Chapter 48
Waking up in Marcus’s warm embrace since I told him about Nelly has been everything I’d wished for. Why had I stopped myself from feeling this calm, this sense of belonging?
He asks me his usual three questions in the car on the way to the studio every morning, and just like every time he asks me, I’m confused with the meaning behind them.
Favorite drink? Tea.
Do I have any siblings? Yes, an older brother.
Favorite TV program as a child. Powerpuff girls. I was six, don't judge.
But with every seemingly pointless question, he slips further under my skin.
“You’re absolutely killing it out there, Lils.
” Beck beams at me through the phone as I get comfy on the sofa in the studio, waiting for Marcus and the rest of the team to show up for this evening’s game.
“Listen to this.” Beck shakes out today's newspaper. He’s sitting at our kitchen table, phone propped up and a huge smile on his face.
“The EBS’s coverage of the European football league with Lily Chambers and Marcus Diaz is TV gold.
They are bringing us all the must-see action on the pitch, along with humor and so much heart.
The ratings speak for themselves; each day they bring in millions of viewers and have given us many viral moments.
The world of social media is flooded constantly with viewers commenting on the pair and they all say the same thing: they want more from these two.
” He brings his gaze back to me through the phone. “Babe, I'm so proud of you.”
“I want to stay humble, but honestly, this is beyond what I imagined when I joined the network.” I’m buzzing as he reads out the article. It truly astounds me that this is my life.
“There’s more.” He smirks before he dives back in.
“The chemistry between Chambers and Diaz has viewers enthralled. Some believe that their onscreen banter is nothing but two lovers flirting, leading people to speculate that if they are indeed together, how hot their bedroom activities are. Fireworks is the only way we would describe it.”
“Jesus, why do they always have to go there? Can’t they just focus on the football and our reporting?
” My blood boils because I’m sick of this line of reporting.
I don’t care that people are saying it because, unlike that prick when we first landed in Spain, most are just predicting when our wedding is and where we would get married, not if I fucked my way into my position.
But why can’t they just stick to the facts?
“Because most people have boring lives, Lily and love to live through the lives of celebrities.”
“I’m not a celebrity, Beck.” I roll my eyes.
“When will you get it through that bloody head of yours? Yes, you are a celebrity. You’re on prime time sports TV, you have newspaper articles written about you, and if your text messages the other day are to be believed, you're rubbing shoulders with football and Hollywood royalty.” I can’t lie, the people Leanne has got for us to interview on the show have been beyond incredible.
Yesterday I was interviewing Isla Herd. Actual Isla Herd of Hollywood fame.
She has been in some of the highest grossing films of the decade, and I was sitting across from her, asking her about how she thought England would fare in the semifinal today against Germany.
She’s a major football fan and even played semiprofessionally before she was snapped up by Hollywood.
It was a real pinch me moment. I’ve had plenty of them this trip.
Jenna Dillan is now in my phone contacts for one, and she is coming back to sit on the panel for the final.
“It’s just hard to grasp, you know? This isn’t where I saw myself. Not for a while anyway. It was always the end game once I retired, but not now. I’m still adjusting.”
“I get it, Lils. But just know I’m so proud of you. We all are,” he gushes.
“Thanks, Becky Boy.”
“But tell me.” He picks his phone up and starts to walk towards the living space. “Are you fucking Diaz?”
“Goodbye, Beck.” I giggle.
“You so are.” He fist bumps the air. “Lily Chambers. Now I am very proud of you.” The delight in his voice has me shaking my head.
“Give the others my love, and I’ll be back next week after the final. And make sure you give Olivia a hug from me.”
“Oh, she’s deflecting. Definitely fucking him.” He tucks his arm behind his head while he spreads out on our sofa.
“Bye, Beck.”
“You keep on enjoying yourself. You look different, a good different. Happy. Love you, Lils.” My best friend of over twenty years smiles at me with glassy eyes, and I blow him a kiss.
“Love you too, Becky Boy.” The screen goes black as he hangs up.
Staring out at the empty stadium, I’m filled with so much hope, and my mind is clear for the first time in years. I can get a handle on this. It’s time I tackled my demons head on. It is not a weakness to ask for help.
“Where’s Diaz?” Leanne barrels into the studio as I’m having my makeup and hair touched up before we go live.
And I’ve also been feeling a little twitchy as Marcus hasn’t shown up.
He left to do some recording with Kai and the England team, while I did some work in the studio, and I’ve not heard from him since.
“Not sure. I’ve not seen him all day.”
“Niall,” Leanne shouts, even though he is only standing next to her. “Find him.”
“Of course.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket as he leaves the studio to make a call. I reach for mine, frowning at the lack of messages before opening up my text thread with Marcus.
Lily – Cockwomble, where are you?
“Lily, you may be doing this gig on your own tonight, babe.” Leanne points her phone in my direction as she stalks over to me.
“Seriously?” I squeak.
“Yes.” She chuckles. “If we can’t find pretty boy. You’re in charge.”
“Oh, my God,” I whisper, staring wide eyed at Leanne.
Niall bursts back through the door, “Just got word that he wasn’t feeling well.” He announces before he brings his attention to Leanne. “His driver took him back to the hotel a few hours ago. Apparently, he had to help him to his room. He was stumbling and could barely stand.”
My stomach drops. That will explain why he hasn’t messaged me. I’m torn because I have a huge pull to go be by his side, but I can’t abandon the show.
“Lily.” Leanne’s cheery voice breaks through my thoughts.
“Looks like this is your show tonight, then, girl. Niall?” She shouts for Niall again, and I secretly think he likes the way she speaks to him.
“Put out a message on social media that Diaz is unwell; this is Lily’s gig tonight.
” He smiles over at me and nods before spinning on his heel, his phone pressed to his ear.
Leanne wraps her arm around my shoulder, her warmth enveloping me as my mind races with the enormity of this opportunity.
“You’re a star, Lily Chambers. You’ve worked hard for this.
Show those haters that women can do anything they put their minds to.
” She smiles warmly as pride ripples through me.
“Use those bricks people enjoy throwing at you and build that firm, strong foundation for all those bright young girls to follow. You’re pushing boundaries, babe.
Keep pushing and eventually they stop pushing back and start pulling you up. ”