Page 19 of Play On

Okay. I need to pull myself together. I need to find something constructive to do that will allow me tonotthink of Noah.

And that will not require me to pick up the candles and put them back on display again.

I sink down onto the sofa and pick up the remote for the TV. I turn it on, and within seconds, my screen is filled with the image of Stonebridge United players on the pitch. Misery sweeps through me. Of course. The first channel that pops up has Stonebridge United on.

Even the TV wants to remind me of what an idiot I’ve been.

The reporter is talking about the summer transfer window, and I’m about to turn it to something else, but suddenly I seehim.

It’s a game that took place in a downpour last season, and Noah has just scored a goal. He runs in the wet turf and dropsto his knees, sliding through the mud and the grass, his hair soaking wet from the rain.

I hit pause on the remote. Noah is looking upwards, the water cascading down over him. His dark hair is wet and tousled, his jersey is sticking to his skin. I study him in awe.

Noah is so hot.

He is by far the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. How did I not pay him any attention when I met him at Wisteria House months ago? How did it take the man mentioning milk teeth before I finally saw him?

Because you’re an idiot,I remind myself.

But to be fair, I really like milk teeth, so that’s definitely something that would get my attention more than some guy hanging out at the bar at Wisteria House.

I unpause the TV, and Noah is gone, as they move to showing the goalie and some amazing save he made.

Next they show the Stonebridge United manager going on about signings made during the summer transfer window.

“I feel truly backed by our chairman, Declan Hawkes, and his brother, Rafe,” the manager continues. “We’ve all come together and talked about the needs of our club, and I feel confident all the players we’ve brought on board are going to make us strong going into the new season.”

They talk about some Brazilian defender they’ve added, and to be honest, I have no clue what they are talking about. But then they switch to talking about their summer tour, which includes heading to Australia to play a friendly in Sydney on 18 July.

That’s just weeks away.

Noah will be travelling with the team to Australia. Then his season will begin in August.

Not that it matters, of course. I’m simply thinking of calendar facts.

I quickly flip the channel and turn on Netflix, eventually settling onAmazing Interiors. Then I kick off my shoes, move over to the big basket next to the sofa to retrieve a blanket and a pillow, and make myself a little nest on the sofa and decide I’m going to take a long, indulgent afternoon nap.

I grin. This drives my mum crazy. I’m notorious for falling dead asleep on the sofa, make-up on, and then refusing to leave my cosy spot when someone tries to wake me up. I can get downright crabby if someone wants to get me out of my nest when I’m in a cosy sleep zone. Yes, I know Mum is right, I should get up and wash my face first, but all I want is to wrap myself up in the comfort of this throw blanket and some soothing TV viewing.

And I love a good sleep on the sofa.

A bonus to being here by myself,I think as I snuggle in.I can sleep here as long as I want.

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

* * *

Chiming.

Since when do I hear a clock chime in my room?

I groggily open my eyes.

WHERE AM I?

For a moment, panic seizes me. This isn’t Dorset. I’m not in my room and wha—

Oh wait, I’m in London. Whew.

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