Chapter 5
Lily
It’s official. I’ve gone mad.
Why did I let Marcus touch me like that again? And why did it feel so good? I know it’s been a while, but come on, Lily you have standards.
I managed to work for the rest of the day without bumping into him, and I definitely didn’t think about how his touch made a fire light up inside me.
Nope. Marcus Diaz does not affect me.
Today is a new day. I will not think about how his touch made me melt, and how I wanted to fall into him. I’m just tired and horny, but lucky for me, my pink vibrator hits the spot every time.
Who needs a man?
After I’ve had my hair and makeup done, I walk through the stadium corridor on my way to the pitch with a bounce in my step.
Finally, after years of hard graft, I’ve made it to where I want to be.
It may not have been my dream to be a reporter, but after I heard those words that changed my whole life, “You’ll never play professionally again,” I changed.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I scream. Beck’s arms wrap around me, picking me up off the sofa, carrying me to the bathroom as I try to wriggle out of his hold. Jesus, why does he have to be so bloody strong? He chucks me in the bath and turns on the shower overhead before grasping the showerhead.
“Enough is enough, Lil’s.” I hear Trixie call from underneath the sound of the spray. “You’ve had your time throwing your pity party.”
“Seriously, Lils, when did you last shower? Is that a milk button stuck behind your ear?” Beck inspects my face as he holds the showerhead, hitting my chest with the spray. “I fucking hope it’s a milk button. This goes way past our friendship boundaries if it isn’t.” He grimaces.
“Fuck off.” Standing to turn the shower off, I yank it out of his hands before letting it fall.
My now dripping wet pajamas weigh me down as I step out of the tub.
When did I last change these? Catching a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror, I barely recognize the woman staring back at me.
My normally bright green eyes are dull, my whole face is gray, and my cheeks have sunken as I’ve lost weight and muscle mass from not exercising like I used to.
And shit, Beck’s right. I have a milk button behind my ear, and thanks to the water he so kindly sprayed on me, it’s sliding down my neck, leaving a snail trail in its wake.
“I’m a fucking mess.” Tears stream down my cheeks as I take in my appearance.
“We’ve got you.” Jade comes forward, wrapping a towel around me.
“Let’s get you cleaned up and make a plan.
” She nods at Beck, and he leaves, knowing the girls have got me.
We sit on the edge of the tub, the girls bracketing me on either side.
Resting my elbows on my knees, I hang my head in shame at how far I’ve fallen.
“Sorry, but honestly, girl we didn’t know what else to do.” Trixie’s concerned gaze hits me straight in the gut. Have I truly been that detached?
“I know you’ve had one hell of a knock, but babe, I refuse for you to let this define you.” Jade squeezes my thigh. “Use this as a means to shine your light somewhere else.”
“I’m sorry, girls.” I choke out, as my words get caught in my throat.
“You’ve every right to feel the way you do, no one says you need to just get over it. But let us help you.” Jade takes my hand in hers.
“You’re slipping away, Lil’s. You’re always the one to bring the spark, forcing us out of our comfort zone.” Trix brushes my matted hair away from my face. Her beautiful brown eyes are glossy with tears. “Now we’re here to return the favor.”
The sun beats down on me as I walk out onto the pitch and shake myself out of the memory and smile.
I’m back.
The smell of the fresh turf and the rush I get from the sheer expanse of space of the stadium have me itching to get my boots back on.
I haven’t laced them up since the accident.
Every time I tried, it brought back memories of the hospital, which became like a second home.
The smell of antiseptic and terrible hospital food.
And the look of pity on everyone's faces whenever they came to visit. But now, standing here, I want, no, I need to do it. Taking a deep breath, I make a promise to myself that I will lace up my boots again and play the game that brought me so much pleasure and made me feel free and powerful, even if my body won’t hold up to doing it professionally anymore.
“It’s pretty special isn’t it?” Marcus appears at my side.
And I glance over to find him dressed in a charcoal gray suit with a plain white, crisp shirt, which he’s left open to reveal a few inches of his perfectly tanned, tattooed chest. I hate myself for checking him out, but I’d be a fool not to notice.
