26. W I L K S

TWENTY-SIX

W I L K S

If cloud nine were a place, there’d never be a moment where she wasn’t looking into my eyes.

It would be filled with endless kisses—endless laughs—and would end even better than it began.

There would be no stress, no worries, no hard times, no suffering, just good. Good all the time.

In cloud nine, we’d never get enough of one another. It would be a temptatious longing urge, but it’d be okay because craving one another would be all that we’d desire, and it would satisfy, nourish, and push us to be the best versions of ourselves we could be.

If cloud nine were a place, I'd feel it in my heart, yet somehow I already do, for cloud nine is a place—it’s a place I've created here with you.

“What are you daydreaming about over there?” Chelsie catches my attention as we lie in bed—her brushing the sleep away from her eyes, whereas I’ve already been awake for hours, staring over at her perfection.

“Are you stuck in the clouds, Gary Wilkinson?” She sits up, stretching out her arms before falling right back down onto my chest and nestling in close.

There’s a warmth that radiates from her that fuels me on mornings like today but aches me with that familiar melancholy feeling—the one that reminds me that we can’t stay in this bed forever. As the clock ticks in front of me, I know that soon I need to get going.

I’ve got an away game this weekend, one that oh so conveniently just had to fall around the time of Chelsie’s Mum and Dad’s vow renewal.

We’re going.

Our turbulent greenhouse shenanigans were only the start of a full night ahead. Once we both finished, I was able to talk Chelsie into going back into the house—her slightly disheveled and covered in dirt, and me a sweaty mess with several missing buttons.

I'm certain her parents were highly suspicious, but at that point, they were on their best behavior, keeping their comments to themselves.

The evening progressed as if nothing had ever transpired, and after a couple of apologies and an overall pleasant night, Chelsie and I came to the conclusion that we’d bite the bullet and go to the renewal. It would only be right.

It’s been a month since then, and all I can say is that I’ve never appreciated time more than I do now. Being away from Chelsie, even if it’s only for a few nights, pains me—it literally pains me.

I’m attached—co-dependant. She’s become a crucial organ, which makes sense because she’s absolutely become one of the beating forces in my heart, and as she looks up at me, waiting for me to respond to her comment, I want to tell her my innermost thoughts.

I want to tell her that yes, I’m in the clouds, I’m in the clouds because I've fallen in love with her. That I’m in love with her, but like she feared to put a label on the two of us, I fear to scare her away with such a confession so soon. I can’t lose her because losing her would mean losing a piece of myself, and that, I’m not willing to risk.

“I’m just thinking,” I admit, running my hand along her bare back as I kiss her forehead. “That’s all, baby girl.”

“Thinking about what?” She pries, batting her eyelashes up at me.

She’s impossible to lie to, but I have no other choice.

“Just about how I’m going to be thinking about you non-stop at the game tomorrow. I’ll be counting down those ninety minutes like my life depends on it.”

Since that first game she attended, Chelsie’s been to every single one of my home matches since. Sometimes in the jersey I got her, sometimes in the one she got for herself with my name on it. It doesn’t take a genius to realize which of the two I prefer her in most…

Chelsie’s become my good-luck charm without even realizing it. Over the years I’ve always had an abundance of love and support from the fans, but there’s something organic about having one spectator in the crowd who knows me in a way like no one else. It’s extraordinarily special.

“Are you sure you’re going to be able to make it to the vow renewal?” There’s a sense of anxiety in Chelsie’s voice as she sits up and anxiously pulls the covers against her chest. “I’m just worried you won’t make it in time.”

“I promised I would be there, baby girl.” I pull her back into my frame. “And have I let you down so far?”

“No,” she hums against my chest. “You haven’t.”

“Well then, see.” I kiss her once more before making my way out of bed. “There’s nothing to worry about then, is there?”

I stretch my arms out as the clock torments me with each passing second. I need to be at the stadium and on the bus in thirty minutes. I’ve really let it get down to the wire here…

“I know, I know.” Chelsie rises to her feet, wrapping her arms around my waist after I throw on my hoodie. “I trust you. I do, I just… need you there. That’s all.”

“And there, I will be.” I kiss her lips before pulling back and searching for my joggers. “So, tell me. Are you taking the train up north with Ruby or alone?”

“With Ruby,” she answers, searching for her own articles of clothing. Things always end up a little scattered when we’re alone in a room together. “I thought I’d get there a day early. You know, to help out with some things ahead of tomorrow.”

“It’s a good idea,” I tell her. “Plus, I’m sure your mum and dad will appreciate the extra set of hands.”

“They better,” she rebuts, throwing on a T-shirt. “Because decorating is so not my thing!”

“You did just fine on Delaney’s baby shower cake,” I rebut.

