by Maya Hughes
“It's just running numbers and forecasting every possible thing that could go wrong to help insurance companies or other companies figure out how much to charge people in premiums, or what the probability is of certain events happening. I'm good with numbers and data, so it all worked out. I'm not passionate about it, but it pays the bills.”
Jess realized he hadn’t mentioned his work except in an abstract sense. “So, what about you? What do you do to pay the bills?” They walked past an ice cream truck as they strolled down the mall.
“Do you want an ice cream?” Aedan attempted to stall a bit. This was the part of the conversation he worried about.
“Yeah, sure. I'll just take a chocolate cone,” Jess said following him over to the ice cream truck.
Aedan ordered their cones and they started walking again.
“Well now I'm super intrigued by the stalling technique. What do you do? Courier? Male stripper? Drug mule?” It wouldn’t be so easy to get out of this one. Aedan worried about how things would change once she found out what he did for a living.
He chuckled, “No, nothing that scandalous.” Aedan took a deep breath. “I play football, though I guess you call it soccer here in the States.”
“OK …,” Jess drawled, staring at him with a strange look on her face. Thee look was fleeting before she went back to licking her cone. “That's cool. Nice that work is doing well enough for you to get to travel and stay at nice places like your hotel. I heard something about the soccer players for team USA needing to work at Home Depot in the off-season to make ends meet. And I’ve heard about basketball players going over to Europe to play and not really being able to save up much.”
Aedan felt his heart skip a beat a bit. He knew that football was not that popular in the US, but he didn’t imagine she would think that he was an impoverished player wandering the world with his backpack. Aedan choked back a chuckle.
“Why the worried look? Did you think I'd be put off by you being a soccer player?”
“No, I just didn't want to ... I don't know why I was worried, but I guess I didn't want it to change the way you saw me.”
“Don't worry. I know what it's like when you're scraping by to do what you love. But now that I know, no more picking up the tab for me! I can pay or we can go Dutch. You don't have to try to impress me by paying for stuff for me.”
Aedan exhaled the breath he seemed to be holding in. “I'm glad to hear it doesn't change how you see me and it’s really no big deal. I do OK, so don’t worry about it.” He gave her a hug and stole a lick of her ice cream.
“Hey, no stealing my sweets!”
“What if I get a kiss instead?”
“I think that can be arranged.” Aedan brought his hand up to the side of her face and pulled Jess close, licking the ice cream off her lips before deepening the kiss. Jess’s belly fluttered and her heart raced as they continued their kiss until she felt the ice cream dripping onto her hand.
“You made me make a mess!” She laughed.
“I’ll help clean you up,” as he started to lick the ice cream off her fingers and Jess started to fan herself with her hand.
“That’s certainly one way to steal my ice cream.”
After they finished their ice cream, Jess decided she needed to slow things down a little. The soccer player reveal had made her nervous. She was afraid she freaked Aedan out a little bit with her mental when he said he was a professional athlete. Her mind began to race as she thought about the one and only athlete she dated. That hadn’t had a happy ending.
But Jess took a break and thought about what she knew about soccer, which wasn’t much. There had been a spotlight on some of the DC team members and how much they loved the sport, but had to pick up odd jobs on the off-season to make ends meet. Jess knew that soccer was a big deal in the rest of the world, but how much more of a big deal could it really be? Still, she was happy that Aedan could do something that he loved and made a living.
After the date, Jess knew they should take a breather. She didn’t want to seem too clingy or want him to think she’d be able to spend every waking minute with him until he left. While that might be what she wanted to do, duty called and it was named a data set with over five hundred pages that she only had a few days to get through. Jess would much rather spend that time with Aedan. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet and she was already seriously falling for this guy. Distance and perspective were needed. Plus, she needed to check in on Meg. Hopefully, she had exorcised the sickness demon and would be up for visitors.
The end of the weekend was coming up far too soon. As Aedan and Jess parted, promising to meet up for dinner on Sunday night, Jess felt a little pang of sadness that it would be more than a day before she would get to see him again.
Meg returned her text, reassuring Jess that she had in fact survived. Jess picked up some provisions and headed over to Meg’s apartment. The dreamy look in her eyes was quickly wiped away when the Yeti woman who had replaced one of her best friends answered the door.
“Wow—Meg you look like crap!” Meg’s usually glossy black curls were in a kind of matted nest all bunched up on one side on her head, her green eyes were dull and ringed with red, and she was definitely in her period PJs.
“Gee thanks, and this is about fifty percent better than I looked last night.” She looked at Jess with a half glare, half smile.
“I can’t say I’m sorry I missed it. I bought provisions,” Jess said holding up the shopping bags. Meg moved out of the doorway so she could come inside. Jess made her way into the kitchen and started unpacking the food, humming quietly to herself while Meg flopped down on the couch.
