Christina

"Hey, stranger! How goes things on the other side of the pond?" Ruby said.

"Oh, you know...reprimanding my cousins, being conflicted about a hot guy and constantly thinking about how low my life has gotten." Christina said with a melancholy tone.

"Hot guy? You've been holding out on me. Spill it!"

"That's all you got out of what I said?"

"No. I just chose to ignore your self-loathing, self-pitying pity party. Enough stalling...I need the details."

Sigh.

Christina went into details about Finley. From the moment she saw him after the rugby game to their electric chemistry in the pub. Christina went into detail about what she saw at the pub, Finley's apology and their day together. Being the perfect best friend, she swooned, got spitting mad at the appropriate times and sighed by the end. Going through the story out loud she started to feel silly for being upset with him and ignoring his texts.

"Well, you certainly are having an adventure." She finally said.

"Yes, I would say that. Ruby I don't know what to do. I know that I am attracted to him and he is attracted to me. But, after what happened at S.E.M Inc how could I possibly want to be with an athlete?"

"Easy, he's sexy, sweet, smart and apparently a really great guy. The story with the little boy makes him especially swoony."

"I admit he doesn't seem like the typical athlete. I just have so many reservations and it doesn't help that my cousins, his teammates, are trying to warn me off. Especially, Dex. He's kind of going crazy with the idea of me being with him. I don't get it. We haven't seen each other in years."

"You're family, hun. They love you no matter how many years it has been. If they even know a little bit of what you went through before you went over there then they are definitely going to be protective."

"Hmmm. I guess that makes sense. I just wish you were here. Maybe if you were then I'd feel better and know what to do."

"I miss you too. We would definitely paint Europe red. As for Finley, I don't think it would be a bad thing to have an affair while you were there. It doesn't have to be an actual relationship. Use him for that body and use that big cock we know he has." She giggled.

"We don't know that, and I am not looking for an affair. I'm ok with being his friend."

"Yeah but is he really ok with just friends? From what you told me he sounds like he wants more than friends."

Christina sighed again. "Ok. Say he wants more than friends. Why me? There are those women hanging around. Clearly, he can get whoever he wants. I've seen the groupies that hang around this team. They aren't exactly homely. I'm just a plain Jane. So, why me? "

Now it was Ruby's turn to sigh. "You know I hate when you cut yourself down. Why wouldn't he be interested in you? You are smart, sassy, pretty and loyal to a fault. If he even saw a glimpse of what I know you have then he probably can't stay away from you. On top of it all, your cousins are making you appear more mysterious and he definitely wants to solve that mystery. "

"So, are you telling me to text him back?"

"Yes, you idiot. Text the sexy, hot man back. Even if you don't want an affair use him to have fantastic adventures that you will be able to tell your grandchildren about while rocking in your rocking chair."

"Wow...that was awfully specific."

"I work in IT. It's all about the specifics for us."

"Speaking of which shouldn't you be working right now?"

"I have been working this whole time sweetie. I'm just that good."

"Very modest too." Christina teased.

"You know I am the sun that your planet revolves around."

Christina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, ok."

"I literally heard you roll your eyes. That just confirms you know I'm right."

"Alright my star. I will let you get back to work and I'm going to-"

"Text Finley?" Ruby interrupted.

"Maybe. Love you.

"Love you too. Go have adventures and tell me about them."

"I will." Christina pressed end and lay back on her bed looking at the phone in her hand. Before she could decide what to do about Finley her phone vibrated.

Unknown: Hello Sweetness. Miss me?

A chill ran down Christina's spine. Only one person called her sweetness and it wasn't anyone she wanted to talk to anymore. Garrett Reeve was the hotshot new running back for the Bombers. He was one of the clients S.E.M in Chicago had recently signed. He was touted as one of the sexiest men in football. With his half native American half Italian looks, his body made out of marble and a smile that made most women fall at his feet it was a pretty easy call. Unfortunately, Christina was not one of those women. She saw him as a client and only a client. She could admit that he was very attractive, but he was also rude, arrogant and completely full of himself.

Christina: Who is this?

Unknown: You know who this is, sweetness.

Christina: Garrett?

Unknown: Of course, it's me babe. Who else do you know that calls you sweetness?

Christina sighed. No one else called her sweetness. The nickname made her skin crawl.

Christina: What do you want?

