Page 84 of Hotshot

“Wish her happy birthday from me. She’ll have a great time at camp. Apart from losing the game.” Lucy grinned, then snapped her fingers together. “Talking of which, come to my office. I got the VIP passes for us. England vs USA at Wembley, and for once, we’re only slight underdogs. We’re sitting in the good seats. Now, you just have to decide who you’re cheering for on the night.”

CHAPTER31

Sloane locked her car and strolled towards her apartment block. She was nearly at the door when she realised she’d left her bag in the back seat. She cursed, then turned back to the car. She scanned the parking lot, checking for photographers or fans. Since the US team announcement, she’d had a few more hanging around. She couldn’t see any this evening, thankfully. She got her bag, slammed the door again, but when she turned again, a familiar figure stood in front of her.

Jess. She looked thinner, which told Sloane all she needed to know. Jess didn’t eat well when she was unhappy. Old muscle memory made Sloane want to put an arm around her, then feed her a bowl of chicken and pasta. But that wasn’t on the cards today. Sloane had a birthday meal to eat, and a camp to get to. Ella was due soon. She had to get rid of Jess, and fast.

Slow spokes of anxiety turned in her chest.

“What are you doing here?”

“Hello to you, too.” Jess tried a cocky smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Look at you, driving a posh car like you live here.” Her English accent was American-flecked, her lips chapped.

Sloane frowned. “Idolive here.”

“You know what I mean.”

Not really. “My first question still stands.” Sloane glanced around again. If Ella arrived when Jess was here, that would not be a good look. Sloane needed to get rid of her ex as soon as humanly possible. “I thought you were flying in with the US girls tomorrow?” That’s what Jess had told her on one of her many messages.

Jess shook her head. “I was, but then I got an earlier flight so I could see my family for a couple of days.”

Sloane raised an eyebrow. “And they’ve moved into my apartment complex?”

Jess rolled her eyes. “No silly.” She reached out a hand and gripped Sloane’s arm. “You’re my family, you know that.” She sighed. “I missed you, Sloane, it’s so good to see you. You’re looking good. You got all my messages, right? Your replies have been short and sweet, or non-existent. But you said we should meet up for coffee.” Jess let go of Sloane and spread her arms wide. “Here I am, ready for coffee, and to wish you happy birthday for tomorrow. I thought if I turned up in person, you’d have to speak to me.”

Jess had a point. It did make her almost impossible to ignore.

“Also, I saw that YouTube montage of you with that other woman. Ella, is it?” She leaned in. “Very impressive, these YouTubers. They go to so much effort.”

Jess held her gaze. Sloane had to hand it to her. After everything that’d happened, she was brazen. Or a sociopath. She couldn’t decide.

“It felt like now was the right time. To come and see you. Have coffee, look into your eyes, show you and tell you I’m not over you.”

Really? After everything? Jess had said that back in December post-Brit fallout, but Sloane thought she’d be over it by now. Sloane hadn’t encouraged her. But then, Jess was never good at reading between the lines. Sloane had tried to be kind. She knew what it was like to be far from home and alone after a break-up. Maybe that had been her downfall.

Perhaps now was the time to be blunt.

Sloane’s ears flared hot, and her stomach churned. She was just about to spit out her killer opening line when Ella’s car sailed around the corner.

Breath backed out of Sloane’s body, as alarm skidded in.

She wanted to disappear, but she couldn’t. There was no way she could get rid of Jess before Ella spotted her now. She knew very well what this looked like, because every time Jess was mentioned in the press — particularly concerning this game — Sloane’s name never seemed to be far behind. It didn’t matter they’d been officially split for months. As far as the world was concerned, they came as a pair.

Sloane had to try some damage control before Ella got here.

Maybe she could appeal to Jess’s better nature—although she wasn’t altogether sure she had one. “You’ve come to tell me you still want me? Are you fucking high right now?”

Jess blinked, then looked confused. “Brit was just an interlude, Sloane. I never stopped thinking about you. Never stopped loving you. I said that in the messages I sent.”

“Yes, but you had an affair with someone else!” Sloane tried to keep her voice level, but she was pretty sure she shouted the last bit. She couldn’t help it. How could Jess be so dense? Sloane glanced behind. Ella was approaching, her face scrunched tight.

Sloane knew the feeling. But here it was. The meeting she hoped would never happen. Her former life and her current life colliding.

“Hi, Ella.” Sloane leaned in and gave Ella the lightest kiss on the cheek. Did Ella turn away at the last minute? Damage control was very much the mode she had to assume now. “I just got back and look who was waiting to see me.” She hoped her heavy tone told Ella she wasn’t pleased to see Jess.

“I can see. Nice to meet you, Jess. I’m Ella, Sloane’s girlfriend.”

Pride surged up Sloane’s spine. She had to hand it to Ella. She was taking control of this situation. Something Sloane should have done months ago.

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