Page 73 of My Grumpy Billionaire Soccer Star

I drive to a nearby restaurant, one I frequent often, and the afternoon seems like a very long and drawn-out affair. Even just for a moment, it’s somewhere that I can get away from the chaos of my life. I settle into the parking lot and look at the familiar faces of the staff, their friendly smiles easing the tension of earlier.

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting as I step inside. As I make my way to the bar, the air is mixed with the aroma of grilled meats and spices. I order a drink. I’m trying to shake off the frustration that’s been building in me. The lady from the gym wear brand sits next to me, but as I sip my whiskey, I feel a presence beside me.

“Vaughn!” she exclaims, her smile bright and welcoming. “So good to see you again. I was thinking of you.”

Just as I recognized her from the selfie with Rachel, the thought of her, my gut twists, and I force a smile. “Hey, Jenna. What brings you here?”

“I was hoping we could talk more about the campaign,” she says, leaning closer. “I think you’d be a perfect fit for our brand, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

I shake my head politely but firmly. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m not interested. With the upcoming match, I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”

She narrows her eyes a little, and I can see the tone in her change. “Come on, Vaughn. It’s really something you should consider. We can do great things together. Can you think about the exposure, the opportunity to be the face of a brand that supports athletes?”

“I’m not interested,” I tell her, losing my patience. “I can introduce you to my teammates if you want, and there’s a party for the match. They might be more receptive.”

Jenna’s smile fades. I can see the frustration in her eyes. “Vaughn, I don’t want to meet your teammates. I want you. You’re the one I’m interested in.”

Her words linger in the air, leaving me both confused and irritated. I shake my head dismissively and say, “That’s not really how this works, Jenna. I’m focused on my career right now, and I don’t have time for distractions.”

She leans closer, and her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. “This can be more than just business. You can have something special with me.”

She is insinuating something, and my stomach twists at the notion. “I don’t think you understand. Look—I don’t want anything right now. I’m not here to make things complicated.”

“Complicated?” She scoffs, crossing her arms. “So you mean like the complications with Rachel, your secretary? I saw you two at the training facility together. You looked pretty heated.”

The mention of Rachel sends my simmering anger to a boil, and my body tenses. I tilt my head, my voice low and dangerous. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. This isn’t about her.”

She narrows her eyes. “Isn’t it? You seem to still be hung up on her. Why would you be so defensive otherwise?”

I took a deep breath, trying to stifle my frustration. “I don’t think this is the conversation I want to have, Jenna. I don’t want your advances, and I’m definitely not going to start something with someone who doesn’t respect my boundaries.”

She goes from frustrated to disappointed, and for a second, I feel a twinge of guilt. But I quickly push it aside. I need to be firm. I can’t be distracted—not right now.

“Fine,” she says, straightening up. “If that’s how you feel, then I won’t push it. But you’re making a mistake.”

“Maybe,” I reply, my tone clipped. “It’s my mistake to make.”

I can’t help but feel relief and uncertainty as she walks away. The encounter left me unsettled—I didn’t want to lead her on. It’s time to refocus on my career, the game coming up, and the tangled emotions I still have for Rachel.

I finish my drink and head home after a while. I have the weight of the day hanging heavy on my shoulders, and I know I need to clear my head. I replay the conversation in my head as I drive. I can’t ignore Rachel. She is such a big part of my life, but I can’t let my feelings get in the way of my judgment.

I feel a combination of determination and exhaustion when I pull up my driveway. It’s one more day tomorrow, and I have to be prepared for the next one. I can’t afford anything to take me off the game ahead.

I step inside and shut the door on the outside, but I can’t help but feel that I’m at a crossroads. The choices I make over the next few days will affect not only my career but also the relationships I hold so dear.

I need to figure out what Rachel’s true feelings for me are, and I won’t let anything, or anyone get in the way of that.

Chapter thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-Three

Rachel

I’m sitting on my couch, and a mix of emotions swirls within me. I can still see Vaughn in my mind—the fight lingers because everything happened so fast. He was hurt and angry, and I get why he’s frustrated, but I can’t help feeling I should contact him. I don’t want our connection to fall apart due to misunderstandings and jealousy.

I take a deep breath, trying to still the storm inside. I pull out my iPad and try to work or, at the very least, catch up on emails. I scroll through my inbox, but all I can think about is Vaughn and the accusations he’s facing. I feel guilty for not being there for him when he needed me. The pressure he’s under is immense.

After a few minutes of trying in vain to focus, I know I need to be the bigger person. My pride can’t come before us. I grabmy iPad again and begin typing out a text to Vaughn, my fingers hovering over the screen, thinking about what to say.

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