Chapter Twenty-Eight

C hapter Twenty-Eight

A rna

Andy: I'll be there in 20, babe.

B abe?

Interesting, and reassuring, given the internal dilemma I had last night. After much contemplation, today I was going to be asking him what was going on between us because the lack of an actual label was stressing me out. I wasn't going to push for anything he wasn't comfortable with, but I needed to know his stance. Although, if he gave me something noncommittal like he wasn't sure or was reluctant to label things I might lose my mind.

I couldn't remember the last time we went a day without some form of communication and I thought about him constantly. When we were together, we spent most of our time holed up in his apartment but I didn't mind because it meant it was always just the two of us. No need for pretences or fear of someone overstepping or invading – he was him in his purest form and that was my favourite. But I needed to know what the hell this actually was because I could already feel myself getting attached and if things ended, I was beyond escaping unscathed. I'd be lying if a small part of me wasn't nervous that once the article was released, we wouldn't see each other; despite it being some time since that was the reason for our rendezvous'.

The feature was finished and Darren emailed yesterday to say he was " pleased " with my work. The man was so complimentary – not. He was all over me until he received the final draft at which point it was crickets – dickhead .

Arna: See you soon x

When Marlee spontaneously asked Andy if some of the team would attend her work fundraiser, never in my wildest dreams did I think he would volunteer himself. Add to that he also roped Jack, Jay and a couple of the other players to come along too. I was always planning on attending to give Marls my support, but Darren told me to take it as an opportunity for another story for Pulse – which also took advantage of the clickbait of Andy – while simultaneously promoting a good cause. Which made today even more of a great day.

While it was another week where I could barely get her on the phone, Marlee did call late yesterday to run through her never-ending to-do-list for the event. She also mentioned Lucas would be there, which I was most thankful for because I seemed to be the only one that thought it was strange that she had been with him for almost two months and her best friend hadn't so much as seen a photo of the guy.

I was desperate to see what he looked like, how he was with her and most importantly, how she was with him. There was seriously something off with her lately and I felt slightly nauseous about it all, hoping it was not related to her new beau. Given the fact I'd been stuck in a whirlwind with work, Andy and this feature article, I'd downplayed how she was acting but I was hoping that seeing them together today would finally put me at ease.

I waved to Serg who was waiting with my door open and hopped into the car to a smiling Andy.

"You look hot." I said immediately. Unable to control myself when his woodsy scent pervaded the air of the car, I leant in and kissed him on the mouth. I felt his happiness against my lips before he pulled back a little, his gaze sweeping down my body.

"So do you. I love this on you." I'd chosen a tight grey cotton dress and paired with my white Converse shoes, I was comfortable and felt good. "Your tits look incredible." His kisses moved down my neck, his hand gently squeezing my chest.

Laughing, I grabbed hold of his chin and lifted his face until he was looking up at me with the most gorgeous, mischievous grin.

"I can't arrive hot and horny, so you need to stop." I said softly, not wanting to give Serg a show. He huffed exaggeratedly before pulling himself back up and planting another kiss on my cheek.

"But I like it when you are hot and horny." He sulked, pouting his lower lip, making me laugh again and I patted his thigh. He was wearing a pair of light denim shorts today and his tanned legs looked fiiiiiiiinnnnne. The Hearts polo shirt he wore was also somehow sexy as fuck and I reached over and tugged the collar gently. Maybe I was too hasty in shutting him down.

"This looks good on you. Very professional." I raised my brow at him suggestively.

"We're required to wear team clothing when representing the Club, but I can wear it other times if you like it that much?" He replied, smirking.

I loved carefree Andy. He was cheeky, light and playful and in those moments, he wasn't the captain of an elite football team. He was Andrew Gloss – no glitz or glam – just a man who could be whoever he wanted to be without fear of people judging his every move.

"I think I would most definitely like that. But also, can I pivot for a second and ask you something serious? I realise my timing is less than ideal and we are like ten minutes from the park, but I've been wondering about something and if I don't ask now, I won't and then I'll overthink it –"

"Arns, take five, you're babbling." He reached for my hand, holding it in his own. I stared at our interlocked fingers, taking a deep calming breath before looking up at him.

"What is this?" I asked, gesturing between us with my free hand. "Is this nothing? Is it something? Are we exclusive?" I stopped my questioning, waiting as his devastatingly handsome face remained impassive. Shit. Did I freak him out?

