“Hot date? Nah. No hot chick’s going to date an old man,” Michael continued. Around us, snickers were muffled. I guess some guys just didn’t have the balls to join in today.
“I don’t know, man. Have you seen that school teacher he’s been hanging out with lately? I wouldn’t mind her putting me on detention,” Harry tossed in for good measure.
Instead of retorting with words, something that would only provide them with even more evidence that I was a pussy, I tossed my wet towel at him, laughing when it smacked him in the face.
“Conti?”
“Yeah?”
“Get your arse out here. You’re wanted for an interview.”
I’d been summoned and I’d learnt a while ago that when Marianne called, you went. And quickly. She didn’t take no for an answer and she didn’t like to be kept waiting. Besides, the sooner I got through whatever the hell it was she had planned for me, the quicker I could get to my girl.
As soon as Elise’s image popped into my head, I found my hand reaching into my pocket, pulling out my phone.
Freezing where I was, I saw all the missed calls and messages already.
Elise: Are you okay?
Elise: What happened?
Elise: I can’t get through
Elise: They won’t let me down there
Elise: How’s the leg?
Elise: Do you know what’s wrong
She was so freaking adorable, I never wanted to let her go. I needed to not only put her out of her misery but also get her down here so she could see for herself that I wasn’t on my way to an early grave.
Luca: I’m fine. Sore but fine
Luca: Come down to the tunnel. Ask for Marianne. She’ll come find you
Turning to Marianne, I cut the deal with the devil. Four interviews and she’d go get Elise past security and down here. I didn’t really give her much choice, but thankfully Marianne had a soft spot. Who knew?
I’d done a lot of interviews in my time, but these were the worst. They asked the exact same questions in the exact same way. There was no creativity there at all which was, I have to admit, more than a little disappointing. How was my leg? What am I going to do now? Is there any chance I’d be back next season? The same shit I’d been answering for weeks.
As politely as I could, I wrapped up the final interview, took a selfie with the reporter who looked like he’d never shaved a day in his life and went to find my girl.
I was ready to get on with whatever it was that came next, but only if Elise was by my side.
As I passed Marianne in the hall she mentioned Elise wasn’t far behind her, but she’d got caught up talking to Harry. No surprise there. I’m sure Harry was flirting with my girl, and if I caught him, I wasn’t afraid to break his nose.
As I stepped out into the sun though, I realised it wasn’t Harry’s nose I was about to break. It was that arsewipe, dickwad Elise worked with. Creepy fucking Corey.
Chapter Thirty-Eight – Elise
I wasn’t sure if I was going to throw up on his shoes or knee him in the nuts. Corey’s disgusting beer breath was making me want to gag as he breathed in my face. He had me caged against the concrete wall, his arms keeping me exactly where he wanted me. He was drunk, clumsy, and saying some absolutely disgusting things. I could barely believe the guy slurring in front of me was the same person who taught kids in the classroom next to mine.
“Corey, back off. Go home. Sleep it off,” I encouraged.
It wasn’t what I wanted to say but right now, with all the media circling around, the last thing I wanted to do was make a spectacle of myself. It was Luca’s day, and there was no way I was going to be the one responsible for taking anything away from him. He’d earnt it, and I’d do anything to make sure he got all the accolades and admiration he deserved.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Well duh. Of course I fucking would. I’d love for him to get the fuck out of my face and stop breathing on me. It was toxic. He’d obviously spent the afternoon sitting in the sun, chugging beer like it was water.
