Chapter 7
Lily
Paddy’s is loud and packed when I finally get there.
During the game, I felt a little off. The encounter with Marcus was playing on loop in my head.
He brings out the worst in me. I can't help but snap at him to see how far I can push.
And today he snapped back. When he pulled me into him, my body relaxed, even though my brain was screaming at me to pull away.
I need to get a hold of this before I do something I regret.
A few people stop me as I walk to find Harris, and I sign a few autographs and take a few selfies. It makes my heart happy that people want to celebrate women in sport. I’ve fought for this for so long, along with so many others, and to see our work finally making an impact makes my heart soar.
The crowd parts and Harris strolls in. The fact that he can walk straight into this bar, somewhere so public, and feel safe is a credit to the owner. Kai Harris is the top midfielder in the league, and the paps follow him wherever he goes.
Taking a seat at the bar, I order a vodka and Coke. Charlie, the owner, places my drink down and hands me a plate of hand cut thick chips. “Thought you may be needing those.”
“You read my mind, Charlie. I was hovering over the line between peckish and I’ll bite your head off if you look at me funny.” I’m practically drooling. I’ve not eaten since breakfast, and Charlie’s chips are legendary.
“I saw that look in your eyes, girl.” He places the salt shaker and vinegar next to me. And I smile; he knows me well.
“Am I that easy to read?”
“Not always. But I do know food is your love language.” He takes his towel off his shoulder and starts to polish the bar top.
“Too right. One day, a man will see me eating a full rotisserie chicken, loving every damn second of it, and he’ll think that’s my girl. And if he doesn’t, I don’t want it.” Popping a chip in my mouth, I wink at Charlie.
“Don’t settle for less, girl.” He throws his cloth back over his shoulder before walking away.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come, Chambers.” Harris takes a seat next to me. And nods at Charlie, who raises his hand in greeting before quickly placing a bottle of water in front of him. “Thanks, Charlie.” Kai acknowledges with another nod before he returns his attention to me.
“I never go back on a promise. Especially when there’s the promise of food. Not drinking tonight?” I motion towards his bottle.
“We’ll get you something more substantial than chips, and I don’t drink during the season. My body’s a temple.” He runs his hands down his impressive chest, and my eyes follow the movement, but I feel nothing. I shake my head at his antics.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“But you agreed to go out with me.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call this a date, Harris. Plus, I’ve come to the realization that men are dicks, so I’ve decided to focus on my rap career and not my love life.”
He barks out a laugh, and I can’t help but join in. “You’re crazy. Can you really rap?”
“Hell, no. But in private, I’m Eminem’s long-lost sister.”
“I’d pay to see that.”
We lose time chatting like old friends, discussing the season and where he sees his football career going.
A few fans come up to us, and we get a few strange looks, as I’m sure people are putting two and two together and making sixteen.
This isn’t a date, it just feels like two friends catching up.
It’s nice, comfortable, and I’m enjoying having someone to talk sports with.
Beck, my roommate and lifelong best friend, will watch with me when he isn’t working, but he’s been working longer hours at the fire station recently, and I’ve been missing our Sunday mornings.
Charlie brought us both his signature burger and chips with extra onion rings while we chatted away, and Kai is mopping up the last of his mayonnaise—bold choice, if you ask me—with his final chip.
“So, we’ve reached the part of the evening where I’ll hit you with some hard hitting questions.” Wiping his hands on his napkin, he turns his body to face me.
“Okay, go.” My pulse quickens slightly at the prospect of what’s coming.
“Quick fire round. Don’t think too much. Just say the first thing that comes into your head.”
“Shouldn’t be too difficult. Pretty much how I live my life.”
The smile that creeps across his face is deadly. “Perfect.”
“Okay, now I’m actually scared.” I down the last of my drink to calm the whisper of nerves that seems to be taking over.
“Don’t be. I'll be gentle.” He signals for Charlie to bring us another round of drinks before stealing one of my chips, popping it into his mouth. “Jesus, Chambers, how much vinegar did you put on those?”
Shrugging, I pop one in my mouth. “Could do with a little more if you ask me.”
“You’re a monster.”
“My chips, my problem. So hit me with these quick fire questions.” I want to get this over with. I’ve had a few drinks now, and I know I get a little loose-lipped after vodka. It’s my very own truth serum.
He rubs his hands together and sits a little taller on the stool. “Okay, you ready?”
“Born ready.” I straighten as well and shake out my hands as I roll my shoulders.
“Hot or cold?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Seriously, that’s your opening question?”
“They’ll get harder. Come on, answer.”
“Fine. Hot.”
“Tea or coffee?”
“Tea, obviously.” I scrunch my nose up. Tea is my life. I’d happily give up coffee, but tea? That shit runs through my veins.
“Day or night?”
“Night.”
“Rugby or football?” He speeds up his questions, and I answer on impulse.
“Football.”
“Harris or Diaz?”
“Diaz.” Shit. My eyes bug out of my head as he raises his water to his lips, a smug smile tugging at his lips.
“Well, here I thought you were with me, but you’ve got my buddy on your mind.” He teases, just as Charlie places fresh drinks down for us.
“No, I don’t. You didn’t say why I should be choosing. I obviously thought you meant which player do I hate the most.” I scoff, waving my hands dismissively, but Kai gives me a smug look as he tilts his head to the side.
“Yep, you keep thinking that, sweetheart.”
I huff out a breath, swiping the droplets of condensation off my glass. “Don’t make something out of this.” I take a huge gulp of my drink, hoping he will drop this.
