Chapter 14
This just gets better and better, I muttered to myself.
Are you okay? Carrie was Dads dog walker. She had Max and Pookie, Dads miniature poodles, on a leash. The pair were excited, tugging as though they could actually pull her out the door. They were cute, if ‘pain in the neck’ was what youre into.
I dont know why Dad bought them, he had no time for them anyway.
As always, Carrie smiled at them and leaned down to pat them behind the ears. At least they got plenty of love from her.
Um. Yeah. Im fine, I lied. The photo of Ollie with his hand down some womans dress was all over the Internet.
The only saving grace was that no one had photographed us together. Otherwise Id have journalists knocking down the door.
If youre sure. The dogs tugged Carrie harder
I waved her away. If those two dont get a walk soon, theyre going to go nuts. I smiled at the silly dogs. They looked like a pair of lambs with collars on their necks.
Yes, they are. Carrie looked uncertain, but she let the dogs pull her out the door.
I slumped into a chair the moment it closed behind her. I turned on my phone and looked at the photo again. There it was, clear for everyone to see. Ollies hand down the front of her dress, gripping her breast. I couldnt see all of him, but his eyes were wide. Exactly what Id expect for someone fondling a woman in public.
Asshole.
I turned off my phone and tossed it on the table. If I was ever going to have a drink of alcohol, it would be now.
Instead, I stood up and went to grab a cup of coffee.
Oh, I didnt see you there, Skye Lim said as she swept into the kitchen. Carson said you stayed here last night. Trouble with a boyfriend?
I responded with a flat stare. I opened my mouth to give a scathing response, but closed it again. It was too early, and I was too mad to have a reasonable conversation with anyone. Not that I wanted to have a reasonable conversation with her, but what Ollie did was not her fault.
I took my coffee over to the table and sat back down. I took a sip before I said, No. Everythings fine. This place was closer, thats all.
She seemed very much at home as she poured herself coffee and sat down opposite me.
I know this hasnt been easy, she started, but I think your father would like us to get along.
I tried not to grind my teeth. Thats exactly what he would like, I agreed. It would certainly make his life easier.
You dont think it would make all of our lives easier? she asked.
I shrugged one shoulder. Ive learned not to get too attached to my fathers flings. They dont stick around for very long. He makes sure of that.
The side of her mouth twitched. Im not trying to be your mother?—
Good, I said, because I havent seen her in ages. As role models go, Id pick someone else.
Skye closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I know you probably dont believe this, but Im in love with your father. I want to marry him and spend the rest of our lives together.
In Queensland, I said.
She looked surprised. He told you.
You didnt think he would? I asked. Thats the kind of thing you tell someone. Your child, anyway. I wouldnt put it past him to move there and not tell you. Thats what he does. You know its over when he starts avoiding you.
The expression on her face almost made me regret my words. They clearly stung. But it was the truth. The sooner she heard it, the better.
I know this has all been hard on you, she said. But Id like us to be friends if we can.
I leaned forward and propped my elbows on the table. Id think about being your friend, if I thought youd be around for long enough. But Ive had enough people leave me. Its not worth getting close to anyone. God, I sounded like a bitter old woman.
That is a sad and cynical way to view the world, she remarked.
Isnt it though? I said sarcastically. I guess I need more hours in therapy. That was no lie, I probably did.
Rubie— Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by my father walking into the kitchen.
Its nice to see my two favourite women getting along. His phone was in his hand. His eyes looked like thunder.
It didnt take a genius to guess hed seen the photo too.
I sighed. I saw it. In case he thought I needed to look.
Skye looked from him to me and back again. Carson? Whats going on?
Just players behaving badly, I told her. Again.
Is that what you call it? Dad looked furious. Were you seeing Ollie Tucker?
Skye looked even more confused now.
In a manner of speaking, I said. Yes. I didnt know he was a Rapid or I would have avoided him.
The moment the words left my lips, I knew it wasnt true. He was adorable and I was drawn to him from the moment I laid eyes on him. Knowing who he was would have complicated things, but we could have gotten past them.
Not now. He lied, and then moved on faster than a ball in play.
And here he is, in public, at a charity party with his hand down the front of some womans dress, Dad said darkly.
Skye gasped.
My father continued. Some people are saying he tore her dress in his enthusiasm. And that they were practically having sex right there in front of everyone.
