Page 25 of King of Hearts

“For fuck’s sake!” Andy spun me so fast that if he wasn’t holding me, I would have fallen. He buried my face into his chest and covered me as much as he physically could as I heard the distinct sound of the car door open.

“Gloss, who is your new girlfriend?”

“She’s a pretty one, Andy. What’s her name?”

They were relentless. More muffled questions I couldn’t quite decipher were thrown, lights no longer hitting my face now as Andy enveloped me in his arms.

“What’s your name? What’s your name?”

“Don’t you fucking talk to her!” Andy’s chest vibrated as his anger pervaded the air, the acidity in his words shocking the men enough that the cameras stopped for the briefest moment.

Sergio took advantage and with Andy’s help moved me into the car before another photo could be taken. Andy hopped in immediately after and the door was closed, the car too small for the heady concoction of emotions emanating from the both of us. He sat close to me, our thighs touching as he looked back towards them through the privacy tinted windows.

“Are you okay?” I asked, taking my first real breath in what felt like forever. It was likely only about two minutes, but the intensity of the moment finally settled allowing me to process what just happened.

He didn’t answer and I gently placed my hand on his thigh at the same time as I spoke his name softly.

“I’m fine.” He snapped and I recoiled, reefing my hand away, shocked by the capricious nature of his words. “I’m fine.” He repeated a little softer.

Where was the man who I just had dinner with? The one who laughed with me for the last hour and then used his own body to protect me. The one whose lust filled gaze lingered on my mouth long enough to silently invite me closer.

I opened my purse to take out my phone, desperate for something to do with my hands to distract myself from the awkward silence lingering in the car. Andy was already doing something on his own phone, fingers smashing into the screen with his gnawing anger. I sent Marlee a text to see if she was awake and was relieved when I saw the grey dots indicating her reply. I told her I would be calling her in ten minutes, and she needed to make sure she answered because there was no way I could unpack this alone.

Locking my phone, I turned back to him, hoping to salvage what had otherwise been an incredible night. His head rested against the seat; his eyes closed.

My heart ached.

This was something he probably dealt with every single time he went out. Something that impacted his everyday life so much that he avoided going anywhere. His animosity and reluctance to answer questions now made a little more sense. I wanted to reach out and apologise, tell him I was sorry if being photographed tonight was going to cause him more of a headache – but mostly, I just wanted to give him a hug. To provide him with some form of comfort and try to get the man I had at dinner back. But I didn’t even know where to begin and with the anger wafting from him, I wasn’t certain he would even want that.

When we pulled up to my apartment he didn’t appear to notice. His mind was far from the confines of this car, and I tried not to take it personally despite the connection I knew was not only one-sided. I placed my hand on his arm, startling him again. When he looked over at me, his face was a stoic mask of indifference, but his eyes were pained. He glanced down at my hand before looking back towards me.

“I’m sorry, Andy. I had a really nice time tonight though.”

“Yeah.” He didn’t elaborate instead opening his door and coming around to open mine, holding his hand out for me as I thanked Sergio before exiting. He followed me to my front door and waited while I grabbed my keys, putting them in the lock. Turning, I looked up at him, confused how not long ago there was an intimacy simmering between us which was now nowhere to be found.

“Thank you again.” I smiled shyly and he nodded, his hands stuffed tight into his pockets. He didn’t say anything else, and I watched his retreating form move back to the car, wishing the night had ended differently.

Marlee answered on the first ring, her wide-eyed gaze filling the screen.

“Ummmm, bitch, have you been online?” She looked as though she was both horrified and doing her best not to laugh. My internal alarm bells fired as I realised this was not going to be good.

“No. I literally just got home from dinner and called you. Why?” I leant back against my pillows and propped my phone on my bedside table.

“Umm, because you are everywhere! You and AndyfreakingGloss!” My heart dropped and I quickly reached for my laptop.

“Don’t lie.” I said, hastily logging on.

“I’m sending you an article right now. Oh my god! My best friend is dating the captain of the fucking HEARTS!”

My face paled the instant I clicked the link. Numerous articles loaded, all of them pinned with photos from tonight.

‘Hearts’ Captain fires a dinner date goal with mystery blonde’

‘Is love on the field for Andy Gloss?’

‘Hearts’ skipper dines with a mystery woman as fans are left guessing who she could be’

I skimmed the articles, zooming in on the photos, before moving to the next.

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