Page 74 of Hotshot

CHAPTER27

“Sloane! Are you good to kick the ball one more time? Can we do that without your boss killing me?”

Sloane laughed. This photoshoot in a Salchester warehouse forAll Out Goalsmagazine was taking her mind off the fact that Ella hadn’t answered her message from earlier this morning. Scrap that, she hadn’t even looked at it yet. But Sloane wasn’t going to think about that. She had new job pressures. Sloane didn’t want to add any more to her pile.

Instead, she was going to smile with her eyes, focus on activating all her muscles so her legs looked as toned as possible, and look like she’d just played her best ever game, even though her kit was pristine and she had more foundation on her skin than she ever thought possible. She recalled going to the end-of-season awards with Jess two years ago and being caked in makeup. It was nothing compared to this.

“Do you want me to repeat the same set of moves?” Sloane bent down and retrieved the football. She squeezed. It could do with some air.

The photographer, a man named Adam with more tattoos than bare skin from what she could see, gave her a thumbs up. At least he was a cool guy and not a sleazebag. There had been less of them at shoots as the years had gone on. Her first-ever shoot, the photographer had given her his number and asked to meet her for a drink that night. She was 18, he was in his 30s. She’d given him a withering look and requested never to be paired with him again.

“That’s it, great, Sloane!”

Sloane stroked the ball into the low goal ahead of her once, twice, three times. Sloane never had an issue scoring, on the field and off. But keeping open lines of communication had always been her downfall. She’d thought Ella and her were on the same page, but it seemed as if Ella wanted Sloane to be both feet in, not tentative steps. Sloane had to work up to that. Plus, the fact that Jess was flying into the UK next month was always in the back of her mind.

Adam stepped out from behind the camera and walked over. “I think we’re done for the day. We got some good shots.” He gave her a thumbs-up. “When do you think you’ll be back playing?”

She lifted her recovering foot. “Depends how it behaves, but I hope a couple of weeks. Things are going well, so fingers crossed. We’ve got a lot of games to fit in.”

“Good luck with it.”

Sloane was escorted over to the far end of the warehouse where a makeshift changing room was set up behind a screen. She changed into her jeans, Adidas sneakers, and her black sweatshirt, then was taken to a room at the far end where a journalist was waiting to interview her. Sloane held out a hand and gave Naomi her best smile. They’d spoken on the phone, but this was the first time they’d met in person. She wanted to make a good impression so Naomi wrote good things. She went into full PR mode. A little light flirting never hurt. Even though Ella would roll her eyes.

“Great to meet you finally, Naomi.” Sloane gave her a firm handshake. Naomi had an undercut and wore baggy jeans. Sloane would bet the house she was queer.

Naomi blushed, as was Sloane’s intention.

“Thank you so much for meeting with me. My friends are all so jealous!”

“No problem at all.”

Naomi went straight for Sloane’s injury and asked how it was healing, followed by what she thought about Salchester’s chances of winning anything this season, along with the club set-up. Sloane gave her truthful answers, flecked with humour and charm. She’d done this dance a thousand times before.

“How are you settling into the UK?”

She exhaled. “I’ve been here six months. If I wasn’t okay by now, you’d know. I didn’t even go home for the holidays, that’s how much I like it. I have three umbrellas, one for every type of rain. I’m prepared.”

Naomi laughed. She was wearing a similar compass necklace to the one Sloane had bought for Ella. She had good taste. Sloane twisted her signet ring on her middle finger. Jess had sent it back, and it had arrived that morning.

“You need them here.” She paused, then cleared her throat. “How’s your relationship with your manager?”

Sloane fixed Naomi with her intense gaze. “Great. Lucy has been so supportive throughout my injury, as have all the team. I want to pay them back during the remainder of the season by securing the league, the cup, and a Champions League spot for next year.”

“Small goals.”

“Go big or go home.” Sloane licked her lips. Naomi wasn’t asking her anything too personal. She had no need to be worried.

Another clearing of the throat. “Talking of the rest of your team and coaching staff. It must be great to be around Layla Hansen after playing together in the US.”

Sloane nodded. “It really is.”

“She must have helped getting over your ex, Jess Calder?”

Sloane kept her face neutral. She wasn’t going to tell Naomi about the messages she’d received from Jess just this morning, declaring love for her again. “Jess and I are still friends and she’s having an amazing season. I wish her well.”

“What about Ella Carmichael? You’ve been seen out and about a lot with her. Is there any truth in the rumour that you two are something more than friends?”

Sloane’s neck muscles tightened. Almost ambushed, but she was still on alert. She uncrossed her legs, leaned forwards and locked Naomi’s gaze once more.

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