I’ve known her a long time. “Are you okay?” she asks.
“Yes, I’m good.” I turn. “Are you okay?” My question is directed at Logan. This must be hard for him, sitting up here when he should be down on the pitch, saving the game.
He nods, but I’m not convinced he means it.
The game plays before us; our team looks out of sorts as far as I can see. Fletcher and Jackson aren’t really getting much time on the ball and the young lad in goal looks as though he lacks confidence in his own ability. With my hand still in Logan’s, I watch him as he focuses his attention on the pitch.
He tuts when the game doesn’t go our way and I can sense he’s getting frustrated. He’s restless beside me and more than a few choice words have slipped through his lips. He’s not the only one who’s restless; most of the fans are desperate for our team to improve and score a goal.
I turn back to the pitch just in time to see our opposition score the opening goal.
“Fuck this!” Logan shouts beside me. I rub his hand, trying to calm him down.
A well-suited man in front of us turns around and looks at Logan. “Maybe if you were focused on your training and games, the team wouldn’t need to field someone who clearly can’t do the job.”
I swear I see steam coming from Logan’s ears. The tension is rolling off him in waves. Huge tidal waves.
“What the fuck do you know?”
“Logan, calm down,” I say, but he pulls his hand out of mine. His body shakes with anger. Anger which is directed at the man before us.
“I know you aren’t on that pitch and the team is losing because of you,” the man says, causing people to turn around and see what all the fuss is about. Security moves quickly as Logan stands.
Oh, no. Please don’t cause trouble. We don’t need it. Not today.
I sigh with relief when he doesn’t say anything to the man, but walks away, heading back inside.
“I’ll go,” says Fran, getting out of her seat. I watch helplessly as she goes after him.
“He’ll be fine. It won’t be long until half time,” Jess tells me, taking my hand in hers.
I only nod. She’s right. I’ll see him then. Hopefully some time on his own will help him realise it’s not his fault.
Would the man before us blame him if he was out injured? I’d like to say no, but fans can be so blindsided when it comes to their beloved football team. I love watching the game, always have, but at the end of the day, it’s only a game.
The half time whistle blows, and our players leave the pitch looking deflated and lost. None more so than the young lad in goal today. Jackson has his arm around his shoulders and seems to be comforting him. Poor boy; it’s not his fault. He was unlucky with the goal. Jess and I head back inside and find Fran sitting at the table we’ve been allocated. She’s already got us drinks; two glasses of wine and a cola for me. “How is he?” I ask, sitting down.
“He’s fine. He’s away down to the dressing room to have a word with the young keeper. I think that might help the lad.” I smile at the thought of Logan giving him a pep-talk to help him through the rest of the game.
Half time is over quickly and we’re back outside, waiting for the game to restart. “Hey. Are you okay?” I ask as Logan slips back beside me.
“Yes, I’m good.” He brushes a gentle kiss against my forehead.
He looks better than he did before half time; all the tension in his body has gone. We sit down and he immediately takes my hand in his but his concentration is on the game. I try to keep up, but the game is being played at a much quicker pace than the first half and I’m feeling out of sorts. I can’t put my finger on it, although I’m sure I’m just tired.
Our players at least now look as though they’re all awake as opposed to looking half asleep as they did during the first half. Sleep does sound good. I yawn.
Logan’s grip on my hand tightens as the ball is played towards our net. He inches forward to the edge of his seat. The opposition takes a shot. I close my eyes, not wanting to see. But the cheer from Logan tells me all I need to know; the young keeper has made the save.
“Bloody brilliant.”
He kisses me quickly and winks before turning back to the game. Oh God, he looks so darn cute. Sexy. My lips tingle. I want more, but for the time being, that will have to do. I return to watching the game, settling into my seat with my man beside me, holding my hand. Life is good.
My thoughts drift back to when Jess and I arrived at the stadium. God, that was embarrassing. It could’ve been much worse though. I could’ve ended up injured. But, thankfully, I’m okay.
Jess and Logan jump to their feet beside me, cheering, and when I look around, most of the stadium is on their feet, cheering and clapping. Fletcher has scored and I missed it.
“Lee . . .” I can hear the concern in the tone of Logan’s voice.
“
Sorry. I was a million miles away.” His eyes study me. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking.”
Logan’s not buying it, especially when I shiver. “Do you want to go inside?” he asks. I shake my head. He smiles, wraps his arm around me, and pulls my body tight to his. I melt against him. Right now, I could close my eyes and fall asleep, even with all the noise surrounding us, all because I’m comfortable in his arms. I hear Jess and Fran talking beside me, but I don’t turn or listen to what is being said.
The game continues to play out and our young keeper makes another important save, according to Logan, and Fletcher . . . well, he does what he does best. He scores another goal just before the full time whistle blows, giving the team another win.
We’ve been back inside now for over half an hour and, not only am I tired, but my body aches. I swear I twisted my back or something when I fell. We’re meant to be going out for dinner with Jess and Fletcher so I need to give myself a good old shake. Logan disappeared as soon as we came inside; he wanted to see the lads. He looked so excited to see them. Jess and Fran have talked non-stop about the game and the wedding. It’s been hard keeping up with them. The players’ lounge is busy with friends and family of all the players. There’s a real buzz in the air.
My eyes drift around the room, watching everyone, but when I hear the lounge door open, I turn.
“For fuck’s sake. She’s like a bad smell, turning up when you least expect it.”
Chantelle and her friend strut into the room. Jess and Fran turn at my words.
“I wonder who she’s set her claws into this time?” Jess says. “She’d better stay away from me because, this time, I might not be so nice.”
I think back to the charity function when Jess had words with her in the ladies’ toilets. Chantelle marches towards us. Oh, no. What the hell does she want?
“Afternoon, ladies,” she says, stopping in front of us. We all glance at each other, each of us wondering what game she’s playing this time. “Turned out to be a great game, don’t you think? Logan’s starting position might now be under fire.” Bloody bitch.
Saving the Game Page 12