9. Nora

CHAPTER 9

NORA

“ Y ou totally fucked the footballer,” Lettie whisper-shouts, sipping her tea. Thankfully, Leo is so engrossed in organising his room in the particular way he wants it that he doesn’t overhear our conversation. “I don’t blame you; he’s hot.”

“Keep your voice down.” I glance at Leo’s room. “Fine, yes, but he wants something… serious . He asked if I would pop by tonight and I reminded him that I had Leo. But then he insisted the invitation was for the two of us. This morning he was growling ‘you’re mine,’ like some sort of fae lord in one of those fantasy books you read.” She laughs and I blow out a long breath. “Fuck, Lettie, I’m scared. What if Leo gets attached and it doesn’t work out? He adores footie and Ronan; it would crush him.”

“I think the better question is what if it does work out? What would that look like? Play house with the hot footballer where you and Leo move in with one or the biggest names in Ireland?”

“See!” My hand flies to my mouth and I look to Leo’s door again, lowering my voice. “It’s a terrible idea.”

Her lip tilts up. “I never said it was a bad idea. I was just noting that he probably is getting to that point in his career where he’s looking for more than a quick shag. I saw the way he looked at you at the match. He missed the damn hat trick because you were a bloody idiot and decided you had to go onto to pitch. He likes you, Nor. Just be prepared that it could go a bit too well.”

Leo joins us on the sofa as I consider my sister’s very wrong opinion on the situation. But what if she’s right? Ronan’s been flirting with me for a while, and I brushed it off as him being comfortable with me. I know I told him I’d consider dating him, but if I’m being honest, I’m not sure I’m ready for that. We can remain friends. Just friends.

Friends don’t have mind-blowing sex after spending the night together in each other’s arms.

“Can we go to the park later?” Leo whines. “If I’m going to play soccer here, I need to be the best. The kids here are probably so much better than me.”

“It’s football, love,” Lettie corrects. “Call it soccer and you’ll be sent straight back to America.”

He laughs, scrunching his nose and rolling his eyes. “I know, but back home when I called it football, people always thought I meant football . Will you help me practise?”

“That reminds me, Ronan gave me his sister’s number. She texted me last night that she’s sorting out the details, but you can start next week.”

“Are you serious?” Leo beams. “Mom, we have to go to the park.”

I’m about to agree when my phone vibrates on the coffee table. “One second, peanut. It could be work.” When I check it, I can’t help my smile.

Ronan

Just finished up a quick workout with a few of my mates. Headed in for a massage. Explaining claw marks on my back will be fun.

I chew on my thumbnail, debating my reply. Lettie coos, “That doesn’t look like work, Nor.”

“Just a friend,” I lie, and thankfully Leo doesn’t pick up on it. “Leo? We can go to the park after lunch.” He skips off to the kitchen and Lettie begins scrolling on her phone. I send off a quick message to Ronan.

Tell them it was an owl.

Fuck, how is it that I saw you a couple of hours ago and I already miss you?

Ronan O’Leary unsent a message.

I saw that.

You saw nothing.

Yes, I did. No more unsending messages.

Do I have to wait for tonight to see you?

Have you no patience, Mr. O’Leary?

You know how I feel about you calling me that. How’s your arse feeling this morning? Do you need a reminder?

I bark out a laugh and Lettie jumps at the sound. “Christ, Nor!”

“Sorry!”

Another message comes in from Ronan before I can respond.

What are you doing later? Are you and Leo already unpacked?

Like you said, I saw you a couple of hours ago. When would I have had time?

I can stop by later and help?

That’s okay. I’m taking Leo to the park in a bit. He’s worried he needs to practise before playing next week.

I’ll do you one better.

Before I can ask what he meant, there’s a link for two visitor passes for a newly built posh gym that has everything from an olympic-sized swimming pool to an indoor pitch.

Let me know what time you’ll be there and I’ll meet you.

There is no point in arguing; I’ll give in and he fucking knows it. I can’t even tell him we will meet him after Leo and I have lunch, Ronan would likely invite himself along. Setting down my phone, I leave the message for later. Lettie doesn’t look up from hers, laughing, “You’re in so much trouble.”

Leo and I exit the taxi to a monstrosity of a building next to the Cork FC practice pitch. From far away, it appears as if it’s part of the club’s property, but from what I read online, it’s open to the public with membership. Leo and I are so distracted taking in the structure that we don’t notice Ronan jogging up to us until he’s a few feet away.

“Ronan!” Leo cheers, running the last of the short distance between us and hugging his hero. My first instinct is to stop it, unsure if Ronan wants to be hugged or not. My breath catches watching Ronan embrace him and ruffle his hair.