“So, who’s the guy you met last night?”
“What ... why would you say there’s a guy?”
“Because you only hum ‘Your Love is Lifting Me Higher’ when you’re super smitten. You haven’t been seeing anyone, so I assume that you met someone last night.”
“Maybe ...”
“Don’t you dare ‘maybe’ me. I’ve been praying to the porcelain god for almost twelve hours, so it seems that my near-death experience had a purpose,” Meg whined, rearranging the pillows under her head. “I feel better knowing I was sacrificing myself for your happiness. If I had been at that bar, you would have pulled your wallflower routine for sure. You better spill.”
“OK, fine. I did meet someone last night. His name’s Aedan, and he’s Irish. In town, just for a few weeks this summer visiting family.”
Jess put the milk away in the fridge, throwing out the way-expired carton that she hoped wasn’t the source of Meg’s stomach bug.
“Ohh nice, does he have a sexy Irish brogue?”
“Yes, he does indeed. Your choices are tea and toast, rice, or chicken noodle soup.”
“How was he in bed?”
Jess turned to her, “You know I’m not going to tell you that.”
“Why not? I tell you all about my conquests.”
“And I never ask to know! You just can’t contain yourself, always talking about dudes with piercings, positions, and all that other stuff.”
“What can I say, I’m a sharer.” Meg shrugged her shoulders. “And I’ll take tea with toast, Mommy, followed by the soup.” Jess stuck out her tongue as she filled the electric kettle. As she pulled out two mugs and the teabags, Jess’s mind wandered back to Aedan, wondering what he was up to and looking forward to their dinner together Sunday night.
“You’re humming again.” Meg teased from the couch, where she was wrapped up in her comfy blanket. Jess turned and threw a tea bag at Meg’s head hitting her square in the forehead.
“Direct hit!” Jess crowed as she pumped her hands over her head.
“That only worked because I’m still recovering.” Meg said with a frown.
“Don’t worry! I won’t tell anyone your defensive skills are lacking.”
“So, what time did Sam finally make it out of the office?”
“She didn’t. I sent her a text ear
lier and she was still there. She might as well get a cot for her office; at least she could get some decent sleep.” Jess added milk and sugar to both mugs and brought them over to the couch, where she sat down next to Meg. Jess handed her the mug and a spoon. Meg stirred her tea with the spoon and took a couple of sips.
“How is it?”
Meg sighed. “Divine. Just what I needed.”
“We’re both really sorry that we stood you up last night. I didn’t realize she couldn’t make it, either.”
“Trust me—I’m glad you stayed home. We wouldn’t have wanted anyone to slip in a Meg mudslide.”
“Har har har ...” Meg warmed her hands on the sides of the mug and brought it to her lips, blowing on it before taking a few sips.
“Speaking of mudslides, you would have been so proud of me, I told this complete bitch at the club off last night.”
“Now this I’ve got to hear.”
Jess regaled Meg with the recap of last night minus the sexy stuff. Telling off the witch at the club, meeting Aedan, hanging out with him all evening and then this morning.
“When do you see him again?!”
“Tomorrow night for dinner.”
“Wow, serious stuff huh?”
“Well he’s only here for a bit longer, so we might as well make the most of it.”
And try not to get too attached.
7
After walking Jess back to the metro, Aedan made his way back to the hotel. He was sure by now that Jess had no idea who he was. It was a bit humbling, but equally refreshing. The fact that she’d been so sweet about him being just a soccer player had him smiling all the way back to the hotel. His last contract with Chelsea put him among one of the highest paid footballers in history. At least he knew she wasn’t after him for his money or fame.
Back at the hotel, he turned on his phone and checked for messages. He found one from his manager and another from his Aunt Aoife. His manager could wait. Aunt Aoife would hunt him down if she thought he was ignoring her. While listening to her message, he started looking for directions to her house in Alexandria.
“Dinner tonight at six, no excuses! You better be here or I’ll call your mum. I’m not kidding Aedan! I never get to see you, so I’m holding you to it!” Though she sounded fierce, he knew she sincerely wanted to spend time with him.
Typical that she threatened to call his mum, and she meant it, too. Thankfully it looked like her house was near a metro stop. It would increase the risk of someone recognizing him, but so far things had been pretty low-key. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to take the tube back in the UK.
Next was the message from his manager. After listening to the message, Aedan picked up his mobile and placed the call. James picked up on the first ring. “What took you so long? What’s the point of having a mobile if you’re turning it off when you travel?”
“You know data costs an arm and a leg over here.”
“Aedan ... are you being fucking serious right now? Expensive? Never mind, I don’t have time for that right now. Anyway, now that I’ve got ya, the trade went through for Samuelson, so people are chomping at the bit to get your take on it. I think it would be best if you cut your trip short and get back here tomorrow.”