She laughs. “That’s only because I had some fit guy watching over me. I was under pressure.”

A cocky wave of confidence rushes through my chest as I take a proud step towards her. “So you did think I was fit.”

She finds my joggers for me and firmly pushes them into my chest. “Shut up,” she jokes. “And no more flirting. Have you got everything you need?” She gestures towards my suitcase. “Gear, shoes, your suit, tie, socks, dress shirt?—”

I replace her rambling tongue with my own, guiding her back onto the bed and pinning her arms down in the process. This has to be the most vicious cycle known to man. “I’ve got everything but you.”

She playfully rolls her eyes and pulls back. “I said no more flirting.”

I smirk as she sits up and plants a final kiss on my lips. “My mistake.”

“You’ll have me again tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” I repeat. “I’ll see you then.”

“You always cut it close, don't you, Wilks?” Coach is the first one to chirp me as the team stands impatiently outside of the motor coach, throwing the last of the bags in.

“Sorry,” I’m out of breath as I join them. “Here. Here’s my bags.” I hand them over to Green, who has taken the liberty to meticulously arrange them—he’s always been a bit of a neat freak.

“We’re only going away for the night. What’s with all the luggage, Wilks?” he asks.

“It’s Chelsie’s Mum and Dad’s vow renewal tomorrow,” I explain. “I’m going straight there after the game. I needed all my shit.”

“Damn, you’re already in with the family, Wilks?” Hart is next to egg me on. “Tell us, was that why you were late this morning? Were you planning your own wedding to Chelsie?”

“Piss off.” I nudge him as the group erupts into laughter, piling onto the coach one by one.

“I mean, it’s true, didn’t you guys hear?” Hart continues. “Wilks is in love, lads. He’s forgotten about the rest of us.”

“That’s not true,” I protest.

“No?” Hart doesn’t let up. “Then tell us, when was the last time you came out with the boys? Or is your girl more important now?”

“Alright, knock it off,” Green defends me, flashing Hart a glare. “Cut him some slack. You know you’d be doing the same exact thing if you had a birdie of your own, Hart.”

“ Whatever .” Hart makes his way to the back of the coach as Green takes a seat beside me.

“Just ignore everyone,” he tells me. “They’re just jealous, that’s all.”

“Jealous?” I repeat. “Jealous of what? That I have a girlfriend?”

Green cocks a cheeky brow. “So you two made it official then?”

I can feel the heat rush to my cheeks. Chelsie and I have been official since that unforgettable night, but until this moment, I suppose I hadn’t realized I’d never spoken a word about it out loud.

“Say no more,” Green smirks as he settles back in his chair. “Your silence tells me everything I need to know.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek as I reach for my phone in my back pocket, smiling wide when I see a text message from Chelsie waiting for me:

720

720?

What does 720 mean?

“Oh, and to answer your question.” Green’s voice draws my eyes away from the screen before she can respond. “It’s not the fact that you have a girlfriend that makes everyone jealous. It’s the fact that anytime any of us sees you, all we can see is just how smothered in love you are.”

I laugh at his weird analogy. “Smothered in love?”

“You heard me.” He shakes his head in disgust. “You’re protruding love like it’s contagious, but the worst part? None of us seem to be able to catch it, except well, Coach, of course.”

“You talking shit, Green?” Coach, who just so happens to be conveniently sat to our left, darts his attention in our direction.

“Nah, just singing your praises.” Green smirks, forcing Coach to shake his head and peer out the window.

“Hey?” I command his gaze once more after I notice that two familiar faces are missing. “Where’s Delaney and Alf?”

Coach sighs. This seems like a touchy subject. “Delaney said she didn’t want to come because she’s too pregnant to do anything other than exist at this point, and Alf? Well, Alfs come down with the flu. So, guess what, lads? It’s your lucky day. You’re all stuck with me. Happy ?”

Chelsie’s response to my message beats me to a response to Coach’s question as I bite down on my bottom lip to suppress a smile.

It means minutes till I get to see you again 3.

“Like I said,” Green groans out in playful disgust, catching wind of my face and the text. “Smothered in love.”

CHELSIE

“Is there a reason why we couldn’t have just driven?” I glare over at Ruby as we both lug our suitcases up the staircase, making our way towards the train tracks.

“Because,” she grunts, pulling it up step by step.“I wanted to sleep on the train, and it’s not like you were going to drive, were you?”

“Whatever.” I struggle to reach the top but somehow manage to despite being completely out of breath.

“My word, Chelsie.” Ruby coyly remarks, leaning against her suitcase for support. “I thought your cardio might’ve been a bit better considering all that practice you’ve been getting lately.”

I flash her a look. “Practice?”

