“I’m booked in tomorrow for scans to assess the damage. But I’m sure it’s a minor injury,” he says, smiling.
I know him well enough to see him through his positive façade.
“Yeah, it’s probably nothing,” Adele jokes. “You’ll do anything for attention, and more than likely be at training running on it tomorrow.”
He chuckles and gives her a wink. “That’s the plan. I’m not slowing down for anyone.”
After a while, his family is invited to talk with the coach and meet the captain of the team who tells them how wonderful Chance is at the club and what he does behind the scenes. He is everyone’s hero. It allows me to speak to him alone.
We punch knuckles lightly. “How you holding up?”
Chance’s expression turns weary. “I’m in a fucking lot of pain. As soon as we’re done here, I’m heading to the hospital, but I’m not telling my family tonight. I’ll wait for tomorrow to give them any news.”
“What’s your feeling, mate?”
Chance shakes his head. “I dunno, but it doesn’t feel right.”
I place a hand on his shoulder. “I’m here if you need a friend.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. I still haven’t called Piper. She’s probably worried, but my phone is with my gear. Could I use yours?”
I pull out my phone from my pocket and hand it to him. “I’ll stand over here to give you space to talk to her.”
Moving away from Chance, I hear the emotion in his voice as he speaks to his girlfriend. He’s known her a couple of months and going by his tone, she’s the one he’s pouring his emotion and concern to. Not his family or his best friend. A woman he’s only known a short while. And I thought I fell hard for Macy.
I give him some time, and then when he’s done, I walk back over and drop my phone in my pocket. “Does she need a lift to come and see you?”
“She’s meeting me at the hospital later.”
His parents make their way back to their son. Mrs Bateman speaks to Chance quietly. They need time as a family.
“I’m going to head off. I’ll see you tomorrow. If you need anything, I’m a phone call away.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
REEF
I heard about Chance. Is he okay?
It’s Macy’s first message in almost two weeks. When I asked her for time to think about our future, I thought she’d message within a few days. I’ve sweated every day out waiting for her to give me something.
I expected, thanks but I’ve changed my mind and want a different future with someone else, because I wouldn’t blame her for running from me. A text asking about Chance is still something.
Booked in for an ACL recon tomorrow.
He’s disappointed but you know Chance, all revved up for rehab even before the surgery, and ready to give it a good crack next year.
She replies immediately, and I’m thinking about where she is and what she’s doing at this moment. I check the time—possibly in a lunch break. Shit, I know her routine better than my own.
Please let me know how he is after surgery.
I want to call her but decide it safer to message.
I will after I speak to him.
The space has given me time to consider my options. After chatting with Chance on the phone and inspired by his enthusiasm not to give up, I’m ready to look at treatments or anything to help. Years have passed since I shut down my parents not wanting further investigation. I’m not ready for kids by a long shot, but for Macy, I’ll seek medical advice if she wants me. My thoughts do a full circle and come back to her devotion to her father, and I respect her for it. Only I’m unsure if I’m cut out for a long-distance relationship.
I end the call from Chance.
My gut tightens, knowing he has a long road ahead of him to get back into the team. I don’t doubt his commitment to training since he’s already talking about when he can commence weights and rebuild muscle. Returning to a team where you didn’t cement a position is going to be tough, even though he was a hero in his one and only game.
I send a message to Macy as I promised.
Hey, just spoke to Chance.
Surgery went well.
He’s in good spirits.
I’m eating dinner when I receive her reply.
Thank you. I’ve been thinking of him…
And you.
We need to talk.
I have this weekend off.
Can we talk tomorrow night?
My fingers are tapping before my brain catches up.
Tell me a place and time and I’ll be there.
Well done, Mr Desperado.
Saturday. My place. 4pm.
Her place?
Shit.
In my mind, it’s her temple, and I’m nervous to step foot in there. Even more so seeing her father again. I’m going on her turf, and it’s going to be on shaky ground.
Friday morning, I head into Lombardi’s with my teammates after training. I’ve been avoiding coming here because of said space between Macy and me, and now, standing across the road looking through the window, I’m like a kid in a candy shop. I crave what’s inside, and it’s not the food. Crave like a sugar addict on a fucking Keto diet. Her long, brunette hair hangs over her shoulders in waves. I’m watching the way she smiles at customers, and I’m imagining it reaching her mocha eyes with swirls of caramel.
Hell, I want to taste her—all of her.
Macy saunters to the counter, her hips swaying. My cock reacts watching her arse—we’ve been apart too long. My gut tightens every time she’s near me. I shove my trembling hands in my jean pockets before stepping casually onto the road because my mates don’t need to see how weak I am.
My heart’s beating harder than it does when I’ve finished a gruelling training session. I cough as I walk through the door to regulate my breathing, to catch my breath. Only it brings attention to my arrival, and Macy turns and smiles. I give her a quick nod before sliding into my usual seat.
“He’s reclaimed his seat, Fabio.” She looks at Liam and smiles.
“Fabio?”
Macy nods. “He’s sat on your seat in your absence.”
My absence.
Liam has long, golden locks, so I catch on to her pet name. I give him a look, and he shrugs. I know why he sat here. It’s the best seat to spy Macy. He was smart not to jump in before me.
“I’ll have the usual, please, Mace.” I glance at Liam, hinting she knows what I like. “Today, I’ll also have the cake special.” Macy eyes me. “I’ve been breaking the rules lately.” I hold her gaze a moment longer and wait for recognition to drop.
When Macy leaves us, I glance down and notice new menus. No longer one flat piece of paper printed on one side but a brochure-style printed on every side. Bugger. And I can see there’s a separate laminated menu for night dining.
“I see you approve of our new menus.” Oliver stands at our table and nudges the menu in my fingers. “Thought I’d save us both some money.”