Chapter Thirty

C hapter Thirty

A rna

" Y es, Queeny, dinner is still on. I told you this alre–" Nan cut me off obviously not interested in an interruption to her monologue.

With the phone clenched between my shoulder and ear, I picked up another garment from the floor. I was exhausted and attempting to tidy what some would call a bedroom, and others may refer to as a pigsty, was the last thing I wanted to be doing. There were clothes everywhere and given it was well into Winter and I still had shorts laying around, it was reflective of the last time I spent time in my room. Most of my free time was now spent at Andy's with even a few outfits stashed there for mornings when he distracted me, leaving me no time to sneak back home before work.

"Yes, I assume he will be there and –" Again, she interposed and I sighed inwardly, listening to her ramble on about how she had told every person she knew that Andy was coming to dinner and while this wasn't about her, " she would wring his neck if he didn 't turn up ."

"Nan, we'll see you tonight. Okay?" I clarified, positioning a jacket on a coat hanger and placing it into the wardrobe.

"Also, I'll know if he was a schmuck last night just by looking at him," she said, "And bring some wine would you, love?"

"I have no doubt," I huffed. "See you soon."

Ending the call, I took a steadying breath as The Killers resumed playing at an obnoxious volume. When I was stressed, I cleaned and I couldn't clean unless the music was obscenely loud. Loud enough to drown out the myriad of thoughts running through my mind. Loud enough to overpower the requests from Paul for me to turn it down and loud enough that I could scream the lyrics to whatever song was pumping through without worrying about anything else.

Although, while I was again starting to see the hideously brown carpet lining the floor of my bedroom, the cathartic ritual wasn't filling my soul like it usually would. Pausing, I sat on my bed and turned the music down so I could scroll my phone.

"Finally." I heard Paul call from the living room. "Do you need anything?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile from forming on my face as I called back, "No, thanks though."

He knocked on my door this morning, no longer than three minutes after my phone notified me there were images of Andy online, making me wonder if he also activated similar alerts. Since then, he had checked in hourly to ask if I needed a drink - no, food - no, a hug - definitely not, or someone to speak to - also no. He meant well and it was nice not to feel alone, but he wasn't who I needed right now. I tried calling Marls but was met with her voicemail, another unanswered call from my missing-in-action bestie. The only other person I wanted to speak with was on a flight and while I didn't realise I missed his calls until after his plane took off, a phone conversation wouldn't suffice this time.

It had only been thirty minutes since his flight departed and I was doing my best not to jump to conclusions. Was the woman in the photos beautiful – absolutely. Did it look as though Andy and her were acquainted in a way that would make his claim of exclusivity absolute bullshit – yes. But working in the industry, I also knew that while a picture spoke a thousand words, they misinterpreted situations and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. If anything, this made me realise just how much I liked him and how upsetting it would be if there was more to this encounter than I hoped.

Looking at the photos again, I focused on the images from the fundraiser instead. Andy stood behind me as I glanced up at him, a smile lining my side profile. Jack and Jay were both laughing, as was Andy, but what I loved most about the picture was how his entire face was alight with mirth. When we first met, I was never privy to that side of him. The side where he was youthful, happy and free. Where he enjoyed the little things in life without the need to remain guarded. In only a few short months, his barriers were falling, evident in the way he silently reached for me as often as I did him. It was with that knowledge I finished the mission that was tidying this shit hole before I showered and dressed for what was sure to be an interesting afternoon.

Just before 10:00am I heard from Andy, with a promise to explain and an apology that he would be with the team for the next few hours. It was after two o'clock when his name next filled my screen and I couldn't ignore the way my heart leapt in my chest or the butterflies dancing in my stomach as I opened the message. I didn't answer any of the texts he sent before he left and our brief conversation after he landed didn't mention these either. A heated exchange via phone was not at all what I was about. If he had something to say, we were going to do it in person where we could properly interpret tone and honesty. I was too old for miscommunication and I was certain he felt the same, which was why I replied saying I was ready and would see him soon.

"Oh, you're heading out." Paul turned from his computer, clearly shocked that I was leaving.

"Yeah, heading over to Andy's before dinner with my folks tonight." I didn't usually give him too many details, but since the images were released, he was the only person who had genuinely checked in on me and for that I was grateful.

