Page 76 of The Defender
“Are you going home for the break?” I stuck with a safer topic.
The team was off for two weeks before Christmas. Usually, the mid-season break was in January, and we hadn’t gotten one at all last year, but the Premier League’s leadership decided to shake things up this year.
Vincent shook his head. “My dad’s in Bordeaux for most of the break, and I don’t feel like being home alone.” He hesitated, then said, “My birthday’s next week, and I threw together a last-minute Budapest trip to celebrate. Some of the guys and I rented a villa, but there’s plenty of room. You should join us. Carina too. Scarlett’s already coming with Asher, so it’ll be like a girls’ trip for you three.”
Don’t read too much into it.It was a group trip, not a romantic getaway for two. Still, my stomach fluttered.
“That sounds amazing, but considering I’ll be out of a job by January, I shouldn’t be going on any last-minute trips,” I said reluctantly.
“It’ll be all-expenses-paid, minus airfare.” His dimple flashed at my shocked expression. “We’ve already covered the villa, food, and drinks. All you have to do is show up.”
“It’s your birthday. Shouldn’t we be the ones paying for you?”
He shrugged. “You are. Well, the guys are. I was only responsible for the deposit on the villa.”
I drew my bottom lip between my teeth. The invitation was tempting. I’d never been to Hungary, and getting away from London for a bit might be good for my mental health. I hadn’t left the city since Scarlett, Carina, and I took a trip to the Cotswolds over the summer.
“It’ll help clear your head,” Vincent said. “Besides, how often do you get to go on a trip sponsored by professional footballers?”
“True.” I made a decision before my more practical angels could talk me out of it. “In that case, I’m in.”
CHAPTER 21
BROOKLYN
I didn’t tell my dad about the Budapest trip. He might find out on his own, but like with the flatmate situation, I wasn’t doing anything wrong. The only reason I was hiding my trip from him was because I didn’t want him to take it out on Vincent.
Besides, we hadn’t talked since our hallway run in. I got my stubbornness from him, and I refused to break the ice first with a Hungary PSA.
However, my dad was the last thing on my mind when Carina and I landed in Hungary the following Friday. We were the last to arrive because she had to finish work first, but Vincent had insisted on sending a car for us. Our driver was already waiting when we exited the baggage claim, and we didn’t have to do anything except sit back and relax while he whisked us to the villa.
“I wonder who else will be there besides Scar and Asher,” Carina mused. “We should’ve asked before we said yes.”
“Would you have said no to any name on the guest list?”
“Absolutely not. An all-expenses-paid holiday to Budapest? They could invite Freddy freaking Krueger and I’d still show up. I’m curious about the guest list. That’s all.”
“It’s a bunch of footballers. Adil, maybe Samson. A few others.”
“Hmm.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What was that?”
“What was what?” she asked innocently.
“Thathmm.”
“Nothing.” Carina examined her nails. “I just think it’s interesting that Vincent invited you on his boys’ trip.”
“It’s not a boys’ trip. Scarlett will be there, and he invited you too.”
“Only as your plus-one. Tell me the truth.” She nudged my knee with hers. “Did something happen while you were living together?”
Heat crawled over my face and chest. “No. I’d tell you if it did.”
Nothinghadhappened. If Vincent and I had actually kissed, I would’ve spilled the beans. That was too big a secret to keep. Until then, I was keeping my mouth shut.
Not that I expected to kiss Vincent anytime in the near future. It was a hypothetical.
