After having a hearty meal at The Crown and Anchor and meeting the wonderful woman Mae who ran the place, Alex and Uncle Ted spent the remainder of the day getting her settled into his apartment- flat. They made small talk that didn't feel painful and laughed together like no time had passed. It was as if she was a kid again and nothing had changed.
But alas, everything had changed. Alex noticed he avoided talking about Michelle. Uncle Ted would talk about Ben with a gleam in his eye and a smile you couldn't pull any wider. She didn't want to push him to talk about it but it hurt her to see him clearly struggling, even though he was doing his best to hide it.
Maybe to most people it wasn't obvious, but she knew her uncle as more than just the happy-go-lucky football coach. Alex came to the conclusion that her uncle's marriage was over. It was probably over before he landed in England.
Ted was showing Alex his famous biscuit recipe. "My boss absolutely loves these little biscuits. I make 'em for her every day."
The act of kindness caused a pang of emotion to hit her in the chest. He was always trying to make everyone else happy. "That's so sweet, Uncle Ted. Rebecca must be a great boss."
"She's also proving to be a pretty darn good friend." Ted had a soft smile on his face as he put the baking sheet of raw biscuits into the oven. "Lord knows I've needed friends out here."
At the arena the next day, the first stop Ted had to make was at Rebecca Welton's office. Ted was carrying a small, pink box of biscuits and Alex was carrying a plain white box containing her best apple muffins. Uncle Ted wasn't the only one who knew how to bake in their family.
Alex made thirty muffins last night after Uncle Ted went to sleep. She brought them to share with the team as a way to get to know them better. Alex felt a lot better today. After getting some rest and taking a hot shower, she felt refreshed. She wore her favorite pair of jeans and a form-fitting purple sweater that made her green eyes pop.
"Knock-knock, boss!" Ted said cheerfully as he strode into Rebecca's office with Alex trailing behind.
Rebecca closed her laptop before smiling up at the two with her hands held out expectantly.
"Today's a special day, boss!" Ted grinned mischievously. "Not only do you get my always-delicious biscuits, but you also get your very own Lexie Lasso Apple Muffin."
"Well, that sure was a mouthful." Rebecca laughed as two treats appeared in front of her. "My trainer is not going to be happy about this. I'm already pushing it with the biscuits."
Alex placed her muffin onto a napkin so it wouldn't make a mess on Rebecca's very expensive desk. "It's my mother's recipe. I've been helping her make them since I learned how to hold a spatula."
Rebecca looked at them with a playful glare. "You two are going to be trouble for me."
Ted grinned, "You wouldn't have us any other way, boss. Enjoy those treats and we'll hopefully talk to you later."
Alex barely got a chance to take in the lavish office before following her uncle out of the room. "I love your office, by the way! Enjoy the muffin!"
Rebecca held a fond smile on her face as the door closed. Once it was shut, she took a bite of the muffin. She groaned in pleasure as the flavors hit her tastebuds.
"Holy shit, that's good."
Ted and Alex made their way to the coaching office, only to find Nate and Coach Beard already talking.
"It's called an elevator because it 'elevates' you, calling it a lift just sounds lazy." Beard argued from his seat at his desk.
"It could be argued the same for a lift. It 'lifts' you." Nate debated, clearly not taking this as seriously as Beard.
Ted shook his head as he plopped himself into his own chair. "You know what elevates my mood? Knowing two of my assistant coaches are here early to work on plays for the next game."
The two other men grumbled and dropped the argument. Nate opened a folder he had tucked under his arm. "I thought of a new play last night. It should be enough to keep Newcastle on their toes- are those muffins I smell?"
Alex stood sheepishly in the doorway, holding her box of goodies close. "Yes, they are. Would you like one, Nate?"
He was already practically drooling. "Yes, please. They smell incredible."
She handed him and Beard both a muffin, and the two settled into a comfortable silence as they ate their morning goodies. Alex locked eyes with her uncle and they shared a mocking shake of their heads.
"Knock-knock! Ooh, do I smell apples?" Keeley popped in the coaching office with a happy smile on her face. Trailing behind her was Roy Kent dressed in coaching gear.
The man wasn't very tall in stature, but it was the way he carried himself that made him unmistakable. He moved in a way that said get out of my way, I'm Roy Fucking Kent.
Keeley, the sweet woman who could make anyone feel comfortable, seemed to balance out his dark energy. The two looked so natural with each other, as if they were always meant to be beside one another.
