22. C H E L S I E

TWENTY-TWO

C H E L S I E

Chelsie, we’re sorry for the other night. We are. Please, let us make it up to you. We want to see you again before the vow renewal. Mum & Dad xx

“Hey, everything okay?” Gary asks as we pile back into his car. My mood has turned completely sour despite what must’ve just been the most incredible meet-the-parents in existence.

Gary’s family is amazing, his parents included, and it only makes me wish that my last visit with my own was just as pleasant…

“Yeah.” I swallow, re-reading the text message once more before I shove my phone back into my bag. “Things are fine.”

“ Chelsie .” I know he knows that I’m lying. “What’s wrong, love?” He frowns, unconvinced. “You know you can talk to me, right?”

I sink back into my seat, closing my eyes to tune out the world until, eventually, I cock my head in his direction—too tired to withhold the truth.

“You know how I went home last week, right?” I ask him rhetorically. “Well.” I toy anxiously with my fingers. “I never told you, but my parents ended up inviting an unwarranted guest…”

Gary’s face drops.

I don’t even have to say Simon’s name for him to know exactly who I’m talking about.

He knows.

“Seriously?” I watch as his jaw clenches. “Are you taking the piss?”

I release a long, drawn-out breath as I'm reminded of the events of that evening. “I wish I was.” I rub along my temples to soothe the imminent headache I can feel coming on. Simon has that effect on me. “But I got out of there almost immediately. My mum and dad knew I was mad, and since then, they haven’t stopped reaching out to apologize.”

I scan my phone in Gary’s direction, his eyes peering over at the screen to read it before he looks down in thought.

It’s apparent he’s angry… pissed even, but whatever emotion he’s feeling, he’s quick to resolve it as his hand gravitates to brush soft circles on my cheek.

“I’m sorry they did that to you, love,” he apologizes on their behalf. “That wasn’t fair to you. I don’t know what they were thinking.”

I sink into the comfort that is his touch. “It’s okay,” I tell him, even though it’s not. It’s really not. “The only problem is, my mum and dad want to see me again to apologize before their vow renewal.”

“Vow renewal?” he asks.

I shake my head.

“It’s a long story. I just… I don’t think I can go back there, Gary. I don’t want to face them alone and what if Simon shows up again, huh? I could’ve sworn he was this close…” I pinch my fingers together. “To telling my parents that I’m here. It’s like he’s trying to hang it over my head.” I firmly shut my eyes as my head falls inevitably into my hands. “I just… don’t know what to do.”

Gary allows for a silence to pass between us before he speaks up. “How about I come with you?” he proposes, prompting me to look up at him.

“What?” I straighten my spine in disbelief,

“You heard me. I said I’ll come with you.” He reaches out to hold onto my palms, rubbing them soothingly. “I’ll be there to look out for you, Chels, and if Simon shows up, then guess what?” He raises his right fist into the air. “He’ll have another thing coming.”

I can’t help but laugh. Even in my darkest thoughts, Gary always has a way of forcing a smile out of me.

“I don’t know.” I can’t help but feel somewhat reluctant to his offer, given that throughout all of this, I’ve failed to mention that my parents think Gary is my boyfriend, and after that awkward denial at dinner with Gary’s family, I’m definitely not going to let him in on that little secret.

Should I have said to his family that we are boyfriend and girlfriend?

I mean, we’re acting like a couple, but are we?

Labels… fuck . Things are so good right now, putting a label on things… I don’t want it to change what we are. Besides, the last time I put a label on something good, something bad only came out of it…

“Listen, love,” Gary pulls me out of that thought and into his arms. “I don’t want to push it. But the offer stands. You just let me know, okay?”

I nod ever so faintly as he twists his key into the car’s ignition and re-merges back onto the road, quickly changing the topic of conversation after a few minutes of cruising in comfortable silence.

“Did you have a good time tonight with my wild family?” He flashes me a cheeky stare.

