Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
KINSLEY
I roll over and blindly reach for my blaring phone. My hand slaps down on the screen until sweet, sweet silence cuts through the air. I sigh and snuggle deeper into the fluffy comforter.
Just a few more min ? —
“Mummy?”
My eyes spring open and I flail, trying to free myself from under the covers. Snatching up my phone, I smile sleepily at my little boy. “Hi, baby. I didn’t know you were calling, I’m sorry.”
He giggles and points at the camera. “Your hair is all funny.”
I glance over at the mirror across the room and grimace. My hair sticks up in every direction, looking like I got in a tussle with a nesting mama bird and lost.
Flopping back on the bed, I sigh and scrunch my nose at the phone screen. “It does look funny, doesn’t it?”
Cooper giggles, nodding and holding up pieces of his hair to match mine.
I laugh under my breath, grinning from ear to ear. “I love you, my little goofball.”
“I love you, too, Mummy. When are you coming home?”
My heart twists painfully and I swallow back tears. “What does your countdown say?”
He perks up and I have to close my eyes as he takes off running, the scenery on the screen blurring as he waves the phone around wildly.
“Dinner is almost ready, darling,” I hear Rose call out to him when he skids to a halt in the living room. “Whatcha doing over there?”
“Talking to Mummy.”
“Oh?” I hear her shuffling feet before her face pops up on the screen, her face breaking with a smile. “You look like you had a night of fun,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
I snort. “If you think that battling jet lag after traveling for almost twenty-four hours is fun, then yes. I had the time of my life last night.”
“Ah, sleep is a fickle one,” she hums.
“Can we count how many days until Mummy’s back now?” Cooper asks, hopping up and down his toes.
We count the chocolate kisses in his jar that he gets to eat over the next ten days and I giggle at his happy feet dance when I tell him that I’ll be home for a whole week and a half before having to leave again.
“Okay, let’s say bye to Mummy so she can try and get a few more nips of sleep. We need to get ready for dinner anyway.”
“Bye, Mummy. Love you.” Cooper leans in and kisses the camera.
“I love you, too, sweetheart. Maybe if you eat all your food, Granny Rose will give you an extra chocolate kiss for me.”
I wink and he looks up at her with hopeful eyes. She smiles, pinching his cheek before pulling the phone away so only her face fills the screen.
“Sorry that he woke you. The little bugger is slippery and hid my phone. Now I know why.” She chuckles, but I wave her off.
“Nothing is better than seeing my little boy. I miss him. I miss both of you.”
“We miss you, too, and we’re so proud of you. You should have heard him this morning. He told every customer that came into the shop that his mum is taking pictures of the fast cars.”
I bite my lip and hold back the stubborn tears that don’t seem to want to give me a break as she speaks softly.
“You’ve raised a good boy, my girl.”
“Thank you, Rose. For taking me in and giving me a second chance at life. For pushing me to do this and watching Cooper. Thank you for everything, really.”
“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, sweetheart. Now try and get some more rest. We’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
The room fills with the quiet hum of the air conditioner after we say our goodbyes. I stare up at the ceiling and will my mind to shut off so I can get a couple more hours of precious sleep after having such little the past two days.
I tilt my head to the side and my eyes land on the image of me and Cooper. It’s from his fifth birthday where one of Rose’s friends’ granddaughter came and painted all the kids’ faces.
Sighing, I roll out of bed and pad over to my suitcase. If I stay in this room alone any longer, I’ll start to cry and I’m so exhausted that I don’t think I’ll have the energy to stop.
After getting ready for the day, I take the short elevator ride down to the lobby and blink at the brightness of the morning sun shining through the massive windows.
Shuffling over towards the dining area, my stomach grumbles, needing more nutrients than a pack of homemade trail mix has to offer.
I look over the buffet offerings as they start to set things out, my lips twisting as I contemplate what I want.
“I’d recommend avoiding the eggs,” a voice whispers right next to my ear.
My shriek echoes off the walls of the quiet dining room, garnering weird glances from other early risers. I whip around and close my eyes with a sigh.
“Jace.”
His deep chuckle caresses my suddenly alert nerves and I look up to see him grinning down at me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on an unsuspecting woman?”
“Yeah, I think my mum and sister said something about that once.”
I hum. “Smart ladies, giving you all the secrets.”
He pauses, almost as if he’s lost in thought, before shaking his head. “Yeah. They’re my secret weapon.”
I smile, turning back to the line of food. “So, why should I avoid the eggs?”
He shrugs. “No particular reason. I just don’t trust hotel eggs. Last time I ate them, I was one lap away from shitting my pants. I think that was possibly the fastest I’d ever driven.”
I smother my laugh with my hand and he bumps my shoulder with his chest. “It’s not funny. I had to cut the interview short so that I could sprint to the bathroom. I almost shit my pants on world wide telly.”
“I’m sorry,” I rush out through my giggling. “You’re right, it’s not funny. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“Well, I won’t let that happen to you.” He gently grabs my hand and leads me away from the food. “Come on, I know just the place.”
“But—”
“Poopy pants on live telly, Kinsley!”
I jog after him as he quickens his steps, my laugh echoing through the lobby. The heat engulfs us as soon as we step outside and Jace steps up to the curb, tracking down a taxi.
