Chapter 27 DAN
DAN
Rose answers the door in a cotton dress after I told her to dress casual.
I lean in to kiss her, but she turns her head to the side as always, letting me kiss her cheek. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.” Her gaze floats over my City FC football shirt and jeans. She quirks her lips. “I thought you were a United supporter?”
“I gotta impress the kid, right?” I glance down at the light-blue fabric and the ship-and-rose emblem on the shirt.
Dom ribbed me to death about this, but if this is gonna get me closer to my son, then so be it.
“If anyone can pull off this shit, it’s me, right?
” I stuff my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels in my trainers.
This whole outfit isn’t me. I’m much more comfortable in a suit. It’s not often I get to relax and do fun stuff unless I’m at the bar with Dom and the lads.
She places a hand on my chest and pats it. “I’m sure he’ll be impressed.”
“You ready to go?”
“Yep.” She slips on some flat shoes and lifts a large shopping bag from the console table.
I take the bag from her and walk to the car, opening the boot and setting the bag full of gifts inside. Sliding behind the wheel, my foot taps on the floor, causing my leg to shake.
Rose places her hand on my knee. “Don’t be nervous.”
I glance down at her hand on my knee, my smirk tugging wider. “Didn’t realise you cared.”
Rose doesn’t even look at me. “I don’t. But if your leg shakes any harder, you might stall the car, and I’d really like to get there before kickoff.”
I snort, turning the key in the ignition. “So bossy.”
“I learnt from the master.”
“No wonder we get along so well.”
She shoots me a withering look. “We don’t get along.”
I shift into gear, flicking my gaze to her. “That’s not what you were saying the other night.”
Her jaw tightens, and she stares out the window, completely unamused. “That was a lapse in judgment.”
I grin, pulling onto the road. “You have a lot of those when I’m around.”
She exhales sharply, shaking her head. “If I ignore you, will you just drive?”
I tap my fingers against the wheel. “I am driving.” I pause just long enough to make her think I’m done. “But don’t stop talking. It’s cute when you try to pretend you don’t like me.”
Rose mutters something under her breath that I don’t quite catch.
“Come again?” I smirk, drumming my fingers against the steering wheel. “Oh, you already did that the other night.”
Rose stiffens beside me, her gaze fixed out the window, but I don’t miss the way her fingers tighten in her lap. “You’re disgusting.”
“You know, for someone who supposedly doesn’t like me, you had a real hard time staying quiet in that hotel room.”
“Are you deliberately trying to piss me off, or do you just not know when to stop talking when you’re nervous?”
I bite back a grin. “I’m just saying… that little noise you made? Right before you—”
“D’Angelo,” she clips, like she’s barely holding on.
It shouldn’t turn me on as much as it does. I chuckle, throwing her a sideways glance. “You full-name me when you’re flustered or mid-orgasm.”
Her head snaps towards me. “I’m not flustered or mid-orgasm.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’re definitely flustered.”
She exhales, arms crossing tight over her chest, and I can practically feel the heat rolling off her.
I tap my fingers against my thigh. “I think that’s why we work so well together.”
“We don’t work.”
“Oh, we definitely work.” I flick my gaze to her again, watching the way her lips press together, like she’s trying to stop herself from remembering. “I make you forget how much you hate me.”
Her fingers tighten in her lap because we both know the truth.
The other night, with my name falling from those perfect lips, her body trembling in my lap—she wasn’t thinking about hating me.
She was coming undone for me. And if I wasn’t already in too deep, I’d probably let her pretend otherwise.
But I never make things easy for her. And I don’t plan to start now.
“Do you remember where you’re going?”
“Yeah, I think so. It’s up here, isn’t it?” I take a right off the motorway and onto a country road that leads to the boarding school tucked away on the outskirts of the city. My foot taps again. Rose’s right, I’m fucking nervous as hell, and she noticed the minute she got in the car.
My palms sweat against the steering wheel as I pull up at the gates. Rose taps in the code on the gate and I wait for them to open.
“I’ll go in and get him. Just relax and be yourself like you were the other night.”
“Which night?”
She rolls her eyes. “And this is why I’m never sleeping with you again.”
I chuckle as she climbs out of the car and struts towards the old prestigious building.
Damn, she fills out that dress to perfection.
Cotton fabric pulls taught over her hips and flares to the knee, classy and elegant just like her, and more sophisticated than the sundresses she used to wear.
But I still want to bury my fingers in the flesh of her hips.
I lean my head back on the seat and text Dom.
Any news?
