Chapter 6 - Xavier

Xavier

“ R eady to get your ass whipped, Maddox?” Cade spun the ball in his hands before placing it on the penalty marker.

“Not in this lifetime, Gallagher.” I grinned, throwing my hands up, making myself as tall and long as possible.

Cade stilled his body, letting his shoulders relax. He breathed in deep, looking just past my left shoulder. To an untrained eye, it appeared he’d kick in that direction. But I knew better. Cade’s stance, while static, gave away his secrets. The way his hips tilted slightly to his left revealed that he’d kick the ball so it curved to my right.

It flew off the side of his foot with a thud, carrying small blades of grass through the air. I lunged to my right, punching it away with ease.

“Like I said, not in this lifetime. Let’s go again.”

Cade loved a challenge as much as I did. And holy shit, did he have a leg. Each time I punched away the ball or caught it, the velocity vibrated through my hands. He knew my weaknesses as well as I knew his, so a few balls did find the back of the net. Gallagher was talented and savvy enough to know that if he kicked it just a fraction of an inch above the span of my arms, he’d score every time.

“Hey.”

We both looked to the sideline and saw one of the second team defenders, Adam Bourne, walking toward us.

Fuck me.

I scowled.

“Little brother on approach,” Cade snickered. “Wasn’t expecting it to be a family affair today.”

“ Step -brother,” I growled. Why he’d shown up here was a mystery to me. He was, in all ways possible, a first rate twat.

“What’s up, Adam?” Cade sauntered over to him.

I followed, grabbing my water bottle for a quick drink.

“Just saw you both out here. Wondering why Xavier is in goal, though.”

“We’re having a quick training session for when he returns. Nothing more.”

Adam folded his arms across his chest, his pointed stare in my direction made my blood start to boil.

“You really think your suspension will be finished next week,” he sneered. “My money’s on you serving at least two more before the championship matches start.”

“You really want to do this, Adam?” I asked, spreading my arms out.

“What are you gonna do? Sucker punch me like you did to Simmons? Or maybe Donovan? That bullshit doesn’t belong on this pitch. Or did you forget that already?”

We were just about standing nose to nose at this point. I could flatten him in seconds if pushed that far. And I would love to do it.

“Hey, hey, whoa.” Cade ran between us, separating us as best he could. “The fuck is wrong with you Adam? Back off.”

Neither one of us moved. It would be a cold day in hell before I backed down first, so I held my stance, glaring at my step-brother. Growing up with him was one thing. Having him as a teammate tested my limits daily. Wild energy coursed through my veins. It simmered just below the surface, ready to swallow me whole.

“You’re nothing but a hot-tempered prima donna,” he bit out. “Dad’s right. You haven’t changed one bit since that summer.”

I swung at him without a second thought, bracing for the all too familiar feeling of flesh and bone colliding. Instead, I stumbled back a couple feet, restrained by Cade’s muscular grip. He’d somehow managed to prevent my fist from connecting with the prick’s face.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “Let it go, mate. He’s not worth it.”

We exchanged the same look of knowing. Knowing what happened all those summers ago when Adam and I were always at each other’s throats at youth football. The fights. The taunts. The scuffling. His jealousy over Cade and I being chosen for something he wanted never subsided.

His misfortune of getting wrapped up with the wrong people. My misguided loyalty to keep him out of trouble. And then that one night. That one fucking night.

I sucked in a breath, pushing against Cade’s grip.

“Not worth it,” my friend repeated. “Please.”

His pleading was the only thing stopping me. I glared at Adam from behind Cade’s shoulder.

“Watch that smart ass look, Xavier,” Adam taunted from a safe distance.

“Or what?” I yelled, the muscles in my jaw twitching.

“Enough.” Cade spun around and stood toe-to-toe with Adam. “Take your fucking face somewhere else or I’ll be more than happy to provide the service for you.”

Shooting one last indignant glance in my direction, Adam stormed off. I swore under my breath, grabbing my gym bag.

“Let’s call it a day, yeah?” Cade asked .

I looked at my friend and pushed out a sigh.

“Yeah. Enough for today.”

