Chapter 32
Martin
I knew it. I shouldn’t have come. I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with him.
I’m so stupid. What was I even thinking? Showing up to surprise him?
He’s the one surprising me, like a Christmas present you’d rather leave sitting under the tree till New Year’s.
Jamie’s at the bar with a man. They’re chatting away, and from the way they’re smiling at each other, you’d swear they’ve known each other for years.
And he’s fucking gorgeous. All scruffy, with a long, messy beard, he’s got the look of someone who’s been living in a hedge, but I suppose the Captain has a soft spot for lads like him.
You’re a loser, Doctor. Don’t even bother trying to be someone else.
I watch from a distance as Ian and Ryan approach them. They talk, and Ryan immediately makes an idiot of himself. I shake my head in resignation as an unpleasant, familiar feeling creeps over me: jealousy, of course. And disappointment. For a moment, I had believed it — I had fallen for it.
Jamie turns and scans the room. His eyes land on me just as I’m about to slip away.
He goes still, staring, whatever the others are saying to him fading into the background.
I stay where I am, letting him look at me, shutting out the noise in my own head.
Suddenly, he stands, and the room falls silent. He moves confidently towards me, weaving through the crowd, while I do my best not to collapse; if I do, my son will never let me hear the end of it.
When he’s only a step away, I realise he’s breathless. I’m half-tempted to take his wrist and check his pulse, but what I really want is to grab him by the collar and pull him in, to give him all the air he needs.
“You’re here.”
I shrug, a bit on edge. I can’t tell if that’s an accusation or just a fact.
“Did you come to watch the match?”
“I came to see you.”
It’s the truth. I’ve already made a show of myself coming here. No point trying to hang on to the tiny bit of dignity I’ve left.
“And how was it?”
“You’re really asking me that?”
“I am. I want to know.”
“It was class. And don’t take the piss — I’m serious, Captain. You were—”
“Would you look who turned up to the match today?” Ryan leans over Jamie’s shoulder. “This is no place for you, Doctor.”
“Would you ever just fuck off, Ryan?”
“Ah, such big words.” Ryan laughs as Ian and the other lad stroll over to us.
“What a nice surprise, Doctor,” Ian comments, leaning on Jamie’s shoulder as well.
“Who let you into the blue room? It’s reserved for VIPs, so it is,” Ryan continues.
“Then how come you could set foot in there?”
Ryan grimaces at me while the stranger watches our puzzled exchange.
“There you are. We were looking everywhere for you,” Chris and Riley say as they stroll up to us.
“Casey and Nick are knocking about somewhere, and Evan… I haven’t a clue.
I lost him the minute the match was over and…
Ah, Jesus, would you look at the state of this!
” Chris’s voice jumps. “You’re… Ah, for fuck’s sake! ”
Ryan just shakes his head, pure scarlet, while Jamie bursts out laughing.
“This is Liam,” Jamie says, nodding towards the sexy stranger.
“Are you… are you…” Riley says, going pale. “Are you Liam O’Reilly?”
The stranger goes a bit red in the face.
“In the flesh,” Jamie says. “Liam’s an old friend and a big fan of the team.”
Old friend. Discreet code for ex–fuck buddy.
“Before you ask, he’s flying solo today. Try to contain your libido, and let’s not make a scene,” Ryan says.
“Fine. I’ll settle for you, too,” Chris says shamelessly, tucking herself under this Liam guy’s arm.
While everyone is busy fussing over Liam, Jamie catches my arm and steers me away. We weave through the crowd and slip out of the room, stopping in the empty corridor that leads to the rest of the facility.
Jamie lets go of me and takes a few steps back as I lean against the wall.
“Seeing you here… I was losing my mind,” he says, his voice suddenly serious.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“What are you on about?”
“Your friend… I can tell you’re close.”
“Are you for real?”
I shrug.
“Are you jealous, Doctor?”
“Don’t talk shit.”
He steps closer, bracing his hands on either side of my head.
“I’ll ask you again. Are you jealous, Doctor?”
“Fuck you.”
“You still didn’t answer me.”
“I didn’t know I had to share your attention with someone else.”
He bends his arms, leaning in until his mouth is close to mine.
“You have my full attention,” he says, his lips almost brushing my own. “And I want yours.”
“You have it.”
“I don’t share, Doctor. I hope that’s clear. Because if it’s not…” His hot mouth claims mine, pinning me against the wall — a firm, brief touch that makes my legs tremble.
“I want to see you,” he says. “Tomorrow is my day off.”
“Mine too. I switched shifts.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“I know that after the game, you players have—”
He silences me again, this time sliding his tongue into my mouth, pushing deep, as if he wants to steal the words straight from my tongue.
“Come to my place,” I blurt out the second he lets me go. “I’ll make you dinner.”
A half smile tugs at his mouth. “How many things can you do with those hands, Doctor?”
“More than you can imagine.”
And I fully intend to show him every single one.