Page 78 of Worth the Scandal
Mum ushers us straight into the dining room, figures it is harder for me to run away if we are seated, and around a table made for 12 people. Okay, game face on, smile and laugh when needed, eat the food, drink the scotch, and then I can get the fuck out of here.
* * *
To my surprise dinner with my parents is going fine—on the surface. My mum comments on Scarlett’s dress. My dad asks polite, leading questions about the Ridgebacks and my “career timeline.” They laugh in the right places. Smile when they need to. But every conversation ends with the same suggestion dressed up in different words:
“You know, Kingsley Media could use a fresh face.”
“You’re more than just football, son.”
“Scarlett, don’t you think Sydney suits him, it looks lovely on you dear?”
“Bet you haven’t seen him dressed up down there in Dawson’s River” that one was a direct mistake, Alfred’s never pronounced anything wrong in his life, unless on purpose.
I grit my teeth through all of it, I’ve been grinding my back molars so hard that my dentist is going to have a field daywith me next appointment. Scarlett squeezes my hand under the table more than once, like she knows I’m about two minutes from snapping. She is getting on swimmingly with mum and dad though, and for that I’m thankful—shows them I am capable of making a decision they approve of. Even though it’s mine not theirs and that something in Dawson’s isn’t the low calibre they believe it to be. They’ve welcomed her with open arms. I had no doubts they would be eating out of her hand, I just hope she’s also not eating out of theirs. But she’s smart she reads people, and I can see just the slightest twitch of her lip and the smallest line above her right eyebrow furrow whenever they make a pass at me.
Dessert arrives—a chocolate praline tart and it’s delicious,my god it’s deliciousbut not so much so that I don’t start thinking about all the ways to escape, once the plates are collected. This means it’s my chance to get the fuck out of here unscathed, seemingly perfect dinner, see you all in a year. The dinner has been fancy; they’ve gone all out to impress Scarlett—we could’ve eaten at her favourite burger joint though and wouldn’t have meant diddly squat to her either way. They’ve always got a hidden agenda but, no doubt hoping she’ll be able to talk some sense into me. Little do they know she lives and breathes football too, they know she’s a talent agent in the sports industry, but I may have left a few key details out…like she’s my manager and she happens to love footy.
“So, Scarlett, where would you like to settle down? Surely not in Dawson’s Ridge a big city girl like you?” Dad starts up the conversation with about as much subtlety as a steam train at full speed. Smooth Alfred, smooth.
“I actually grew up there. Back then it was a ridiculously small town, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how far they’ve come, no doubt thanks to the Ridgebacks,” she smiles up at meand places her hand on my arm above the table her thumb rubs over my forearm.This woman.
“Oh, you don’t strike me as a small town at all. Asher said he met you in Sydney a few years ago,” Mum is on damage control trying to steer the conversation back in their rehearsed direction. I’ve now leant back in the chair, making myself comfortable for this shit show.
“We moved out to Bondi when I was around ten for Dad’s work, he was a half back in the early 2000’s, and then I ventured into Sydney for university and never left. I do love it here, the opportunities are endless but I’m learning quickly that opportunity is more about who you are and not where you are.” She’s good, spoken like a top tier manager. That’s why she’s mine and mygirlfriend, maybe she’ll be my wife. Nah definitely one day.
“Your dad played? I didn’t know.” Mum has been caught off guard, and I can see the moment she’s putting all the pieces together—realising Scarlett will not join their cause. In fact, she’s fully fledged team Asher.
“He did, one of the greats of his time and now he’s just as great a coach, I’m surprised Ash didn’t tell you dad’s the coach of the Ridgebacks. He doesn’t hold a candle to the talent Ash has though” she rubs her thumb over my forearm again and I’ve never felt so at ease.
Alfred clears his throat, completely caught off guard the man’s near choked on his scotch. I stifle a laugh and hide my smile behind my hand.
Mum’s interrogation stops there, and I can’t help but smile knowing their plan to get Scarlett on board has failed—miserably.
“Well, I reckon that’s about time for us to head off, it’s been a killer day.” I push up from the dining chair and wait for Scarlett to follow suit.
We’ve successfully made it through a dinner with my parents, and now they know Scarlett isn’t going to help them win me back here either.
* * *
Mum and dad wanted us to stay in the house instead of getting a hotel room. But there was no way I’d be subjected to more scrutiny and absolutely no way I’d be able to do the things I’m thinking about to Scarlet Walker. Scarlett is sitting on the edge of the hotel ottoman as she unties her heels slowly, like she’s winding down from an exhaustive performance, but she was just her perfect self all night. The car ride home we chatted about the house and what my parents actually do in the media group, and what it is they want out of me. I did most of the talking and Scar just sat and listened intently.
“You okay?” she asks softly, probably wondering why I’m so quiet, but I was just soaking in the woman she is, whilst my mind circles around mum and dad’s attempts. I’ve broken out in the league. I’m killing it, so is the team. I really thought they’d get it now, be proud of me.
I sit on the edge of the bed, hands clasped. “They want me to come back, and I just don’t think they’re going to give up on it.”
She doesn’t say anything. Just nods. We’ve been over this more than once tonight.
“And I won’t,” I add. “Not now. Not ever.”
She walks over, her expression unreadable. “You sure, right now football is yours but in the future, you don’t want to continue the family legacy?”
I look at her, really look at her. “That life nearly broke me. I’m not going back to a version of myself I barely survived. I’m not cut out for designer suits and sky rises. I’d rather flogmyself in the gym for hours on end than sit in meetings running numbers. I’m not taking Ben’s place.”
She exhales and nods again, but something flickers in her eyes. Was she just saying what I wanted to hear at dinner?
I watch as she rises and slips out of the top half of her dress. That emerald colour lights her up, she’s even more stunning than usual—which I’m not even sure would have been possible only I’ve seen her in the dress with my own two eyes.
“Can you help yank this zipper down Ash”