“Want to go downtown for a pint?”

The last place I wanted to be was London. “Let’s go to Black Rose instead. I’d rather not be in the city.”

Cade looked at me like he sometimes does when he can’t figure me out. Our friendship has been like this since we were twelve. I’d make an off-handed, cryptic remark. He’d stare like I’d presented him with hieroglyphics. I often wondered what it was about me that both fascinated and confounded him.

“Black Rose it is,” he replied. “My treat. See you there in a hour?”

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, making my way to the car park.

“You alright?” Cade asked, fidgeting with his empty beer glass. “You’ve seemed on edge all afternoon, even before that arse show up.”

“I’ll live.”

“No offense, mate, but your brother can be a real prick. Everyone knows it. I’m glad you’re back in goal next week. Hasn’t been the same without the greatest keeper to ever wear the RCA kit.”

“Again with the accolades.” I smirked. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“That’s not what you said to me earlier,” Dawn said in a sing-song voice, flashing one of her megawatt smiles. “You boys need a refill?”

“Dawn, you always know what we need. Marry us?” Cade grabbed her hand, kissing it dramatically. “Ray won’t mind.”

“The hell he won’t.” Ray Halston appeared beside his wife, a good-natured smile touching his lips. “You two are nothing but trouble.”

“The good kind, Ray. The good kind.” Cade laughed. All we needed to complete our little group was Bennet. A roar erupted from the other side of the bar .

“Looks like United just notched another win.” Ray chuckled and leaned against the counter.

“Our match with them is going to be cracking,” Cade exclaimed, standing up. “Next round’s on me.”

Another loud cheer filled the pub. Cade was notorious for being a crowd pleaser. Of course, that meant we’d be surrounded in no time.

And we were.

I drank in the attention, like I always do. So did Cade. We bantered with the fans, shared a few stories and posed for photos. This lot was much more amicable than the drunk arse from the other night.

“I always seem to miss all the big fun.” Bennet sauntered over as the crowd dispersed. His casual sarcasm made Cade and I laugh.

“Maybe if you showed up on time, mate,” Cade teased.

Bennet rolled his eyes and sat with us. “I’ve been caught up all day with my sister and the girls. Much more enjoyable than you.”

“Good old Uncle Benny.” Cade jumped up, ruffled Bennet’s hair and draped his arms around him. “How do you make it look so easy?”

I thought Bennet was going to throw Cade into next Thursday. The look on his face was pure exasperation. I stifled a laugh and took a long swallow of beer.

“Leave the man alone,” I scolded.

“You,” Cade pointed at me and returned to his seat, “still haven’t spilled what happened last night with the hot American.”

I gripped the glass tighter, shooting him a dirty look.

Bennet glanced at me curiously. “The one from the Legends?”

“Ah. My third prince has arrived.” Dawn flashed a warm, wide grin. “You all look like kings on your thrones.”

Thank fuck she interrupted at just the right moment. The absolute last thing I planned to do was tell these two about Victoria. Just thinking about her was enough to do me in.

The part of me I’d been ignoring all day muscled its way to the forefront of my consciousness. Allowing myself to drown in thoughts of what we’d done last night wasn’t just dangerous, it was fatal. Some deep, unknown part of me longed for her in ways I’d never imagined possible.

She was gone by the time I woke up this morning. No trace of her remained in my London flat, except for the faint smell of her perfume on my pillow. She didn’t even leave her number. Shouldn’t surprise me though. No follow up contact was one of my preferred traits of a one night stand.

And that’s what I’d wanted, right? Only one night with her. One night to see how much I could take.

Boy was I wrong.

“Xavier.” Dawn’s voice snapped me back to the present. “What can I get you, love?”

“Do you have gorgeous, redheaded Americans on the menu?” Cade asked, looking pointedly at me. “He seems to be quite interested in those these days.”

The murderous stare I aimed at him did not go unnoticed by Bennet or Dawn. Now it was my turn to fantasize about throwing him into next week.

“Watch yourself, Gallagher,” I warned.

He just laughed in his Cade way. Dismissive. Unaffected. Almost as if to say lighten up, you tosser .

