37. Robbie
ROBBIE
It’s been almost a month since I left Cassie behind in Wales, but between her crazy schedule and mine, we haven’t had a chance to see each other since.
Today was the first time I knew she’d be in the stands for my game.
She sent me a picture just before kick off, a bright smile on her face and my faded hat on top of her curls.
I wanted to steal a moment with her after the game, but I was pulled into interviews before I could tell her to wait, and she needed to rush off to get ready for tonight's party. Gala. Ball. Whatever the fuck it’s called.
The team has all been invited. Perks of being the owner’s property, I guess.
“Carmen’s been getting ready since before I left this morning,” Santi says as he pulls his t-shirt on after a shower. “It’s like she’s getting ready for the goddamn Oscars. You been to one of these things before?”
I shake my head. “Nothing like this.” Apart from a few award ceremonies, I’ve barely touched the glamorous side of the sport. At my old team, we had to do sponsorships and press events, but I’ve never had an independent brand deal that would require me to attend any kind of party like this one.
“Okay, I’m going to go get my tux on,” Santi says, clapping me on the back.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and head out too. I have an hour until a team of stylists and groomers show up at my house to get me ready.
My phone pings as I slide into my car and I bite back a smile as I read the last message from Cassie.
CASSIE
I’m soo late my assistant is going to have a breakdown. The schedule has been aborted. If I show up without eyelashes just know they had to be cut for time.
ME
I think there’ll be no problem to make us all wait for you, trouble. Idk if you know this, but you’re kind of a big deal.
CASSIE
You should see the way Lane is glaring at me over her phone.
ME
You could show up in a sweatshirt and still be the most stunning woman in the room.
CASSIE
Thank you. I’m excited to see you. I’m sorry I couldn’t see you earlier.
ME
Don’t apologize to me, trouble.
But you may have to apologize for the commotion when I come in my pants at the sight of you.
CASSIE
Is that before or after the red carpet?
I let my phone rest on my locker. Fuck, I forgot about the carpet.
I’ve been an ambassador for a men's jewelry company since before I signed to the Rebels, but aside from a few sponsored Instagram pictures, I’ve never had to do anything ambassador-y.
Apparently as soon as the brand heard I’d be attending this event, they decided it's a perfect opportunity to show me off, which means a stint on the red carpet that I’d rather walk straight through than pose on like an idiot.
ME
I forgot about the carpet.
CASSIE
I never forget about the carpet. I always feel like I’m about to throw up until it’s over. Give me a stage and an audience over a wall of photographers any day.
Cassie has probably been on more red carpets and photoshoots than I’ve had hot dinners. To know that she also feels as nervous as me makes me feel slightly better.
ME
Any tips?
CASSIE
One hand in the pocket, one foot in front and mog.
ME
Do I want to know what that means?
CASSIE
lol
Just act like you’ve smelt something rotten and you’re blaming the camera people.
ME
I can probably manage that.
The bulb flashes burn my retinas, creating a wall of bright white light that I can still see behind my eyelids when I blink.
I remember Cassie’s advice and put my foot slightly in front of the other, letting one hand rest in my pocket whilst the other lightly flashes the bracelet on my wrist as I readjust my jacket.
Just before I left, a representative from the brand arrived with a locked case and a stern warning not to take any of it off for even a second.
He told me that the tiny band of diamonds and the matching pendant underneath my Adam’s Apple cost more than my parents house. Each.
I keep my face expressionless and my chin tilted like Cassie said, but I can’t stop squinting at each flash of the camera.
Finally, I’m ushered off the carpet, and I’m able to blink the stars out of my eyes.
“You’re a natural,” I hear a familiar voice call from behind me. There she is. As if just thinking of her has conjured her in front of me. Cassie’s red hair has been curled into big waves that fall to one side, the ends resting on the neckline of a glittering green dress.
Her hips sway as she prowls towards me, the crowd of people around us making room, like she’s a queen walking through her subjects.
I almost forget the hundreds of cameras against my back, though I’m sure we’re at least free from sight of the red carpet.
There are more than a few people lingering in the hall, and a few photographers taking the photos of celebrities dolled up in their finest.