“I heard you need to practise for next week. Mind if I join you?” Ronan asks Leo, then his eyes finally meet mine. “If it’s alright with your mum.”

Do not cry. Do not cry. Do. Not. Cry.

“Of course,” I reply, stifling a sob. Quickly reining in my emotions, I pull my purse higher into my shoulder. “Well, you better get to it. Leo and I still have unpacking to do.” I meant it in jest, but the moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them.

“Unpacking? Why don’t I come by after? I’m sure you could use an extra hand. It’ll give Leo more time to practise.”

There it is.

“Oh, that’s all right, we don’t need he?—”

“Please, Mom?”

With a defeated sigh, I reluctantly nod and Ronan leads the way into the facility. It’s modern with minimal decor, mostly grey and white with black accents. There’s soft, tranquil music playing, and It feels more like a spa resort than a gym.

A woman wearing a black jumper and tan slacks at the small reception desk greets Ronan as we approach. “Mr. O’Leary, welcome back.”

“Julie, good to see you. How’s your Nana?”

“Much better thank you! Is it just the three of you today?” Ronan replies with a curt nod. “I’ve already prepared your visitor badges.” She hands them to him, then asks me, “Are you a seven and a half, eight? Or would you like extra room for the socks with an eight and a half?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Your studs, ma’am.” She sets three boxes on the counter. “Mr. O’Leary said you wore a US size ten, so I pulled options for you.” My mouth agape, Ronan only smirks. I don’t have a chance to answer when she asks Leo, “What size shoe do you wear Mr. Knightly.”

Leo checks in with me, eyes a swirl of hope and confusion. I offer an assuring smile and he replies, “I need a six and a half, depending on the socks.”

“Perfect.” She pulls out two boxes from under her desk. “Try these on. This brand runs a little small, so you’ll probably want to go with the larger size.”

Julie gestures to a small bench area for Leo and I to try them on. Leo takes a seat, staring at the box in awe. “Mom, these are…” These boots easily cost a couple hundred euros. Being a single mum barely making thirty-thousand pounds a year at my new job, I could never afford them.

“It’s okay, peanut. Remember when we went bowling back home? We had to borrow shoes there. This is no different.”

“Borrow?” Ronan asks with furrowed brows.

“Yes, borrow.”

Ronan’s expression softens as he barks out a laugh. “Nor, these aren’t being loaned to you.” He walks over to Julie who hands him two small duffle bags. When he returns, he drops them to the floor and kneels in front of Leo. “These are yours, mate.” He opens a duffle to pull out socks and shin guards. “Well get these on as soon as you get changed.” He places them back in the bag and hands it to Leo, then passes me the other one. “You, too, Nor.”

I sceptically open my bag, finding athletic shorts, socks, shin guards, and a Cork FC tee with Ronan’s number. “What is this?”

Ronan ignores my question and Leo’s smile splits his face ear to ear. He’s happier than I’ve seen him in years and I wouldn’t dare take this away from him, even if Ronan doting on us makes me uncomfortable.

“There are private changing rooms down to the left.” Ronan gestures down the hall. He stands and tilts his head in the same direction. There’s a sign that says ‘No Boots. Except on the Pitch.’ “Come on, we can try on the studs once you’re dressed.”

The three of us change, leaving on our regular shoes until we’re on the pitch. Ronan guides us to it, greeting several men and women we pass. He knows all of them by name, and introduces us to a few. When we reach the double doors, two Cork players are waiting outside, lighting up when they spot Ronan.

“We were beginning to think you weren’t coming!” Harris laughs. He’s a centre-forward for Cork and played brilliantly yesterday. “You must be Nora and Leo. I’m Bradley, but everyone just calls me Harris. You probably already knew that though.” He laughs nervously. “So… can we preface this whole thing as ‘off the record’ starting right now?”

Tanner Berg, a midfielder, smacks Harris with the back of his hand. “Don’t be a cu— rude . Don’t be rude.”

Palms up in defence, I laugh, “Of course.”

“I hope you don’t mind me inviting them.” Ronan rubs the back of his neck and winces. “Harris’ son is on Leo’s team, and they insisted they come along. And we’d need a sixth to keep it interesting, so I asked Berg to come, too.”

“A sixth?”

Harris opens one of the doors to the artificial grass pitch, and there’s a young boy about Leo’s age sitting on one of the benches, tying his boots. We walk in and join him to put ours on.

“Declan, are you ready?” Harris asks, then introduces us. “This is Leo, he’s your new forward. Leo, this is my son Declan, your goalie. How do we want to do this?”

“Do what, exactly?” I ask, still unsure what’s happening here.

“I’ll take Leo and Declan,” Ronan chimes in.

