18. Tail end of the season

18

TAIL END OF THE SEASON

Paige

“ Y ou’re really here,” Willo almost grunts as his hips press against me, his hard cock meeting my soft belly. “Fuck, Paige, tell me you’re not with Faith.”

Memories from after the game flood back, trying to get to the rooms, waiting for the players, Willo not being there, and Ricky driving me down here. Sure, he may have made some inappropriate remarks in telling me he’d bang me if Lovemore wouldn’t, but at the same time, he dropped everything to bring me here.

I thought the weekend in Melbourne would show me what I’ve been missing and how I am right to want to live in a big city, but it didn’t. It was noisy and busy and crowded. I haven’t changed my mind about wanting kids, but I can imagine being around Willo’s kids.

“I’m here. Ricky’s a mate, like the brother I never had. He might joke that he wants me, but I know he doesn’t,” I all but whisper as Willo trails kisses down my neck, his hands exploring under my jumper and top and the feel of our skin on skin eliciting goose flesh, even though the heating has this room at a lovely temperature .

“I want to tell the kids that you’re my girlfriend.” Willo tugs my jumper and top over my head, and I pause, the garments bunched around my elbows.

Girlfriend. I’ve never been anyone’s girlfriend, I don’t think. I’ve been a fuck buddy or a lover, or a one-night stand, but never something as tangible as relationship material. The thought that he sees me as more than a lover, despite me standing half-undressed in his bedroom, sees a warmth break out throughout my body.

I toss my upper garments to the ground and tug at Willo’s shirt as he deftly undoes my bra with one hand. It’s not a mean effort when there are so many hooks holding the back together.

“I think I’d like that,” I tell him before our lips crash together. “Luna was so happy to see me when I arrived. Jackson, too.”

I don’t add that Billy hardly acknowledged my presence and said goodnight to his grandparents whilst ignoring me. Gio had gone to speak to him, and Nicola had told me not to worry, but I do.

Willo’s lips bring me back to the present. I’ve never been kissed like this. I suppose it makes sense in that I’ve never been with anyone I dreamt of simply getting lost in the pleasure of sharing saliva with. And yeah, I know that sounds weird, but this whole situation is weird, well, weird to me.

Ever so slowly, we edge towards the bed. It’s as if we know that the dynamic between us will change again when we move from the vertical to the horizontal.

“One of these days”—Willo bites my lower lip before our lips break apart—“I’m going to spend hours just kissing you, pressing our lips together and feeling those succulent pillows against mine, your tongue, as it… fuck…”

I’ve started undoing Willo’s belt, and as I pull it from the hooks on his jeans, I cup his cock through the rough denim.

“Oh, baby.” Willo sighs as my fingers undo the button and slowly lower the zipper, tooth by tooth, being careful not to catch his rigid cock in the metal.

Willo spins me around and tosses me on the bed as if I’m a rag doll. I know I will be when he’s finished with me. I know he’s strong. I mean, I’ve seen and felt those muscles, but being able to lift me is no mean feat.

“Hurry,” I moan as he teases me, slowly dragging my pants down my legs.

After he’s tossed the pants across the room, he kneels between my legs and starts worshiping my breasts, taking one between his palms as he swirls his tongue around my nipple before sucking it into his mouth and leaving a mark from the nip of his teeth. I never realised I enjoyed this shock of pain, which brings so much pleasure, and I remind myself to tell Willo I need to explore this more down the track.

“More.” I breathe out in ecstasy as he worships my chest. I can already feel an orgasm building, even though my panties still cover my dripping pussy.

“What my girl wants, my girl gets.” He trails kisses lower, reverently leaving them on my soft belly before he hooks his fingers into the waistband of my panties and draws them down my legs.

The first time his tongue brushes against my clit, I almost explode on the spot. Willo devours me, his tongue and lips moving from my clit to my arsehole and back again, exploring and bringing more pleasure than I knew possible. My body writhes on the bed, and my fingers grip the sheets.

A finger slides inside my slick channel, soon followed by another as Willo focuses on my clit with his mouth. My hands grip the quilt cover, my teeth clenched together, trying to remind myself to be quiet and not wake anyone. I’ve felt on edge for what seems like hours as Willo worships me. He recognises when I’m close and changes pressure and angles, bringing me down a little before building me up again.