My mood instantly inflates. “Are you kidding? Your family is the best! I’m so glad we ended up staying for dinner.”

Dimples form on either side of Gary’s cheeks as he smiles this time. I can’t help but admire him. “You’re a great big brother, you know that?” I can’t help but compliment the way each and every one of his siblings dotes on him—especially Georgie.

“You don’t have to say that,” he rejects my praise with a brush of his hand.

“What, why?” I frown. “Your siblings love you, and don’t even get me started on your parents. You’re totally their golden boy. They’re so proud of you, and I mean, they have every right to be. You’ve done amazing, Gary, seriously . We only just met, and already, I’m proud of you…”

Dinner brought more than just some laughs and awkward moments. Tonight, I got to hear all about not only Gary’s upbringing but also how hard he’s worked to get where he is today. Very few people in this world possess such determination at a young age, but for Gary, it’s like it was built into his DNA.

It comes as no shock to me that he’s achieved each of his goals—his dreams so early on in life. But something tells me that there’s so much more in store. This is only the beginning. It has to be…

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re flirting with me again, Chelsie.” Gary narrows in his stare, chewing on the inside of his cheek to suppress the smile that I’m aching to see.

“Call it what you want, Gary,” I tell him, nudging him playfully as we come to a set of traffic lights. “I’m just telling you the truth. That’s all.”

With his free hand, he brushes through my hair. “Thank you, Chels.” He nods, and for some reason, the look on his face reads as if he’s never had a sincere praise in his life.

Sure, at his games, the fans go wild when it comes to expressing their love towards him, but it’s like no one has ever complimented him like this before—admired him on the soft spots of his heart— his family .

“I try my best,” he tells me, talking to the road as the light turns green. “My family is everything to me. So to hear you say that… it means a lot. It does.”

As Gary finally basks in my praise, the sun disappears into the night sky, and now the only light source is the street lamps that line the road and the moonlight that shines down from above.

“Hey!” I point against the glass as we seemingly drive past Crawfield’s stadium. “We’re near the field?”

Gary peers down to take in the view. “Sure are. It looks a whole lot different when all the lights are off, though, doesn't it?”

“Absolutely.” I nod. “Though I didn’t get a chance to see much of it last time I was there. I would’ve loved a tour.” I can’t help but remark as the stadium fades into the darkness.

Gary’s silent, yet his actions speak louder than words as all at once he abruptly turns the car around and speeds back towards the stadium.

“Gary!” I cry out, clutching onto my chair as he pulls into the car park and pulls his keys out of the ignition. “What are you doing?!”

“What?” He exits the car, racing towards my side to open up the door. “I’m going to give you a private tour.”

“Now?” I’m reluctant to unbuckle my seatbelt, looking around at the empty parking lot. “But… no one is here.”

He holds his hand out for me to grasp it. “Hence the term ‘private,’ Chelsie. C’mon.” He gestures his hand out once more. “Don’t be shy. I don’t bite.”

I playfully roll my eyes and clasp onto his hand. Once I do, stepping out of the car, he closes my door shut and eagerly guides me towards the front entrance.

“Isn’t it locked up?” I can’t help but question the logistics of his plan, hugging myself in comfort, not warmth. “I mean, how are we even going to get in?”

Gary toys with my question before an answer seemingly hits him. “Ever hopped a fence?” he asks, a look of pure mischief in his eyes as he looks back at me.

Panic immediately sets in.

“Gary, no,” I remark as I watch him effortlessly climb the fence and linger at the top with a leg dangling over either side. “Aren't there security cameras? Won’t it… set off an alarm or something?”

“Between me and you, love.” Gary leans down, dropping his voice to a loud whisper. “It’s broken. So, if there ever was a perfect time to trespass, it’s now. Besides…” He shrugs recklessly. “What’s the worst that could happen? Coach kicks me off the team? Yeah, right,” he scoffs, waving his hand before reaching out for me. “I’m his favorite. Now, let me help you up.”