I don’t know what she’s going to do. My mouth dries at the thought of her not stopping, pressing against me, scratching her nails across the low neckline of my shirt, pressing her warm lips to mine and leaving her sweet gloss behind.
I swallow, wariness and a desperation for her to just do it warring inside me.
Her brow quirks like she knows exactly what turbulent emotions her presence is causing inside me.
“I had some tips,” I manage to get out when she’s close enough.
She stops a few inches away, the tips of her pointy shoes just brushing mine.
I can’t drag my eyes away from her lips as she leans towards me.
I freeze, my heart flipping in my chest with adrenaline.
Instead of my lips, she presses a kiss to the corner of my jaw and my arms instinctively rise to encircle her waist. Nothing more than a friendly greeting between two acquaintances—and if my hand lingers on the curve of her hip as she steps away, that’s my business.
I spot a camera phone sneakily pointed in our direction from across the room, capturing our entire interaction.
I should probably remove my hand right about now, but I physically can’t move it even if I wanted to.
She pulls back. “I didn’t know you’d be here,” she raises her voice just slightly, her eyes glinting, as if she wants me to read her mind. Thankfully, I can.
“Had a night off.” I play along. “Thought I’d see what all the fuss is about.” I take the opportunity to gesture to the room around us and chance a look at the camera. I shift slightly, using my body to cut off their view. I remove my hand from her hip and immediately wish I hadn’t.
Cassie shoots me a knowing smile. “And? What do you think?”
I tilt my head back and forth. “Could do with a little more…privacy.”
Her eyes glitter as she bites the corner of her lip. “Tough place to find some of that.”
I lean closer, cupping her elbow under the illusion of trying to hear her in the crowded room.
Her skin is chilled from the air con, and I can feel goosebumps as I rest my fingers on the sensitive skin of her inner arm.
She glances up at me, her hair falling further down her back.
I love her natural curls, but she looks like an old Hollywood movie star right now, and I’m more into it than I thought I would be.
“You look so beautiful,” I tell her quietly, letting my fingers roam further on her arm. She tilts her body closer to me for a second before remembering herself.
“Thank you.”
I barely register the crowd around us, but I know they’re still there. Observing.
I’m used to crowds watching my every move on the pitch, sometimes at events and after games when the paparazzi harass me, but this is another level. She can’t go anywhere without all eyes on her. Including mine.
“Pip is throwing an afterparty later,” Cassie tells me. “Maybe I can get you on the list.”
Typically, the words ‘after’ and ‘party’ are accompanied by my bed and my white noise machine, but I bite back my smile. “So exclusive.”
“It pays to have friends in high places.”
I nod once, already sad to see her go. I only came to this stupid thing because I knew she’d be here, but it’s not like I was going to be able to spend the whole night trailing behind her like a pet dog, no matter how much I may want to.
“See you later.”
She gives me one more sly glance before prowling away.
A hand grabs my shoulder. “There you are,” Santi says, giving me a fist bump. “Don’t you look like a prized chicken.”
I laugh. “So do you.” He’s in a full black suit, satin shirt open to his mid-drift and showing off his tattoos.
“This is Carmen.” Santi tugs his wife into our little group with a friendly smile. She’s petite, with long dark hair slicked back into a tight ponytail.
“Ah, Carmen,” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “You look lovely. I’ve heard so much about you. Your husband literally doesn’t shut up about you.”
Carmen laughs. “I trained him well.”
“Can you give me some tips? Still trying to get him to work on his footwork.”
I get the right response when Carmen tilts her head back and laughs.
“Hey!” Santi says incredulously. “As if you can talk.”
Thankfully, I find out I’m sitting next to Santi and a few other guys from the team for the dinner. By the time we make it to our seats, we’ve gathered a solid group of teammates and their dates. I’m the only one flying solo.
I try to keep it subtle as my eyes scan the room, looking for her. Cassie’s already sat at a table with her father on one side of her and another couple beside her. She’s in a deep conversation, a smile on her face as she says something to make the woman next to her throw her head back in a laugh.
I can’t help the smile that pulls at my face as she glances up and looks straight at me.
I shoot her a wink as I take a sip of my drink and relish in the way she bites her lip before she turns back at her table mate.
It’ll be a good few hours until I can see her up close again, but it’s a nice view for now.