"You know you're hot as balls, right?" I scrunched my face in disgust, worried where he was going with this. "What I mean is, you deserve the best, Arns." I felt my shoulders sag in relief that he wasn't trying to come onto me like so many times before. Walking towards where he sat at the dining table on his computer, I leant down and kissed him on the cheek, shocking both of us.

"Thank you, Paul. You're a good friend ." I emphasised the final part knowing he would misinterpret the act if I didn't make it clear. "I appreciate it. Also, how is your Huntress ?" I asked, remembering his online potential date and needing to distract him so he didn't read into my innocent affection.

"She's okay. We still chat every day."

I grinned as his cheeks flushed. He liked her. "Ask her out for dinner. She wouldn't spend so much time talking to you if she didn't like you, Paul."

He coughed awkwardly before I heard him banging his keyboard almost aggressively. Prior to closing the front door I turned, noticing him wear a bigger smile than I had ever seen.

Stepping outside, I laughed quietly to myself as I walked to the waiting car.

I rushed into the foyer, shaking the cool breeze from my bones as I greeted Graham with a brief wave. Heading straight to the lift, I pushed the button just as the doors opened revealing Andy. His familiar face as harrowing as it was cathartic with the anguish hidden under the Hearts cap he still wore.

"Hey." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey." He breathed, stepping aside to let me pass. The frown lines between his brows were prominent and I wanted to wrap myself around him, wipe the lines of tension from his forehead and replace them with kisses – but first we needed to talk. I needed him to put my worries at ease just as much as I wanted to do the same for him.

The lift began to climb as we stared at each other. Neither of us spoke or moved despite the magnetic pull that begged me to reach for him. I kept my purse in front of me, the smallest of barriers to stop whatever this was which was both drawing me to him and keeping us apart like a centripetal force. His chest rose and fell, his weighted breathing matching my own as I tilted my head slightly and really looked at him. He was tired. His eyes were red and the smile I'd become accustomed to long gone.

Tentatively, I reached up and cupped his face in my hand. His eyes closed and he let out the smallest of breaths as he leant into my touch – but when the doors parted a minute later, he straightened and the moment was gone.

I followed him into his apartment and the familiar woodsy smell was nearly enough to bring me to my knees. I loved this place so much. It smelt purely of him. It was the fresh scent of evergreen and I grabbed hold of the wall for a split second to balance myself, ready for whatever came next.

More than anything I felt safe here. And it was with that thought that I followed him out onto his balcony where he stood, his gaze cannily examining my body. The only warning I received before he lunged for me was the slightest flicker of his eyes. He didn't speak. Didn't try to justify himself. Instead, he picked me up, my legs hooking around him as I laced my arms around his neck. Taking in a breath while burrowed deep in his shoulder, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. No matter what happened next, we would be okay.

He walked me over to sit on top of his jacuzzi so we were eye to eye and framed my face with his hands before he spoke.

"I understand if you're upset and I understand if you think I cheated on you, but I swear to you, I would never betray your trust like that. I said we are exclusive and I meant it – then and now. I pushed her away and it wasn't until Jack showed me as we boarded that I found out someone had taken photos last night. But it is not what you think – of that I promise you." His hands were brushing my hair away from my face as he spoke and while I was listening to him, I was mostly just staring at him with a new curiosity. I heard him, felt the sincerity, focusing on the earnestness in his features and the truth I wholeheartedly knew underlined his explanation. Something in me already knew he wouldn't do that because I trusted him. I wasn't sure when it happened, but I trusted him implicitly.

I smoothed the lines across his forehead, tracing his brows, his lips and his jaw before moving my hands to the back of his neck. My feelings for him had been developing for a while now. What started as attraction and quickly became lust, was now so much more and as I looked into his eyes the realisation hit me like a bolt of lightning.

Was I in love with this man? Was that even possible?

Surely not. It was too soon and I was certain I had never actually felt that before. Never had that soul-deep affection for another person.

I was yet to find any kind of ick and thinking back – had I even tried? He was independent, driven, mature and intelligent. His hat fit him perfectly, he hadn't asked me about anything bowel related and he smelt like all my favourite things – and felt even better.

Right now, he looked so broken, so desperate for me to believe him. And I did. Without question. Now that I was here with him, any lingering doubt was gone. I could admit it didn't look good, regardless of my trust in him, but that was the thing – I did trust him.

