Another tray of shots comes around, and we begrudgingly take them.The number of times I’ve tried to tell people I don’t drink is a little ridiculous, but nothing compared to the faces I get when I tell them.It’s one night, I say to myself, as I really don’t want to deal with Rockwell and his dickish attitude.Thankfully, we are going back to our squads in a few days, and there isn’t a match again for our home clubs for a week.
By the time 1:00 am rolls around, we’re a few shots in, and I’m getting bleary eyed.
“I’m going to call it a night,” I say to Kyle.
“Don’t leave me here with them,” he pleads, looking over his shoulder to see Rockwell having a bottle of Champagne being poured down his throat by a woman sitting on his lap.
“I’ll tell them I’m off.You follow me a few moments later.Meet me around the alleyway.”
“That what you say to all your Grindr hookups?”he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope, normally I tell them to bend over,” I say, winking back.I hope he knows I’m not actually a player.Well,thatkind of player.
The alleyway is dark, smells of piss, and is full of bins and graffiti.There’s an overhead street light that basks most of it in a dingy orange hue.
Kyle strolls up to me, well, staggers, as he’s had as much as me, and I can’t help but get lost in his eyes.
“How are you still so hot?”I ask him.
“You’re drunk,” he says, but closes the gap between us.
“Not drunk, just tipsy.Merry.Happy.”
“Me too,” he growls, and I want to take him right now.
I grab him by his white shirt collar and close the distance even more.
Flash.Flash.Flash.
Chapter 24
Kyle
Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.
I pivot around to see where the intruder is hiding.
It’s incredible how fast you can sober up once your privacy has been invaded.
“We’re going to have to head back to the hotel our separate ways,” I tell him, knowing once again I’ve hurt him.He’s the last person I want to hurt, but the one who’s heart I puncture the most.I can see it in his face.But I cannot put my family in danger…orhim.
The trudge back to the hotel feels like the longest walk I’ve ever taken.I’ve run through every single scenario in my head and none of them have a positive outcome.I swipe my card on the door and enter the room.My heart hitches when I see AJ on the bed, looking forlorn.I don’t speak.I’ve hurt him enough with my words.Instead, I head straight into the shower.
The drive home is lonely.With only my thoughts for company, it’s hell.The walls feel like they’re closing in again.My carefully built walls are under siege from all sides, and I don’t know how to cope.I focus on the road and the drab motorway scenery.
Four hours.Four.Trapped in my own head, it seems longer, and my brain makes me feel like I deserve all of this.I’m greeted at the front door by a frantic Trish.
“Get up to much fun?”she asks, and my heart sinks.The devil moves, fast but the media moves quicker.
“I can explain,” I lie.How on earth can I explain this?
“Well, you better get your story straight—and quick.”Trish thrusts her phone into my hands, and I seeus.Kyle and me, mere inches apart.His hand gripping my shirt.Two lovers.Twoprotégé footballersabout to kiss under a streetlight.
“How did they even know to contact you?”I ask.Why I chose to focus on this part of the equation, I have no idea.
“Contact me?It’s all over social media.”
Fucking social media.
