Chapter 41
CHAPTER 41
LUKE
I ’m nervous. The expression in Steven’s eyes tells me he’s nervous, too. I’m also frustrated because once again my current life has edged aside the life I want for myself.
The one with Jessy in it.
The chance I have at being with a girl who makes me feel like a kid again lusting after his first crush. When she smiles, my heart beats faster and when she isn’t in my sight, I’m searching for her. I love the way she speaks, the fire in her eyes when she doesn’t agree with what I say and the fierce passion she holds for Granthaven and the people who live here.
She is also sweet, funny and good company and did I say intelligent? She is also the prettiest girl I have ever met with a natural beauty, unlike many of the girls who throw themselves in my path.
She is the woman I want to hold. To announce to the world is mine and we are dating. I would be proud to walk beside her and share my life with her, but once again fate has intervened and I hope more than anything that she’s still here when I’ve made that call.
Steven sits opposite me and I take my seat at the dusty desk, my nerves on edge because something in his expression tells me he’s worried.
As I make the call, my fingers shake as I hold the phone and it reinforces how much I love what I do and it’s only when I face the possibility of losing everything I’ve worked for that it truly registers.
I am a footballer.
It is who I am. It defines me and if I’m not a footballer anymore, I lose the biggest part of my soul.
“Luke.”
The manager’s voice is serious and my heart is beating extra fast as he says wearily, “How are things?”
“You tell me, boss.” I take a deep breath. “What’s this all about?”
“Ah, yes.” He exhales sharply and I picture his deep frown, the lines on his weathered face etched in worry which is a permanent thing because the management of the club takes the brunt of the board’s displeasure if things don’t go their way.
“We’ve had a bid for you in the transfer window.”
“I see.”
My heart-rate increases as he sighs. “It’s huge. Too huge to disregard, especially with you out of action.”
“But I’m good, fighting fit.”
Steven nods, listening to every word on speaker and the boss groans. “Listen, Luke, this is the last conversation I want to be having, especially with my star forward, but the club is a business and money talks.”
“So, you’re selling me.”
My ears ring with a steady hum as I consider my life changing on the end of this call and he growls, “We are putting the offer to you and it’s your decision.”
“What offer?”
I hold my breath as he says gruffly, “Real Madrid has offered seventy-five million and a salary of fifteen million a year for you.”
Steven stares at me in shock and I almost drop the phone as I freeze, his words completely unbelievable to me.
“Sponsorship deals and appearances will significantly boost that sum, and I strongly encourage you to seriously consider this offer.”
It’s as if I’ve hit the jackpot and never knew I had a ticket. This sum of money is life-changing for both me and Steven, who, as my agent, commands a hefty percentage of any deal we make.
“They want you in Spain by the end of January.”
He sighs heavily. “Listen. This is a once in a lifetime offer, so you should consider it carefully. It may not be what you hoped for. A different country isn’t for everyone, but this will set you up for life. The club doesn’t want to lose you, but the money will buy us out of a hole.”
He pauses for a moment and my mind races to keep up and then he says in a softer voice, “I know you’ll do the right thing. Just tell me your decision as soon as possible. I’ve bought you a few days, but they want to start the legalities as soon as possible.”
“Yes, um, of course. I’ll um, let you know.”
“Take care, son, speak soon.”
The manager cuts the call, leaving me staring at a shocked agent who has just scored a life-changing pay day for himself.
“What are you thinking?” He asks carefully, leaning forward and gazing at me with concern.
“That I have no choice.” I shake my head. “I can’t turn that kind of money down because it’s not only me it affects.”
Steven says with concern, “Take the couple of days the boss has given you to think it through, Luke. The decision is yours and nobody else’s. It’s a lot to think about, namely selling up and moving to Spain. It could be a long stay or a short one, but it is a stay all the same.”
He nods towards the brandy bottle left over from Geoffrey Knight’s visit.
“You look as if you need that.”
“Sure, we can celebrate or drown our sorrows. Either is good for me right now.”
As he pours the shots, I remember Jessy waiting and my heart races when I picture what that money could mean for her and Granthaven. It’s a long-shot because I’m not even sure if she’s interested, but it could be the saving of Granthaven and the making of me.
It doesn’t take long to down the shot of brandy and leave Steven to get over the shock and head off to meet up with Jessy.
As I walk, the production crew smile their greetings as they work on the next scene of their production. Tomorrow we are filming the pantomime and despite very few rehearsals, Jasper is keen to get it in the bag. I’m aware we don’t have much longer before Christmas, and I’m also aware that Morgana intends to celebrate it back in Manchester with her family and friends.
Usually, I celebrate with them and host it in my mansion but this year it may all change because I can’t think of a better place to celebrate Christmas than here at Granthaven Manor with the woman who may change my life if she’ll have me.
When I head inside the room I left her in, my heart drops when I notice it’s empty and the truth hits me.
I don’t need to go and look for her. It’s obvious she’s not interested.
I’ve scared her off.
I laid it on too thick and she did the right thing and left before I could make a fool of myself even further. It appears that on the night all my dreams should have come true, I woke up before the most important part of it was played out.