Page 60 of Once Upon A Player
“Ditto,” I whisper against his lips.
“I couldn’t wait until tonight. I needed to see you right now.”
How could any girl resist that line? Although I don’t think he’s flirting. There’s a strange, haunted expression in his eyes, even though it’s gone in a heartbeat. I didn’t imagine it.
We leave the Lodge and as the doors close behind us, I take a chance on my gut feeling. “What’s wrong?”
He pulls me into his arms, and for a few seconds we stand there, his jaw resting on top of my head, as he breathes in deep. Has his transfer fallen through? It doesn’t seem likely, but even if it had, why would he come to see me?
“There’s this little guy, Toby. I’ve known him for a few years. He’s a big fan.” Lucas gives a deep sigh that turns my heart inside out.Oh, heart, behave yourself…“He’s had a setback. I just came from the hospital.”
“I’m so sorry.” It sounds so inadequate, but what else can I say? “Is he going to be all right?”
“Not sure. His wish to meet Jax Kennedy and me was the first one Rainbow Star granted, so…” Lucas takes a shuddering breath. “We don’t have favorites, but he’s pretty special.”
Rainbow Star rings a bell, but I can’t quite place it, although it’s obviously a charity. I know Lucas gets involved in high profile fundraisers like Red Nose Day and things like that.
And he’s clearly involved even when the cameras aren’t around. My heart gives up the struggle and falls at his feet.
“I didn’t mean to lay that on you.” He pulls back, and his intense blue gaze touches my soul. “You’re so easy to talk to. Have I told you that before?”
He has, but I always thought it was just one of his lines, to make the girl he’s with feel special.
Until now.
“Yes.” My voice is soft. “But so are you.”
His slow grin dissolves the worry etched on his face, and it’s almost impossible to remind myself he’s leaving in a couple of weeks. I don’t want to think about that.I don’t want him to leave.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, something he’s done a couple of times before, and it’s unbelievably gentle and sexy all rolled up together. “I’m transferring to Madrid for the new season. That’s not going to be a problem for us, is it?”
I stare at him, speechless. Is he asking me if I’m up for a long distance relationship?
Am I?
“Um.”Jesus, Violet, stop being such a dork.But I literally never thought he’d ask such a thing, and my brain’s numb.How serious about me is he?
“It’s only a couple of hours on a plane.”
I hitch in a breath to try and kick start my brain. For someone like Lucas, hopping on a plane every weekend is probably no different than catching a taxi. And although I don’t want to spoil the rose-colored vision filling my mind, I can’t help thinking how the pounds will soon add up to something horrifically prohibitive.
Does he want us to be exclusive? Not that Ihaven’tbeen exclusive, and, to be honest, I don’t think he’s gone out with another girl during the last month. Not that I know forsure, but considering how often we’ve seen each other…
Am I jumping to conclusions?
“It’s not a problem.” I manage to squeeze out the words before he thinks I hate the idea. Because I don’t. I love it. I still can’t quite believe it and have no clue how I’ll ever afford it, especially once my shifts at Sycamore Lodge end. And that reminds me—what about my weekend shifts there? That’s where I make most of my money.
“Great.” He kisses me as though he’s sealing the deal, while I’m still floating on clouds and floundering with logistics. “Listen, about tonight. Do you mind if we go visit my dad first, before we go out? Mac and Harry’ll be there. And Alice. My sister’s totally pissed off with me, but she won’t rant if you’re there.”
He gives me his disarming smile that’s captivated half the football-loving world, and I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to. Not only does he want us to keep dating when he leaves England, he wants me to meet his dad.
This sure sounds serious to me.
Chapter Nineteen
Violet
My happy bubble deflates when I arrive home and Dad’s car is parked on the drive. He’s never home this early. Not unless something’s wrong.
