Page 68 of Clean Point

I hated it, their disrespect for her, her being used to it. It made me sick every time she shrugged it off. That it was so commonplace for her, she didn’t even fight it anymore.

‘It’s what they expect from me,’ she replied, her voice almost nonchalant, but I could see it in her eyes, the annoyance at each question. They had all chipped away at her, slowly eroding her confidence. The last thing we needed was her getting any pre-game jitters. That could throw everything off.

‘Well, they should expect more,’ I grumbled, turning to pace some more. Silence fell over the room, the only noise Jon’s slurping of his coffee.

‘I’ll go get the car, then we need to head to practice,’ he said, finishing up his cup. I nodded in reply as he slipped from the room.

He had just disappeared when Scottie’s gaze snapped to me, her brows pressed together in confusion. ‘What did you mean back there?’ she asked, before repeating my words. ‘I’ve seen how the line between tough training and potential harm can blur.’

‘Exactly what I said.’

Her pink lips pressed together is dissatisfaction. ‘You don’t think it gives too much away?’

‘No, I don’t think it gives enough away.’

‘Nico.’ Hearing my name on her lips, I could only think of the night in the kitchen. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me in. Her mouth at my ear, moaning my name. ‘This isn’t your secret to tell.’

I rubbed my hands over my face, falling onto the sofa opposite her. I leaned forward, my elbows propped up on my knees for support. ‘Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think things like this remind me what he has gotten away with? What he did to you?’

‘You can’t hint like that again,’ she pressed. ‘It’s too risky.’

‘It’s too late for that. You’re both here, everyone is already talking about it.’ Between the media and the comments I had caught offhand, everyone had their eyes glued to Scottie. Watching her every move with suspicion. Nobody had said anything directly to me about it until the press conference, but I’d know the place was buzzing with the news of them both being here.

The great father-daughter duo, a drugs scandal and a falling out. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. How the daughter had betrayed her legendary father. Meanwhile, I knew the truth, and it was weighing heavier and heavier.

‘I know, I hear it too. I’m the one in the changing room getting looks from all the other players. Every second question is about it, or something filler, like who did my bloody hair today. But at least the beauty questions aren’t bringing him up again.’

She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling the strands back from her face, uncovering the look of grief and stress etched across her features. I was fighting with her because she was so used to this, but I was taking her problem and making it my own. This was survival for her, I had to learn to respect that, and know when she really did need my help.

I took in a deep breath, reaching across the distance between us to take her hand. She looked up at me, questioning, as if she was trying to figure out what my next move was. Unable to hide the surprise on her face as I said, ‘I’m sorry.’

‘I know you mean well, Nico.’ Her hand squeezed in mine, her fingers so delicate despite the calluses. ‘But, please, remember this is what I want.’

‘I will, I promise.’

‘Car’s here.’ Jon popped his head in the doorway before disappearing just as quickly.

We both pushed up to our feet as she dropped my hand; it felt so empty without her palm pressed to mine. She headed towards the door, but I reached out and grabbed her arm, getting her attention.

‘I promise, any more questions like that, I won’t answer.’ She nodded understandingly. ‘But if anyone says something to you, if anyone hurts you in any way, you tell me.’

An eyebrow twitched up. ‘You can’t beat them up, Nico. You’ll get us kicked out.’

‘Not that, I promise.’ I shook my head. ‘But if somebody is rude to you, I need to know. We are expected to be friendly over the next few weeks, but I don’t want to waste a single moment of my time playing nice with somebody that doesn’t pay you the respect you deserve.’ My throat was entirely too dry by the time I finished, but I kept my eyes on her, pressing for an answer. ‘Promise?’

‘I promise. Now, let’s go before Jon adds an extra hour to practise.’

I followed her out, staying close as we walked through the busy hotel reception. There were a few stray photographers waiting and they pushed forward, shouting questions at us. I ignored them completely, instead storming around Scottie, making sure to keep my shoulders broad and walk behind her, protecting her from their view as much as I could. As we stepped outside into the sunny London street, one of them ran up beside me, trying to push past to Scottie. Instead, I carefully shoved back, making sure not to knock him over, but ensuring a safe, respectful distance was kept.

When we reached the car, Jon already settled into the front seat, I leaned past her, my arm slightly grazing her, and opened the door. My world slowed as she looked up at me.

‘Thank you,’ she mouthed to me before climbing inside, and something primal settled in my stomach knowing that she was protected from those who would exploit even a simple image of her for their own gain.

In this car, next to me, she was safe. And safe my girl would stay. Even if she wasn’t really mine … I was hers, ready when she was.

30

Nico

---