Chapter 12
I smoothed down the sides of my slinky black dress. The front was high, almost modest, but the back was so low, if I leaned forward too far, everyone here would get a glimpse of my ass. I clicked across the floor in my heels and snagged a glass of water from a passing server.
You look beautiful. Dad put an arm around me and kissed my cheek.
You dont look so bad yourself, I said.
He wore an expensive, perfectly tailored navy blue suit and his favourite Rapids tie. Of course.
Is what’s-her-name here? I asked.
He responded with a tight smile. No. She thought it better to wait until the divorce was finalised.
Right. She wouldnt want anyone to think she was muscling in on another womans territory. I sipped my water.
His expression tightened and his smile faded. Lets not do this here. This party is to boost morale for the next game. And to raise money for charity.
Oh yes. I nodded. What is it this time? I dont think he cared what he was donating to, as long as he was seen doing it. Veterans? Widows? Homeless ducks?
He snorted. Homeless ducks?
Of course. Someone has to look after the ducks. I smiled.
Maybe you can make that your next pet project, he said. This, in the meantime, is to raise awareness of mental health issues.
I arched an eyebrow at him. Im impressed. Thats one of the better causes youve raised money for.
Are you saying that because you blame your mental health issues on me? he asked.
I dont think mental health works that way, I said. But if the hat fits…
Ouch. He grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing server. Maybe you should go and mingle. The players should be here soon, with their girlfriends.
I wrinkled my nose. Because they had to be seen as they arrived. We did the same thing, about half an hour ago. Sweeping through the front doors, stopping to let the press take photos, pretending we were someone important.
Dad had insisted on it. It was all part of me taking over the team, apparently.
You of all people know the benefit of a perfectly curated entrance, he pointed out. Dont pretend you werent taking selfies and smiling for the camera. How many photos have you put on social media this evening?
I shrugged as far as the shoulders of my dress would let me. A number higher than zero. Okay I have to admit, this is the stuff my followers eat up. Theyd want selfies of me with all the most popular players before the end of the night. If I took over the team, it would do wonders for my social media career.
Did I want that? Right now, I just wished Ollie was here. Id sneak him off to a private room somewhere and have our own party. Id asked him to come, but he was busy with another work thing. I was starting to think his boss was a real asshole for making him work so hard. Shame, this would be a good chance for him to meet his heroes.
Do you want a selfie with your old dad? he asked.
I gave him a look. I shared a photo of me and him on my platforms once. It took months to convince everyone that we werent dating. I still wanted to insert a vomit emoji after that thought.
We can take one, but its not going up on the Internet. I pulled my phone out of my bag and turned on the camera. We pressed our heads together and smiled. I took one photo like that, and one with us both sticking out our tongues.
I was just lowering my phone, when a ripple of excitement passed through the room. I made a face.
Dad looked excited. He was like a little boy at the circus. Here came the clowns and dancing bears.
Okay, I should be nicer.
Hawk Florence and Bec were first into the room. He wore a dark suit and a red tie that perfectly matched her gorgeous red dress. With her blonde hair piled on top of her head, she looked stunning.
Bam and Grace followed; him in a white tuxedo, her in a green gown which fell to mid-thigh. She wore her hair down to hang past her shoulders.
Henry Pinky’ Innocenti stalked in after the first two couples, with his usual scowl on his face. Did the man never smile? If he did, I hadnt seen it.
A few other players filed in, followed by Chase and Ashley. She looked immaculate as always, in a soft pink gown which complimented his grey suit.
Chase turned to share a joke with the guy behind him.
My heart stopped.
Sweat sprang up in my hands.
If I hadnt put my phone away, I probably would have dropped it.
What the hell? I whispered.
Dad looked at me, then followed my line of sight. Thats Ollie Tucker, the teams star centre.
My whole world started to spin. My ears rang. I felt as though I was going to throw up. I almost dropped my water glass, before Dad grabbed it and pulled it out of my hand.
Are you okay? You look as white as a sheet. I know the girls seem to find him good-looking, but Ive never seen anyone swoon over him.
Im not— I shook my head. I need to sit down.
Dad handed our glasses to a server and put an arm around me. Ill help you.
I tried to shake him off, but he guided me over to a chair.
Can I get you anything? He crouched beside me and looked worried.
The only thing I needed right now was an explanation. But not from him.
Would you like to meet him? Dad asked. Before I could stop him he straightened up and started to wave.
