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Word Prompt: Challenge
Dialogue Flex: "Looks can be deceiving."
It's amazing how different an experience can be based on the people you're with. Attending one of Edward's games with my family was crazy, rowdy fun. A little overwhelming.
With Kate, going to a MLS game is overwhelming, too, but for different reasons. She says she goes to almost every game, even after all these years. Of course, not having kids makes that a little easier.
"I don't want kids," she says. "I love my sister's kids...and Charlie's pretty frigging adorable...but they're just not for me."
Anyway, this game against LA Galaxy couldn't be more different. And maybe I'm paranoid, but it seems there are more girls here. At least, in premium seating. Everyone in LA is so...attractive. Put together. As Kate and I grab our club seats and wait to order something to drink, I look around, grateful I dressed a little nicer than my jeans-and-jersey combo back in Seattle.
Kate always looks perfect, from her hair to her toenails. I can't help but wonder how much of it is natural for her and how much is a result of her surroundings.
The game goes well. It's really close, but LA Galaxy wins, two to one. This is a reality I'm going to have to get used to, but I'm definitely nervous about Edward's post game mood. He's been relatively easy going the time we've been together, but I've noticed a growing intensity now that he's back in the game.
Passion.
Kate and I stand, watching the field.
"Let's go," she says, nodding back toward the VIP entrance we came through.
"I kind of wanted to see Edward," I say, fiddling with the zipper on my purse.
"I know." She smiles, linking her arm through mine. We're both a little tipsy, which is why she arranged for a car service to provide our transportation today. "We'll see them. Come on."
It's so different with Kate. People move aside for us, defer, open doors, smile. Either people recognize her as Garrett Allen's wife, or they're responding to her beauty and confidence - whatever it is, we're back by the player's lounge before I know it. There are other people hanging out, mostly female. I knew this was how it would be, stereotypically, but seeing it is another thing.
Kate sends a series of texts and sighs, looking at me. "Sorry you guys didn't win."
"No, you're not," I laugh, rolling my eyes.
She cackles, cheeks pink with glee and alcohol. "I don't know...defeat sex is just as good as victory sex. He'll probably need comforting."
I lean against the wall. "Well. He had plenty of that this morning, so..."
Kate smacks my arm. "You're supposed to save it until afterwards!"
"Hey, he came to me!" And, have you seen him?! I wanted to add. Who says no to that? "What was I supposed to do?"
"And you look so innocent," she says, shaking her head. "Looks can be deceiving."
"Innocent? I have a kid, Kate."
"I know." Her eyes soften. "But you're a good girl. I know that. And...he definitely knows that."
Her words make me wonder what sorts of conversations about me Edward and Garrett - and Kate - have had. It's a warm feeling, really, because she's been so incredibly kind to me, like we could become real friends. I hope we do; having people in my life who understand this world would be invaluable.
Moments later, players start trickling out of the doors. Kate and I get our fair share of attention, wandering eyes and smirks, but then Garrett steps out and scoops his wife into a hug. I turn away, giving them a bit of privacy as they kiss, loving that they are this in love, even after all this time.
Edward appears a moment later, freshly showered, his hair a perfect mess.
"Hey," I say, going hesitantly for him.
Grabbing me by the waist, he pulls me close. "Hey."
He's quiet, tired. I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tight. "Good game."
"Not good enough." He kisses my neck and pulls away.
I don't know what to say in situations like this; maybe I should have asked Kate. But maybe he doesn't need me to say anything. I remember Emmett after football games in high school, when his team lost. Usually he'd just go party.
Like he's reading my mind, Edward brushes my ear with his lips. "Let's go out."
Garrett and Kate leave, promising they'll meet us later on. Edward brings me back to his hotel so he can change, and then brings me back to mine so I can do the same. I opt for a shower, as well, feeling sweaty and gross after being in the incessant heat.
"So, you know LA pretty well?" I ask Edward, as we grab a cab downtown.
"Not really. Kate and Gar take me out when I'm in town, which is whenever I'm in the States." He glances at me, resting his hand on my bare knee. "Which is all the time, now. If you like it, we can visit more often."
I nod, looking out at the city, washed gold in the setting sun. "It's quite glamourous."
"Parts of it."
"The people, I mean."
"Yeah. It's different. Seattle's a lot more easy going."
I squeeze his hand, glad he recognizes that. I'm not sure I could keep up in a city like this, even if it is exciting and new.
We meet Garrett and Kate at The Standard, a hotel downtown with a rooftop bar. A lot of Edward and Garrett's teammates are there, filling the night air with laughter and conversation. I recognize one guy from Edward's party - James, a blond, blue eyed all-American type. He's friendly, if not a little intense, his surprise at seeing me obvious.
"No shit?" He grins, eyebrows up, as he sips his cocktail. "Getting older, man. Settling down." He clinks his glass to Edward's, but I get the impression he's being slightly sardonic.