Before I could pull away, he brought our hands up to his mouth, placing a contemplative kiss on the back of mine.

"I wasn't expecting that." He admitted, sitting back in his seat and running a hand through his hair. "I don't date, right? I never really have, and I never thought about it, because with work it feels as though people think they are entitled to my life story and I never wanted to subject someone else to that."

"I understand you're scared of getting hurt, but I think what we have is worth exploring, even if it feels like we're from totally different worlds." I said quickly, worried my question had put a spanner in the works.

"What I mean to say is, I've never found anyone I wanted to take that risk with. Until I met you." I felt my cheeks warm at his words and I bit my lower lip to stop the giddy smile which was threatening to break across my face. "And you're right. Socially we are worlds apart, but that is also what I love the most. It's so refreshing that you aren't interested in me for my role on the team or everything that comes with it. So, I don't know exactly what this is, Arns, but to me it is something and yes, we are obviously fucking exclusive." He pulled me into him and raised my chin, his gaze serious. "Because if you let another man touch you, I will have to kill him." I felt my heartbeat increase at the intensity of both his words and the way he was looking at me – turning me the hell on.

Before I could respond, the car came to a stop.

"If we weren't already here, I would be bending you over for even asking." His words were gruff, and I felt my body tingle at the implication. He smiled knowingly, placing a firm kiss on my lips before releasing me and opening the door to step out. Leaning inside with an expectant look on his face, he smirked when he saw I was stuck in my seat, dumbfounded at his show of virility. Reaching in, he took my hand and pulled me out of the car as I groaned.

Chuckling he gave me a quick hug. "You're staying at my house tonight, yes?"

"I definitely am now. I don't think my vibrator is going to cut it after that little display." He shook his head as I heard Marlee call my name and turned to see her and someone else walking towards us.

Taking my sunglasses from my purse I put them on, the glare particularly bright today as Marlee came bounding over, her gorgeous legs on display in a pair of white denim shorts.

"Shit, all that running is doing you good, girl, you look hot." We hugged hello, her usual coconut scent enveloping my senses.

"Be nice." She whispered in my ear before letting me go.

Huh? Be nice. Why would I not be nice? Did she mean with Andy? I admit that I can be a bit protective when it comes to his privacy but today was for the kids.

The man standing slightly behind her looked at me warily and I briefly wondered if her words were about him, as she spoke.

"Hey, Arns. Andy, thank you so much for coming. Brad and Sofie, the couple who started this whole thing, could not believe some of the Hearts' players were joining us. You guys are going to be such a highlight. We appreciate your time."

"It's our pleasure, really. It's a great cause." Andy looked around quickly and then down at me. I wanted to hug him for being here for my best-friend when I knew being in public like this wasn't easy.

There were carnival rides and food stalls lining the edges of the grassed area. Someone was painting faces and what appeared to be the top of a jumping castle could be seen over in the far corner. There were already a fair few people about and I was sure his social odometer was going to gain some mileage today.

Marlee stepped aside a little and – the man who I presumed was Lucas – stepped forward, wrapping his arm around her waist and gripping her tightly. She smiled at him before she pointed at Andy and I.

"Lucas, this is my very best friend, Arnabelle Frost. She is loud in all the very best ways. And this is Andy Gloss, captain of the Sydney Hearts." Lucas laughed before reaching out to shake Andy's hand.

"I know who he is, sweetie. Nice to meet you man. And Arna." He turned towards me, his expression unreadable. "I have heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet the infamous woman who knows my Marlee better than anyone apparently."

I felt my eyebrows scrunch a little and was glad I was wearing my glasses to partially cover my facials. My Marlee . I quickly glanced at Marls and then back to Lucas, pasting a large grin across my face. Was I being an overprotective bitch or was there a facetious bite to his words?

"It is so lovely to meet the man who makes Marlee so happy." I did my best to play the role of dutiful best friend, thinking I was probably overreacting. Marlee grinned as she looked towards him, and he kissed her on the temple.

"The feeling is mutual. She's an amazing girl." He said and I nodded in agreement.

"Andy, some of the other players are over this way. Come through and I will show you both around. We have a couple of media representatives taking photos, but we have told them there won't be any interviews and they aren't to approach you guys."