His unruly hair has been tamed, but it seems to be already fighting to be released.
He has day-old stubble across his jaw, adding to the sharp lines of his face, and when he turns his deep brown eyes to meet mine, his smile lights up his entire face.
I can’t help myself, and for an instant, I forget that I hate him and smile back.
I’m riding a high today; nothing will bring me down.
“It really is. Only a stadium full of cheering and chanting fans beats this feeling.”
“You’re not wrong, Chambers.” He looks a little deflated this morning, and his usual cocky personality is subdued. It’s putting me off kilter as we’ve been in each other's company for more than five minutes and not taken a swipe at each other.
“Chambers? Diaz?” A voice booming across the pitch has us turning our heads.
Damen is strutting towards us. “Great, you’re both here.
Now, the way this is going to work today is; I want Chambers with Ridge and Francis down pitch side.
I want all the interviews with the coaches, players, and managers to come from you.
” Holy shit. Talk about throwing me in at the deep end.
“Great, thank you, Damen.” I try to keep my voice neutral and professional, but the little girl inside me is screaming and doing a happy dance.
“And Diaz, you’ll be with Rodrigez and Adams in the box.
I want you to do the analysis during the game, but Chambers?
” Damen turns back to me. “I want you to head on up there after you’ve done your final interview.
I want you to give some of your analysis on the game.
” My eyes must give away the little girl currently losing her shit inside my head as he laughs.
“I brought you on to show the world that anyone can love the game, so your opinion is important and will be taken seriously by the gentlemen in the box.” He turns his steely gaze on Marcus.
“And if it isn’t, I want to know. I won’t have sexism in my network. Do I make myself clear?”
“Of course, that goes without saying. I’m excited to see what Chambers will bring.
This will shake things up and bring a whole new dynamic to the show.
” Erm? Okay, who is this guy? His smile is genuine as he turns to face me.
“I’ve seen your tapes, Chambers. You were pretty impressive.
” I literally have no words. Am I in an alternate universe?
“Couldn’t agree more. Right, have a good show and I’ll see you after we’ve aired for the usual debrief.” He walks off down the tunnel, and I refocus my gaze on Marcus.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Laughing, he places a hand on my shoulder, and I ignore my traitorous, horny body and its reaction to his touch. “I’m great, Petardo.”
“Stop it with that nickname.” I sigh.
“But it suits you.”
I roll my eyes. “Were you putting an act on there?”
“What with Damen?” I nod. “Hell no. I have watched your tapes. Actually, I watched a lot of your games when I was in the area. You really have talent and can read the game better than most male players.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“Close your mouth, Chambers, unless you want me to fill it?” A smug grin creeps across his face.
“Urgh, you're seriously not suggesting what I think you are, are you?”
“Well, it shut you up, didn’t it?” He raises one brow at me.
And we’re back.
“Trust me, that will never happen.”
“Never say never,” he says playfully.
“It wouldn’t be full anyway.” I smirk back at him.
“Thinking about my cock, Chambers?”
I wasn’t, but now? Fuck now I am wondering. Nope, Lily, stop it.
“You wish. Jesus. It’s true, men who have the smallest dicks tend to have the biggest attitude. Calm the fuck down, push pop.”
That one takes him off guard and he bursts out laughing.
I take the opportunity to push him a little further.
Fixing my eyes on his, I grin. “Look, Diaz, you can dream about my mouth wrapped around your cock, smearing my perfectly painted lipstick down your microdick all you like, but I’m not, nor will I ever, make that little fantasy of yours come true.
” I hold my head up high and brush past him.
One-nil to me.
As I pass, he grabs hold of my bicep, his voice low and commanding.
“I think that little fantasy you just described is yours. That's the second time you’ve mentioned the size of my cock. Next time, I’ll have to prove to you just how wrong you are.
” He releases me, and I stumble back slightly.
With a self-satisfied smile he stalks off down the tunnel.
One all.