“You have far too much processed food in here.” Her voice was muffled, which was probably a blessing.
I loved Neva. She was a great friend, apart from the five percent of the time when she made me consider friendicide. Now was going to be one of those five percents.
“I’m happy to write you a diet plan if you fill that form in.”
The offer was one I’d turned down half a dozen times already. “Remember I studied nutrition at uni as well.” I just hadn’t done it for all of my degree, unlike Neva who had a masters in sports nutrition, which at some point soon she would remind me of.
“Amber, there’s a bag of salad in here that looks like it’s been blended in in the bag it’s that old.” She held the bag out in front of her at a distance that made it seem it was radioactive. “I do really worry about you sometimes.”
“No need to. I love those shoes, by the way.” It was a distraction technique as well as being true. They were impossibly high, leopard print, with a red sole and heel.
Neva preened, taking a look at them. “They’re from a new designer in Manchester and I absolutely adore them.”
“I might have to borrow them.” It helped we were the same size.
She gave me a sweet smile. “Fill that form in and start following a plan and I’ll lend them to you.”
That wouldn’t be happening then.
I found the shoes I was going to wear in a disorganised pile next to my coats, searching for the matching pair. For the last eighteen months I’d lived by myself, which had been amazing because I no longer needed to worry about being tidy or organised. Living alone was something I embraced, and I saw no need to change it any time soon.
“Shall I drive and leave my car there?”
“Genny’s picking us up. In fact, I think I heard a car.” She tottered to the front room window and looked out. “She’s there. Are you ready?”
I was, as soon as I found my handbag.
That took about five minutes because it wasn’t where I thought I’d left it, which meant Neva was probably dreaming of stabbing me with one of her stilettos.
When we eventually got to the bar, she was on the verge of a conniption. Pointing out the discreet bouncers outside who were clearly on paparazzi alert did nothing to distract her.
“Get alcohol down her quickly,” Genny whispered to me as we took our time getting out of her car. “Then park her with Jude and Nicky and tell them to get her drunk.”
“Is that ethical?” I could predict Genny’s answer.
“It’s more ethical than ending her and disposing of her body somewhere no one will ever find it.”
I gave a slight nod, completely understanding her sentiment. “Neva, Jude’s promised to get you a drink.”
She was all about the free drinks.
“Amazing! Where is he?”
Genny mouthedthank youand I headed through to the bar, trying to not make it obvious that I was looking for Nate.
He’d sent me a couple of messages since we’d left the club complex, one of them simply telling me I was amazing, and what woman didn’t need to hear that? The second was asking me if I was going tonight, because Jesse had pretty much bullied him into it.
There was something sexy about the illicit nature of what we were doing, that no one knew, or maybe even suspected. I knew some of the team had teased him about how he looked at me, I’d heard a few catcalls and whistles when I’d left the changing rooms once, and Neva and Genny knew we’d been texting, but no one suspected it was anything more.
Nate was standing with Ryan and Jesse, a pint of beer in his hand that for tonight only, would be Neva approved. She only ever tended to relax her strict diet plans over summer and the Christmas period, and some special occasions, getting that the sacrifices that the players made for most of the year did mean they could do with a break every now and then. This concession seemed to make her even stricter though.
The bartender headed straight for me and Genny, ignoring Jesse who was waiting to order. “What can I get you, ladies? The bar tab is covered.”
I raised my brows at Genny, wondering if she knew anything about this.
She shook her head. “Probably one of the team. It isn’t Guy.” Her expression morphed into one that looked like she was sucking lemons, particularly sour ones.
I raised my brows and didn’t ask, because I wouldn’t get a straight answer anyway.