“I need,” I pant. “I need…”

My mouth flies open and I try not to scream, an almost guttural hiss escaping as my pussy clenches and spasms around Willo’s finger, and a rush of euphoria takes over my body.

Willo maintains his licking and sucking, and I move my hands to push him away. I can’t form the words to tell him it’s all too much. He wipes his mouth on his arm before trying to get away with just kissing my nose. I grab his cheeks and pull him in for a kiss, my juices hitting my tongue as his tongue dances in his mouth. The feel of his iron rod against my stomach, precum dripping a trail, works me up even more.

I fumble for the bedside drawer and grab a condom. Willo carefully opens it and rolls it down himself before looking deep into my eyes as he rubs along my folds and notches at my entrance.

Our faces mirror each other with our mouths falling open and eyes staring into each other’s souls as we join. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling every ridge and vein of his cock as it strokes in and out of me. The pace is slow, but the feeling of being joined like this is otherworldly. I want to stay like this forever.

There’s a reverence in the air that I’ve never felt before. Perhaps this is making love, perhaps it is just amazing sex, but whatever it is, I’m here for it.

Like a train picking up steam, our pace quickens. I run my hands through Willo’s hair, neither of us breaking eye contact. One of my legs curls around his hip, attempting to draw him deeper inside me, if that was even possible. Our gaze finally breaks as our mouths once again fuse. There’s no finesse in this kiss though, a rough meeting of lips and tongues and teeth. Seemingly out of nowhere, my body tenses before a second wave of delight envelops me, my body shaking. Willo is close behind, exploding into the condom.

We lie and catch our breaths, before Willo slips off me and into his ensuite to dispose of the condom. I roll off the bed and almost land on my knees. My legs are definitely jelly like. I laugh when I notice both of us are still wearing our socks. Willo is soon back from the bathroom and pulls the covers back, urging me to climb in.

“Are you sure?” I whisper, knowing the kids are sleeping in rooms near us.

“Positive.” He leans over and gathers me in his arms, placing a tender kiss on my head. “You should know by now I’m not a one and done kind of guy.”

“But the kids?” My brows knit together, not that Willo can see .

“I think they’re a little smarter than we give them credit for,” Willo chuckles against me.

“Hmmm.” I sink back into his big spoon. “You know, I was tested after the Sydney debacle, and I haven’t been with anyone else apart from you. I’ve got an IUD too.”

“I’ve got something I have to tell you.” Willo pulls away from me and lies on his back, rubbing his hands up and down his face. The curtains are wide open and the moonlight casts a gentle glow to the room. “I don’t know how you’ll take it.”

I roll over and place a kiss on his chin. “Is this something better left for tomorrow, then?”

“It is tomorrow, isn’t it?” He rubs his forehead.

I glance at the clock on the nightstand to see that it is indeed after midnight. “Okay.” I draw circles in his chest hair with my pointer finger.

I don’t know what he’s going to tell me, and I don’t know if I want to know. The urge to be close to him is there. Whatever he tells me, I want to be here for him.

“After Luna was born, I had a vasectomy. Cara and I knew we didn’t want any more kids. I mean, Mum and Dad wanted three, and then Mum decided a fourth would be fun, and they ended up with the twins, but Cara and I were done. I’ve been thinking, and I could look into having it reversed if you want. I mean, I know you’ve said you don’t like kids, but…”

I cut him off with a kiss, his head turning to face me. “You’re right.” I kiss him again. “I don’t want kids of my own, but I’ve kind of fallen for your kids, just like I’ve fallen for living here. Do you know how noisy the city is?”

“I just, I wasn’t sure.” Willo bites his tongue. “I feel like you’re making all the sacrifices in this relationship.”

My heart swells at the mention of being in a relationship. “Being with you isn’t a sacrifice,” I tell him. Willo rolls to his side, my hand still playing with his chest. “The Panthers’ head of PR caught up with me after the game and offered me a gig with them next year.”

“A-ha,” Willo says. There’s no way to read into those two syllables. “ Your driving is so confident now. You could commute.” The end of Willo’s sentence trails up as if he’s asking a question.

