Page 34 of Playing for Possession
I nodded. “If you like.”
Kieran frowned. “Why can’t she keep her glasses on?”
She eyed me up and down with a frank look. “We want to showcase you both looking... your best. Follow me.”
She headed toward the production tent, her sandals slapping on the sand.
Kieran shot me a sidelong glance, not bothering to lower his voice. “Keep your glasses on if you want to. Don’t let them make you feel uncomfortable.”
I dropped my voice to a whisper. “They must know what they’re talking about. I have to trust they won’t shoot me from a bad angle.”
His tone was level.“They’d never be able to find a bad angle.”
I felt suddenly hot and flustered. It had been weird between us yesterday, like something was shifting. He’d seemed genuinely hurt that I’d called out footballers for their womanizing. His denial had been so vehement, I could almost believe him.
Elena stopped at a wardrobe rail full of blue swimwear. Bikinis and swimsuits? Where were the other clothes?
“I thought we’d be wearing our football kits,” I said.
Elena’s eyes gleamed with forced enthusiasm. “The vibe is sunny beach days. Fun. Carefree. Don’t worry. It’s all very tasteful.”
I fingered the tiny scraps of material. Not just a bikini, but a high-cut thong bikini. Seriously? This was tasteful? Elena was talking, but I couldn’t listen. The crew bustled around us, barking orders, adjusting props, and my mind reeled. I tried to focus on thedazzling blue of the ocean and the tang of salt in the air to ground myself. No way. This couldn’t be happening.
If I wore that bikini, I’d be giving people everything they expected of Mortimer Fox’s daughter—an airhead rich girl, loafing on a sun lounger, living a luxurious lifestyle. I’d have to act it out on camera for the world to see. This was the story of my life. An unwilling actress in a role that didn’t suit me.
I’d feel more comfortable in my Calverdale kit, but if I kicked up a fuss then I met people’s assumptions. If I dared speak up, I’d be labelled pushy, demanding, and entitled. Claire had sent me here as a representative of the club. Now I had to walk a tightrope between standing up for myself and doing right by Calverdale. Despite the churning in my gut, I dragged my gaze from the sea to Elena. I rolled my shoulders back in a show of confidence I didn’t feel, but Kieran spoke before I could get the words out.
“Not a bikini.” He folded his arms across his chest. “We’re footballers, not swimsuit models. I’m not shoving my junk into Speedos.”
Elena met Kieran’s sullen gaze without flinching. “Swimwear is part of the aesthetic. It’s already been decided.”
Kieran’s brows drew together in a frown. “We’re not doing it.”
Elena’s eyes flashed to me. She wore a slight smirk. “Is this your first commercial?”
“Yes.”
She trailed a finger in an outline from my head to my waist. “Look at you. Look at this incredible figure. You should be proud of your body, not shy. We’re giving you an opportunity. Only a fool would pass up this kind of exposure.”
The idea rankled me. This wasn’t about shyness. Yes, I was shy a lot of the time, and awkward, but I had no issue with the way my body looked. I’d happily wear a bikini at the pool. But this was different. Female athletes were endlessly objectified in themedia. The papers focused on what we looked like, what we wore, how we styled our hair, who we were dating. It all just detracted from the game.
Still, Elena was right. The exposure would be a supercharge to my platform. None of this made me feel comfortable, but it was a stepping stone. Maybe I’d get better endorsements because of this. I had to consider my future. The reality was I didn’t make enough money to retire on. At some point, I’d need another job.
I wanted to make my own way in the world, not rely on the fact I was Mortimer Fox’s daughter. Plus, if I kicked up a fuss, I risked making Claire disgruntled, and no one liked a disgruntled Claire. I had to get on with it, even if the idea made my hands clammy.
I cleared my throat. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Kieran’s head snapped to mine. “What?”
“I’ll wear it.”
Kieran flicked Elena a glance. “Give us a minute.” He took me by the elbow and pulled me along the sand, out of earshot.
He lowered his voice. “What are you doing? You don’t want to wear that thing.”
“It’s fine. Elena’s right. I need to think about my brand. This is about visibility for the women’s game.”
“Your brand is football. It isn’t walking around with your ass out feeling uncomfortable. You don’t want to do that.”