“I’m not. But I am curious. Why do you hate him?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.” I can’t bring my eyes to his, so I continue to down the rest of my drink before waving down Charlie. “Another, please, but make it a double.”
“Right you are, darling,” he hollers.
“Come on, it can't be that bad. Diaz is a good guy.” Kai frowns, confusion laced in his knitted brow.
Charlie places my glass down, and I take a huge swig. “Hey, go easy, I don't want to be carrying you home,” Harris jokes.
“I’m good, but I would rather not speak about Diaz.”
“Yeah, but there’s no need to get shitfaced over it.” He places his hand on mine as I go to have another drink.
“Look, one day I’ll solve my problems with maturity. Today is not that day. Today it’s alcohol.” Brushing his hand off me, I take another large pull on my drink. The alcohol curbs the ball of anxiety sitting heavy in my chest at the direction this conversation is going.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I knew you and Diaz weren’t best friends, but I really thought a lot of it was for show.
I didn’t mean to upset you.” His warm, callused hand grips my forearm as he continues, “But honestly, whatever he did or didn’t do, I’m sure he never meant to hurt you.
He only ever has good things to say about you. ”
Rolling the bottom of my now-empty glass along the bar top, I mull over his words. “It’s complicated,” I admit. Hooking his arm around my shoulder, he pulls me into his embrace. “Sorry, I’ve really brought the mood down.”
“Nah, it’s my fault. But for what it’s worth, Marcus respects the hell out of you.
Followed the women's game for years and your career, watched every one of your matches. Club level and country.” He releases me, but I’m frozen by his words.
“Always said you were a unique talent, and it was such a loss to the game when you got injured.” My head snaps up, my body reacting to my injury being brought up.
He has to be lying. “I’m telling the truth, Lily. ” Can he read my mind?
The bar gets louder, and a roar of cheers brings me out of my little bubble with Kai.
Turning, I see what has caused the change in atmosphere.
In amongst the chaos is the man taking over a lot of my thoughts.
Kai is right; he is on my mind more than I care to admit since he pinned me to that wall, our breaths mingling together as he gripped my wrists with just the right amount of pressure.
The dominant way he hovered over me, heating my body from the inside as his eyes turned molten with lust.
As he makes his way through the crowd, I can’t seem to drag my gaze away.
His unruly hair that I want to run my hands through, is swept off his chiseled face and out of his deep brown eyes that I could get lost in.
He is flashing that perfect smile that makes his entire face light up and gives him a deadly and sinful look that has women—and some men, if we’re being honest—want to drop to their knees.
And let’s not talk about his body. No, please let’s not, as I’ve had one too many vodkas tonight, and I’m sure the decisions I make will be fueled by that.
“People just flock to him, don’t they?” Kai muses as he follows my line of vision.
“Seems that way.” The tightness in my chest has ebbed and morphed into anger at his arrival.
I shouldn’t be thinking about him like that.
I hate this man, and I can’t be having lust-filled thoughts about him.
I can forgive myself for one night, but any more than that, and seriously, I need to get a grip.
“Look, Kai, I really appreciate tonight, but I need to make tracks.” Standing a little too quickly, which makes me wobble slightly, I reach out, grabbing his biceps to stabilize myself as I giggle.
I don’t fucking giggle. I must be more drunk than I thought.
“I can’t let you leave just yet. Especially not in this state.” He guides me back onto the stool as I try to stop the room spinning.
“I’m absolutely fine.” I wave him off before rubbing at my temples.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite Petardo.” It infuriates me that his voice is so damn hot. Why is a Spanish accent sexy? I bet he could tell women they look like a potato, and they would melt because he would make it sound so good.
“He even has a nickname for you.” Kai leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Shut up.” I grind out, pinching his side.
“Ah fuck, Chambers. That hurt.” He rubs the spot, pouting at me.
“Well, don’t be a prick then,” I hiss.
“You two look very cozy over here.” Diaz squeezes in between me and Kai, practically pushing Kai off his stool. His scent hits me, and like an idiot, I feel myself leaning in closer.
Pull yourself together, Lily.
I mentally shake myself at my reaction and carefully stand.
The room is no longer spinning. My legs don’t feel quite like my own, but I need to remove myself from this situation.
“I was just leaving. And it looks like I picked the right time, as I can’t be seen to be socializing with you outside of work. ”
“Why not?” Confusion mars his beautiful face. No, not his beautiful face, damn you, vodka.
“Because people might actually think I like you.”
“And we can’t have that.”
“Exactly.” I bop his nose with my finger. Why, I have no idea. “My social status would take a nosedive.” My legs are moving on their own accord now as I try to walk with grace away from him, but of course, karma has other plans, and I catch my heel, toppling into Marcus’s hard, muscular chest.
“You okay?” With concern in his deep brown irises, he steadies me. Strong hands grip my hips, and I suppress the shudder that travels up my spine.
“Yep, absolutely fine, you chocolate quilted shit pig.” Not sure I’ve used that insult before, but it's a keeper.
“Chocolate quilted what now?” He laughs, and I see Kai behind him, chuckling into his water.
“Shit pig. You heard.” Shifting out of his grasp, I grab my bag. “Look, I’m out of here, boys, so enjoy the rest of your evening.” Giving them my signature two finger salute, I try and walk in a straight line out of Paddy’s with some of my dignity intact.
Do I succeed?
Absolutely not as I trip over my own feet and almost faceplant the concrete as I attempt to use my phone to book an Uber.
Karma, me and you girl, we need words.