Garrett: Aww. What's wrong sweetness?

Christina scoffed at his text and gripped the phone tighter. How could he possibly not know why she was pissed?

Christina: How could you ask me that? You know what I'm pissed about

Garrett: Is this about that misunderstanding with Melanie?

Misunderstanding? He called her getting fired for something he did a misunderstanding?

Christina: Are you kidding right now? I don't think I want to talk to you anymore. Please leave me alone, Garrett.

Garrett: What? I didn't do anything. I don't know why you'd be pissed at me. Melanie was that one who ratted us out.

Christina: There was never an us, Garrett. I know you were asked if I came onto you. I also know that you said yes. YOU LIED!!!!

Garrett: Don't you see what I did for us, sweetness. You couldn't represent me and us be together. So, I fixed things. Now, we can be together. Melanie represents me now and I told her I wanted to reach out to you. That's how I got your number.

Christina saw red. Her hand was shaking, and the words became wavy on the phone. That egotistical psychopath lied and knew he'd gotten her fired. Her livelihood, life, reputation and career were shredded because of his arrogance.

Christina was the one woman he couldn't have. She'd turned him down on multiple occasions but thought he'd finally gotten the hint. That was until he cornered her in her office and kissed her. It was easily the worst kiss she'd ever had. His hands left bruises on her upper arms from his too tight grip. His teeth clashed against hers. Too much tongue, too much spit and his breath smelled rancid. It took all of her will power not to throw up.

When she finally managed to push him away she saw Melanie looking into her office. She'd known Melanie had the hots for Garrett. Everyone in the office knew that. After the unfortunate kiss, Christina explained to Garrett how nothing could ever happen between them because she represented him. She left out the part where she wasn't interested at all. He nodded and mumbled under his breath that he'd take care of things and a very strange look crossed his face. Two weeks later, Christina was called into her boss's office and told that due to her unwanted conduct with a certain client she was being let go.

"Hey, Chris. You ok?" Imogen's voice jolted her out of her memories.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Bullshit. You are crying. What's wrong?"

Christina couldn't hold it in any longer. "I just found out that the person who got me fired did it on purpose because he thought we could be together."

"Fuck."

"Yeah. Fuck. Imogen, I am so angry right now I can't see straight."

"I would bloody well think so. Can't you call your old boss and straighten things out?" Imogen asked with barely contained fury.

"I don't think that would do anything at this point. Honestly, I don't want that job back."

"Ok. So, would you mind if I told the boys and they popped over to America real quick and beat him to a bloody pulp?"

"Imogen! You make it sound like they would be just going to the grocery store. Please don't tell them. I know you guys know why I got fired but it's a bit humiliating."

"Why? You didn't do a fucking thing wrong? You shouldn't be humiliated at all."

"Yeah well my life is in shambles because this psychopath lied." Christina's cell vibrated when she finished talking.

"Is that him?"

"Yes. Apparently, his new agent gave him my number. Which clearly breaks countless rules but that is neither here nor there."

"Let me see." Imogen grabbed the phone before Christina could.

Christina watched as Imogen read through all of the texts, even the one she had yet to see. Imogen's face began to turn red with anger. Her grip on Christina's phone kept getting tighter. She was worried her phone would be crushed in her hand. Recalling the texts, Christina could feel her face heating. Before she had a chance to say anything Imogen jumped off her bed and strode toward the door.

"Imogen! Stop! What are you doing?"

"I'm going to show these to my da. He'll know what to do."

"No. I don't want anyone to know. I wouldn't have told you if you hadn't caught me staring out in space."

"You were crying, Chris. You had tears streaming down your face. That is what I caught. I saw you were in pain and I knew you needed me. Let me tell Da. He will be able to do something about this. He may even be able to get you a job. "

Christina's heart skipped. "I can handle it. Give me my phone. Though I never thought of it, but do you think Uncle James would help me get a job?"

"Da would do that." Imogen said handing over the phone.

"Thank you, Imogen. Please don't tell anyone about this."

Imogen stared at Christina for a long while. "For now. If things get out of hand, then I can't keep that secret anymore. I won't see you hurt."

"Ok." Christina said to Imogen's retreating back.

Christina let out a deep breath to release some of her stress. Then she looked down at the phone in her hand. The message from Garrett had her blood turning cold.

Garrett: Coming to London. See you soon, sweetness.