Page 15 of King of Hearts

“Maybe you could actually score a goal this week.” Jack said, whipping him with a towel before running into the showers, Jay taking off after him.

I shook my head just as Pup narrowly avoided a ball being tossed in our direction as the rest of the team began trickling into the room.

“Can you sort them out, Gloss? Christ, it’s like a high school changing room!”

“I’m too busy doing the last thing you asked of me, Pup. She’s coming here soon for another interview, by the way.”

He nodded, seemingly pleased. “Excellent. And stop calling me that. What do I have to do to get some respect around here?”

“You know I say it with love. It’s those eyes, they remind me of Beethoven. So large and brown just like the big sloppy puppy dog.” I cooed, while ruffling his hair.

“If you can windmill like this, we can call you Big Dog instead.” Jay answered, walking back into the room with his towel draped around his neck.

“Put your damn towel on, Jay. Also, there is no way you showered that quickly, you animal.” I said as I shoved my clothes into my bag.

Jay laughed but was quickly cut off when Smitty retorted, “He doesn’t need a shower. He didn’t train hard enough to work up a sweat.”

“Piss off, Smitty. Just make sure you wash that hairy arse of yours.”

“Jay, I’ll come find you soon.” Pup said as he followed me out of the room.

I needed to eat before she arrived and the longer I stayed in here, the more likely I was to be drawn into their shenanigans. Arna’s business card sat on my bench staring at me for five days after our meeting and I wanted to message her less than an hour after she left to see if she was okay. She didn’t look good when I walked her to her car, but I shut those thoughts down quickly given we barely knew each other and I had little reason to care. Why would I – she meant nothing to me. I wasn’t fascinated by her intelligence and breezy personality. I was clearly just bamboozled by a woman with substance and a body to match. So, with that in mind, I left it untouched, exactly where I placed it that first day, until it practically screamed my name last night.

Andy:Hey. I will be at the clubhouse tomorrow if you are available to continue with the feature?

I realised a second too late that I presumptuously forgot to include my name but before I could think too much about a follow up text she replied.

Arna:Excellent. 2:00 pm okay?

An unexpected smile lined my features and I shook it away, keeping my reply curt with a simple thumbs up. I would have preferred to have her at my house again which was strange in itself. When did I ever want a female in my place? The exhilaration I felt at the thought was enough to remind me that despite that very fuckable arse, this was someone who worked in the media industry. That knowledge showered me with a cold dose of reality and a plan to meet here instead. Besides, being here at the club meant it would give her more to ask about rather than just delve intomeas a person.

Finishing off my second dish of the best chicken and pumpkin risotto I’d ever eaten, courtesy of the in-house cooks we had at the club, I saw Pup leading Arna to the door of the dining area. The room fell silent as all twenty of my teammates stopped chatting to stare through the glass panes and into the hall. And I could see why. The black pants she wore were all class, highlighting every single curve and with the red button up shirt, she was a powerhouse. Her golden hair was loosely curled and cascaded down her back.

Shit!Cascaded?I was lucky to remember the colour of a woman’s hair, let alone the way they had it styled.

Mumbling my thanks to the cooking staff, I headed straight to the door just as one of the boys to my left said, “Haven’t seen an arse like that walk these halls before.”

The glare I directed at the table told them all exactly what I couldn’t bring myself to say, and wisely, they all looked down at their plates, a couple of suppressed laughs the only noise as I continued walking. I was going to be asked about that later but at this moment, the thought of any of them even thinking about her made my stomach clench.

“Andy,” Pup’s face was gleaming as he gestured towards Arna who was smiling back at him. “I ran into Arna as I went to grab something from my car. Thought I would bring her up here myself in case she got lost.”

“Bet that’s why,” I mumbled, before facing her properly. “Thanks for coming down at such short notice.” I said.

Her crystal eyes stared directly at me as a large smile spread across her face. It was warmer than the one she gave Pup and that pleased me.

“Thanks for inviting me. I’m really looking forward to seeing the place.” There was no sarcastic undertone to her words. She genuinely seemed happy to be here, which was strange. I knew she was an editor and not interested in the sport so I couldn’t imagine why she would be so excited. Most of the reporters who came through exaggerated their curiosity, laughing at the right times and asking questions they thought we wanted. But not Arna. Her face gave no hint of mockery.

“Thanks for bringing her, Pup.” I said dismissively before he could offer to join us for the afternoon. “Let’s go get a room – a place. Argh - to chat - is what I mean.”

She nodded, but I didn’t miss the way her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink, or the multiple snickers from behind.

Smooth, Andy.

I guided her forward and led her through the hall, placing a light hand on the small of her back. As we walked past the dining area where the boys were all still watching through the glass, Jay stood behind one, catching my attention as he proceeded to thrust his hips while holding the back of Smitty’s shirt, a shit eating grin on his face.

I smirked, rolling my eyes.Fuck off,I mouthed as the players watching the interaction broke into raucous laughter. They wouldn’t be so happy tomorrow when I gave them an extra thirty minutes of training and I would be sure to make it particularly gruelling.

Chapter Ten

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