Had Uncle Ted not prepared Alex for the meeting of the legendary footballer, she would have been shaking in her sneakers. Thankfully, she knew all about his demeanor and how he's not as scary as he looks. If Keeley is with him, he must be kind at heart.
"Hi, I'm Alex! It's great to meet you, Roy. I've heard all about you and don't worry – I'm fully prepared for the abundance of curse words you use as a defense mechanism to cover up your soft heart."
Roy Kent stared blankly at her cheery demeanor. Everyone else in the room was quiet as they peered at Roy.
"Holy fuck. There's two of you."
Ted came up behind Alex, placing a supportive hand on her small shoulder. "She's only here for a few months."
"A few months? Jesus Christ." Roy's gruff voice was coated in disbelief. "Who willingly visits England for months? You'll get tired of the shit weather after a week."
"Oh, I love rainy weather! It's perfect for reading a good book." Alex replied with ease.
Uncle Ted made a noise of approval, "If I had the time, I'd read every Jane Austen book I could get my hands on."
Roy raised a brow and turned to look at Beard, who just shrugged.
"I'm serious, Pride and Prejudice makes me cry every darn time." Ted continued, "When Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth finally get their happy ending? Instant waterworks for this guy."
"I'm sure that's a pretty fucking sight." Roy remarked dryly.
Keeley gave him an aggressive nudge to the ribs. He let out a small grunt and rubbed the sore spot. "It's lovely to meet you, Alex." He grumbled, but with a small smile on his face. "I would have met you yesterday, but I had to take my niece to an appointment."
"Is Phoebe okay?" Nate asked with concern.
"She's fine. Just needed a check up with her dentist." Roy and Keeley shared a knowing glance. It was silent for a moment before Keeley piped up.
"Could I get one of those muffins?" She hungrily eyed the open box that was sitting on Ted's desk.
Roy cleared his throat. "Are those apple muffins?"
"They sure are! With a hint of cinnamon." Alex grinned as she handed them each their own muffin.
"Well, I came by to drop this one off," Keeley said around a bite of muffin. "I've got to get to work on my marketing project for Bantr." She turned to leave but quickly stopped to say, "This muffin is really fucking good by the way! If I wasn't with that one," She pointed to Roy, who was very invested in his baked good. "I would plant one right on those lovely lips of yours."
Alex felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment and stuttered out, "Th-thank you! It's my mother's recipe."
Keeley smiled fondly at the redhead, "You are adorable. Come by my office whenever you get tired of hanging out with the boys. We could get lunch or something."
Right on que, the Richmond players all came piling into the locker room. Keeley must have said something cheeky on her way out because she was met with male laughter and a suggestive whistle.
Roy grumbled to himself under his breath before mumbling something about the restroom and leaving the office. Coach Beard and Nate went to reach for another muffin, only to be met by a quick smack of their hands.
"The rest are for the players!" Alex reprimanded them. "I'm sorry but if you have seconds there won't be enough for everyone."
"If there's any left after practice, can we have them?" Nate pleaded, and with those puppy eyes it was hard for Alex to say no.
"Fine." She declared, and picked up the box of muffins out of their greedy reach before heading into the locker room.
The loud rumble of male conversation was drowning out her attempts of getting their attention. Uncle Ted came up behind her and whistled loudly, earning silence throughout the room.
"Thanks, Uncle Ted." Alex said bashfully, before clearing her throat and stepping further into the center of the room. "I made muffins for everyone… Well, if you don't want one that's okay too. Or if any of you are allergic, I understand."
A group of them all crowded around her before she finished speaking. First in line was Dani Rojas, who she hadn't a chance to talk to yet.
"These smell like the churros my mother bakes back home." His smile was so infectious. "Do you use cinnamon in your recipe?"
Alex nodded eagerly, "I do! I also use a hint of nutmeg."
Sam Obisanya grabbed one out of the box, "This was very sweet of you to do, Alex. Thank you."
All the players came up and mumbled thanks to Alex as they chose a muffin. She loved making things for others, it always filled her with a sense of pride knowing her work made someone happy. There were two muffins left in the box and she looked to see who wasn't happily munching away. She spotted Jamie sitting on the bench, lacing up his sneakers, and not a single crumb in sight.
She slowly approached him, holding the better of the two muffins in her hand. He looked up and gave a small smile. "No thanks, love. I don't eat sugar."
Alex frowned in confusion. "Everyone eats sugar sometimes."
He looked around her before clearing his throat, "I haven't eaten sugar in two years, Allison. I'm not going to start now."
