Page 3 of Kick Out of It

“You’re ridiculous! I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. I’ll probably see him at the postgame press conferences, but I doubt he even remembers me. It was ages ago.”Does he even remember me? I fucking hope not.I haven’t told Ronan I dated Keith, and my stomach flips at the thought. I’ve never lied to him, but it’s only a matter of time before he finds out.

“You’re hot as fuck. If he doesn’t remember you, maybe you should remind him?” A sly smirk tugs at her lips. “Second chance romance?”

“Absolutely not,” I groan, shaking my head. “The wanker cheated. He can eat shit and die after what he did.” She cackles in response, nearly spitting out her drink. “Fucking hell, I’m going to miss you, Elle! I really hope you can come visit. Even though the Cougars keep you busy, you can pop over for a bit when the season’s over, yeah? Butno fucking the footballers.” I give her the disappointed mum look, which has about the same effect it does on my son—zero. The alarm on my watch buzzes and I check the time. “Shit, I need to get going; I have to pick up Leo. Whoever decided there should be early release days is a cunt.”

“Aw, I’m going to miss your little mini me. Can I come with you, so I can say goodbye?”

“Of course.”

Elle flags down the waitstaff, and when we’re settled up, she joins me to pick up my son. Once we have Leo, and after several tight hugs, I drop her at her flat. It sounded like a brilliant idea at the time—one last goodbye—but now her and my son’s cheeks are stained with tear tracks. I can’t help my own eyes from welling. Elle wasn’t only my rock, she was his too. Like a second sister.

I’ll miss you, Elle-bear.

With our flighta few days out, and everything out of our flat, I decide last minute to get a hotel room for Leo and me. It’s only for a few nights, and as much as he loves the idea of camping in our living room, I need a real bed.

Once he’s asleep, I reply to a few emails and pull up my messaging app, hoping Ronan is awake. It shows he’s offline, and before I dive into an omegaverse romance book I started last night, I send him a message he’ll read later.

Good luck against Wakefield in the exhibition game tomorrow.

Ronan

No luck needed, darlin.

I didn’t think you were up. I hope I didn’t wake you with my message.

Even if you did, I would rather wake up from your messages than my alarm clock.

Such a flirt.

I smile to myself and glance at the clock. 9:45.

It’s almost 3 there!

I have an early morning workout with one of the new trainers. But I needed to talk to my favourite night owl first.

Are you going to watch the match later?

It isn’t broadcast here, but I’ll see the highlights after.

What do I get when we win?

Every match it’s the same question, and his responses become increasingly flirtatious each time.

You want someone to pat you on the head and call you a good boy?

Depends on which head.

RONAN!

Calling out my name already, you dirty girl? At least wait until you’re here so I can hear it for myself.

I’m going to bed now.

No, you’re not. You’re going to read that romance book with too many men who have those donut things on their cocks.

They are knots, and that’s the last time I tell you what I’m reading.

The second book was better.

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