"Yeah. So, what about..." Edward steers the conversation in another direction, leaving me to look around, observing the other patrons. Garrett and Kate are about twenty feet away, absorbed in a conversation of their own. Everywhere I look, people are chatting and flirting, some more obvious than others.
I don't miss the glances Edward gets. I'm not stupid. Men like him are magnets for it, something I thought long and hard about when we first began dating. He is by far the hottest guy I have ever been with, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. His face and body may have snared me, but it's who he is inside that made me fall in love. Other people, though, other women...they don't know who he is. They see fuckable flawlessness, not kindness and generosity.
And can I blame them? Not really.
Still, it makes me want to stay close. It also freaks me out, because I can't be at his side 24/7, nor should I have to be. Like all relationships, this is going to have to be based on trust. Otherwise we have nothing.
James isn't the only one to show surprise when Edward appears to his friends and teammates attached to me, introduced as his girlfriend. Some are friendly, others almost dismissive. A couple of them give me the once over, just as lecherous as James. If Edward notices, he doesn't take it too seriously, so, neither do I.
Eventually, we end up at a table with Garrett, Kate, James, and two girls, both of who seem interested in James. I decide I don't even want to know, especially when the three of them fall into a cozy little trio in the corner, chatting and giggling amongst themselves.
"Bella," Kate breathes. She might be the cutest drunk I've ever seen. "I've really gotta pee. Do you need to go?"
"I do, actually."
"Okay. Let's go. Together."
"Okay." I smile at her antics, reminded a little of Alice back home.
"Finish your drink," she almost slurs, eyeing my nearly empty glass. "We can get another one later."
It's a chocoloate martini, my favorite. I polish it off, then follow her to the bathroom.
"Even this is nice," I mutter, glancing around at the poshness.
"I know. It's kind of ridiculous," she says, yanking down her underwear. "But I love it."
I follow suit and use the bathroom. We wash our hands and fix our hair. I lend her my lip gloss, which she's been gushing about all day - and she gives me a spritz of her perfume. It feels like high school or college, in the best way. I realize, looking at myself in the mirror, that it's been a really long time since I just...went out like this.
I'm not even twenty five, and yet sometimes it feels like I've been alive forever.
Back at our table, the vultures have descended. I watch the boys smile and field questions, give awkward hugs, and then, finally, stand up when Kate and I get back. I eye the girl closest to Edward, not missing her fantastic cleavage or her super short skirt.
"You good?" Edward asks, nodding toward me.
I smile, nodding, pushing past the brunette, who gets the hint and wanders off. The other girl leaves too; Kate doesn't even look annoyed. She's probably used to this.
Whatever. Edward's looking at me like I'm butter on bread and really, that's all I care about.
We end up back at his hotel room. I ask if this will cause problems with the team's manager; he says no.
"As long as I…send you away. After."
"After what?" I ask, giving him my best innocent face.
"After a rousing game of Uno," he snarks. "I'll call you a cab."
"What would we be doing if I was one of your groupies?"
Edward snorts, kicking his shoes off.
"No, I'm serious..."
He eyes me. "I think you think I've been with way more women than I have."
"Oh, please." I slip out of my shoes and kick them aside. "Spare me the act."
"What act?" He laughs quietly, staring from the opposite sides of the bed.
"You...men who look like you don't stay celibate," I challenge. "I might not be used to this lifestyle, but I know that much. So tell me. I want to know."
"Why?"
"Because. It's one of the few things we've kind of skirted around."
"With good reason."
"But…"
"There were a few girls...way more when I was younger," he admits, finally. "I've calmed down some."
"That's good..."
"Got a girlfriend now." He grins at me.
"Ooh. What would she think about this?" I ask, playing along.
"She wouldn't think anything. She knows I'm faithful."
My chest squeezes.
He tosses me a tiny bottle from the minibar. Some sort of frou frou, flavored vodka; right up my alley. He takes one too, and we drink them quickly.
"What do want?" he asks suddenly, tossing his empty bottle.
"I want you to...pretend."
"That you're a groupie?
Blushing, I nod.
For a small eternity, he does nothing. Except smile. And... I feel silly. But bold. And warm from drinks, and like I want to play.
He straightens up. Stares at me, eyeing me from head to toe. "Then come here," he says, motioning me closer.
I cross over to where he's standing.
"Come here," he whispers, running his nose down my cheek, my neck, sending shivers up and down my skin, "and sit on my dick."
bella's a little kinky. who knew?
hold on, we're going home - drake
hold on, we're gong home - arctic monkeys
thanks to the reader who told me about tampa bay rowdies. you were right! i fixed it.
and thanks to everyone else for so faithfully reading this and reviewing. means the world to me.
xoxoxoxo