Resistant to the plan I hold onto myself even tighter. “Gary, no. I can’t. This… this is a bad idea. We’re going to get caught.”

Steadying himself in place, Gary slumps his shoulders. “Do you trust me, Chelsie?” he asks.

I stutter. “I… uh…”

“Hmm?” He prompts me again, extending his hand that much further. “It’s a simple question, my girl . Do you trust me?”

I toy with an answer, though it’s abundantly obvious as it rests on the tip of my tongue. Of course I trust him. He’s never given me a reason not to.

I gulp, dwelling on the thought once more until finally, I accept his hand. As I do, I’m reminded of the emotion he evoked when we danced on top of the hill last week. That feeling of freedom… confidence… fearlessness that I’ve never felt with anyone but him.

“I promise I’d never steer you wrong.” Gary pulls up on my hand, helping me as I climb my way to the top, the two of us now sat face to face. “You know that, right, baby?”

I steady myself so that I don’t fall before hopping down to the other side and extending my hand up for him this time.

“Does this answer your question?”

He smirks down at me yet stays in place.

“What?” I mock, turning my head to the side. “Scared, Captain ?”

He jumps down, clutching onto my hand before bringing it to his lips. “With you.” He kisses my palm softly. “ Never .”

“And last, but certainly not least,” Gary’s voice bounces from wall to wall as he walks backward through the empty tunnel and out onto the field. “Here is my oasis!”

He’s been this theatrical with practically every room in the stadium he’s shown me so far.

“These are the offices!”

“These are the changerooms!”

“These are the bathrooms!”

I’ve never known someone to get so excited about a toilet, but now, as we reach the grass, I can tell he’s experiencing a different level of happiness.

“Though this part…” He’s back to searching for my face. “You’ve seen before.”

“Not like this.” I’m quick to refute, joining him by his side as I take in the view around me, absolutely astonished beyond belief. “This is… wow .” I can’t help but feel intimidated by the sheer number of vacant seats that surround us. “Do you ever get nervous?” I wonder.

“Not really.” He shrugs, completely nonchalant.

I shoot him a look of pure disbelief, placing my hands on either hip.

“What?” He laughs. “It’s true.”

I refuse to believe what he’s saying. “That’s crazy talk, Gary. I mean, look at this place.” I raise my hands into the air while doing a twirl. “It’s huge!”

Gary carefully follows behind me, running his hand along his bottom lip in the process. “I guess overtime I’ve grown comfortable.”

I stop in place. “Fair enough, maybe you’re not nervous anymore, but you must’ve been at some point, right? Are you even human?”

He laughs, teetering with my remark as he tucks his hands into either pocket. “Fine,” he caves. “I was nervous, once .” He takes slow steps towards me. “But funnily enough, it wasn’t during a game.”

“Oh?” I cock a brow with inquiry. “When was it then?”

He pulls both hands out of his pockets and places them onto my shoulders, turning me around so that my back rests firmly against his broad chest.

We’re like puzzle pieces fitting together.

“See that spot up there.” Gary points upwards towards the seats both Hazel and I sat in during the last game.

I gulp as his breath sends tingles down my spine. “Mhm?” I respond.

“Well…” He tucks some loose hair behind my ear, leaning in to whisper softly. “It turns out that during my last game there was this girl who was sitting there watching me…”

Goosebumps rise to my skin as he runs his calculated touch-up and down my arm, forcing me to shudder into his arms that much more

“And when I found out that that was the case…” He switches to my other ear, lips practically pressed against my cheek as he speaks this time. “Do you want to know how that made me feel, Chelsie?”

My heart pounds out of my chest. I want to fight this urge to look back at him, but the desire is too strong. I have to look at him. I have to see his face. I have to face him.

I turn around, only making him wrap his hands around my waist and not to subtly pull me in.

“How did it make you feel?” I look up at him, nestling our faces in close. I can’t tell if this heat between us is coming from me or him, or worse… both of us .

“Take a guess,” he hums against my lips, tempting me with his touch.