"What do you think I'm thinking?" I asked, resting my hands in my lap. He released my face and spread my knees apart so he could move in closer to me. Lifting my chin with his finger he looked me in the eye as he answered.

"What do I think? I think this is why I don't date. I can't. Not when there is no privacy and there are people constantly trying to destroy anything I have, Arns. I want to say you believe me. That you never doubted me. That you know these vicious lies are fucking garbage. But how can I say that when the photos are presented the way they are? I promise you I was sitting there on my own, about to leave when she sat down. I was actually thinking about you." He sighed. "She wanted me to dance with her. She was trashed and way too forward, so I called her a cab and left. Alone." He closed his eyes before taking a step away from me. It was cold up on the rooftop balcony but nothing was as cold as the look of utter resolution on his face.

"Firstly, it's freezing. Could you at least come here so I can use your ridiculously large body as a heater. And then if you would let me speak too, I would appreciate it. Couldn't get you to say one word when we first met and now I can't get you to shut up." His mouth lifted the tiniest bit, in contrast to the bamboozled scrunch of his eyes, as he returned to stand between my legs. I wrapped my arms around him and leant into his chest.

"Secondly, I believe you, Andy. I truly do. Without any affectation, you need to understand that. I definitely would welcome you explaining how this woman appeared to be nearly kissing you, but I - believe - you." I punctuated my final words with a tap of my hand on his lower back.

Andy moved quickly, his lips crashing into mine in a devouring kiss. His hands were everywhere and the emotion I felt through his touch alone was enough to ignite my libido and awaken a clearly hungry Barbara.

"Mmmm," I moaned into his mouth as I pulled away a little. "I missed you."

"Thank you for believing me." He said, as he rested his forehead against my own. "For believing in us." Pulling him down by the neck I kissed him one more time rather than giving him an answer.

"While I would love to let you show me your gratitude with your mouth –" I glanced down at the bulge which was eagerly tenting his pants, "Along with other parts of your very sexy body, we have to be at dinner in –" I looked at the watch on my wrist, "Thirty minutes. And my Nan is over the top excited to say the least."

"Arns, can I say something – off the record?"

"Everything you say is off the record now." I rolled my eyes dramatically, leaning to rest on my hands behind me. "But please go ahead."

"Seriously, I would like to say this won't happen again, but chances are, with those poisonous arseholes, it probably will. What I need you to know is that I travel with the team – a lot. But it's only you, Arna. When I go away, you are with me." He reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine before placing our conjoined hands over his hip pocket. "Wish I could literally keep you in my pocket, but even though I can't, you are here. And I'm not interested in anyone else. These beautiful blue eyes, this long golden hair, these plump lips and even plumper arse are all I want and need."

My heart warmed at the sincerity of his words while I grinned at his cheekiness.

"You should be careful saying things like that unless you want us to be very late for dinner." I locked my legs tighter around him moving my brows up and down suggestively. "But thank you for saying that. I never really thought about how difficult this whole dating a footballer thing would be."

Andy scoffed while pulling me into him tighter. "It would be easier if people would just mind their own business."

"Lucky you're worth it, Gloss." I said, with a frankness I felt through to my heart.

"Keep speaking like that, Frost, and we might not make dinner at all."

The car pulled up to Dad and Queeny's and I was relieved to see the nosey neighbours were all safely tucked inside for the evening. The thought of anyone seeing Andy was the last thing we needed, even though I knew down to my core that anyone who Nan saw over the next year would be able to recount every word spoken tonight.

As it was, people at work were already talking about me endlessly. There were the obvious ones who suddenly found reasons to walk by my desk just to say hi or ask my opinion about a piece, where previously they wouldn't have even known my name. Then there were the subtle sleuths who were constantly whispering, only ceasing the minute I entered the room or came close enough to hear. It didn't take a genius to work out they were discussing the fact my name was now present in media headlines rather than just on Urban Pulse's long list of contributors.

The other day, the barista at my local cafe wrote Go Hearts! on my takeaway cup and winked at me as I left. It was not a life I wanted and after a small glimpse, which was a fraction of the melee Andy experienced, I was happy to live a nameless existence. The glitz and glamour of a penthouse apartment, a hot tub looking over the harbour and a driver was not worth the baggage. With how much Andy valued his privacy, his tolerance only solidified how much he enjoyed his job given the price he had to pay to do what he loved.

Andy put his hand on my leg and I looked at him across the seat, a small smile lacing my face.

