Chapter 11 Kieran
Kieran
Ramirez’s gravelly voice boomed with excitement. “Kieran? You should have told me you were coming to Menorca.”
My ever-enthusiastic old friend smiled at me from the phone screen.
I turned down the volume, lest Ramirez’s thunderous voice disturb the smattering of guests in the hotel restaurant.
I’d grabbed myself a coffee and left Joanie asleep in the room.
It had felt weird creeping about in the dark getting ready this morning while she still slept.
Something had shifted between us last night.
I’d shared more about myself than I’d intended, but there was something captivating and genuine about the way she’d asked her questions so innocently in that softly whispered voice.
She had a kind of unfiltered sweetness. I’d taken her lack of participation in the PR meeting as aloofness, but now I had the sense it was shyness.
Her father might have been loud and overbearing, but Joanie was quiet and reserved.
My heart had skipped a beat when she’d slid into the bed next to me.
Maybe it was seeing her in pajamas looking so wholesome and effortlessly beautiful, or maybe it was hearing the truth of her childhood and having some of my illusions shattered.
For one guilty moment this morning that I wasn’t proud of, because it made me feel like a creeper, I hadn’t been able to tear my gaze away.
Her tawny gold hair had spilled over the pillow, and the tension and worry she often wore had melted away, leaving her face soft and angelic.
I’d watched her, even though it had made my chest tight with nerves.
As lovely as she looked, this woman wasn’t for me.
“We’ve had a problem with the booking. I need to find a place at short notice. Have you got any recommendations for hotels?”
My old mentor’s face brightened. “You need a place to stay, then you stay at mine.”
Absolutely not. I wouldn’t put him out like that.
To the rest of the world, this gray-haired, wiry Brazilian had been one of the greatest players that ever lived.
To me, he was the guy who had taken me under his wing at Real Madrid and believed in me.
He’d stood by me every time the supporters or press came at me.
“It’s fine, honestly. I’ll find somewhere.”
He chuckled. “No way. I’m away for a couple of days, but I have a guest villa at the back. There’s a lockbox with the key. It’s peaceful and private out there. You’ll have the place to yourself.”
“I’m here for a week at least. I can’t put you out like that.”
He tutted. “Kieran. You never put me out. When I come home, we can catch up. Please don’t insult me by turning down my hospitality.” His voice was kind and indulgent.
I didn’t like to owe favors, but Ramirez was one of the few people in this world I trusted implicitly. If he didn’t want me to stay, he’d be honest. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Enjoy yourself. Have a dip in the pool. There’s a beautiful seafood place down the road. I’ll text you the details. You’re on vacation. Mi casa es tu casa.”
“I have a friend with me. Is it OK if I ask her to come along?”
“Her?” Ramirez’s eyes sparkled. “Good for you. Of course. Bring your woman with you. The two of you will have the place to yourselves.”
He thought we were together? Easy to see how he’d make that assumption. “It’s not like that. She’s a teammate. We’re here for a commercial. We’ll need two bedrooms.”
He lifted a suggestive eyebrow. “Of course. Two beds. Keeping things professional.”
I held my hands up. “No. It really is. It’s just a work thing.”
He laughed. “I understand. No problem. There are two bedrooms. Don’t look so worried.”
A bead of sweat rolled down my neck. If the two of us sharing this place looked suspicious to Ramirez then what would Mortimer think?
When Joanie told him she was staying with me, he’d probably think I’d arranged this on purpose as some seduction attempt.
I’d have to give Joanie a choice, and hope Mortimer didn’t read too much into it.
It was presumptuous, anyway. Joanie probably wouldn’t want to come with me when she had her own room here.
Either way, it was tricky. I’d promised Mortimer I’d keep an eye on his daughter.
He wouldn’t be impressed with me ditching her on her own at the hotel. “I’ll ask her.”
“Good. Then it’s decided.”
A pair of slim, tanned arms wrapped around Ramirez’s neck, and a blonde woman kissed him on the cheek.
He flashed a mischievous smile. “Got to go. I’ll text you the address.
Martina doesn’t like to be kept waiting.
” A third hand snaked into his hair, and a curvy brunette appeared. “And nor does Greta.”
Typical Ramirez. Women flocked to him wherever he went. “I’d better not keep you.”
He chuckled and hung up the phone.
In the hotel room, Joanie was up and riffling through her suitcase.
Her red polka-dot sundress was lightweight and flowing to her calves.
Her hair glimmered gold in the sunlight streaming through the window, and the flimsy fabric of her dress accentuated her beautiful curves.
I busied myself with checking I’d collected all my stuff from the bathroom.
No good would come of taking in that view.
I wasn’t about to get kicked off my team, even for a woman who looked this beautiful in a sundress.
“I might have a solution for our accommodation problem. My friend has a place to stay. If you’d rather stay here, then—”
She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry, can we talk about this later? I’m stressed.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I have some medication. I’m sure I packed two bottles, but I can only find this one.
” She held up a small, empty pill bottle.
“I probably won’t need them, but if I do it’s going to be such a pain to get them here.
I’ll have to find a doctor . . .” Joanie lifted her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“This isn’t like me. Organization is my middle name.
I packed my case a week ago. I’ve turned it inside out looking. ”
“I know where we can get more.”
She gave me a dubious look. “You do? I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. These are on prescription from the hospital.”
“Trust me. It’ll be fine. These things always work out fine.”
She chewed her lip. “I’m sorry. You probably wanted to relax today. This isn’t your problem.”
“I want to help you.”
She drew back a little, watching me, her expression shifting from skepticism to disbelief, as though she was trying to figure out if my offer to help was genuine. Did she really have such a low opinion of me?
She shot me an unsure smile and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Kieran. I appreciate your help.”
“No problem.”
I had the sense that it wasn’t easy for her to ask for help.
I got that. I’d been the same way when I was younger.
I’d had to step up and look after Jack when Mum was working so many jobs to keep a roof over our heads.
At some point, you got so used to getting shit done alone, you stopped looking to others for help.
Joanie’s childhood was hard to imagine. It was so alien to mine.
No school. No friends to kick a ball around with down the park.
A lot of time alone. It wasn’t a bad thing to be self-reliant.
It was a strength, but sometimes it got you in trouble.
Maybe this was the real reason she hadn’t been lifting with a spotter at the gym.
It wasn’t that she was stubborn, or difficult, she’d just got used to taking care of herself.
Maybe this was part of why Mortimer had wanted me to keep an eye on his daughter.
He’d dropped the ball with her growing up and wanted to make amends.
She needed someone to take better care of her. She needed a friend.
I could be Joanie’s friend on this trip.
A genuine friend among the Calverdale crew wouldn’t go amiss for me either.
One that didn’t revolve around drinking and banter.
Less hangovers that way. Plus she didn’t look the type to draw a dick on my head when I passed out like some of these wankers on the team.
Although I couldn’t rule it out entirely. You always had to watch the quiet ones.