When one pulls up, he holds open the door for me with a flourish and I thank him as I slide in, holding back my school girl smile when he settles down next to me.
He gives the driver the name of the place and I look out the window as we pull out onto the already busy streets of Melbourne, Australia.
“So, what’s got you up so early?”
I lean my head back against the seat and turn it so I’m looking at him. “I got an unexpected wake up call from my little man.”
He nods. “Same here. No matter how many times I tell him, or show him, Beckham always seems to forget the time differences.”
“Yeah, I didn’t even try with Cooper. And I’m not all that mad about him waking me up. I miss the little monster already.”
“First time being away from him?” There’s no judgment in his voice, more understanding than anything and I nod.
“It is. I was honestly supposed to be out here two days ago with the other photographers, but I was able to stay home at least until yesterday.”
“What was yesterday?”
“His birthday.”
“Really? Well happy birthday to him. How old is he now?”
I blow out a breath. “Six.”
“That’s a good age. God, I loved Beck’s at that age. I mean, I love him at every age, but six?” He shakes his head, smiling at me. “Six is the best.”
I huff a laugh. “How old is Beckham again?”
“He just turned seven, actually.”
“Oh yeah? How’s this age treating you?”
He chuckles. “Let’s just say, I hope you soak up those six year old moments. Apparently they turn into daredevils when they hit seven. I swear the kid thinks he’s indestructible.”
“Lord help me. I want him to stay this small, cute, sweet, cautious little boy.”
“Don’t worry.” He nudges my elbow with his. “I’ll be here if you need any pointers.”
My eyes dance over his face and my lips twitch. “I think I’d like that. Thank you.”
He smirks, his attention shifting over my shoulder as the taxi stops. “We’re here.”
Hopping out of the car after paying, he runs around and swings open my door. I slip my hand into his offered one with a laugh and he helps me out onto the curb next to him.
“Sun Up Sun Down,” I read the sign and look over at him.
“Best meal any time of day. Me and Law met the brothers who own it a couple years back. Real cool lads, even better food.”
I bounce on my toes and grab his hand, pulling him towards the entrance. “Well let’s go. I’m starving and someone told me this was the place to get the best food.”
He follows behind me, beaming. I startle when two loud voices call out as we walk through the front door, instinctively stepping closer to him.
“Aye, there he is. We were wondering when you’d pop in.” Two tall men with shoulder length wavy blond hair walk around the bar and over to greet us.
Jace does the whole man hug thing with each of them before stepping back to my side. “Mates, this is Kinsley. Kinsley, this is Jack and Jacob. They own the place.”
My stomach growls at that exact moment and I cover it with a hand as my cheeks heat. The brothers look at me and chuckle identically.
“Let’s not keep the pretty lady waiting. You can take the booth in the back.”
Jace thanks them and we weave through the already bustling restaurant towards the back, sliding into a cozy corner booth.
I take in the vibrant colors on the walls, pictures of people from all over hanging, mementos decorating every square inch. Laughter breaks out on the other side of the room and I see the two brothers talking with a rowdy group.
“I can see why you like it here.” I lean my arm on the table, propping my head on my palm as I look over at him.
He leans confidently back in his seat, spreading his arms over the cushion. “What makes you say that?”
“It’s warm here. Inviting. Like you can come here no matter what’s going on and immediately feel better.”
He nods, leaning his arms on the table. “When me and Law came here the first time, it was the first season without Nik or Ryder driving right alongside us. It felt like a part of me was missing without them out there.”
He shakes his head. “I won the first race of the season but I didn’t feel like I actually won. I feel like that entire season shouldn’t count.”
“Didn’t you win the championship?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Has someone been studying my stats?”
“No,” I draw out the word, fidgeting with the napkin on my lap. “Maybe,” I whisper.
Looking at him, I want to equally wipe that knowing smirk off his face or kiss him.
Wait. What?
I drop my gaze to my hands trying to figure out where that thought came from when a plate suddenly lands on the table in front of me.
“Oh, I—” My words cut off as soon as I take in the most delicious looking French toast I’ve ever seen.
Jace chuckles, reaching over and wiping the corner of my mouth. “You got a little drool.”
I knock his hand away with a laugh and look up at the twins. “How did you know this was exactly what I wanted?”
They both shrug, smirks plastering their faces. “It’s a gift,” Jack says before pointing at us. “Enjoy, it’s on the house.”
“Thanks mate,” Jace says as they walk away.
I pick up my fork and cut off a piece of the fluffy yet perfectly crusted toast and load the bite up with whipped cream and berries.
“Oh my god, this is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth,” I moan around the mouthful.
Jace coughs into his cup, wiping his face as some of his orange juice runs over his chin. I smile sheepishly at him and mumble an apology.
He shakes his head with a smile and reaches over. I instinctively pull my plate back and he laughs as he picks up the hot sauce at my side.
“I know. I know. If I want my fingers to stay where they are, I’ll keep my fork far away from your plate,” he says, digging into his breakfast burrito.
I watch him for a moment, something flaring in the back of my mind at his words.
Shaking it off, I take another bite of the best French toast I’ve ever had, soaking in the unexpected yet completely needed morning to kick off my first official weekend on the team.