“I think you missed the bit where I told you I like it down here,” I tell him. “I’m not taking it. They’d make me stop our podcast, and there’s word they want to trade Ricky, so it’s not like he’d be there.”

“Jenny said she’d get a visa for you, didn’t she?” Willo asks.

“Yeah, and Kim told me last week that the head of PR at the Monarchs wants to meet with me. I don’t think I’m meant to tell you.”

I physically feel Willo relax under my touch. “That’s good.”

“I haven’t told Brittany yet, but I think I’m going to stay.” Willo lunges towards me and once again locks lips with mine. I think this means he’s happy with my plans. Sure, I’d hinted at them, but now they’re out in the universe. I just have to make them happen.

“So, sorry,” Willo pulls apart from the kiss. “You’re okay with me having had the snip?”

“I am,” I tell him, trying to pull him on top of me again. “And you know my tests were clear at the start of the season.”

“I gathered that.” Willo still tries to hold me at arm’s length, but I swing my leg over his and sigh as I feel my pussy sink onto his bare cock.

This feels like home.

Neither of us got a lot of sleep last night. We were both insatiable. I thought not having to worry about disposing of condoms would see us roll off each other into each other’s arms, but Willo insisted on cleaning me up after he came inside me. I know he had unprotected sex with Cara, but this is new for me.

I wake to the sound of children’s voices. Thank heavens Willo locked the bedroom door.

“But where’s Paige?” I hear Luna wail. “She said she was going to sleep in my room. ”

“She’s around.” I hear Nicola trying to redirect Willo’s youngest. “Now grab your coats. We’re going for pancakes.”

“Pancakes?” Jackson screams as I picture him sliding down the timber floorboards of the hallway on the way to putting on his shoes.

“Come on, Billy. LEGO can wait.” Gio must be doing something to Luna, as she’s giggling away. “And come on, Enzo. It’s your own fault you’ve got a headache.”

Soon, car doors are closed, and I hear the tyres heading away from the house. Everything is quiet except Duchess whimpering outside the window.

“I wouldn’t mind pancakes,” I tell Willo, our legs intertwined and his arms holding me in place.

“I could do another cream pie and then organise something. Maybe bacon?” Willo nips at my neck, his hands finding my breasts.

“I think you’re liking this cream pie business.” I lean a hand over and stroke down his muscular thigh.

“I’m liking this Paige business.” Willo rolls on top of me and is soon deep inside me.

After a languid shower, together, of course, we dress and head to the kitchen. Willo lets Duchess in, and she makes a huge fuss of me being home. Willo fries bacon, eggs, and mushrooms as I make myself a coffee and am guided in making a pot of tea.

“You need to do your postgame swim stuff, I presume?” I take our plates to the kitchen bench, where I’ve previously laid out cutlery for us both.

“Yeah. I’ll head to the beach later. It will be cold enough. I’ll take Duchess for a walk and check the stock. Is there anything you need to do?” Willo bites on a piece of perfectly crispy bacon before feeding the other half to me. I don’t think anyone’s ever fed me before. Most people tell me I eat too much. Just another way Willo makes me feel as though I’m perfect as I am .

“I don’t think so. I mean, apart from laundry, I suppose.”

“And we need to move your things into our room.” We eat our breakfast in silence, however, we keep grinning at each other, both of us seemingly content with how things are. After we finish, Willo kisses me on the head as he stands and moves our empty plates to the dishwasher.

Our room. I’ve never had an ‘our’ anything before. At the back of my mind, I feel this is moving too fast, and we need to wait a little before changing everything. I keep my mouth closed though, fearful of bursting the little bubble we’ve created.

Duchess is probably the most excited to be going to see the stock. We start with the cows. There’s only a handful of heifers now that the steers have made their way to wherever young steers go. I decide not to ask. At least they aren’t baby dairy cows who are removed from their mothers at birth. The lambs are busy jumping around in the paddock, and I love seeing how fast they’re growing. Willo counts the stock and checks on one of the ewes who was limping the other day. She seems fine now.

The rain we’ve had has seen enough growth in the paddocks to feed the stock. Neighbouring properties who are growing grains and grasses seem happy with the season so far. It’s a crisp morning, but the sun on our faces provides some warmth.

