Chapter 30
Lily
My fingers shake as I try to lace up my boots.
This was so easy with Diaz. Why am I back to feeling like this?
“For fuck’s sake,” I whisper shout as I hang my head, staring at my boots.
The little heart stitched into the side reminds me just why I feel this way when I slip my feet into these boots.
“Sort your shit out, Chambers,” I chastise myself, sucking in calming breaths to slow my racing heart, just as my phone flashes next to me.
Mum – DETAILS, LILY CHAMBERS!! You’re holding out on me.
I chuckle, the weight on my chest lifting slightly at her ridiculous message.
Lily - I’ll call you later. Think you can hold out for a few hours?
Mum - I suppose I’ll have to.
Laughing as I throw my phone into my boot bag. My hands still shake slightly from the thought of what I’m about to do, but I can’t hide anymore.
“You ready, Lily?” Leanne comes bouncing into the changing room. “They’re waiting for you out there. Also, I can’t miss this date, this man is crazy hot.”
I bark out a laugh. “You can’t be that hard up?”
“Lily, I literally passed a man the other day walking his dog, and he said good girl, and I was wet for hours. I seriously need to get laid. And laid by a hot man in a suit, so chop chop.” She claps her hands before spinning on her heels, the door swinging shut behind her.
I have a serious lady crush.
After Leanne’s pep talk, which rivals Trixie’s, I step out onto the lush green pitch, feeling my chest tighten.
My anxiety is ramping up. I shouldn’t get to do this.
Feel so free. But when I catch Marcus’s smile as he chats with Jenna, I’m instantly calmer.
The knot is still there, but it has loosened.
“You aren’t getting paid to spectate, Chambers. Get your ass over here,” he shouts over at me as he folds his arms over his chest.
“There isn’t much to look at Diaz.” I smirk as I stare him down.
“Guys, stop eye fucking each other and let’s get this segment filmed. Not sure if I’ve mentioned, but I have a hot date tonight and ideally, I’d like to have a civilized meal before he rails me.”
I jog up to Jenna and Diaz, giggling at Leanne. Does she have a filter? Niall doesn’t seem fazed by anything she says.
“I hope that guy knows what he’s let himself in for tonight and has some stamina because she knows what she wants. And isn’t leaving until she gets it,” Jenna says, laughing as I reach them.
“Right? I’m not even sure if she even likes the guy. Or if she is just horny. But good for her,” I chip in.
“We all have needs, Chambers.” Marcus is still staring at me, but his eyes twinkle with mischief.
“I don’t judge, Diaz.” I smirk at him. “Now you heard the woman. Let’s do this.” I jog off toward the goal to collect a ball with a confidence I don’t feel but have to exude. I can’t show weakness.
After our warm up the team has us do a crossbar challenge where we try to hit the crossbar from varying points on the pitch.
With every moment I’m running with the ball at my feet or calling out plays I feel more and more like myself.
And seeing Diaz miss as me and Jenna constantly hit the bar is definitely something I’m going to keep reminding him about.
“Nice, Lily.” Jenna high fives me as I hit the bar from the halfway line. “Think you need some coaching from us, Diaz. You look a little rusty.”
“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not even going to pretend I wasn’t trying to make those shots. I’m embarrassed by my performance. Please tell me that shit won’t be broadcast, Leanne?”
“Of course they will. Your face when you missed and both Jenna and Lily hit it from a hundred yards with their eyes closed, that shit will be a viral moment.”
“Que mierda de vida!" He shakes his head, hands on his hips. “I’m never going to live this down. And in my home country. I’ll be disowned.”
“Better luck on the next challenge, Diaz,” I tease, but I’m so grateful for him today.
He has once again not treated me like glass, but I still have that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I shouldn’t feel this happy for doing what I love when so many can’t.
Before I get a chance to go down to that deep, dark place, Jenna wraps her arms around my shoulder.
“Girl, I'm taking you out for drinks after that. That was insane. Get cleaned up. I’m not done with you yet.” She jogs off before I get to say anything.
“She isn’t the only one who isn’t done with you,” Marcus whispers in my ear before he walks off.
I’m on top of the world, and possibly a teeny tiny bit tipsy, as I let myself back into my room after having a few drinks with Jenna. We spoke for hours about everything. And people say you should never meet your heroes, but Jenna Dillan is everything I imagined and more.
I rang mum while I was getting ready to go out with Jenna and filled her in on the Marcus situation.
Well, only the basics. I love my mum, but there’s a line I can’t cross.
But I think it may have been a mistake as she’s now planning our wedding.
I told her it was nothing, just casual, but she tsked and said that she’d be the judge of that.
Well, okay then, Mum. I’ve given up on men, but sure. The man I’ve had a feud with for years is going to be the man, waiting for me at the end of the aisle, tears in his eyes as I glide down to meet him.
Yeah, no, can’t see that happening.
Closing my hotel door and tripping over literally nothing as I walk into my room, I fall face down on my bed and giggle uncontrollably.
“I just had drinks with Jenna Dillan. In Madrid. And I’m having all the orgasms.” I screech into my pillow.
Rolling over, I stare up at the ceiling.
“How is this my life?” Reaching inside my jean pocket, I pull out my phone, spotting I’ve got a message from Jade.
Jade – Hey, you. Just to let you know Mum is doing so much better. Hope you’re having the best time. Can’t wait to see your face on TV tomorrow. Love you.
My giddy happy heart clenches as I read her message, relief washing over me that Olivia is doing okay. Instantly making me feel at ease for feeling like I’m on top of the world.
Lily - Hey! I’m so glad your mum is doing better. I can't wait to see your face again soon. Love you more.
Lily – Guess what? I’ve just had drinks with Jenna Dillan!
My phone instantly lights up with a FaceTime from Jade. As I swipe at the screen, her beautiful face appears, but before I get a chance to speak, she’s on me.
“You’ve had drinks with Jenna Dillan? The Jenna Dillan, who you idolized forever.”
“Hellooooo, Jade, I love you.”
“Okay, and she got you a little drunk?” She raises a perfectly sculptured eyebrow.
“Indeed, she did. She’s amazing. We talked for hours like we were old friends, and the woman can drink.”
“Babe, I'm so happy for you.” Her smile is infectious, and I can’t help but spot the spark she lost all those months ago when her mum fell ill is coming back into her bright blue eyes.
“Look at you, sparkling. That sexy billionaire boyfriend of yours is keeping you satisfied, I see.”
“Yep.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “He sent a doctor over for Mum from America.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. And he’s one of the top neurosurgeons in the world. Lils, he says Mum will be alright.”
Letting out a long breath and pressing my hand to my chest, rubbing to relieve the ache, I croak, “Jade, that's amazing.”
“I know. I owe him so much.” Tears fall from her eyes, and seeing hers make mine fall.
“He loves you. It’s easy to do these things for people we love.”
“I’m so lucky.” She swipes at her cheeks, but her smile is still on her pretty face. “Who knew that hot broody gladiator on Halloween would save Tinkerbell, who had far too much glitter in random places?”
“He’s the lucky one, Mrs.”
“Urgh.” She shakes herself. “Right, enough about me. I need to know everything.”
“What do you want to know?” I settle back on the bed.
“Well, first up. Marcus Diaz?”
“What about him?” I try to act as innocent as I can, but I’m tipsy, so a grin creeps onto my face as I gaze at the closed interconnecting door and wonder what he’s doing on the other side.
“I know that face, Lily Chambers. Tell me everything.”