~ 17 ~ #2
Lily nodded and we stepped back to the boards behind us. Lily put her hand on my lower back. She was a pro at this. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was a little. It was fascinating to see this other side of her, no longer hiding behind sunglasses and oversized hoodies.
“Come on,” she stroked the small of my back, sending tingles to my centre. “I’m looking forward to introducing you to my friends. Also, I can’t stop thinking about how good your ass looks.”
Public or not, I only had one thought now too. How were we going to get through this night keeping our hands to ourselves?
Cameras flashed all along the media gauntlet until we reached the inside dome, where everyone was mingling. Looking around, there were so many famous footballers I felt like my head was spinning.
People kept looking over at us. I did my best to keep my shoulders relaxed and to smile. And to follow Lily’s lead. This was her domain. She waved at some people and they waved back.
Lily handed me a glass of champagne. We caught each other’s eyes before we took a sip, and in her eyes I felt safe, even in the middle of an overwhelming situation like this.
“How are you feeling about all this, really?” Her face was sincere and concerned.
“I’m a little nervous, to be honest.”
She put her hand on my forearm. “It’s understandable. What can I do to help?”
“Could you stay close for the first bit? Just until I get more comfortable.”
“Of course. No problem.”
“I’m expecting people to come up and talk to you all night.”
“To us both. Because we’re a pair.”
“Who was that journalist? Did you know her already?”
“Ruby? She’s the editor of Sapphic. She’s interviewed me a few times over the years. Why?” Lily looked at me as if questioning to herself if I was jealous.
“I was just wondering. You seemed very friendly.”
Lily stepped a bit closer and touched my lower back. “Rona, there’s nothing to worry about. She’s a professional connection, and she’s great fun to be around. You never know what she’s going to say next. She has a great heart, and she does a lot for the queers. I’m a huge fan of hers. That’s it.”
“Of course. She does seem great. Sorry I asked.” I sipped some champagne, trying to make myself seem less pathetic and more outwardly nonchalant.
Lily was trustworthy and she was taking the time to reassure me in the middle of a crowded place.
I smiled to show Lily there was no issue, and I was happy to forget about it.
“It’s just taking me a minute to get used to this side of you.
You’re amazing, Lily. You’re honestly glowing tonight. ”
“Yeah?” Lily smiled. “I guess it feels good to be back in the thick of things.”
I scanned the room behind Lily, feeling like I should really steal my eyes away from her for a second and fully take in my surroundings.
Everywhere I looked there were athletes and their glamorous partners, male and female.
I recognised some of the most famous male footballers in the world.
Past and present. But of course, it was the female footballers, which I’d only recently started to see on television, that really drew my attention.
They were strong powerful women, and their power was only amplified seeing them all dressed up.
Having already finished her first glass, Lily took another flute of champagne from a waiter’s tray and drank it pretty much in one go.
She put it back on the tray and reached for another.
Again, I got that feeling like she was going too hard on the alcohol, but it wasn’t so much that I could actually say it was problem drinking.
We were out at an event, and she was likely just settling her nerves.
“Lily!”
Two muscular women in little black dresses and heels walked up to Lily. They looked magnificent.
“Hey, dude,” one said.
They gave each other hugs and appraising noises about what they were all wearing. I knew these were Lily’s friends and my heart started beating faster. I recognised them from watching England matches on TV and from Lily’s Instagram and the photos on the wall in her hall.
“This is Rona, guys.” Lily beamed at us all. She introduced Nikki and Sophie. I smiled and said hello.
“Hi, Rona,” Sophie said warmly, coming in for a hug. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Hey.” Nikki waved, kindly. “I know it’s a cliché, but we’ve literally heard so much about you. I feel like I already know you.” She laughed, loudly.
“Then you’d know that Rona would feel you are being far too forward,” Lily replied, jokingly. “Nikki has no boundaries. I’m warning you now.”
“I have boundaries. If you mess with my people, I will mess you up. That’s a boundary.”
“That’s not what a boundary is,” Sophie said. “That’s being protective.”
“I like that you’re protective,” I said to Nikki. “I value loyalty in people, a lot. I feel similarly about my own friends, to be honest.”
Nikki nodded, appraising me openly, but not in a creepy way. “I like you already, new girl.”
“Don’t mind her,” Sophie said. “She’s direct but she’s a little puppy under all that bravado.”
Lily and Nikki started talking about which of their friends were here tonight and then someone else came up to Lily and tapped her on the shoulder. She was a svelte older woman with long blonde hair and a wise smile. It was the England manager. I swallowed, feeling out of my depth and out of place.
More players drifted over. Half of the England squad now chatted beside us.
I fiddled with the hem of my dress. The noise in the venue was increasing. At clubs and festivals, I liked the intensity of a crowd. But tonight, the vibe was more formal, I could feel tension in the air, and I was surrounded by famous people. It was overstimulating to my brain.
I refocused on Sophie beside me. “It’s so cool to meet you in person. I remember that goal you scored in extra-time against Spain at the Euros and how you celebrated by doing that somersault. I was jumping around with you at home, although I didn’t manage a somersault.”
Sophie laughed, kindly. “Thanks for watching and being supportive. It means a lot to all of us in women’s football.
I still remember when it wasn’t as popular as it is now.
It’s why nights like this are even more special.
They never used to give us a look in. Now, we’re here alongside the men. It’s amazing, really.”