Along the drive, the first daffodils and jonquils of the season are almost blooming. We never had flowers on the farm when I was growing up. Mr Williams said it was a waste of water and pure frivolity. I think Mrs Williams would have liked the frivolousness of them.

It’s almost perfect timing as we reach the gate to the house and see the family returning from their breakfast outing. We wait at the gate until they’ve pulled up. I don’t even notice that our hands are still joined as they had been for the entire walk.

Willo’s been throwing a stick for Duchess, who retrieves it and drops it at his feet, waiting for him to throw it again. As soon as she sees Billy out of the car, though, she drops it at his feet. Billy goes to run off with Duchess towards the old hay shed, but stops at his father’s voice.

“Kids, can we have a bit of a chat before everyone scatters?” he calls after Billy.

“Do you want us to make ourselves scarce?” Nicola all but whispers in Willo’s ear, her hand on his arm, a huge smile encompassing her face.

“No, I think we can all grab a cuppa and have a bit of a chat.” Willo rubs his hand through Jackson’s hair as Luna tells me all about the pancake stack she ate with strawberries and cream.

Willo warms some milk on the stove to make hot chocolate as Gio boils the kettle to make a pot of tea. We talked a little about what we want to say to the kids, but now that it’s crunch time, my mouth is dry, and my hands won’t stop shaking.

Luna doesn’t pick up on my nerves, rattling on about this and that. She really is a chatterbox. Billy sits at the end of the table, his handheld game in his hand, but it’s not switched on. Jackson grabs milk and sugar for the tea and places them on the table, and Willo brings over the jug of hot chocolate. Gio is already sitting next to Nicola, pouring tea from the pot.

A cup is placed in front of me, but I know my hands are too shaky to pick it up. Luna sits next to me on one side, ever my shadow, and Willo sits next to me on the other side.

“Come on, Uncle Enzo,” Jackson calls.

“Coming, sorry. I was just taking a call.” Enzo pockets his phone as he sits down between Billy and Jackson.

“Where’s Aunt Lucy?” Jackson asks as he slurps hot chocolate from a spoon.

“Aunt Lucy and I are getting a divorce, and I’m moving back to Bunyip Falls,” Enzo explains matter-of-factly to his nephew.

“Yay.” Luna throws her arms in the air, forcing me to reach for my cup, which almost goes flying. “I never liked Aunt Lucy.”

Enzo laughs, but doesn’t comment.

“So, the reason we’re here.” Willo squeezes my leg, while I’m focussing on breathing. “A few months ago, you asked if Paige was my girlfriend, and I told you I’d tell you if things changed. Well, they have changed. Paige has been very patient with me, because I’ve been a bit focussed on other things, but she’s decided she’s not going back to America at the end of the year, and she’ll stay here and live with us.”

The table is silent. I don’t think the kids understood a word their father said. “What your father means is that we are boyfriend and girlfriend, but we wanted to make sure that this is alright with the three of you,” I say before reaching for my tea and spilling some into the saucer.

“I think it’s lovely.” Nicola stands and comes around the table, kissing both Willo and me on the cheeks. “Cara would be thrilled to see you happy, Willo.”

“Is that all?” Billy asks, his voice as stiff as his movements as he stands from the table.

“Yeah.” Willo nods at him, but doesn’t tell him to sit back down. “Have you got any questions?”

“Nope.” Billy pops the ‘p’ before heading out the door. Enzo follows him.

“Does that mean you’ll be our mum?” Luna asks, her eyes wide.

“She’s American, silly, it’s mom for her,” Jackson chides.

“Jackson,” Willo warns.

“No, Lunes. Your mum will always be your mum, and you’ll still feel her love for you every day. Her photos are staying around the house, and I look forward to hearing about more memories people have of her,” I say and notice Nicola wiping a tear from her eye. Her smile is still there, and I can only imagine how bittersweet this is for her and Gio.

Luna has a birthday party to go to. After pancakes and hot chocolate, she is already high on sugar, so I hate to imagine what she’ll be like after cake. Her grandparents had planned to take her, and reluctantly, she lets them.

Enzo returns and simply shakes his head. I don’t know if that’s good or bad news about Billy.

Of course I want him to like me, but I can’t force the issue.

