Three dots crop up, wave, then pause before it repeats the motion and then stops all together.
It’s dangerous to call her out on the obvious—we bothknow she hasn’t texted any other players, and this most definitely breaks whatever rules she’s super imposed on ourrelationship. Seems ridiculous at this point, considering I've been inside her twice now, and I’m already desperate and waiting for a third chance to prove to her this…persistent ache isn’t normal.
Hellfire
Just the ones with hero complexes who are probably being too hard on themselves.
Tieran
I do have superhero level good looks, you’re right.
I don’t think that’s what I said.
That’s what I heard. Should I give you more reasons why I’d make the next great Marvel character?
You do love to listen to yourself talk.
I can think of a few ways you could shut me up.
So can I…
I’m grateful for the stiff fabric of my jeans holding my burgeoning erection at bay. It would be fucking embarrassing to be caught on a bus full of rugby players sporting a boner. Shifting slightly in my seat, I subtly adjust my pants, grateful no one is sitting next to me, because there’s enough room to spread out. Only Cavan can see me from where he sits in the row next to mine but he pays me no mind, always more inclined to keep to himself post-match. Even still, I glance back, making sure whoever is behind me can’t see what and who I’m texting. Thankfully, it’s just our equipment manager, Harry, who smiles at me before looking back out at the road rolling by.
I grin at my phone, typing out a reply.
Tieran
Oh yeah? Care to share?
Hellfire
Well, I don’t think duct tape would hold up very well, so I’m thinking I’d have to cut out your tongue.
I don’t think you want to do that, Hellfire. You haven’t seen what my tongue can do yet.
Several minutes pass with no answer. I assume she’s on her way to kick my ass in person for crossing the line. Either that, or I’ve ticked her off so royally, she’s never going to speak to me again. But just as I’m about to put my phone away, a notification pops up, and I rush to open it—embarrassingly fast.
Hellfire
Stop trying to distract me.
Tieran
Oh love, distracting you is becoming my favourite hobby.
Not needlepoint?
It’s a close second, but you still win.
Lucky me.
Tell me.
Everyone in the world is fooled by my easy smiles, my nonchalant shrugs of indifference, the easy lies that fall off my lips anytime someone asks me anything related to the game or the breakup they’re all hellbent on dredging up. But Jade McKallen’s sharp, mesmerising stare sees it all. There is no hiding from her—I don’t think I’d want to hide even if I could.
But a voice in my head holds me back, scared she’ll see me differently. Call it residual ex trauma, but once I letmyself feel relaxed around Olivia, things shifted. She started paying attention less, stopped listening when I spoke, and found reasons to bail on plans we made. She only stuck around as long as she did for the status—that is, until someone else was able to provide her with what I was also providing. I’m glad it fizzled out the way it did, but it still shook me. I no longer feel sure of myself, because Ididn’tsee those signs until my face was slapped across the front of The Daily Mail with the headline:‘DROPPED LIKE A STONE: Girlfriend of England’s favourite fly-half Tieran Stone leaves the rugby star for rival Oliver Hughes!’
I had never felt the scrutiny from the public like I did after that. It was humiliating. Before, during, and after every single match, the same five questions were lobbed at me from every direction, and they all had to do with the scandal. My performance started decreasing after that, and a mask went up over my features anytime I was in public.
