Chapter 25
Dr. Miller agreed to let me out early on Wednesday for the big Bethnal Green match. She was especially amenable when I told her that Tanner had recruited several of his team members and WAGs to attend our charity event next weekend, which I’m actually looking forward to now.
The last couple of days, Tanner has been staying at my place, saying that he preferred it because it put him farther away from Tower Park.
He said the way dark chocolate calls to me in the night is the way Tower Park calls to him.
He’s worried that watching the match this evening and not being allowed on the sidelines with his team might crush his soul.
He’s a bit dramatic.
Hoping to brighten his spirits, I pop out of work early to go pick up a gift I ordered for him. It’s just something silly that I hoped might take his mind off the fact that he’s not putting on his kit today.
Right before I walk into the store, my mobile alights with a call from my father. Aside from our short, clipped emails, I haven’t spoken to him since the day I screamed at him in my flat.
“Hello?” I answer, looking around suspiciously as if he’s watching me from somewhere.
“Belle, this is your father.”
“Hello, Father. How are you?” My voice sounds different, reverting back to that proper tone I only ever use around my family.
“I’m well. And yourself?”
“I can’t complain.”
“Good. I wanted to let you know you’ve done a very proper job with that Harris boy these past few weeks.”
“I have?”
“Yes, aside from those first couple of photos, things have looked, well, appropriate for someone like you. So well done.”
“Someone like me,” I repeat slowly.
“Yes, young, social, carefree.”
Wild, unpredictable, embarrassing.
My jaw tightens “Thank you.” As halfcocked as his compliment may be, I can’t remember a time when my father has ever told me “well done.”
“Listen, darling. I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. And I know you chose a different path for your life, but it was good to know that when the time came, you could do what was right for the family.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “I’ve always wanted what’s right for the family, Father. I just couldn’t deliver it the way you wanted me to and our relationship suffered for it.”
“Yes, well, you resisted generations of tradition, Belle. Arguably, we were going to be upset when you walked away.”
“I walked away to become a doctor. A doctor. I’m not scrubbing bedpans. Although, if I were, you should be proud of that, too, because it’s an honest living and I’m your daughter.”
“We had a plan,” he barks. “Becoming a lawyer was all laid out for you. You and your brother were to take over my practice so I could focus on rising to the Supreme Court. The money was there. The status. The connections. You can’t have achieved half of that all on your own in medicine.”
His voice is laced with disdain.
“I save babies, Father! I’m a surgical fellow for a world-renowned high-risk foetal surgeon. I operate inside expecting mothers’ uteruses. Who cares about money!”
“Only people who have money say such things. And you, my darling, have money. It may not be in paper form in your pocket, but that bohemian flat you live in is paid for. Your car. My profession and connections provided those luxuries you take for granted every day.”
“I’d give up those simple luxuries if it meant you’d respect what I’m doing!” I exclaim, a knot forming in my throat.
“Don’t get emotional,” he scoffs. “I called for a reason. There will be an important man at the match tonight whom I need you to say hello to.”
“Who?”
“Do you recall Lord Sanbury? He and his wife had a daughter about your age.”
“Juliet Sanbury?”
“Yes, well, her father has a rather large investment in the Bethnal Green football club, so I need you to say hello. If you could bring that Harris boy with you, even better.”
“Why do I need to say hello?”
He sighs heavily, most likely because I had the nerve to ask questions instead of simply following orders.
“Because a vacancy arose on the Supreme Court two months ago and Lord Sanbury is on the selection committee. The vote is next week, and a good, polite visit from you and that boy might be just what I need to secure his vote.”
I smile and shake my head. “So this is what you get out of this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been wondering this entire time what could possibly motivate you to push me into the arms of a footballer.
” I laugh as realisation dawns on me. “You said you didn’t want me to be perceived as a common whore, but what you fail to recognise, Father, is that you pimped me out like a whore for your own selfish gain. ”
“I never—”
“You did!” I shout, boiling over with anger. “And I won’t go talk to your Lord Sausage boujie friend. And I won’t put on a show for you any longer. Because, guess what, Father? I’m not faking it with Tanner anymore. We’re in a relationship now and making a proper go of it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. That boy can’t possibly intend to keep it in his pants for you.
He’s a footballer, Belle. He can have any woman he wants.