“You must be speaking about Victoria.” Dawn smiled. “I saw you two flirting the other night. She’s a firecracker, that one.”

All three of us looked at her. She saw our expressions and chuckled.

“I’ve known her and her family for a long time. They used to come here while on holiday in the summer months.” Sadness swept across her features. “Not anymore though. Pity.” She sighed and appeared to collect herself so as not to reveal anything further. “Come let me know what you want to eat when you’re ready.”

I took another long swallow of beer and watched her walk away. Didn’t really feel like eating anything anyway .

Bennet and Cade bickered back and forth about the match on now. Both clubs were in the bottom three. I couldn’t be bothered caring about relegation or goal differentials right now. Not when every piece of me wanted something I couldn’t have.

A dormant part of me had stirred the second I pulled off the road to see if she was having car trouble. It grew restless while we flirted at the pub. Her whispered demands of more and harder woke it the fuck up last night. I’d buried that part for a reason. I promised myself it would stay buried.

But then Victoria happened with her soft beauty and melodic laughter and sexy, dirty confessions. I wanted to hear all of them. I wanted to know all of her. And not just in the carnal, physical way.

I wanted to know her thoughts on random, everyday shit. How she took her tea. If she even drank tea. Probably a coffee person. If she curled up on her couch at night to binge Netflix shows. What —if anything— I had to do to impress her.

Things I couldn’t easily learn from an internet search, which I have yet to do, thank you very much.

I flexed my hand. I wanted to hear her laugh. It was so pleasant and bright.

This is crazy. I’ll never see her again. Last night was it.

“You’re awfully quiet, mate.” Cade’s booming voice cut through the thoughts that slowly wrecked me.

I sighed, leaning back in the chair. “Sorry.”

“No worries. Want some chips?”

“No thanks.”

Bennet placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, a look of concern on his face. “Did something happen?”

“Other than his brother being a twat? No.” Cade scowled before taking a drink. “This match is lame. Another round or should I settle up?”

I knew what Bennet meant though. It had nothing to do with football or arguments.

He checked his watch. “Settle up.” He turned to me after Cade walked away. “Everything okay?”

I shrugged.

“That’s not an answer. Tell me what’s going on.”

I almost did. I almost spilled what happened with Victoria. Almost. But that would lead to more questions.

“Nothing,” I sighed, rubbing my thumb along my lip. “Same shit, different day, you know?”

“I know. And I worry, Xavier.”

I bristled at his tone. “And I’ve told you that’s not necessary.”

We stared intently at one another, each trying to convince the other of something.

“Hey, you two look like you’re about to fuck or fight. Which is it?” Cade sat down, folded his arms and stared at us.

“Neither,” I muttered as Bennet relaxed his grip and sat back.

Cade eyed both of us. “The mood got really bloody tense. One of you needs to tell me why.”

Bennet quirked an eyebrow in his posh, matter-of-fact way. Everything about him was so damn prim and proper.

“Nobody needs to tell anybody anything, Gallagher.” Bennet’s tone sharpened.

“Fine. Whatever,” Cade grumbled. “You going to be at the old estate tonight Bennet? I know it’s Sunday but I figured we could hang in our spot. Have a whisky or four.”

Bennet’s fingers tapped on his glass. “Well, I live there you muppet so yeah.” He turned to me. “You plan on coming?”

Tempting. “Think I’m gonna stay here, mate. Not really feeling London tonight. Reckon I should use my house more than the flat.”

“The infamous Maddox stag pad.” Cade rose from his seat, knocking back the rest of his beer. “The stories that place could tell.”

Bennet and I followed him out into the cool late afternoon breeze and said our goodbyes. They finalized their plans for later this evening. Both told me to text them if I changed my mind. Pretty sure I wouldn’t but stranger things have happened.

My phone vibrated the second I climbed into my car. “Cade,” I muttered, looking at his text.

Cade: You really should come. Been a while since we’ve all been there together.

I scrubbed my face with my hands and ran them through my hair. Normally I’d just go. But for some reason I didn’t feel like it this time.

Yes, for some reason.

