Page 9 of Not Falling for the Forward
God, he's gorgeous.
I knew this of course, I've seen him before. He’s quite famous actually. Or he was when he played in the premiership a few years ago. I literally follow him onInstagram,well me and seventeen million other people. I’ve seen countless pictures of him on social media, in adverts and on magazines. But shit. Up close. Those eyes. Bright blue like the sky on a cloudless summer’s day. His copper hair is styled in his usual quiff, the short sides never seem to grow long enough to make him look untidy.
Then, there is the fact that I know—thanks to one of his interviews, that I may or may not have read during my time off over the past few weeks after I’d found out who it was that had ruined my almost perfect sickness record at work—that every inch, yes,everyinch, of him is tattooed, apart from his face and hands.
Jesus, is it hot in here?
No. It’s the first aid room, in January. It is freezing all season thanks to the radiator that's been broken for the past three years. It's Jack, making me heat up in places I have no business heating up.
Not for anyone, especially not Jack Cartwright.
He’s a famous fuck boy. Shit, how many models has he banged over the years? Wasn't there that thing about him and those girls fromMade in Chelseawho were literally fighting over him a few years ago, only for him to then be spotted three days later in Monaco with a billionaire's daughter.
I’ll admit my online stalking of Jack may have turned into a deep dive, but I was extremely bored. And heartbroken.
I look down at our hands at the same time Jack does. He must have the same thought as me, that we've just been standing here holding hands for a while now, because he clears his throat, let’s go and takes a step back.
His gaze remainsdown at his feet and, is that a blush I see crawling up his neck? If that doesn't make him the most adorable… God, no. What am I even doing thinking Jack Cartwright is adorable? He’s an uninvited distraction and he’s crowding my first aid room.
“Was there something I can help you with, Jack?” His head snaps up at my tone, which is probably a bit harsher than it needed to be.
“Yeah, sorry, um I…” He lifts one of his hands to scratch the back of his neck.
Oh, maybe he is shy?
The guy standing in front of me is not the guy I have seen on late night talk shows, sports interviews or red-carpet events—okay yes, I went full internet stalker. He clears his throat I see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows and starts again. “I came to introduce myself and apologise about, well… you know…” He vaguely waves a hand towards my face.
“The grievous bodily harm?” I deadpan.
His jaw slackens and eyes widen in horror at my description. “I’m so fucking sorry.” He steps forward, hands out in surrender. He looks like he's about to cry, or get on his knees and beg for my forgiveness? Hmmm… Jack Cartwright on his knees for me…
No. Stop it.
I shake my head to clear the image. “I know, Jack, I was joking. Well, I guess it's kind of true. But it was an accident, and you kind of did me a favour. Those few weeks off work couldn’t have come at a better time.” I huff a laugh, and I give him a reassuring smile so he knows I’m being genuine with my acceptance.
His shoulders visibly slump as the tension leaves them; had he been worried about me? Probably not. He was probably just worried about how much money I would try and sue him for. But, like I told Gemma when she came round the day after the incident and found me in aheap on the sofa broken nosed and broken hearted, as a nurse I too could easily make a mistake at work that causes harm and I hope that if I ever did, people would give me some grace and understand that I am just human.
“Oh… well, I’m glad I could help?” He gives me a shy smile, the pink staining his neck making its way to his cheeks. “Listen, I would really like to make it up to you in some way, can I maybe take you to dinner or something?”
What!? If this was a cartoon my jaw would be on the floor, as it's real life I just gape. His brows have knitted together as if he’s confused as to why he would invite me to dinner. Well, that makes two of us.
I physically have to shake my head for my brain to start working again. “Oh, um, no thank you, that won't be necessary.” I hear myself say before I've fully had time to register my response.
His confusion turns to disappointment. Surely not that I have rejected him. He’s probably just not used to having women with eyes say no to him. Well, I hope this makes for good character growth and I equally hope it doesn't end up being the start of his villain arc.
“Maybe just a drink? You can tell me all about why you needed those weeks off work?” He tries again.
Oh, absolutely fucking not. He thinks he can come in here and be cute and shy and I’ll start spilling my secrets over a glass of Sauvignon Blanc… No actually, that does sound like me.
Not anymore, and not for someone like Jack Cartwright. I’ve read more than enough about him to know he dates multiple women at a time and has never had a relationship longer than a month. For all I know, he's got multiple women on the go right now and I'll end up being a home wrecker like Sarah. Nope, been on the receiving end of that, I know how it feels. As Sarah would say ‘men are trash,’ and I will not be going for a drink or dinner with one ever again. I'm fullycommitted to being a single cat lady. I just haven't had time to actually go and adopt a cat yet.
Why would he even ask me that? It’s as if he can’t tell I’m actively hating all men until the end of time. I need to be meaner. “Why I needed that time off is none of your business. I do not want to spend time with you outside of a professional space, nor will I ever want that. I’m politely saying no again, the next time won't be as polite.”
He lifts his eyebrows, “Huh.”
I can’t help my flinch as I see hurt in his eyes, he masks it quickly with a flash of one of his well-known smiles. “No, you're right, I'm sorry. Again… I seem to just be apologising to you. Which was my intention coming in here, I just got side tracked trying to spend more time with a beautiful woman. Can’t blame me for having eyes.” He shrugs and gone is that shy man he was a second ago, he's been replaced with the cocky one I've seen so much of online.
There you are. I was wondering when he would make an appearance. I can’t help but wonder which one is the act? The cute shy guy or the cocky fuck boy. Not that it matters. I won’t be getting to know Jack Cartwright enough to find out.