Oh God.
Hey, kid, he called out in that cringey way dads have. I have someone here who’d like to meet you.
He stepped aside and Ollie and my eyes met.
Ollies expression changed from dutiful annoyance to recognition.
Rubie.
I gave him a watery smile. The one and only.
Oh, Dad said. You two know each other.
You could say that, I said. I looked directly at Ollie. So, youre a Rapid.
His shoulder shifted uncomfortably in his dark suit. Damn, he looked good enough to eat right here, right now.
Yeah. And you are…
My daughter, Dad said.
Ollies face paled.Rubie… Thomas.
Right, I said. Dad, if its okay with you, Im going to go home. I dont feel well.
I shot Ollie a look. A combination of anger and disappointment.
Okay, I was not completely honest with him, but had flat-out lied to me. He wasnt just a Rapids fan, he was one of them. A player.
And I had been played.
I should have known he was too good to be true. I had known. I hadnt wanted to admit it to myself.
I curled one of my hands into fists and dug my fingernails into my palms. I was not going to cry in front of him.
Rubie Thomas did not cry in front of anyone.
Are you sure, honey? Dad asked. Do you need me to come with you? He held out a hand to me.
I shook it away. No, you stay here and enjoy yourself. This night was about him and his stupid team anyway. I didnt want to spoil it for him.
Ill go and organise a ride home for you, he said.
Before I could argue, he walked away, leaving me alone with Ollie.
Rubie— Ollie started.
I shook my head. Dont. I dont want to hear anything you have to say.
Tears prickled my eyes but I dug my nails in deeper. Any deeper and Id draw blood, but I didnt care. It was nothing to the ache in my heart. He might as well have ripped it out and run across the field with it.
I tried to tell you. He crouched down in front of me. His face was still pale, gorgeous blue eyes wide.
I snorted. Thats what they all say. Youre just as full of shit as the rest of them.
You didnt tell me the whole truth either, he pointed out. You said you took photos.
I do,” I said. I didnt say what I took photos of. For the record, yes, I mostly take photos of myself.
You didnt think to mention your father is the owner of the Rapids? He sounded furious and frustrated.
Why? So you could be a fanboy? I shook my head. Oh, right. You dont need to be a fanboy. Youre the one who has fanboys.
He sighed loudly. I dont ask for any of that. I just want to play football. And be a regular guy. You let me feel like I was. Im so used to people making a fuss of me?—
So you lied to me, I said. Because you wanted to feel normal. Because you thought Id give a shit about you being a football player.
Your father owns my team, he pointed out, you should care.
Well I dont, I snapped. That is his world. His and yours. Not mine.
Ollie sat back on his heels like Id struck him across the face.
So thats it, is it? he asked. Just like that.
“What else is there to say? I asked. You. Lied. To. Me.
I clenched my fist tighter with each word.
We lied to each other. Where could we possibly go from that? My heart ached so hard, I wanted to curl up in a ball in the corner and stay there forever. I never wanted to see another man as long as I lived, especially a Rapid.
More than ever, I wanted them to lose the Down Under Bowl. Then Dad would have to sell them and I wouldnt have to think about them ever again.
I— Ollie started.
Before he could say any more, my father appeared through the crowds.
I arranged a car for you, he said. Will you both be going? Ill give him this, the man didnt miss much.
Ollie looked like he wanted to say yes.
No, I said firmly before Ollie could speak. It will just be me.
Alone.
I was better off that way anyway. There was a good reason why I didnt have many friends. Why I kept everyone at arm’s length. This was what I got for not doing that. I got my heart stomped on and broken into a thousand little pieces.
For all I knew, he really had known who I was. He might have been using me for my fathers money. He wouldnt be the first.
He would be the last.
Will you be okay? Ollie asked gently.
I gave him a scathing look for asking. After everything, he was still pretending he gave a shit? I knew now what he should do after football. He should definitely become an actor. He was very good at it.
Asshole.
He put his hands up to either side and stood. Im sorry for everything. I just?—
You should go and mingle, my father told him. Ill see Rubie to the door.
Yes, sir, Ollie said. He looked like he thought Dad was just about to throw him off the team.
I almost pitied him for the conversation hed have with my father later.
Almost.
Dad took my arm and helped me to my feet. As he led me away through the crowds, he asked, Are you sure youre all right? I feel like I missed something important here. You and Ollie Tucker?
Its nothing, Dad, I said wearily. Nothing at all.