Page 94 of Forbid It

I thumb through the handful of photos the girls share. I’m usually not too bad at noticing when a camera is pointed in my face, and I definitely spotted the ones taking pictures of me and Robbie after the red carpet. His arms are on my hip, and I’m gazing up at him with what can only really be described as a lovestruck expression. The photos from the rest of the night however…Callum throwing a punch, Robbie laughing in his face, him hugging Pip and then kissing my temple. Kudos to the photographer for being so thorough.

I hardly care that I’m in the pictures. It’s not the first time a pap has caught me in a compromising position, and it likely won’t be the last, so I don’t look up my own name. Instead, I type Robbie’s into the search bar. My stomach churns as I read headline after headline talking about how the normally clean-cut and well-behaved soccer player is suddenly getting into fistfights in a LA nightclub and rumoured to be linked with both a supermodel and a pop star. The only reason he was even in that courtyard was because of me. Well, me and goddamn Callum McBride.

I fling the sheet off my body and rise, quickly pulling my clothes on before searching the blankets for the scrunchie Robbie pulled free. How long will he be on the phone for? How long does it take to talk to your agent?

Maybe it is that bad. Maybe my dad has already cancelled his contract. Maybe he’s been blacklisted from every team in the US. Maybe he’s been blacklisted in Europe too. Maybe he won’t get enough hours on the pitch to play for Wales. Or maybe he’s already got a ticket to go back to a random team back home, and he’ll leave me here, and this will be over.

My chest tightens as I flick the sheets with more force than necessary, my tiny green scrunchie flying through the air. I snatch it from the floor and scrape my hair back, letting it rest in a floppy mess on the top of my head.

What if he does walk back in here with an excuse to leave? Maybe this will be the moment that he decides I wasn’t worth the risk to his career.

My phone buzzes once more on the mattress, and I take a deep breath before checking it.

PIP

@cassie sign of life please

ME

I’m all good. Turning phone off now for a bit but love you guys x

The notifications aren’t that overwhelming, only messages from friends who are close enough to have my number. The emails however…

I flick through them. My publicist has sent an ominous one titled “PR BATTLE PLAN”, flagged as urgent.

Nothing from my Dad. Fuck. He must be so pissed to completely ignore me. I don’t think I’ve ever truly disappointed my father before. Sure, ditching the London stuff was an awkward hand-wringing exercise, but his little girl has never been caught canoodling with his star player before. The fallout is going to be crazy.

My phone rings in my hand, and I wince as my mother’s name flashes on the screen. At least one parent isn’t pretending I don’t exist. I let it ring out, but it vibrates in my hand again.

I lift my bun higher on my head with one hand as I bring my phone to my ear with the other. “Hi Mom.”

“Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”

“I was asleep.”

“Asleep with him, I assume.”

I don’t comment.

“So it’s true? You’re dating that soccer player?” The words drip with disdain.

“I—” I glance at the door. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.

“I’m sure this is your father’s doing.”

“What? No!”

Mom harrumphs. “I wouldn’t put it past him. You never listen when I suggest suitable men for you. I don’t know why you didn’t listen to me when I said you should capitalize on your relationship with Daniel⁠—”

“For the last time, I am not—” I barely have time to grit out the words before she interrupts again.

I pull my phone away from my face so her tinny voice echoes through the speaker. “—but your father suggests one of his players, and suddenly you jump into his bed. Who are his family? His connections?”

“Mom,” I snap. “I’m going to hang up. Dad had nothing to do with this. If anything he’s going to be⁠—”

“He’s not going to be anything but thrilled, Cassandra,” she scoffs. “You’ve played right into his hands. This is all about money for him.”

“I’m hanging up now. Bye.”