I suck in the air consumed by his scent. The answer is obvious, but this game… it’s addicting.

“ Nervous ?” I say, hoping it’s the wrong answer just so that we can keep on playing.

His lips curl into a smile as they rest against mine. It’s the only clarity I need.

“That’s right,” he tells me. “You make me nervous, Chelsie. You always have.” He gently tugs on my bottom lip with his teeth. “And I think you always will.”

All at once, my hands begin to clam up. My legs go weak, and by now, my heart is beating so fast that I’m confident I’m about to break a world record.

I refuse to believe that any of these responses are the result of nerves. The truth is, when I’m with Gary, I’m not nervous. I’m far from it. I feel safe with him—assured, but most of all, tempted …

Not only does Gary make me want to hop over fences, he makes me want to dismantle everyone I’ve ever put up, and right now, I don’t care that it’s pitch black and that we’re completely trespassing on private property. The point is we’re doing it together, and fuck… it’s exhilarating.

I refuse to say another word. I can’t. Because saying something else would take away too much time from crashing my lips into his.

It’s the only way to respond.

It takes seconds for me to seamlessly lose myself in the power of his touch, and before I know it, after seeking my approval, Gary picks me up, wraps both of my legs around his waist, and walks us over to one of the benches to firmly take a seat.

“Are you sure this is okay?” he asks, squeezing onto my hips as I straddle his lap. It’s criminal the way he stiffens beneath me as I grind into his below.

I nod desperately, aching to kiss him again, but he stops me with a finger against my lips. “Words, baby girl .” The moonlight reflects in his eyes as he looks up at me and without even needing to question it, I know he’s just come up with my newest and most favorite nickname of all. “I need words. Tell me, is this okay? Because if it’s not, we’ll stop. I swear it..”

“It’s okay,” I tell him, practically starving at this point. “It’s more than okay, Gary.”

He groans into me as his hands find their way beneath my dress, kissing me slowly as his fingertips drag up the bare of my thighs, and just when he’s about ready to grab onto my ass, he stops… hesitates .

“You can touch me.” I tilt his chin upwards in reassurance. “Don’t be afraid.” I take the liberty to move his hands up for him. “ Touch me .”

“Christ,” he says into my mouth, massaging my ass in the process without a second delay.

His touch is euphoric.

“Are you wearing a thong, Chelsie?” The answer to his question is downright obvious. Of course I am. His fingertips are practically interlaced within it.

“Maybe,” I tease into his mouth. “Why? Is that a problem, Captain ?”

He groans in delight, only tugging me in closer. “You mean to tell me that all dinner long you sat beside me in nothing but a pretty little thong…” he whines into my lips.

Heat engulfs between my thighs.

“So what if I did?”

He scoffs in amusement, and it only turns me on that much more. “You know how fucking naughty that is, Chelsie?” He buries his lips into my neck. “Fuck baby girl, that’s so. Fucking. Naughty .”

I lose track of my hands as they disappear within his messy hair and tug at his roots as we naturally fall back into each other's lips, only this time his hands have found their way to trailing up my spine.

“ Fuck . Are you trying to kill me?” Gary hisses, reality dawning on him like the devious smirk that washes over his mouth.

“What?” I play dumb, kissing slowly along his neck as he pulls his hand out from under my dress. “What’s the problem now, huh?”

He flashes me a tempting look. “Don’t act all innocent. You know what the problem is.” He’s harder than a rock as I slowly drag my hands down his chest, feeling not only the firmness of his abdomen but the tensity beneath his trousers. “Where is your bra?”

“Oh? Is it not there?” I lick my lips, tilting my head to the side as I flash him a tempting look. “Whoops. I must’ve forgotten to put one on…”

I watch the slow rise and fall of his chest as he peers into me, assesses me, and scans me before suddenly, I’m flipped around and placed onto my back.

The harsh cold of the metal bench doesn’t phase me in the slightest. Instantly, I’m heated as Gary steadies himself so that he hovers over top of me, using his mouth to run along the nape of my neck and into my cleavage line.

