‘Now, now, be fair.’ I scolded, making Fallon practically shake with anger. ‘You’re rummaging around in my life. It seems only fair I do the same to you.’
‘How is snooping around my room the same as writing a biography about your football career?’ She clutched the donkey to her chest but seemed to think better of it because she dropped it to the end of the bed, folding her arms across her chest.
I shrugged. ‘I’m nosey. Sue me.’
‘Think you get sued enough, big guy.’
I leaned forward slowly. My brow arched. ‘Big guy?’
She stared at me for a moment, at a complete loss for words. Then, shook her head like she was shaking off a bad idea. ‘Look,’ she huffed, ‘we need to talk about how you want the book to go. What format, the chapters, that kind of thing. And what you’re willing to discuss.’
‘Football.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Obviously. But the goal of the book is about rebuilding your reputation. For that to happen, people need to see the real you. They need to feel that they can connect to you somehow.’
I clenched my jaw. Fallon caught the movement and glanced quickly away.
I could read women. Most of the time, when they came up to me, it was for one of two reasons; they wanted to fuck me, or they wanted a picture. The latter didn’t always mean I was opposed to the former.
The point was I knew women, yet the one standing before me, fuming at my intrusion, was turning into an enigma. From the few times I’d caught her staring at me, I thought I’d figured it out, but her gaze was never sensual. It didn’t rake over my body appreciatively. It felt more like she was trying to work me out. Like a crossword clue, she didn’t have the right answer for.
‘You might have to do some serious digging; not sure there’s much the world hasn’t got its hands on.’
I hadn’t meant for the amount of truth in that statement to come out. Neither was Fallon, by the look of surprise on her face.
‘Theythinkthey’ve got all of you,’ she said softly. ‘In my experience, no one can have a hundred percent of another person, no matter how close they are.’
‘I think being in love with someone means you know them better than anyone else.’ I countered.
Fallon rolled her eyes. ‘People in love only see what they want to see.’
A smirk rose to my face. ‘You sound almost as jaded as I do.’
She took a deep breath. ‘I have exactly one person in my life that I love with my entire heart. I’d die for her in a heartbeat. That’s the only love I need in my life.’
‘Rosie?’ I guessed.
She nodded.
‘The chick who still calls me toilet guy?’
Fallon laughed. ‘Actually, your nickname has been upgraded.’
I quirked an eyebrow. ‘Do tell.’
‘Nope.’ She shook her head—a dangerous glint in her eye. ‘If you want that information, you’re gonna have to talk about the book.’
I dropped my head back against the headboard, letting out a long groan. ‘You drive a hard bargain, but fine.’
When I didn’t move, Fallon waved her hands towards the door. ‘Are you just gonna sit there? Go to the living room.’
I smirked. ‘Nah, I’m comfy.’ I shuffled down on the bedspread, making my point.
She let out a growl of frustration as she hopped off the bed and stomped out of the room. I heard her clattering things in the living room. A few minutes later, she returned, holding a laptop under her arm and a notebook in her hand.
I grabbed the donkey from the edge of the bed and put him on my chest. I wasn’t disappointed at the look of outrage on her face.
‘Leave Eeyore out of this,’ she said, pointing to the donkey, her face deadly serious.