It’s Thursday, and Billy is still ignoring me. Willo flew out to Perth yesterday to play tomorrow night. Murray was meant to come and stay before taking the kids back to Lovemore Gap for the weekend, however, he got delayed at a meeting. Let’s just say I survived my first night with the kids by myself.

Fortunately, Moira collected the kids from school and brought them home, preparing dinner for us all. That woman is a saint. She’s still refusing to come on the podcast, which is annoying. I know she’d be amazing with her tales of looking after young players when they leave home. Her argument is that these are not her stories to tell.

It was like a switch was flicked once she’d left, though. Billy retreated to his room and closed the door. Jackson brought in a muddy Duchess and chased her around the house, and Luna, well, she refused to sleep. They were late for school this morning, and I was late for work. I don’t know how Willo does it.

My cell rings, and I see it’s the club number. I hope nothing has happened to Willo . “Hello.” My voice is high, and I knock a pot of pens to the ground.

“Paige, it’s Darren McIntyre from the club.”

Darren is a former player who studied PR during his playing days and post retirement has taken over all things marketing for the Monarchs. I’ve met him a couple of times, and he’s always been so warm and genuine. I’ve met many salespeople in my career, many of whom would be caricatured as balding men with pot bellies in ill-fitting suits with a comb-over. Darren is nothing like this. He still has the physique of a football player, a full head of pepper?-?dark hair, even if there are some salty highlights around the edges.

“First, Jane’s been hassling me to invite you and Willo and the kids to a barbecue at our place sometime. It’s too long overdue.”

“That sounds lovely.” I’m immediately at ease. Jane McIntyre is a local newsreader who could have had an international career, but stayed in Bayview Cove with Darren, her childhood sweetheart .

“I can’t guarantee when though.” He laughs. “I’ve got the Monarchs’ fixture in front of me, and my son’s fixtures. But that’s not really why I’m calling. You see, I was hoping you’d consider joining us at the Monarchs as part of our team.”

“Wow.” The pens on the floor are long forgotten. This feels totally different from when Trudy offered me a job with the Panthers last weekend. “What would it involve?”

“Well, we’d like to work around you and your strengths. I mean, the podcast has been a phenomenal success. You have such a lovely manner when interviewing guests, and you seem to get them to bring out snippets that others may not. It’s the sign of a talented journalist. I think some more social media, getting you to do one-on-one interviews with players and officials that we can share online. Maybe some in-depth interviews when players are celebrating milestone games.” Darren rattles these things off the top of his head, as if there has been a plan in place.

“I’ll have to talk to Jenny if that’s okay?” I ask.

“Of course, of course. And I presume there’s visa considerations? I mean, the Monarchs would be more than happy to take over sponsorship, if that’s what you’re after.”

“When do you need an answer by?” I ask.

“Look, it’s the tail end of the season. We’ll be playing finals footy, there’s no doubt about that. I just don’t want you signing anywhere else when there’s a chance you might consider working for us.” I can’t get over how genuinely interested in my career Darren sounds.

“Yeah, well, the Panthers offered me a job last weekend.” I chuckle.

“Shit. Well, if we’re too late…”

“No, don’t worry. I’d like to stay in Bayview Cove,” I quickly confirm. “Can I give you an answer next week?”

“Sounds good. Talk then.”

I drop my phone to my desk and stare at it, amazed. If anyone had told me after Lyle said those dreadful things on the air that I’d still have a career and have potential employers fighting over me, I’d have laughed in their face. Bending down, I pick up the pens I dropped, and my phone rings again.

My face breaks into a huge grin when I see it’s Willo. “Good morning. I thought you might be training or something.”

I’d sent him a text when I got to work, but Perth is two hours behind us, and I’m not sure what his schedule has on today.

“Hey. No, I’ve been for a run. Look, I’ve just had the school on the phone. I can’t reach Murray. Um, Billy’s in the principal’s office. Apparently, he punched a kid in his class. I hate to ask?—”

“I’m grabbing my bag and heading there now. I’ll sort this out.” Am I reassuring him or me? “I’ll call you as soon as I know anything. Billy’s not a fighter. There’s more to this.”

“Thank you.” Willo sounds drained.

I throw my laptop into my bag and grab the charger. Jenny’s in a meeting with her door closed. “Hey, Deb, there’s a problem at school. Can you tell Jen I’m going to work from home for the rest of the day?”