He doesn't even remember my name? She quickly tucked away the hurt his response made her feel and covered it up with a smile. "Actually, my name isn't- "
"Oi! Listen Up!" Roy Kent's voice carried through the locker room as he confidently strode in. "Now that you've gotten your morning treats you can start heading out to the pitch. We're going to go through some new plays for the game on Friday."
Jamie got off the bench without another word to Alex and started following the other players out. He stopped in front of Roy and gestured for him to go ahead. "After you, granddad."
"Get moving before I kick your pretty boy arse!" Roy growled, clearly not intimidated by the younger footballer.
Ted came up behind them, playing the father role very well. "Knock it off, fellas. We've got a lot of work to do before Friday."
Roy and Jamie kept walking. Uncle Ted turned around to look at Alex. "You coming, kiddo?"
She was still sitting on the bench next to the locker labeled 'Tartt', and the muffin still in her hand. "I um, I was actually hoping I could go talk to Keeley for a moment."
Ted looked surprised but nodded his approval. "Go ahead, Lexie. I understand if you have some girl talk you need to discuss."
Alex grimaced at her uncle mentioning 'girl talk' but smiled through it. "Thanks, Uncle Ted. It shouldn't take long."
He gave her an understanding smile before leaving her in the locker room to follow everyone out onto the pitch.
"Hey, there!" Keeley waved at Alex to sit in one of her pink chairs. "Have a seat, I just need to type this email and we can chat."
Alex clutched a very soft pillow on her lap and waited patiently for Keely to be done. The pink leopard in the corner caught her eye. Hmm, interesting choice for décor.
"What's up, love?" Keeley closed her laptop and gave Alex her full attention.
Sighing deeply, Alex tightened her grip on the pillow. She suddenly felt foolish for coming here. What was there to talk about? The guy who flirted with me yesterday doesn't even know my name? It sounded so childish now.
"I don't think Jamie likes me." She blurted, a shade of red dusting her cheeks.
Keeley looked at her in silent surprise for a moment before straightening her shoulders and looking at her squarely. "First of all, you're an attractive female – of course Jamie likes you. Secondly, take it from me when I say you don't want Jamie to like you."
"Take it from you..?" Alex trailed on in confusion.
Keeley sighed as if she was preparing for a long tale. "Before I was with Roy, Jamie and I dated." Alex's eyes widened and Keeley nodded in agreement. "I know, it's weird. I will say Jamie isn't all that bad. He can be sweet and charming. He's fit and fun. Great in bed." She added casually. "But he's not the kind of guy you can count on."
Alex shook her head with nervous laughter, "I'm not looking to date him. I was just talking to him earlier and he acted like-"
"Like a proper twat?" Keeley finished for her. When Alex nodded, she continued, "Don't take it to heart. He's just like that sometimes."
"Okay, that makes me feel better." She said shyly. "I'm sorry to bother you with this. I know I seem childish."
Keeley shook her head, dismissing her statement. "No, just innocent. It's actually quite refreshing."
Alex knew in that moment she would consider Keeley a friend. It was nice to have another girl in her corner. After she quit college, all of her girl friends started drifting away from her. Sure, she was wrapped up in her own issues of not knowing what she was doing with her life, but her friends also didn't seem to care enough to try to understand her problems. They just continued on without her.
"Do you want to go get coffee with me?" She also knew the right thing to say.
"Yes, that would be perfect." Alex wasn't much of a tea drinker and was dying for some caffeine. The only tea she liked was sweet tea and when she asked for a glass at The Crown and Anchor last night, Mae looked at her like she'd grown two heads. She sent a quick text to Uncle Ted before following the petite woman out of her office.
"I hope Coach's niece keeps bringing those muffins to practice. They were better than the ones my mother makes." Isaac said to Rojas as they were walking out of the locker room after practice. "Don't tell my mother I said that."
Collins trailed behind the two and said cheekily, "Her name is Alex, and you better hope she doesn't keep bringing them. If she does you won't be able to run down the pitch anymore, Isaac."
Strings of profanity and laughter followed the group of three into the hallway, leaving Jamie Tartt alone in the locker room.
Jamie felt the stiffness in his left calf muscle as he began changing out of his practice gear. He'd have to pay a visit to the team's physical therapist. He never could remember her name. As he reached for his designer bag, he saw something wrapped neatly in a napkin in the corner of his locker. He picked it up and instantly smelled the notes of cinnamon and apples. His eyes swept through the empty room, making sure he was alone, before he sat down on the bench. There was a small note placed on top of the napkin.
A little sweetness never hurt anyone.