"You ready?" He asked.

A giggle bubbled out of me at the irony of him asking me that.

"Am I ready? You naive, unsuspecting soul. Just remember, she might only be five-foot tall, but her mouth is large. Let's go." I said, as I opened the door and stepped out into the cool evening air.

"Wait, what? What's that mean?" He bumbled.

Poor, poor guy didn't know the ambush he was walking into and it was enough to make me skittish with immense joy.

I didn't bother knocking, instead walking in and slipping my shoes off, waiting for Andy to do the same. Closing the door to keep in the warmth, we walked through the lounge room and into the kitchen, where as expected, Dad was seated at the table reading the paper while Nan moved around the kitchen with her homemade apron tied around her waist.

"Hey Queen, hey Dad." I said casually as I reached for some of the red liquorice Nan always placed in a bowl in the middle of the table just for me. I pointed to Andy who was watching me with a nervous smirk.

"This is Andy." I said around bites. "Andy, this is my dad, Pete, and my Nan. Who you can call Queeny."

The screech of Dad's chair being pushed across the tiles filled the room as he stood holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you mate." Dad said.

Andy leant across the table and shook Dad's hand. "Same to you. Thanks for having me over."

I almost fell as Nan shoved me aside and positioned herself right in front of Andy, not even acknowledging my greeting.

"No need to thank him, I invited you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Andrew. Arna has told us so much about you and we've also been reading a little lately too."

"Nan! Can you not, we literally just arrived." I drawled, grabbing another handful of liquorice.

"How about you slow down on the sugar? Can't have you filling up on sweets when you need to save some room for my shepherd's pie."

"Oh, yum." Turning to Andy I smiled. "Nan's shepherd's pie is delicious."

"Did you want a beer, Andy? You'll probably need one to survive these two tonight." Dad asked and Andy grinned before shaking his head.

"Just water, thanks, mate. Coach will kill me if he finds out I had a drink on a Sunday."

"Suit yourself, but don't say I didn't warn you." Dad said as he headed to the garage to grab one for himself.

I pointed to the seats around the table and Andy and I sat down.

"So, Andy, who was that blonde you were photographed with over the weekend. Wasn't my Arna." I coughed the liquorice which had lodged itself in my throat and reached for the Pepsi Max Dad placed on the table as he handed Andy a water.

"Give him a break, Mum, he just walked in."

"It's okay," Andy said, lifting his chin in thanks for the beverage. "I, well, I guess I don't have a great history with the media." He shrugged, looking down at his drink. "And photos like that are exactly why. I would never do that to Arna despite the way they portray me." I put my hand on Andy's thigh giving it a gentle squeeze. He placed his over the top of mine and squeezed back, reassuring me he was doing okay despite the awkward lilt to his words.

"I guess you know you've made it big when the paparazzi start turning innocent actions into front-page scandals, huh." Dad said before taking a sip of his beer.

"Wish I could charge them for the entertainment. Seems like every time I sneeze the tabloids think it's breaking news and worthy of an embellished story." Andy groused.

"If they're going to publish the lies, you two should give them something nice and spicy to share, right Arns?" Queeny grinned as she reached for the oven mitts and took the steaming tray out to rest on the bench.

"Jesus, woman." Dad said as I snickered both at the wide-eyed glare of Andy and Queeny's audacity.

"I'm just saying, they're going to photograph them anyway so why not do something a little naugh–"

"Oh, for the love of god, please just serve the pie." I said, saving Dad from the headache which was sure to come if she didn't stop with the sexual innuendo.

Dad nodded in agreement while looking at me in sheer exasperation. I grinned and shrugged. Even though I would prefer to not talk about that in front of my father, she had always been like this and I knew bringing Andy here was going to be entertaining. Whether he was able to survive the night would be the determining factor in if we would make or break. Once you won Queeny's affection, you were good. If you didn't, there was very little that could redeem you in my opinion.

Placing the plates in front of us, Nan then moved to sit in front of her own meal.

"Bellsy, how is Marlee doing? Bumped into her folks at the shops and they said she had been busy lately?" Dad said as he cut into his pie.

"I'm not sure, actually. I've barely heard from her since she started dating this new guy." I scowled.

"You sound jealous." Queeny said, stopping the first spoonful from reaching my mouth.