“Sounds good,” Tanner agrees, then asks Harris and me, “Who wants to be in my goalie?”

“Oh, I’m not playing,” I laugh.

“Please, Mom?”

“She’s wearing your number, mate,” Harris laughs. “So, I get Declan and Berg.”

“Grand.” Ronan claps his hand once and finishes lacing up his football boots.

They don’t expect me to play, right?

When he’s finished, he crouches in front of Leo and checks the toes. “These are a little tight. Let’s try the other pair.” Ronan takes out the other studs and helps Leo properly lace them.

As I continue watching their interaction, Berg nudges me with his elbow and whispers, “He hasn’t been on a date in at least a month; always insisting he’s interested in someone else every time we tried to set him up. It all makes sense now.”

“Oh, no, sorry.” I swallow hard. “Ronan and I are just friends.”

“Sure ya are.” Berg winks. “Your secret is safe with me, love. But be careful with that one, he’s got a big heart. I don’t need it shattering in the middle of the season.”

Ronan’s gaze meets mine and I stow away my fear of whatever this is between us, offering a soft smile. Berg’s right; I need to figure out what’s happening between Ronan and me so that neither of us gets hurt. Ronan finishes with the boots, then pats Leo on the shoulder and stands. Declan and Leo huddle together, likely chatting about video games and not footie. Berg moves onto the pitch and begins stretching. Accepting my fate that I’ll be playing football for the first time in decades, I adjust my socks and shin guards, then slip on the new boots.

When I look up, Ronan’s gone, and I’m startled when he purrs beside my ear from behind. “Would you like some help, darlin’?”

“Bloody hell, Ronan! You scared the shit out of me.” I clutch my chest, but my breathing slows as he presses a soft kiss to my cheek. It’s quick and innocent enough that no one would think anything of it.

He moves in front of me, kneeling at my feet. Propping a foot onto his thigh, he checks my lacing, then reties both of mine. “I can’t have you tripping out there. Are you ready for a bit of fun?”

We move onto the pitch and Berg insists we do a warm up with stretches and running a lap. I’m already exhausted and the boys haven’t even started playing. Leo’s having the time of his life, becoming fast friends with Declan.

Declan moves to his goal and Ronan brings Leo and me into a huddle. “Leo’s faster than either of us. Nor, you’re my goalie.” I let out a relieved sigh, ready for a nap from the warm up alone. I’m sweating, but I don’t dare tie up my hair and reveal the damn hickies Ronan left behind this morning. “Leo, I’ll help protect you. We have to work as a team. Berg will go easy on you, but Harris will hold his ground. You ready?”

Leo cheers and we break apart. I move to the goal as Ronan bends a bit, hands on Leo’s shoulders, occasionally pointing out onto the pitch as he coaches Leo. Leo nods at whatever Ronan told him, determination painting both of their features.

Berg brings the ball to the centre and Leo starts us off, passing to Ronan. Even though he’s giving away his next move, he shouts to Leo with instructions. Berg and Harris laugh, letting the other two bypass them without a fight. Leo nearly scores with Declan diving for the ball. Declan boots it across the pitch and the other four run after it. Berg catches up with it and Ronan is on his tail in an instant. Leo tries to keep up, but the two professionals are no match for him.

“Think you can stop me?” Berg laughs.

“No, but my girl can,” Ronan grunts, stealing the ball from Berg.

I’m not entirely sure if I was supposed to overhear the exchange, but I shrug it off as Ronan pivots and kicks the ball to Leo. The four of them fight over it for several minutes, until Harris kicks it hard, straight for me. It bounces three times and I recover it. Leo and Ronan cheer, then Ronan points to Berg and shouts, “What did I tell you?”

Berg yells across the pitch to me, “Fair play to ya!”

I roll my eyes, earning me a wink from Ronan. I kick the ball as hard as I can, only making it a third of the way to Ronan. Harris gets to it first, but Leo sneaks around him, kicking the ball away from him.

We play for an hour, the score ending nil-nil. I feel as if I’ve hardly moved, but am still drenched more than any Zumba class I’ve taken. As we all make our way to our belongings, Ronan slings his arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple, whispering, “Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me? You’re the one who arranged all of this.”

“Aye, but this is the most fun I’ve had in ages. I’m going to take a shower here. What do you say you take Leo home, and I’ll come by in a bit to help you unpack?”

“You won’t take no for an answer, will you?”

We both glance over at Leo who is preoccupied with Declan, both of them talking excitedly about something with wide smiles. Harris and Berg are slipping off their football boots and changing into other shoes, Harris laughing at whatever Berg said to him.

With no one looking, Ronan pulls me close, and for a brief moment I think he’s going to kiss me. He rests his forehead on mine briefly and growls, “Not a chance.”