“Yeah, you know, ‘ oh God, Gary, that’s it. That’s the spot. Go faster, go slower. Go ? — ”

“Ruby!” I shout, cutting off her little spectacle that has seemingly caught the attention of other passengers waiting to board the train.

“What?” Ruby shrugs without a care. “I had to suffer, so now it’s everyone else’s turn.”

“We thought you were asleep!” I refer to the fact that Gary slept over last week. All last week…

Apparently, we both failed to follow Ruby’s strict rule of “I don’t care what you do as long as I don’t hear it”.

I’ll take the blame for that one.

“You’re so embarrassing.” I storm towards the benches and take a seat, Ruby following closely behind.

“And you’re loud. What other obvious things should we point out?”

I huff my arms into my chest. “I’m sorry, okay?” I apologize after a moment of silence. “I guess I didn’t realize I was being so loud. I suppose we were both just caught up in the moment and got carried away?—”

“Oh, Chelsie, I’m just taking the piss.” Ruby nudges me softly. “I’m just happy you’re getting some action. You’ve been less up-tight lately, more relaxed, more limber?—”

“Ruby!” I stop her once more. “ Please .”

“Fine.” She settles back into her chair, folding her hands into her lap. “No more sex talk. I’ll change the subject. So, tell me, do you know how much longer till the train arrives?”

I peer down at my phone screen. “Fifteen minutes,” I tell her. “Why? Are you suddenly regretting this choice, too?”

“Nope, what I’m regretting is not getting a snack.” She stands up and straightens out her shirt. “I’m going to go get something from the shop. Do you want anything? Crisps? Chocolate? A drink?”

“A packet of crisps, please,” I respond. “But don’t be long,” I instruct, eyes peering back down at the time. “I don’t want you to miss the train.”

“I’ll be quick, don’t worry,” she assures me as she skips off and falls out of sight.

I rest my head forward, left distracted by my phone for a few minutes, until an abundance of laughter catches my attention.

The sound comes from a group of girls who all stand together, each sporting a matching Crawfield jersey. It’s become my superpower to spot one from a mile away—it doesn't take much to become a fan around here.

“Hey,” I’m compelled to say something as I tuck my phone back into my pocket. “Nice jerseys.” I smile, walking over to them.

“Thanks!” one of the girls says on behalf of the group, proudly peering down at her shirt before she flashes me a smile. “The girls and I are just leaving early to see the game tomorrow. Are you going too?”

I shake my head. I wish I was at the game—truthfully, I’d love nothing more than to watch Gary play. “No, unfortunately not.” I frown. “I’ve got other plans up north.”

“Aw, too bad,” one of the girls remarks. “It’s supposed to be a really good match.”

“I know, but I’ve seen them play a lot already, so that’s okay. But you girls sure are dedicated.” I fold my arms across my chest, impressed. “Traveling all that way?”

“Dedicated?” One of the girls snickers amongst the group. “More like obsessed with the players.”

“‘Players’?” Another counters with. “Nah, we’re all obsessed with one player.”

The comment piques my interest. “Is that right?”

“Yep. I kind of had a thing with him, you know.” She flips her long brown hair over her shoulder. “It was no big deal...”

There’s a sense of pride when she speaks, but little does she realize I’m not the person to brag to. I’m with the captain, after all…

“You’re right, Felicity . It wasn’t a big deal, considering he’s literally been with all of us for at least a night.”

What did she say?

I’m left dumbfounded as I run the players through my mind. Who in the hell are they referring to? There’s at least six girls standing in front of me, and the same guy has slept with all of them?

“Wait a second.” My voice brings the once chatty group to a quiet. “You’ve all been with the same person?”

“I mean, yeah.” They say it like it’s nothing. “He’s always slept around. Ask any girl in Crawley, and I’m sure they’ve had their taste of Gary Wilkinson.. .”

My stomach plummets.

Did they really just say Gary Wilkinson?

“Felicity was the last one to be with him, weren’t you, Felicity?”

Felicity shrugs yet sports a boisterous smirk. “Yeah, well, Wilks and I were drunk at Tenners together not long ago and what can I say? One thing led to another, and we took it back to his place.” She flashes me a smirk, not realizing just how badly her words sting. “So I thought, hey? Maybe if I go to the game, I’ll get lucky again?”

The girls all simultaneously squeal amongst themselves as I stand frozen in time, attempting to process the racing questions in my mind, but left with no other choice than to dismiss every single one of them.

There’s no way Gary has been with someone else.

This must’ve been before we met— surely .

He promised he’d never hurt me.

He promised.

“And here comes the train.” Ruby takes me by surprise as she re-emerges by my side, a packet of crisps in her hand. “Hey? You okay?” she asks, focusing on my blank stare.

“Yeah.” I attempt to shake myself out of it as I watch the girls load onto the train. “I’m fine.”