Page 15 of Maximum Dare
I felt that sting, too. “I’m here for you. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Thank you for coming all this way for me.”
“Of course. How’s Mum?”
He shook his head. “Same. She refuses to sell this place.”
“Her best memories are here.”
I could relate.
Aged ten, I’d scored my first goal in this very garden—only later realizing that David had let me because he was seriously that cool. Despite the circumstances of their marriage coming after the scandal of an affair, Mum really had seemed happier with David. My own dad had worked hard to establish his law firm back in São Paulo, building it up from nothing. Sadly, he’d done it all for her. A heartbreaking fact I tried not to think about.
I looked around at the partygoers. “I hate these things,” I muttered.
“Want to grab a drink?” asked Nick.
He led me onto the patio where we each snagged a glass of champagne and huddled beneath a heater.
Nick raised his glass to toast a stranger across the lawn and then turned back to me. “So, how have you been?”
“This trip is the break I needed.”
“Maybe we can spend some quality time together before you head back.”
“I insist.” Following his line of sight, I saw Morgan. She was standing with a circle of women who looked like they’d huddled together to gossip. “Are those Morgan’s friends?”
“Yeah.”
“Anyone from your team here?”
“No, they’re banned after what happened at the last party.”
“Do I even want to know?”
He smirked. “Probably not.”
“When do you hear about Manchester United?”
“Coach tells me I should find out in about two weeks.”
“That’s fantastic, Nick. I’ll be here to help you celebrate.” I studied his reaction. “You still want this, right?”
“More than anything. Only, I can’t help but think they just want me because of who my dad was—not because I’m a bloody good player.”
“Normal reaction,” I assured him. “It could be Imposter Syndrome.”
“I bet you don’t get that.”
“Being an attorney is in my blood.” It wasn’t strictly true, but he didn’t need to see doubt right now. He needed someone strong to lean on. “You Brits are famous for being self-deprecating. It’s in your DNA. You apologize for everything. Even if it’s not your fault.”
He grinned. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
I smiled back at him and gave his shoulder a reassuring slap. “Football is not only a passion, it’s a business too. Manchester United needs you. They only go after the best players.”
“Hope you’re right.”
He was staring at his girlfriend again.
