Page 39 of Not Falling for the Forward
“No,” I snap, my outburst causing Aimee to smirk and lift a brow.
Have I been talking about her that much? I did tell Aimee about driving Em home after her shift and finally securing our date. Okay, I also mentioned the kids taking a photo of us but only because I needed her advice. I had to tell her when I made her food the other night, Aimee was sat next to me on the couch when I called her. She was stillsat there when I came home later that night with a shit eating grin on my face after being gifted with hearing Emily come with my name on her lips.
“So, a different girl, then?” Aimee asks bringing me out of my increasingly filthy thoughts about those perfect tits, fuck that piercing was the best surprise I have ever had.
“Absolutely not,” I say.
“So, itisthe one you have been pining over?”
“Pining? Over a girl? Jack?” Kieran perks up, reminding me he is here.
I shake my head, “I have not been pining. She just took some time to wear down.” I grin, and almost as soon as it is on my face I regret it. Even more so than when Kieran asks, “So she made you chase before fucking you? That must have been a change for you.”
“We haven’t—” I stop mid-sentence. Kieran might be one of the only people on the team I would class as a friend outside of work, but he is still a footballer, and locker room talk is still a thing. And there is nothing more than these little gossips like to chat about than who I may or may not be fucking.
Shit, I shouldn’t have invited her here. As much as it will be kept behind closed doors to the public, there are still over 30 people in this room alone that will see us. My phone dinging interrupts my spiral. I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face when I read it. I am so fucked.
If Aimee or Kieran notice, they don’t say anything.
Em: I’m outside :)
I jump off the bar stool and tap it twice, “Here man, watch my sister for me, will you?” I grin at Kieran suddenly much less bothered about the thought of leaving them two together. Why would anything bother me now? My girl is here.My girl… I wish.
Despite knowing without a doubt that he lives in a one bedroom apartment, I don’t even flinch when I hear Kieran ask, “So, you’re between places to live? I have a bed you could sleep in.”
The grin doesn’t leave my face as I walk to the main entrance to meet Emily where we agreed. It has only been three days since I saw her and fuck, I can’t get her out of my head. The taste of her lips, the feel of her body under mine, the memories have been driving me crazy. We have spoken every night since then on the phone. She has finally started opening up a bit more to me about her fucking idiot ex.Seriously, who fumbles a girl like that?I can tell she isn’t going to let me in easily thanks to that prick, but I will do everything I can to show her that I am loyal to the core when I care about someone. I know my past is messy, but I can’t change that. I can only show her I am different than she thinks.
I have been looking forward to seeing her since I suggested it earlier this week and my phone has been in my hand since I arrived at the football ground checking for her message that she has arrived. I all but sprint down the corridor to the main entrance of the building, a fluttering of something in my stomach. As I barrel around a corner, I run face first into a girl who looks to be in her late teens. “Shit, sorry,” I say as I grab her on the shoulders to stop her from tumbling.
She looks up at me and her eyes widen, obvious awe on her face. “Oh, it’s okay,” she whispers, her cheeks red with embarrassment. Normally, I would apologise further, maybe offer a photo or autograph to a young fan to make up for almost trampling her but I have no time to hang around. I give her one of my for-the-press smiles, all teeth, and I’m on my way again.
“I’ve told you, love, you’ve no ticket so you can’t loiter around here,” I hear Dex’s voice come from down the stairs.
“I’m sorry, I’m supposed to be meeting someone,” I hear Emily reply in a much sweeter tone than I’ve ever gotten off her, but I suppose the clubs head of security will get that kind of response off people.
“Who?” Dex asks as he comes into view, he has his broad back to me and I can see Emily over his shoulder. She’s not particularly short, but compared to Dex’s six foot seven, anyone looks tiny, even me. She has her hair up in her usual ponytail but isn’t in her uniform yet, instead she has on a tight pair of black leggings and an oversized hoodie.
“Me,” I call as I jog down the last few steps. Emily looks up, a small, shy smile on her face. I match it with one of my own and turn to pat Dex on the shoulder, “Thanks for keeping us safe, man, but she’s harmless,” I tease. Emily scoffs and rolls her eyes as if I am off base with my assumption.
Dex looks between us and chuckles, “If you think that about any woman, Jack, you don’t know them well enough.” He steps aside and lets us through.
I guide Emily in front of me with a hand on her lower back, mostly because I’m desperate to touch her, but also to try and get a glimpse of her pert ass, knowing it’ll look magnificent in those leggings. I tilt my head to the side as she gets a few steps ahead but her baggy hoodie is blocking the view. She has a backpack slung over her shoulder and I take it off her, she looks up at me in confusion, “It’s just my uniform, it’s not heavy.”
My hyper-independent woman tries to snatch the bag back off me but I move it so she can’t reach, “Well, if it’s not heavy, I won’t struggle with it, then.” I gesture up the stairs, “After you, gorgeous.”
With a roll of her eyes, she ascends the stairs. I wait for her to get a few steps above watching her back closely, sending up a prayer towhoever will listen. It goes unanswered and I sigh in frustration at the view. Her stupid hoodie is too long in the back.
Chapter seventeen
Emily
The hospitality suite we’re sat in is not what I was expecting. There are tables along the far side of the room, set out for eating, against tall floor to ceiling windows. I recognise a few of Jack’s teammates sat at the tables and along the bar on one side of the room, with various friends and family. Although I haven’t been introduced to anyone, I have seen the starting line up enough times to be able to pick all of Jack’s team out of the crowd.
We are sat in a small more comfortable area made up of big sofas and chairs. I am perched next to Jack on plush sofa with cushions you sink into. There is a small coffee table in front of us where a young waitress has just set down our drinks—cappuccino for me, decaf flat white for Jack.
“Thank you,” Jack smiles at the girl and she blushes, hurrying away. So, he has that effect on literally everyone then? He’s in his team tracksuit but is considerably drier than the last time I saw him in it all those weeks ago when I was adamant he wouldn’t be driving me home.
I’m glad I said yes to Jack’s suggestion of meeting him today. I was nervous after our last public outing, but it seems he has thought aboutthat when planning to meet here. Honestly though, I think I would have met him anywhere just to have the chance to see him again after last time. The way he took care of me after that awful day, making sure I was fed whilst giving me the space to go over my thoughts, on my own but not alone. It was exactly what I needed. Then when he started to comfort me in other ways… Well, let’s just say my vibrator has never had as much use than in the past few nights with the memory of his hands at the forefront of my mind.