“Fuck, Chelsie,” he cries out, my breasts practically pooling out of my dress at this point. “I’m so fucking hard for you right now.”

I could’ve sworn I just saw his eyes roll to the back of his head.

It’s a sight like no other.

“Christ,” he carries on. “I’m about to fucking come undone in my trousers from just the look of you...”

I suppress a tempestuous laugh. “I’m sure you’re more seasoned than that,” I taunt, reaching my hands to clasp around the back of his neck. “ Right ?”

He moans into me as he pulls me into his, and just when I think he’s about to kiss me, he doesn’t. He does one better by groaning. “Let me show you just how seasoned I am…”

He makes a beeline towards my breasts, massaging them slowly until he gravitates towards my nipples, teasing them softly, all the while, his free hand trails up the front of my thighs before stopping right at my heat. “Can I?” Consent has never looked hotter.

I eagerly nod in agreement, closing my eyes in anticipation as my head falls back onto the bench.

“Well, well, well.” My breath hitches in the back of my throat as he brushes onto my panties. Just his touch forces me to look directly into his eyes. “Aren’t you just fucking soaking for me, baby? Perhaps it’s you that’s not quite seasoned, Chelsie...”

I’m left practically drooling. I’ve never had anyone speak to me this way before. No one has ever made me feel such an instant bout of pleasure quite like Gary as he uses his thumb to rub slow circles on top of my clit, whilst his middle finger slowly sinks into me.

“Christ.” I moan out, my neck flexing back in relief as I tense around him. “ Gary… ” I groan out his name as he tortuously increases his pace.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers into my ear with a hunger. “So fucking slick. Such a good girl for me. You want more?” He sinks in another finger, forcing my back to arch as he reaches a spot that tips me over the edge. “That’s it, baby. Look at me .”

The heat rushes to my cheeks as I attempt to make eye contact, but they subsequently roll to the back of my head.

“Fuck… that’s it. Gary I—,” I plead. I don’t know what I’m pleading for, but I can’t stop. I won't stop.

“I know baby girl, I know.” His raspy voice forces me to the brink of an orgasm as I convulse beneath him. “God, you’re making this so difficult.”

“Difficult?” I cry out, at his mercy now that he’s decided to slow down his pace. I can feel myself going into distress. “What am I making difficult? What?”

“Taking this slow,” his voice is a low growl, as he releases his hand beneath my dress, choosing to linger over my face as he mutters, “do you realize just how badly I want to fuck you?” he asks. “How desperate I am to see all of you. Feel all of you. Be inside of you…”

I once thought his foreplay was good, but his words? They’re better than any sex I’ve ever had, only inciting my curiosity that much more.

My heart pounds out of my chest as I mumble out three words that make no sense yet complete sense at the same time. “Then do it.”

Gary’s eyes widen as he seems to run my willingness through his mind, over and over.

“Please.” I squirm impatiently beneath him. “I—I need you. I want you.”

His breathing stops, and just when I think he’s about to follow through on my request, rather than pulling me in tighter, he pulls back loosely.

“I… I can’t.”

My heart sinks.

What?

“I’m sorry, Chelsie,” Gary stutters, so visibly unsure as he brushes over his face in distress. “I just promised you that we would take things slow.” He rises to his feet. “I don’t want to get carried away again like I did last time.”

“But… don’t you… you said…” I can hardly formulate a coherent sentence. Maybe this is like last time. “You really don’t want to have sex with me?”

“Trust me when I say this.” Gary’s right back over top of me, lips pressed into mine as he whispers, “I want nothing more than to take you right here. Right now. I—I want you, Chelsie— desperately . I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life…” The tension between us grows but yet again he swallows deeply to resolve it. “But do you know what I want more?”

I can’t tell if I nod my head to respond or not, but either way, it doesn’t matter, he continues.

“For everything between us to be perfect and this…” He looks around, eyes finally settling on the metal bench. “Well, it’s far from the California king you more than deserve.”

