Chapter 46 Callan
CALLAN
“When does your girlfriend arrive?” Joel asks as we leave the training center together, walking toward the car park.
“Her flight gets in at eight.” My smile is instantaneous. I can’t wait to see Astrid. It’s been a lonely—but busy—six weeks.
“We’re looking forward to meeting her.”
“She can’t wait to meet you either, mate.”
Joel Ekman has been playing for Thamesford FC for six years, having moved here from Stockholm at eighteen.
We are meeting him and his wife, Tamara, for dinner on Thursday night in a top spot in Central London.
Tamara is a fashion buyer for a designer brand, and she’s very career-oriented.
She insists I come over for dinner once a week, and I really enjoy their company. I think Astrid will love her.
Joel and I bonded over our love of Swedish cursing, and he’s taken me under his wing, helping to show me the ropes, because he remembers what it was like at the start.
How overwhelming and isolating it can be.
The team were welcoming, but it’s quite cliquey, and I was feeling out of my depth those first few weeks.
Joel has been a godsend because there’s been a lot to take in.
It’s been stressful, and I’m grateful I have Astrid. Talking to her helps to keep me grounded and sane, and her pragmatic approach to things never fails to reassure and comfort me. I can’t wait until she’s here because I need her more than she realizes.
The sheer size and scale of the operation is daunting.
The club employs over two hundred and fifty people, with most of them not being directly associated with the team.
Chefs, kitchen staff, receptionists, car park and stadium attendants, groundskeepers, office staff, security personnel, and they have a massive marketing and public relations team.
I’ve had media training to help me navigate the massive personal interest in me, and I’m grateful for the support because it’s a minefield.
The team dietician works with the chefs in the canteen to create weekly plans for the team that are high in carbohydrates and protein and lower in fat.
She gave me suggested meal plans and recipes for when I’m home.
The importance of eating right, getting quality sleep, and following a specific training and recovery plan has been overemphasized.
A lot of this isn’t new to me, and I’m no stranger to discipline, but this is on a whole other level.
My schedule is insane. Meeting daily with the team for training, meetings, and strategy sessions.
One-on-ones with Colin, my manager, and Markus, the assistant manager.
Two strength and power workouts a week. Ice baths and time in the jacuzzi.
Sessions with the team physio. A match every Saturday or Sunday, and mid-week games too.
Media interviews. Signing merch. Photos with fans.
I signed a sponsorship contract with a major sports brand, and Eddie is discussing some other potential sponsorship deals.
My eyes always stare at the banking screen in shock whenever I log into my account.
I’ve been sent tons of free stuff too—clothes, shoes, watches, aftershave, toiletries, tablets, skincare, and supplements.
You name it, and I’ve probably been given it for free.
Dara helps himself when he’s here, and I don’t mind.
I want my family to enjoy the rewards too.
It’s insane, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact I’m a celebrity now. None of that ever mattered to me, and it still doesn’t. It’s always been about playing ball.
Thankfully, I’ve been playing well. I even scored a goal in my first match, and the manager is pleased.
The fans seem fully behind me, which is a relief.
I still pinch myself when I see people waiting for me after a match to take a picture or sign something.
My social media following has skyrocketed, and interest in my personal life is high.
The PR team are always available for advice and support. They are currently interviewing for a new social media liaison officer—a person who will work closely with the individual players to curate the online content while seamlessly coordinating official team announcements on the various platforms.
Most nights, I tumble into bed exhausted and barely remember falling asleep.
It’s been challenging finding time to talk regularly with my family and Astrid. Mostly we message, but I always make time to speak with my girlfriend, even if it’s only a quick five-minute call. I never want her to feel like she’s not the center of my universe.
“Tell Astrid I said hi, and I hope she enjoys the match tomorrow,” Joel says when he reaches his G-Wagon.
“I’ll introduce you tomorrow. Will Tamara be at the match?”
He shakes his head. “She’s in High Wycombe for the weekend. It’s her niece’s christening. I’ll be heading there after.”
“Cool. Laters, man.” I jerk my chin up as I walk toward my Range Rover. I bought it shortly after arriving in London, and I love driving it. My new life still feels surreal, but with each passing week, I settle in more.
Dara is waiting for me at my apartment when I walk through the door thirty minutes later.
“Good flight?” I dump my duffel bag on the floor in the kitchen beside the island unit.
“It left on time, thankfully.” My older brother wraps me in a bear hug, and we slap one another on the back. “Good to see you, bro.”
“Thanks for coming.” I shuck out of his embrace, heading toward the fridge.
“You know I’d be at every match if I could.”
Dara is in his last year at Trinners, and he has finals coming up in a couple of months. He has come over a few other weekends to watch my home games and hang out with me, and I’m grateful he’s here this time until Tuesday.
“When will Astrid and the crazy bird be here?”
I remove a bottle of coconut water from the fridge. “Flight is due at eight, so I’ll be leaving here in an hour.” I toss a look over my shoulder. “Want anything?”
“Gimme a beer.”
I grab a bottle of beer and uncap the top, handing it to my brother.
We walk side by side to the L-shaped sofa and sink onto it.
It will be doubling as my brother’s bed for the weekend because Gwen will be taking the spare bedroom.
“I still can’t believe you let Astrid talk you into letting Gwen come too. ”
“She’s her best mate. Not like I could do much.
” I chug some water, recalling the massive argument Astrid and I had a few weeks ago when she asked if Gwen could visit with her.
The last thing I want is that clinger hogging my girl’s attention and ruining what little time Astrid and I will have together.