A reason with silky smooth skin and soft auburn hair. A reason that smells like winter but tastes like spring. I gripped the steering wheel and started to drive.

I can’t have her.

The thought made me flinch.

Maybe I should go down to London. Move on to the next one. There’s always someone willing and able. I am Xavier Fucking Maddox after all.

Shit. I don’t want to be that guy anymore.

I was almost home. Almost.

Don’t give in, don’t turn around, don’t be that guy , I chanted to myself. After a couple minutes I felt a little better.

A flurry of activity in front of one of the houses on my street caught my attention. Several cars were parked near it, which struck me as odd. This particular home had been empty since I’d moved here nearly ten years ago. Every so often I’d see gardeners tidying up the lawn or clearing out the brush from all the rose bushes but that was it.

I slowed down and pulled over, wondering if whoever owned it finally put it up for sale. It’s a really nice house. The kind those Hollywood types would scoop up for some Christmas-themed rom-com. The whole village could be in a movie with its little cobblestone streets and cozy shops and English charm. I laughed at myself. I always appreciated architecture but a location scout, I was not.

A man and woman engaged in a tense discussion by the front door. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed someone exit one of the cars. She stormed over toward them carrying a large envelope.

My heart stilled.

Victoria had piled her hair up in a loose bun, exposing the delicate skin of her neck. Gone was the sexy cream-colored outfit from last night’s event. Instead, she wore jeans and a loose-fitting top. It was just as sexy and made my cock just as hard.

I ran my hand through my hair, debating whether or not to get out. The conversation between them appeared heated.

“Fuck it,” I muttered, exiting my car.

The sound of Victoria’s distressed voice carried across the yard.

“This is not happening,” she proclaimed. “I can’t make it any clearer. I have all the necessary paperwork from my attorney plus a full payment ready for transfer. We’re done here.”

“Your mother already—“

“My mother has no say in what I do anymore,” she yelled. “I’m paying double what you were offered. It’s done.”

“That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard,” the man standing in front of the door exclaimed. “This offer was agreed to before you even got off the plane. Helena made it clear she’d be sending someone to finalize everything and sign the paperwork to close it out.”

“Ms. Chase, please,” the woman said in a soft, even tone. “I realize this is hard for you and the fam—“

“I’m not signing anything that originated with my mother or her lawyer. If you want to close on this house,” she lifted the envelop, “this is the only deal you’re being offered.”

I paused at the edge of the lawn. Her voice was tinted with real pain. I didn’t like hearing her so upset. I wanted to make it better for her in some way. Seeing her this agitated sparked a deep, non-negotiable urge to protect her. Fiercely protect her. My hands balled into fists .

“Hey, what’s going on here,” I demanded, stalking over to them.

When Victoria turned I had the same reaction I always did. Her beauty was strong enough to knock me down. So was the look of utter shock consuming her gorgeous features.

“This doesn’t concern—“ The man glanced at me with a haughty attitude before he recognized me. “You’re Xavier Maddox.”

“This isn’t the time or place for that bullshit, mate,” I growled. “I’ll ask one more time. What’s going on here.”

This idiot practically fell over himself walking toward me. “You don’t understand. I’m B-Ben Arrington,” he stammered, “from Building As One. Your club has done a lot of work with us—“

“Still doesn’t answer my question.” I crossed my arms, staring down at him.

“We’re purchasing this cottage to renovate it.”

“Sounds like the lady here doesn’t want that to happen.”

Ben regained some of his composure. “I understand but it’s not hers. It belongs to her parents.” He shot Victoria a petulant look that made me want to rearrange his entire body. “They’ve already accepted the offer. We just need—“

“Yeah, I heard all of it from the street,” I retorted, ignoring Victoria’s open-mouthed stare. “Has any money actually exchanged hands between you and her family. Any promissory notes?”

“No.”

“I’m no expert but it sounds like there’s no actual sale yet.”

“Mr. Maddox, we appreciate your interest,” the woman interjected, “but this is a private matter.”

“And you are?” I inquired.

“Natalie Moran. I’m the realtor.”

“Perfect. What’s the asking price?”