It would also pretty much sever my relationship with her, which hurt. It would always hurt, but maybe time would heal over the wounds that were there now.
Izzy shook her head. “Being with you has worked for him. He was only with Jade because she seemed like a way to get rid of the girls that were out to use him.”
“Then is he with me for that reason?”
She gave me a look that suggested she thought I was somewhat lacking in brain cells. “Doubt it would be worth the effort. And if it was just for that, then he wouldn’t be nagging you to move in, would he?”
“Fair point.”
“Look, I get if it’s going too fast for you. I moved too quickly with the ex and ignored the red flags. Are there red flags with Rowan?” She sat back down.
“No.” There weren’t. There were just my own fears and insecurities. “He talks about me and Toby moving in – you know, Toby is my nephew, and he’s still making so much effort with him.”
“Why are you over-thinking it?”
“Because what if it doesn’t work out?”
Izzy shrugged. “What if none of it works out? You could be in a tackle on Saturday that ends your career. A car could plough into you on the way home. You might wake up one day and never want to play again. What happens then?”
“Plan B.”
“What’s Plan B?”
I laughed. “Something I’ll work out when I need to. Coaching probably.”
“What would Plan B be with Rowan?”
Izzy was making too much sense.
“You don’t go into a relationship thinking how it’s going to end.”
She nodded. “Because if you’re thinking how it will end, it will end. And remember, men – especially footballers – have fragile egos. That will include Rowan.”
I checked my phone. There was a message from him that came through just before training started. I hadn’t read it, as I knew it would pre-occupy me while I needed to be focused on the pitch, so I opened it now.
Hope you’re okay today. Picking the keys up for the house on Friday. BTW, I think I know what’s happening with Ry. Xxx
No pressure. No need to respond. Although I knew he would be chuckling at how much I wanted to find out what was going on with Ryan.
There was another message, this one from my solicitor, Claire, telling me that she’d petitioned the court for full custody of Tobias.
The third message was from Joanne. It was one word long and to the point, or her point, at least.
Bitch.
I closed the message and looked at Izzy, who I was pretty sure had been reading over my shoulder.
“Has she been arrested?”
“I don’t know. I know the police were looking for her. She was back in London the last time I heard.” I was still keeping the apartment on for her, but I suspected that would be pulled by the club in the next few days. I had no idea what the penalty would be like for blackmail, it could range up to fourteen years, but I doubted that would apply to Joanne.
“If she’s been arrested, she won’t have her phone with her. Otherwise, I’d have said to call her and give her an earbashing. I’ve got no idea how you haven’t done that already.” Izzy pulled her towel off the hook. “Look, if you want to talk, then text me. We can get a coffee or go shopping or something nice. But I reckon it’s Rowan you need to do something nice with. A lot nice.” She gave a wink that was more funny than dirty.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
I stared at my phone some more while Izzy headed off for a shower, re-reading the message from Rowan.
You can’t leave me hanging! What’s happening with Ryan? Xxx
