It’s going to be a long journey, and I need my rest, so I do what everyone else seems to be doing: I put my headphones in.load up Beyoncé’s country album, and watch the world go by through the window of the coach, rain streaking the windows—because this is England.At some point, I fall asleep.
“Wake up, AJ!”I look around, take my headphones off, and see Smith from my club gently rubbing my shoulder to rouse me.I’m glad for his friendly face.Unfortunately, as well as Kyle being here, homophobe Rockwell is here too.
I wipe some drool from my chin with the heel of my hand and sit up in my seat, thanking Smith.He nods and gets his stuff together.
Partly by being at the back, and partly due to my kindness, I’m last off the coach.By the time I get to the foyer, only the England Boss and…guess who…is at the front desk.Kyle looks as moody as ever, maybe even worse, and I can practically feel him vibrating from the doorway.
“Ahh, here he is.AJ, I’ve paired you up with Kyle, so you both have a familiar face.”
“Isn’t that great?”Kyle says with gritted teeth, literally, like he’s a movie villain.
I nod, because honestly, I feel the same way and don’t want to be a hypocrite.
“I’ll leave you both to it then.Club dinner is at 7:00 pm.Don’t be late, and dress in the Club suit.”
“Yes, Boss,” we both say in unison.
And then he leaves.
Leaving Kyle and me to, well, to stare at each other.But not in thatomg I want to take your clothes off right now and fuck you on the really expensive hardwood floorkind of way and more in theI want nothing to do with you or your forest green eyes that I could get lost in if I stare at them long enoughway.
I attempt to make eye contact with him, but he’s switched his attention to his phone.Great.
My fingers reach out to touch his shoulder, but he looks up just before I make contact.I retract, like I’ve touched a hot stove and not a really hot guy.He stares a hole in me, and I, well, I die a little inside.
“Should we head to the room?”I ask, hating how my voice sounds desperate and needy.Hating more how he huffs at me, like I’m one big inconvenience.
I lead the way, and after one very long and very uncomfortable elevator ride, I press the keycard onto the card-reader thing and open the door.
Oh fuck.
In the room there is precisely one bed.It’s a double bed, not two singles pushed together, because this is a fancy hotel, and they won’t stand for those shenanigans.
“Are you kidding me?”Kyle says to the room.
“Want me to go to reception and see if we can change it?”I ask, hoping to smooth the situation.
“Can’t.Hotel is full.Wrestling event and a global pop star are on in a few days and people are making the most of the triple header.”
Firstly, I’m in utter shock at the amount of words Kyle has strung together and second.Fuck.
“Surely, they can accommodate us?We’re the national side for goodness’ sake.”
“Not the world’s biggest pop star, though, are we?Or a massively successful wrestling company.The world doesn’t revolve around football.”He tuts, and I swear he’s about to grunt too, but thinks better of it.
“So, we’re stuck in this room, together?”My voice raises an octave.
“Looks like it.”
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” I say, trying to be chivalrous.
“Ok.”
“What do you mean okay?Surely, you’re meant to say ‘oh, don’t do that, it’s all right.I’ll sleep on the floor’.”I drop my bag down by the window and sit on the end of the bed, like a cat claiming its territory.
“Then why did you say you would sleep on the floor?”he says, taking the other end of the bed, but spreading his smaller body so he takes up more room.
“I was being chivalrous.”