“Luna sick again? Where’s Willo?” Deb asks.

“No, Billy’s in the principal’s office. Willo’s in Perth for the game this week.” I shake my head before racing out the door.

It’s not like Billy at all. I’m hoping he hasn’t acted out because of me. His dad’s on the other side of the country, and I’m probably the last person he wants to see.

I’m surprised I don’t get a speeding ticket on my way there. I run several red lights and swear at a driver who cuts in front of me. Soon though, I’m pulling into the school. I don’t care that the car is parked across two spaces, and I’m not even sure I’ve locked it properly as I fly up the steps into the administration area.

“Hi, I’m here for Billy Lovemore,” I say breathlessly to the woman who sits behind the desk. “His father should have said I was coming.”

The woman looks unimpressed as she glances at me over her glasses.

“Paige?” I hear Angelique’s voice before she pops out from behind the office, a mug of coffee in her hand.

“What…” I know she’s Luna’s teacher.

“My class is at physical education. I’m doing some prep work. What are you doing here?” She comes around out of the office and gives me a hug I didn’t know I needed.

“Billy’s in the principal’s office. He punched someone.”

“Billy?” Angelique looks as puzzled as I feel. “I’ll show you through.” Angelique guides me by the elbow. As soon as we’re out of earshot of the front office, she adds, “Don’t worry about the bulldog at the desk. She hates all of us.”

Angelique knocks on the door, and I enter when told to by a gruff voice on the other side. A young-looking man sits at the desk, tapping away at his computer. He can’t be much older than me. Billy sits in a chair opposite him, staring at his hands, which are folded in his lap. He looks so small and vulnerable.

“Hey, Billy, are you okay?” I race over and crouch next to him, drawing him into a hug. He goes stiff at first, before relaxing and bursting into tears.

“Mrs Lovemore. I’m Principal Harris, and Billy is in serious trouble.”

I ignore the principal, kneeling next to Billy after passing him a Kleenex. The poor kid looks mortified to be sitting here. There’s a chair next to Billy’s, but I stay close to him on the floor.

“What happened, mate?” I ask, one hand on his knee, the other on his shoulder.

“He punched a child,” the principal responds.

“Excuse me, but I asked Billy,” I fire back. “Sorry, mate, do you want to tell me what happened?”

Billy shrugs. “I punched Dylan Schultz.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Mrs Lovemore, assault is a serious?—”

“I’m sorry, Mr Harris, but my name is Paige Larson. I should have introduced myself.” If Billy wasn’t here, I’d jump across the desk and throttle this prick.

“You’re the nanny then?” He pushes his glasses up his nose.

“She’s my dad’s partner,” Billy says.

My heart explodes into a million butterflies that float around my body. Hearing these words from Billy’s lips is like the sweetest song resonating through my body.

“So, why did you punch Dylan?” I ask again, raising a palm in a stop motion behind me towards Mr Harris.

“He’s been teasing me.” Billy pulls at the Kleenex, tiny fragments falling all over his trousers.

“For how long?” I ask.

“Since the start of the season,” Billy all but whispers.

“And what’s he been saying?” I ask.

“That my mum left me and that my dad is so desperate that he can only score a fat chick and that she’ll leave too, once my dad has had enough of her. Of you.” His voice is soft, but it’s clear, despite his earlier tears.

“Oh, honey.” I throw my arms around him again, this time, tears escaping my eyes. I know what it’s like to have a mother desert you. “And this has been going on for months?”

Billy nods. “This morning, he was at me again. He was going on about you being fat and sitting with Ricky Faith at the football and how you’d already moved on.”

“Well, um…” Mr Harris pretends to arrange a pile of papers on his desk.

“Billy is coming with me today. Jackson and Luna won’t be at school tomorrow. Billy is not suspended, but I think you need to talk to Dylan and his guardians. It’s appalling that this bullying wasn’t identified sooner. And yes, I agree that violence is never the answer. At least it gave Billy a voice at last. C’mon, mate, we’re going for a milkshake and burgers.” I stand and place my hands on Billy’s shoulders as I lead him from the office. I don’t care what the principal has to say. No one treats someone I care about like this.