Page 59 of King of Hearts

“Ando, reckon we would have kicked a few more if you were handing out tackles rather than hugs?” Jay jested.

“Yeah, man, surprised you didn’t lead us through a meditation session in the locker room, you know with thathumbleheartof yours.” Jack added, before he and Jay both skolled their drinks to the sound of the rest of the team laughing. Despite being the butt of their jokes, I joined in, because for all the slack they were throwing my way, some of their quips were pretty good. I was also enjoying this because I knew I would repay them in training this week – my favourite form of retribution.

“How about you just worry about your own game, otherwise Coach is going to bench both your arses.”

“Whatever, Romeo.” Jay said as he stood and turned towards the bar. “Anyone want another?”

“If you’re buying, definitely.” Jack and a couple of the other guys stood and followed, leaving me at the table reaching for my phone.

Andy:Hey you. What are you up to?

Arna:Hey! Still at Dad and Queeny’s. They’re asking when I’m bringing you home to meet them. Sorry about the game, I enjoyed watching you in those shorts though, so that’s a win.

Andy:Ha. Well, I guess you’ve met my folks so fair’s fair. Thanks, it was a tough one. They were just too good tonight.

Arna:I told Queeny what you said and she is making me get her old recipe books out immediately while yelling at Dad about her special cutlery set. *eyeroll*

I will cheer you up once you’re home. I miss you.

Andy:Sounds good. Can’t wait. Miss you too.

Searching my phone for something to keep me occupied, I did my best to think of anything other than how Arna might improve my mood once we landed tomorrow. The wicked thoughts racing through my mind were enough to tent my pants right here in this club and with the boys on their way back from the bar, that was the last thing I needed.

Refusing the offer to join them on the dance floor, I relaxed in my seat, secured in the VIP section of the bar and pondered the complete one-eighty my life had taken. Six months ago, I lived and breathed football. My schedule was tight and anyone close to me knew exactly where I was at any given time. On days training wasn’t scheduled, I was at the club working with the younger recruits to improve a specific area of their game or I was watching hours of previous matches. It was why I was considered such a fierce player. I didn’t rely purely on natural talent. I studied my opposition to the point of becoming them. At times I was so invested that I knew what they would do even before they did, an ability my teammates also relied upon. It was one of the reasons the Hearts were number one in the league for turnovers - capitalising on the errors of our foes.

Now my days were no longer governed by the rigidity of football, family, and small pockets of rest. Of a morning my first thought was Arna, my last thought was Arna and most thoughts in between consisted of the blonde bombshell who accidentally sauntered into my life in the most unexpected way. After our last conversation about exclusivity and seeing as I was apparently going to be meeting her family soon, it was not at all surprising that my world was now on a pivot. The gravitational pull towards her as the unintentional centre of my universe was both mind-boggling and terrifying.

I was in a relationship.

Fuck.

The thought simmered through me as my leg started to shake restlessly. In the past, thoughts like this would have been enough to throw me into a merciless panic, now though, I found the swirl coursing through me was one of excitement. And knowing I would be going back to Sydney where she was waiting, induced comfort. The comfort that only home – and anything associated with it – could bring.

In this nameless club, the music was loud and the drinks were flowing but I wasn’t finding enjoyment in a scene that a year or two ago, I would have actively sought. There was no denying there were plenty of attractive women here, heck, there were at least half a dozen congregating around the boys on the dance floor now. Yet, I wasn’t even remotely interested. Arna’s vivacious laugh and the warmth of her smile was all I wanted. All I needed.

I closed my eyes, resting my head against the wall behind me, weariness taking over. A game always sent my body to shit. I mean, I wasn’t getting any younger, but today was particularly rough. The fatigue of defeat was real, and it was going to take a few extra sessions with the post-match recovery team to loosen up the sore calves.

I wanted to get home, or at the very least, to my hotel room so I could sleep the night away before we boarded the early flight home.

Glancing at my watch I figured another twenty minutes would do and then I could leave without the boys giving me too much shit. I was by no means someone who was still at the bar on last call, but I usually put in a few good hours. Tonight, I hadn’t left the table, barely spoken to anyone and thought about Arna the entire time. About the way her lower lip was slightly fuller than the top yet together they were perfect. About the way she smelt like a warm apple dessert and tasted divinely better. I missed her and I was desperate to get home to her and her quick wit and dramatic conversations.

The truth of the matter was that despite my previous and reasonable idea that given the nature of my lifestyle and career, I was better off without someone, she was the exception. Every time I thought something was going to happen to change my mind, case in point being her article, she proved that she was everything she claimed to be and more. The words she wrote about me for the world to see were genuine and thoughtful. Full of anecdotes I didn’t even realise I shared with her, yet she heard all the same.

The small kernels of doubt still sporadically popped up, which when left unattended usually ended in worry over whether she was only interested in me because it was good for her career – but deep down I knew that was crap. I recognised the self-sabotaging behaviour and I wasn’t prepared to give it air-time. There were subtleties I noticed when we were alone which weren’t there if we were at the clubhouse or with others. Outside of our own bubble, her smile didn’t come as easy and her posture was always a little tense. Serving as reassurance that my feelings were reciprocated. The more I came to terms with the reality of everything she was, the more I realised her wit, intelligence and animated ingenuity were a warmth which seeped through the empty pockets of my soul and filled me from the inside out.

Deciding enough was enough and I was ready to call it quits for the night, I opened my eyes to leave. I was startled to find a woman shifting into the seat next to me, her eyes dazed from what I assumed were far too many drinks, one of which she was currently spilling over both her hand and the table.

I froze, not at all interested in her or in trying to extricate myself from a conversation. She laughed, reaching across me to grab a handful of napkins.

“Oops.” She said as I pressed myself further into the seat, careful not to touch her in any way. She wiped her hand and lifted the drink, taking a sip while looking at me with a smirk. I peered over her head wondering how the hell she even got to the table when this was supposed to be a private section. If a woman wasn’t escorted personally by one of the players, it was supposed to be team only and it was one of the only reasons I came tonight. This one was alone and I had no energy for small talk with anyone, let alone a drunkball chaser. Once upon a time, I may have been keen for her and for a night of fun while on the road, but not anymore.

When I still didn’t say anything and again glanced at my watch she reached over and put her hand on my arm, squeezing. “Ooooh, you are much hotter in person.”

I removed her arm and subtly slid further along the seat. The dress she wore barely covered anything and the only thing I could think of while taking in her obvious invitation was, I couldn’t believe a year ago I would have accepted her silent offer.

“Sorry, I was actually just leaving.” I said, pointing towards the boys, hoping she would take the hint so I could stand. I inwardly groaned when not only did she ignore my obvious rejection but moved in closer.

“I’m Gina.” She said, leaning towards me. Spilling her drink again, I sighed, reaching for the napkins to clean the mess before it dripped over the edge and onto me or the seats. “I saw your game tonight. I bet you’d like someone to take your mind off things?”

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