ROME
Chapter forty-three
Paparazzi photos of us getting in the car together have begun circling, and the internet is having a feast. Every media outlet has posted that same photo with a new headline, but the articles are only up for less than an hour before Rain’s on their site, taking it down.
While I appreciate his attempt to stop headlines, it’s out; there’s no stopping the judgement.
I try my best to ignore it and check my social media as little as possible.
Most of my team are supportive, and they’ve become accustomed to Rain watching and how he claps whenever I, well, do anything. I’ve thought about getting him black and white pompoms, but I don’t doubt the prick would actually use them.
He’s so comfortable in his being. The judgement of others or society in a whole has no effect on him, and I’m envious I can’t be as carefree with myself.
I groan as Rain trudges down the back steps with a smile and shin pads in his not surprising white socks and football boots. I hate how my chest still tightens when I look at his body. He’s a prick, but Rain Weston is sculpted to perfection.
He clears his throat, forcing me to drag my gaze from the ‘V’ line that snagged my attention for who knows how long. I’m estimating a good twenty seconds, considering he’s walked the length of the backyard and is now standing in front of me.
“What are you wearing?” I mutter, dropping my football to the grass.
“Like I said, baby, I want to be involved in your life. Therefore, I want to train with you.”
He purchased goals and set them up next to the tennis court. He even painted lines in the freshly cut grass so I have half a pitch to practise on.
I smile. “Go stand in the goals so I can kick this ball at your face.”
“I’d like different balls on my face, but you don’t seem to want to give me that.”
“Maybe I’ll suffocate you.”
“I’d much prefer choking to death on your perfect fucking cock.”
“You would. I’m bigger.”
“More for me to swallow, baby.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
The disgusting smell of cigarettes lingers in the afternoon air, and I flick my eyes to the third story, my stomach knotting when I meet Blade’s dead eyes, as he leans against the black railing of his bedroom balcony.
Blade is the last person I want to be near, given that he’s been eyeing me like I’m his next victim. Rain assured me he has a plan, that Blade won’t come near me. I’ve begun to question how much I should trust Rain.
“Baby,” Rain calls to my left, and I snap my head to him standing in the goal. “Let’s go.”
Swallowing the nausea, I kick the ball to the penalty spot.
The rare sun beams on my bare back as I retreat from the ball, and Rain lets out a nervous laugh when I stop.
His eyes flick over my body as I take off, arching toward the ball.
My foot collides, sending it soaring to the top right corner.
It glides past his middle finger, his calculations falling short.
I smile. “Be thankful I didn’t fuck up your pretty face.”
Retrieving the ball from the back of the net, he dribbles it toward me. “You think I’m pretty?”
He is, but I won’t directly admit that to him.
He lets out a long sigh, kicking the ball to me. “I know how hard this is on you. The stress of your career, worrying about your family, everything in the media.”
Kicking up the ball, I snatch it mid-air and stalk back toward a house I feel incredibly uncomfortable in.
“Hey.” He snatches my bicep, spinning me back around. “Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you.”
“Fuck you.” My voice strains despite my fight to keep myself in check. “You could’ve left me alone.”
“I’m glad I didn’t. My father had plans for you, and if I hadn’t sought you out, I… Fuck, Rome, I don’t want to think about what he would’ve done.”
“Why did he push you toward me? Why not just kill me?”
“Business. Having me close to you was his way of getting insider information. He’d grill me, hoping I could pass on knowledge about problematic staff or players to determine whether the team was going downhill.
Your colleagues are also worth millions, and he’d offer them a VIP card that allows them luxurious amenities should they stay at a Weston & Myer hotel.
He will make vast connections through the elite sporting world.
Rome, I will end this so you aren’t forced to live in a state of constant fear. ”
“You don’t help that.” Pain tugs at his face. “From the moment we met, I was scared of you, and learning what you actually do has only made that worse.”
“I would never hurt you, Rome.”
“You already have.” Tears clog my throat, my words cracked and weak. “I understand the King you left me now. Life is nothing but a fucking game to you, but you’re so goddamn smart, Rain. I know you understand that you’re nothing but a pawn to your father.”
His eyes pain as I retreat with his step closer. “I love you, Rome.”
I continue retreating, very aware of the eyes on me from behind. “You professing that doesn’t fix anything.”
“I know you feel something for me.”
“Did,” I lie, turning to walk away.
“You’re the one person in this world I don’t want to put on a facade with.
” The emotion flooding his confession halts me halfway up the staircase.
I don’t turn to look. I can’t. “It’s easy to play prince charming.
To put on a mask. I-I couldn’t do that with you.
I wanted you to see me. I am broken. I’m far from ethical, far from moral.
You are. You’re good, you’re bright, but I have done what I set out to do: to help others.
” There’s a stinging in my eyes, but I refuse to let the tears fall.
“Being moral to all others is immoral to oneself. I learnt that the hard way. It will destroy you.” The first tear falls when his voice cracks.
“I know I am selfish when it comes to you. I will fight to be a better man for you, because all the money, the societal status, fucking nothing of it means anything. All I have are the values I gave up as a child that I am fighting to get back and you.”
I tighten my arm around the football, my skin scraping across my cheek with the forceful removal of the tears as I continue walking.