Andy nodded and released a large breath. It was clear that knowledge relaxed him, and I wrapped my arm around his as we followed Marlee and Lucas.

"Don't worry, if anyone comes up, I will distract them with my incredible tits." I whispered so only he could hear, and he laughed loud enough that Lucas turned back, a curious look on his face.

"That guy is weird." He said softly and I stopped walking, causing Andy to also pause.

"Oh my god. Yes. I thought I was being a psycho, but he gives me the strangest vibe too. It makes me a little uncomfortable – but I'm not sure why." I brought my thumb up to my mouth as I nervously bit my nail.

"You lovebirds coming?" Marlee's bubbly voice intercepted my thoughts, and I gave Andy a final questioning look before nodding and continuing behind them again.

The boys were finishing up an impromptu game of football with some of the kids when Marlee came over, handing me some carnival popcorn. "Thought you might want some of your favourite."

"Oh, you know me too well." I took a few pieces and moaned at the buttery, salty flavours assaulting my gustatory system. "If this isn't one of our greatest inventions, I don't know what is." Marlee rolled her eyes at my dramatics and took a handful of her own.

"So, do you like Lucas?" She asked bluntly and I glanced sideways as I chewed. Queeny and Dad always told me how loud my facials were and cognisant of this, I did my best to keep my face free of the uncertainty I felt around her new man.

"He seems lovely." I looked out at the field as Lucas caught the ball and was about to kick to one of the kids. "He also seems to really like you. This is the first time I've seen him more than one metre away from your side."

She laughed forcefully. "Yeah. He says I am like his velcro strip and we aren't whole when we are apart."

I laughed but halted when I noticed she went quiet, frowning at the ground.

"That's…romantic." I said, instead of the joke I was about to make at his expense. Offering her more of the popcorn I looked towards the field. "You're happy though, aren't you?"

"Of course!" Her answer came quickly, and I coughed on the kernel which went down the wrong way from the shock of her louder than normal voice. She patted me on the back and I reached for my water bottle resting at my feet.

"Sorry." I spluttered. Desperate to change the subject, I commented on how great the day had been just as the boys jogged over.

"It really has been a huge success. I can't believe how many people came and then the impromptu football match." She pushed her hair from her face. "I haven't seen the kids this happy in – ever actually. Thank you all so much." She handed Lucas a bottle of water and wiped some sweat from his forehead. "I need to go see Brad and Sof, are you good here?"

He took a swig from the bottle before answering. "I'll come with you."

"We'll be back. Don't leave without saying goodbye." Marls said to me as her and Lucas walked away.

Andy came and stood tall at my back, surrounding me as he gently pulled me into him. He circled my upper chest, holding me in both a comforting and possessive gesture and I lifted my free hand to hold onto his forearm, leaning into the embrace. He felt warm, but unlike Lucas, he and the rest of the guys were barely sweating, clearly used to far more than a quick playful match.

"Some of those kids were fast, hey?" Jay said.

"Probably the sugar from all the fairy floss." I answered as Andy reached into my tub of popcorn helping himself.

"Man, Jay ate like three bags of that too. I think you're just getting slower." Jack said before he quickly ran behind Andy and me as Jay gave chase.

"Can you two go a minute without arguing?" Andy said around a mouthful of popcorn, sounding more like their parent than their captain.

"Can you go a minute without touching Arna? No offence." Jay aimed the last bit just at me and I giggled at his grimace.

"You're just jealous." Andy retorted before I felt his lips on the top of my head. I leant my head back, smiling at him and he kissed me deeply more for the benefit of his teammates. Happy to oblige, I reciprocated causing both Jay and Jack to groan.

"Can you two get a room, honestly, it's making me want to throw up." Jay joked exaggeratedly.

"Happily. We're heading off, you guys want a ride or are you going with Liam and Greg?" Andy asked, referring to the other Hearts players who came today.

"They already left, but I drove." Jack replied. "Jay, I'll drive you home so you don't have to watch a live porn show on the way."

"But what if I want to?" He asked and I laughed as Andy glared at him.

"We have to go find Marlee before we leave." I said, keeping hold of the invisible thread of affection and security I felt when in his arms. "Then we can enjoy the rest of the night."

Andy held my shoulders, pushing me forward towards Marls, suddenly in a hurry to leave.