Page 57 of The One That Got Away

Now Stella knew the truth, the ball was in her court. It was up to her to decide what she wanted to do with it.

But dredging up my past was difficult. That was the darkest period of my life for so many reasons. Everything I knew and loved was ripped away from me. My dreams, the love of my life, my home, my sanity, then my mum.

Football had been a huge part of my life since I was a toddler. From the minute I got my first football, Dad was relentless in training me.

Every spare minute was spent practising in the garden. I got a place on the school football team. Then went from gettingscouted to going semi-pro and finally getting the call to go professional for a team I’d always loved.

I thought I had my whole career ahead of me. But thanks to my injury, I barely lasted a year.

Losing Stella was also a massive blow. Dad had been against our relationship from the beginning. He thought she was a distraction. And if I was being honest, although he never admitted it out loud, I think the fact that she wasn’t white was an issue for him too.

But I didn’t care about what he thought. I loved Stella and wanted to be with her. So when I moved to Manchester, I was determined to make it work.

Sometimes, though, things just aren’t that simple. Like I’d said to Stella, the pressure from Dad and my coach got too much. And I thought it’d be selfish to stay with her just because she made me happy.

With Mum and Dad out of work, it was my responsibility to take care of the family and give my all to the opportunity I’d been given. So I did what they wanted: I broke up with her. And I’ve regretted that every day since.

When my career ended and Stella came to visit, all I wanted was for her to hold me and tell me everything would be okay. But I pushed her away. Mum didn’t want anyone to know she was sick, so didn’t want any visitors. Dad was embarrassed that I’d failed so he felt the same. And I didn’t leave the house because I couldn’t face anyone either.

The only bright spell during those times was the interest Mum started to get in her beauty products.

Thinking about this stuff again was fucking difficult. That was one of the reasons I left Stella’s room. I was starting to tear up and I didn’t wanna cry in front of her.

Anyway, the past was the past. Feeling sorry for myself wasn’t gonna help.

I checked my phone.

There was a message from Jasmine to say today’s activity was a boat trip and we’d be leaving at six.Good. The only thing I felt like doing right now was staying in bed, but hopefully I’d feel better later.

Just as I was about to put my phone down, a message from Stella popped up.

Hi. Are you okay?

A warm feeling flooded my chest. She was checking on me. Which meant she cared.

Maybe she didn’t hate me after all.

26

STELLA

As Jasmine continued chatting to the other guests around the pool, I slid my phone in my pocket.

I’d just sent Max a text because he hadn’t come for breakfast or the briefing. I hoped he was okay.

I got up from the sun lounger and was about to return to my room when I spotted Jasmine walking towards me.

‘Hey,’ she smiled. ‘How’s your head?’

‘I’ve got the headache from hell, but I’ll survive.’

‘It was so sweet of Max to carry you to your room like that.’

‘Hecarriedme?’ My brows knitted together. ‘How drunk was I?’

‘Um… you were very happy and, er,talkative…’

‘Oh, God! I didn’t say anything embarrassing, did I?’ I winced.

---