Within seconds, he’s video calling. His eyes widen when he sees me, but it's not exactly a good kind of wide.
“Are you seriously wearing that?”
I glance down at the City shirt, the badge practically mocking me. “Yeah, yeah. We’re gonna go through this again, huh?”
“You’re lucky I got you those bloody tickets,” he mutters, leaning back in his chair. “First chance I get, I’m taking this kid to a United game. He needs educating.”
“Didn’t realise you cared so much.”
He scoffs. “I care enough not to let you disgrace the family name in front of my mates. They’ll all want to disown you if you show up wearing that shite.”
I roll my eyes. “Anyway, what’s the deal with the ex? Any news on his whereabouts?” I clench my fist, wishing I’d put a bullet in Magnus two nights ago when I had the chance.
Dom sits up straighter, dropping the smirk and going serious. “That’s what I’m calling about. He landed in Manchester last night and then his whereabouts are unknown. Did he respond to your text?”
I lean back, frustration building. “No, he’s not responding. I’m getting sick of this. If I can’t find him, Rose is gonna be in serious trouble. I can’t let that happen.”
“I know, I know,” he mutters, his expression softening. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my sources. We’ll find him.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I don’t like this, Dom. Not at all. Thank fuck she wasn’t on his flight.”
He looks like he’s about to say something, but then glances down at my shirt again. “Mate, I still can’t believe you’re going to a City match?”
I take a deep breath. “I’m trying to keep it together here, Dom.”
“I’ll find the bastard,” he says, but I can hear the grin in his voice. “You can relax at the game. A City match is the last place anyone would look for you.”
“Me, yes, but maybe it’s the first place he’d look for Rose and Angelos.”
“You’re smart enough to know if you’re being tailed. There’s enough security at these events. Try not to let it ruin your time with your son.”
“Thanks for the help. Seriously.”
Dom gives a half-hearted wave, his attention already back on his computer. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t make me regret this, you traitor.”
I hang up before he can say anything else, leaning back in my seat and glancing out of the window as Rose and Angelos walk towards the car, the weight of what’s coming next pressing down on me. I have no idea why Magnus is in Manchester or what he’s up to, but I’ll be ready for it. For Rose.
As soon as Angelos slides into the back seat, I glance at him in the mirror. “Happy birthday, pal.”
He looks up from pulling his seatbelt on and gives me a wary nod. “Thanks.”
Rose settles in beside me, adjusting her bag. “How was school?”
“Fine.” He leans back, then frowns, his expression pensive. “Are you two, like… dating now?”
“No,” Rose croaks.
“But this is the second time this week Dan’s been with you?”
I arch a brow. “What, I need a permission slip to hang out with your mum?”
He shrugs. “Just seems weird. Mum never brings anyone around.”
Rose clears her throat. “Dan’s just a friend.”
Angelos doesn’t look convinced. “You don’t have friends.”
I chuckle as Rose glares at him. “Thanks, Angelos.”
He just shrugs again, unbothered. “I’m just saying. So if you’re not dating, what are you?”
I huff. “Complicated.”
Rose elbows me. “He’s joking.”
“Anyway, where do you want to eat? It’s only right the birthday boy gets to pick.”
“Can we get pizza?”
“Sure.” I turn onto the main road and head towards the city. My shoulders relax now I have them both in my sight. Is this what it’s like being a parent, living in a constant state of anxiety and worrying about their safety and well-being?
Rose shifts in her seat so she’s facing the back. I don’t interrupt while she and Angelos catch up and he tells her all about school.
I can’t help but smile as I listen to their conversation. My chest fills with warmth that I’m able to share in this and be part of his world, even if I am just his mum’s friend for now. Baby steps.
We’ve barely sat down at the restaurant before Angelos points at my chest. “Dude… you’re wearing a City shirt?”
I glance down at it, as if I’ve forgotten. “Looks that way.”
His brows pull together. “I thought you were a United fan.”
“Damn it… Must have bought the wrong one. I meant to get the City one for you and the United one for me.” I hand him a wrapped present with a smirk on my face.
He assesses me with excitement dancing in his eyes, but a hint of wariness at the same time.
“Open it. If it suits you, I’ll take you to a game.”
“Bruh, no way did you get me a—” The blue fabric comes into view as the strips of torn paper fall to the floor. “The new City shirt,” he shouts.
I can’t contain my smile and the warmth that spreads around my body.
“Mum, look. I can’t believe you got me the new shirt. Thanks Dan.”
“Well, I couldn’t have you going to the game in an old one, could I?”