I scoff nervously with laughter, the heat still blaring through my cheeks as he brings me to my feet. It’s almost a challenge to stand. “It felt like one at the time,” I can’t help but joke, adjusting the skirt of my dress.

He smiles gently, leaning in. “That’s because you make everything feel perfect, Chelsie. You do.”

I hold him close.

“I’ve never held back with anyone before, Chelsie,” Gary reveals. “I go in guns blazing, only to be the one that gets burned. But with you… I can’t fuck this up. Not again.” He rests his head against mine. “So, maybe we should wait. We should wait a little bit longer. Do you uh—think that’s okay?”

My lips are dry as I think. He’s right. This was hasty, irrational, and not the right moment. I nod my head to agree, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t be lying awake in sexual frustration tonight. Oh how I wish he could have reached this conclusion after I came...

“Say something, baby girl. Anything.”

I see the opportunity and cease it.

“This last part… it uh… doesn’t happen on all of your private tours, does it, Gary?” I anxiously search for some humor to mask this sexual intensity pulsating between my thighs.

He laughs, kissing my forehead before he works his way towards the tip of my nose. “I’ve only ever given one tour,” he admits, moving towards my right cheek. “And I only…” He switches to the left. “Ever.” He stops in front of my lips. “Will.” He plants a kiss.

Like two magnets, we’re drawn into each other and as we join as one, I’m left with no other choice than to believe that I’m in heaven. It feels like it, especially because all at once, every single light of the stadium flicks on, blinding both Gary and I to death as we pull apart in agony.

“ Whoops .” I hear a voice in the distance, yet can’t quite make it out as I rub against my eyes, seeing stars in the process. “I must’ve accidentally hit the switch.”

“Coach?!” Gary cries out, furrowing his brows in frustration as he uses his hand to shield his eyes away from the light. “What the actual fuck?”

“‘What the actual fuck’ is right, Wilks .” I catch sight of Coach, aka Warren Park, who’s visibly unamused as he folds his arm in front of his chest. “I came back here to grab something from my office, not to catch you out here mid-act! What were you thinking?”

“Oh my gosh, I—I’m so sorry,” I profusely apologize before Gary can so much as mutter a peep. “This was my idea,” I take the blame. “Not the sex,” I immediately revoke a portion of my words, beet red in the face. “Which we weren’t having, by the way.” I’m quick to clarify. “I just wanted uh—a tour. It’s all my fault. I swear!”

“You’re alright, love.” Warren settles my frantic state, raising a hand before he looks back over at Gary like a father scolding his son. “I know a Wilks plan when I see one.”

Gary rolls his eyes—left unphased by the troubling look in Warren’s. “And I know the perfect time to call on a favor when I see one,” he retorts, leaving the two of us speechless.

Huh?

“What the hell are you on about?” Warren speaks up, though I can’t help but watch him loosen his collar.

Gary takes a step forward. “Do you happen to remember that one time I kept my lips shut for you, Coach?” He flashes him a look that reads, “You owe me one.”

Warren taps his foot impatiently, visibly unwilling to bend.

“C’mon, you remember, right?” Gary recites. “The changing room, wet hair, mix-matched buttons, the world's best secret keeper?—”

“Fuckin’ hell, Wilks,” Warren grumbles beneath his breath, flipping off the switch thereafter as the stadium goes dark once more, though it doesn’t conceal the way Warren seals his lips shut and throws away the key, throwing it in Gary’s direction before flashing him the middle finger and turning on his heel.

“You know you love me!” Gary calls out after him in laughter as Warren makes his way back through the tunnel.

“Yeah, yeah,” he calls back out, “I’m taking the cost to fix the security camera out of your wages by the way.”

“Works for me.” Gary laughs, rolling his eyes before he’s back to reaching for my hand and pulling me in close. “Sorry about that, baby girl. My boyfriend gets jealous sometimes. Now…” He tilts my chin up. “Where were we?”