He didnt seem like the kind of guy to me. How had I gotten that so wrong? I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead with my fingertips.
To me either, Dad said. I suspect Harvey Danbury made up at least half of this is, but the photo doesnt lie.
He leaned against the wall. Id expect this behaviour from some of the guys, but not from Ollie Tucker. Hes a nice kid. The kind I wouldnt mind my daughter bringing home.
I thought about bringing him home, I said. I thought youd scare him off.
I might do just that, Dad said. My shoe up his backside might do it.
Maybe you should talk to him, Skye said tentatively. It might be a misunderstanding.
Dad turned on his phone and all but shoved it in her face. What does that look like?
She leaned her face back and squinted at the screen. It looks like… She shook her head. It doesnt look good.
Dad pulled his phone away. Exactly. Ill have to have a meeting with him and see what he has to say for himself. Its going to have to wait until after the next game. I dont have time today. Hell just have to sweat.
If Ollie was anyone else, I might feel sorry for him. Might.
Right now I wanted to get in line to kick his ass.
Dad turned his face toward me. I had a feeling I wasnt going to like what he was about to say.
Youre coming to the game tomorrow night. No argument.
Okay, I replied.
He blinked in surprise. Okay? He asked warily. Just like that? No smart ass remark?
You said no argument, I said sweetly. Im just doing what Im told, like always.
He snorted a laugh. Like never.
Theres a first time for everything. I sipped my coffee.
He gave me a suspicious look, but nodded. Good. Maybe you can keep doing it.
Now was my turn to snort. Good luck with that.
I had a feeling you might say that, he said. But dont try to get out of going to this game. He turned to Skye and his expression softened. I hope you can come too.
While I pretended to gag, she smiled.
Id love to. I adore football. Its so exciting. She looked like she was ready to start clapping her hands.
I rolled my eyes.
My dad gave me a reprimanding look, but said nothing. What could he say? At least I wasnt in public with a guys hands down the front of my dress. Or having sex in front of a room full of people. Id never be that bold. Not to mention, every journalist in the city would have a field day. Harvey Danbury could retire on the money hed make from me.
Fuck that.
Have you met the team? I asked her, genuinely curious.
She glanced towards my father. Not yet. We didnt want to…
Draw attention to yourself until you could announce your engagement to the world? I asked.
She flinched. Yes. We want to avoid the ugliness.
Rubie— Dad said in warning.
“What? I turned innocent eyes at him. Im trying to be nice. You want me to make an effort dont you?
Yes I do, but dont goad her, he said firmly.
Its okay, Skye said. I dont mind if she speaks her mind. Shes a strong young woman. I wouldnt expect anything less from your daughter. She turned adoring eyes on my father.
Its a really good thing I didnt have breakfast this morning, because it would end up a puddle on the floor right now. I smiled sweetly.
Just wait, Skye said. Someday youll fall madly in love with someone.
Her words brought every drop of Ollies betrayal back like a flood of heartbreak. It would have hurt less if shed slapped me across the face.
She obviously saw the impact in my expression. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Oh shit, Im so sorry. I just… I just want you to be as happy as I am.
Yeah, I want you to be as happy as I am too, I snarled.
So much for not taking my frustration out on her. The words were horrible, but I couldn’t take them back once they were out there, even if I wanted to.
When it dawned on her what I meant, her expression fell.
My father was quicker to respond. Rubie! What the everloving hell, girl? Something terrible happened to you, but that does not mean you get to wish misery on somebody else. Especially someone who is only trying to look out for you.
He moved to put a hand on Skye’s shoulder.
He was right, what I said was shitty, but I didn’t want to make this about Skye. This was about Ollie, and me. Just thinking about the man made my heart race. And ache.
I scrunched up my face and curled my hands into fists. They stung after I’d broken the skin on my palms the night before.
He treated me like shit, Dad. The photo, the lies, everything. If I ever see him again, I’m going to punch him in the face. No, correction, I’m going to punch him in the dick. Then in the face. Then I want to rip off his balls and shove them down his throat. After that?—
Dad held up a hand. Okay, okay, we get it. I’ll deal with him when I get time.
I hated the tear which trickled down my cheek. I hated myself for caring for Ollie Fucking God’s Gift Tucker. I hated him for fucking up my life.
I dashed away the tear. Deep down, under the anger, I knew I couldnt lie to myself. I was furious, but I could never really hate him.
I loved him so much it hurt.