A different girl every night if he’d like, which from the looks of it, he does.
If you think you have a chance with this man, you’re dumber than I thought. ”
His words pierce right through me. They make little slits in my soul and shed light on the scary parts of my heart that I’m constantly trying to hide.
“Well, thankfully, I’m not your problem.”
I hang up on him and inhale quickly, emotion bubbling deep inside of me.
I can’t let his words hurt me. I can’t give them life. Giving them life means letting him win, and I’m stronger than that. Tanner does care for me. He won’t cheat on me. He knows I’ll fucking kill him if he does. We can make this work.
I set my jaw and raise my shoulders, striding into the shop with a newfound strength that I almost believe.
“Is it stupid?” I ask, perched on the edge of my sofa and watching Tanner’s reaction to my gift.
“It’s stupid. We don’t have to wear them.
I thought they’d be funny for the media pictures and that they might help take your mind off the fact that you’re not wearing your kit.
Maybe have a laugh. But don’t worry, we don’t have to wear these. They were just a gag.”
I snatch the T-shirt gift out of Tanner’s hands, along with the gift bag the set came in. I stand to go upstairs, but before I get even two steps away, I’m yanked backwards onto his lap.
“Why are you taking away my present?” he murmurs in my ear.
“Because it was just a joke.” I lie, heat rising in my cheeks.
“There’s one for you, too, right?” he asks, nibbling my ear and burrowing his furry chin into my neck.
“Yes,” I reply weakly.
“Let’s fucking do it. I love them.” He nips my ear playfully, and I giggle with delight that he fucking gets me.
Moments later, we’re standing in front of my bathroom mirror, staring at each other in our matching shamrock green T-shirts—the official colour for Bethnal.
“We look ridiculous,” I croak.
“We look amazing!” he exclaims.
I turn my eyes to him, examining his whole body with purpose.
His jeans are artfully faded and hugging his gloriously thick thighs.
His blonde man bun and lush beard are properly groomed.
And his sculpted pecs are showcased perfectly below the thin fabric with the text “BIG SPOON” scrawled across the top.
“You really want to waltz into Tower Park wearing a shirt that says big spoon on it?” I ask, propping a hand on my hip.
The merriment on his face is infectious.
“Only if you wear your little spoon shirt. Otherwise, I’d look ridiculous!” he scoffs with a serious tone that has me nearly crying with laughter.
He glances at his watch. “Shit, we have to go. Come on, Little Spoon.”
We arrive at Tower Park and Tanner gets stopped nearly twenty times outside the stadium to talk to fans and various people he knows.
This is his home turf and he doesn’t have the protection of the players’ entrance today.
He’s like a king amongst his people, charming them left and right, signing T-shirts and snapping selfies.
I even get asked to pop into a few shots.
The best part of the whole scene is that everybody is laughing at our shirts.
Even the security guys. Tanner’s smile is genuine the entire time as he laughs along with everybody, pointing to the “BIG SPOON” text on his chest. I can’t help but feel good about how well my little gag gift is going over.
It’s the perfect distraction for him, and he’s crazy enough to have gone for it.
When we finally get past the ticket counter, Tanner is on a mission, and it’s not to our seats located in the first row on the sideline right behind the team.
He’s moving through the concrete halls of Tower Park as if he knows exactly where he’s headed.
It isn’t until I see a familiar face that realisation dawns on me.
“Sedgwick!” I exclaim, noting his official Tower Park staff clothing and the large roller bin of rubbish he’s emptying into a dumpster.
“Dr. Ryan, what a treat.” He takes off his gloves and offers me his hand, which I gladly shake.
“How are you?” I ask, amazed that he’s standing here before me.
“I’m doing very well thanks to him.” He smiles proudly up at Tanner. “This job suits me perfectly. No stuffy uniforms. Fresh air to breathe. I can’t complain a bit.”
My eyes are wide and watery as they swerve to Tanner, asking the silent question, “Did you do this?”
He has that knowing half-smile on his face. The one that swirls deep in my belly and makes it hard for me to think.
I shake my head and look back at Sedgwick. “I’m so happy for you.”
He nods enthusiastically. “Who would have thought the funny circumstances of that night would end up helping more than just me?”
“More than you?” I ask, frowning at Tanner for clarification.