"I don't think I'm jealous as such. I mean, it has always been just her and I, but I've also been a little preoccupied," I said, inclining my head towards Andy. "But she doesn't even answer my calls or texts anymore. Something isn't right." I groaned in appreciation as I tasted my first mouthful. "Nothing wrong with this dish though, Queeny. Yu-umm."

"I agree," Andy said. "This is good."

"Best shepherd's pie you've had?" Nan asked with absolutely no shame.

"Well, I haven't actually had shepherd's pie before so yes, yes, it is."

"Good answer." Dad said and I snorted at the pure delight on Nan's face.

"When I tell the girls tomorrow, I will leave that part out." Andy laughed at her honesty and she gleamed with satisfaction. It was almost embarrassing how obsessed she already was.

"I'm sure she's fine, Bells. Marls is a big girl. She would tell you if she needed any artillery support." Dad reassured me and I nodded introspectively.

"You know, in a deck of cards, the King of Hearts is quite impressive." Nan said randomly as if we were all inside her head and following her train of thought. "It symbolises strength, compassion and an innate sense of emotional intelligence. As the captain you should have all these things, right?" My eyes widened as I looked towards Andy who appeared equally shocked.

"Uhhh…. I would like to think so." He answered uncertainly, likely unsure of what she was thinking.

"I think perhaps you do." She answered before continuing with her meal as if she hadn't just said something surprisingly meaningful and kind.

I leant in and put my face against Andy's shoulder speaking to him but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I think that was a compliment, babe."

"Of course it was a bloody compliment, Arna. All I'm saying is if he is as good at looking after you as he is at his job, we might be onto a winner here. But don't let it get to your head. I've got my eye on you boy, and my frying pan is always there if you break her heart." She pointed her knife towards him and Dad groaned.

"Can you relax, Queeny? Put the damn knife down for the love of mercy." Andy chuckled at my plea, putting his arm around me before kissing me on top of my head. I knew coming here was going to be gruelling, but I did not expect her to both compliment and threaten him in the same sentence.

She was a one-woman circus.

"There's no worries there. I'm not planning on doing anything to upset her." Andy looked directly at me as he spoke and I did my best not to melt into a puddle right there at the table.

"I'm only joking, relax you lot. You scare too easily." She stood to take her now empty plate to the sink, never one to sit for too long.

Andy and Dad fell into easy conversation which moved from the Hearts into some of the other teams in the league and eventually into various sports they both enjoyed. It was surreal watching them and the effortless way they discussed various topics. I had never brought a boyfriend home before and given Andy was my first, I was starting high in the eyes of a sports fanatic like Dad.

I helped Nan clean and serve the dessert while she commented on how "handsome" Andy was, how she would love to "spend more time getting to know him" and could "keep him entertained even if I was busy".

The woman was relentless.

To his credit, Andy humoured her and took her borderline harassment in the manner it was intended, a relief to both Dad and I. But when she went and got her phone and asked me to take a photo of them together, I was done.

"Nan, your shepherd's pie and pavlova are second to none, but we need to go before you really scare him away."

"Oh, pssh. I just want a photo with him to show the girls. They won't believe me otherwise." When she batted her eyes at Andy and he looked towards me with a small smile, I knew she had him. I grabbed the phone from her hands and motioned for her to get in place. Nan leaned into his chest, a huge smile plastered across her face while Andy indulged her request with a happy grin and arm around her shoulder.

"You have literally threatened, complimented and just about come onto my boyfriend and it's the first time you've met him. Dad, sort your mother out, would you, or he won't want to come back." Andy chuckled as he reached for my hand following Dad to the door.

"Don't be shy, Bells. Your old man misses you." Dad said as he gave me a quick farewell hug.

"I know, Dad. I won't. Thanks for dinner guys. We will see you soon." I pulled Andy down the driveway towards where Serg was waiting in the car before Nan could hug him for a third time. It wasn't until we were safely inside with the door closed that I felt myself relax. I loved my family but even I knew they were a lot to take.

Turning towards Andy I went to apologise for whatever that was but when I saw the grin on his face, my hand flew to my mouth and we both erupted into laughter.

"She is something else." I said in between my giggles, as the car pulled away from the house.

"I can see exactly where your sense of humour comes from and don't even try to deny it."

Leaning into him I wrapped my arm around his torso and grinned into his chest, still shaking with mirth as we recounted the best parts of dinner.