“Astrid says she’s depressed and the trip will cheer her up. ”
“I really don’t get how they’re such good friends.” Dara knocks back a mouthful of beer as he crosses his leg over one knee. “They are like chalk and cheese.”
“Astrid deserves a fucking medal for putting up with Gwen for so long. I can only tolerate her in small doses. This week will be a test of my patience for sure.”
“Look at it like this.” Dara swivels around, facing me. “Astrid will be here in a few months, and there’ll be an ocean between them. Gradually, their friendship will fade as their lives take them in different directions. It happens all the time.”
“I’m praying you’re right because, I fucking swear, if Gwen asks to come here for summer break I will lose my shite, big-time.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she has that up her sleeve. Gwen seems to have a weird reliance on Astrid.”
“I will never understand their relationship.” I drain the dregs of my water and hop up. “I’m grabbing a shower. If you’re coming with me, be ready to leave at a quarter to.”
“Callan!” Astrid yells my name the instant she sees me, racing towards me with exuberance, uncaring she’s dropped her carry-on case in her rush to reach me.
My baby is, predictably, bundled up in a puffer jacket, hat and scarf, jeans, and knee-high black boots.
You’d swear she was visiting Alaska. Spring in London is not very cold, but I can’t say I’m surprised my girlfriend is prepared for the worst weather.
Astrid despises the cold, and summer is her favorite season. Fuck, I have missed her so badly.
My arms open automatically when she is near, and I laugh as she throws herself at me.
“Hey, beautiful. Missed you.” Lifting her up, I swing her around, and we’re sporting matching grins and laughs as we drink one another in.
The familiar scent of her perfume wafts around me like a comfort blanket, and I’m ridiculously giddy, so fucking happy she’s here.
“I missed you too,” she says as I slowly lower her feet to the ground.
It feels longer than six weeks since I last saw her, and boy, is she a sight for sore eyes.
She looks even more beautiful, and my heart is pounding like crazy.
Leaning in, I claim her mouth in a drugging kiss, and the instant her lips move against mine, everything feels right in my world.
She’s back in my arms where she belongs.
Where she’s gonna stay.
“Time to break it up, lovebirds.” Amusement filters through Dara’s tone. “You’re blocking the way, and I see a few people with phones out.”
Those words are the death knell to our loving reunion as Astrid rips her lips from mine and lowers her head. “Skit.”
“Hey, Cal.” Gwen puts herself all up in my face as I place a protective arm around my girlfriend’s shoulders.
“Gwen. Good to see you,” I lie.
“Don’t I get a hug?” She smiles at me through hooded lashes, and irritation prickles my skin.
How she can get on my nerves instantly is true skill.
Dara snorts, and I pretend like I haven’t heard her.
“Let’s get out of here.” I take Astrid’s backpack and sling it over my free shoulder.
I purposely don’t look around because I don’t want to know who’s invading my privacy.
I hate random strangers taking pictures of me, and I’d love to give them a piece of my mind, but I can’t afford to lose my cool in public.
Never engage is the PR advice, and I’m trying to abide by it.
The best course of action is to make a fast getaway.
I hold Astrid closer as I press a kiss to her cheek. “Come on. The car is this way.”
“My bag.”
“I’ve got it.” Dara gestures to the small pink case. He turns to Gwen. “Let me take yours too.” Gwen readily hands over the very large case she travelled with. She’s only here for a fucking week. What the hell has she got in there?
“You hiding Scott’s dead body in there?” I joke as we all walk off.
“Scott and I broke up. We’re over for good.”
“I know. That’s why I’m asking.”
Dara snort laughs while Astrid warns me with her eyes.
“You’re funny, Cal.” Gwen loops her arm through mine, but I instantly shuck her off. A crestfallen look appears on her face, and I feel like a prick, but I don’t like her touching me, and she’s always doing it.
“People are filming, Gwen. It’s best you keep your distance.”
“You’re not telling Azzie to keep her distance,” she says as we walk through the main doors.
“Everyone knows she’s my girlfriend, and she’s the only girl I ever want to get papped with.”
“Walk with me,” Dara says, lifting one shoulder and flashing her a flirty grin. I know he has zero interest in Gwen, so I shoot him a grateful look.
Now that the cling-on is occupied, I turn my attention to my girl. “How was the flight? Are you tired?”
“The flight was fine, and thankfully, we only had an hour’s layover at Newark, but it was a four a.m. start, so yeah, I’m tired even if it is only three p.m. at home.”
“It was still the best time to fly in. We can grab some takeaway on the way home and head to bed early.”
Her eyes flare with interest. “I’m liking this plan.”
I chuckle as I lead her across the road. “Mind out of the gutter, beautiful.” I plant a feather-soft kiss on her lips. “Sleeping with you in my arms is all I need.”
“I’m calling bullshit.” She fights a yawn as I steer her toward the car park. “Phone sex cannot be satisfying my man, and I have big plans for you tonight, Irish.”
“Our phone sex is hot, and I do have two working hands, you know.” I waggle my brows.
She stretches up on her toes, pressing her mouth to my ear. “I finger myself to sleep every weekend when Paige is at Tonya’s, imagining my fingers are yours.”
That visual instantly swims before my eyes, and my cock jerks behind my jeans. “You play dirty, baby. I’ve got a big match tomorrow, and I can’t stay up all night fucking.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” my little temptress says as we head toward my car. Her fingers drag gently through the scruff on my jawline. “We’ll take a rain check on the fucking, and you can make sweet love to me tonight and then fall asleep in my arms. How about that for a plan?”
I swat her arse as I pop the lid on the boot with my fob. “As if I’d ever say no. You have me wrapped around your little finger, and you know it.”