“James, I’ve been here for less than forty-eight hours. I’m not heading back now. The season doesn’t start for another six weeks and I don’t have to be back for training for three. I’m taking my time off. I’m relaxing, visiting family and playing tourist.”
“I know, but if we get you seen over here it will only increase your profile. Maybe we could get some pics of you and Kate together.”
“James, we aren’t together anymore.”
“What? Why am I just now finding out about this?” James groused.
“I don’t have to tell you everything. You’re my manager, not my mother. We broke up. It’s done.”
“That’s not what she’s saying. She’s wandering around still thinking of herself as a WaG. I think there’s some new show they’re trying to start up following around the footballer WaGs and it seems like she wants a spot.”
Aedan rolled his eyes at this. Kate was a nice piece and certainly fit the role of WaG—an acronym for Wife and Girlfriend in the soccer world —to a tee, but they were over. He told her that by text, since that’s how they communicated. No late-night sexy phone calls with her; It was almost like it was strictly business right down to the lingerie that she wore over to his place under her trench coats. They attended events at least once per week together unless one of them was traveling for work. Very few overnights and the ones they did have were mainly just when it was to be served as paparazzi fodder.
He contrasted his time with Kate to limited time he’d spent with Jess and realized just how much better being with someone you actually care about can be.
“I sent her a fecking text before I left. She seemed completely cool with it.”
“Well maybe that was before this opportunity presented itself. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of it.”
“Good. See that you do. James, I’ve got to go. I’m heading to dinner at my auntie’s house.”
“Dinner? It’s only 4 pm over there.”
“Yeah, well you know, early bird and all that.”
“Aedan, there are a few other things I need to talk to you about.”
“It can wait. I’ll talk to you later, James.” Aedan ended the call before James could respond.
He opened up his contacts and found Jess’s name. The picture popped up with a goofy face she’d made with boss-eyes and her tongue sticking out. Once Jess realized Aedan had taken the picture she begged him to delete and take another one. Aedan had said he deleted, but secretly saved it. He loved it that she’d been so silly in that moment and wanted to keep that memory with him. He sent her a quick message.
A: Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. My Aunt has threatened to sic my mum on me if I don’t come over for dinner tonight.”
J: Hey stranger :) I’m glad you’ll finally get to see her.
A: I was trying to think of where we could go tomorrow. Any suggestions?
J: Don’t worry about it. I’ll surprise you. I should be finished with work by 4:30. Pick you up at 5?
A: Working on the weekend?
J: Yes, I know, it’s a mess. I’ll tell you about it later. Does 5 work for you?
A: Perfect, see you then.
8
Navigating the metro to get to Alexandria had been easier than he expected. As Aedan walked the five blocks to his aunt’s house, he thought about Jess and their plans for tomorrow and beyond. He had never met a girl like her before. She was smart, she made him laugh more than any woman he met, and he could barely keep his hands off her.
Because she was so sweet and real, he worried about bringing all of his football crap down on her. He knew there was a certain type of woman that fit the WaG mold. They knew the score when it came to being in the limelight and could weather the sometimes-brutal paparazzi.
He knew it was something he would have to talk to her about soon if things progressed as he hoped. Maybe she’d even come to visit him in the UK during pre-season training. He put all of that on the back burner as he walked up to his aunt’s front door.
His Aunt Aoife was by far his favorite aunt. She would always have a special place in his heart because of how she looked after his family when his dad passed away when he was eleven. She stayed with his mum and brother after his dad died, and Aunt Aoife kept them all fed and watered in those rough few months right after.
It had freaked Aedan out how much his mum checked out after his dad died. They were so in love, completely and totally. They embarrassed the hell out of Aedan and his brother, always slow dancing in the middle of the kitchen, and giving each other kisses out in public. At the time, Aedan had been horrified. Now he looked back on it with fond memories of how much love there was in that house. It also scared him off the L-word for a long time. Knowing you could lose y
ourself in someone else so completely that you can’t even function without them was a scary prospect.
When his mum had barely been able to dress herself, Aunt Aoife was there with her sisterly love. She kept his mum going, get the boys off to school or some other activity, and took care of things around the house. Although it was one of the hardest times in Aedan’s life, having his cousins around had made it so much easier.
They were all there that whole summer, keeping Aedan and his little brother, Sean, occupied and distracted. Putting her life and the life of her family on hold for three months was a big sacrifice, but she never complained and Aedan had been heartbroken when she and his cousins flew back to the States.
Even after she returned home, they would talk on the phone often. Aunt Aoife wanted to make sure that Mum hadn’t fallen back into a depression. It was a trying time, and though there were other family members around, they weren’t the same as Aunt Aoife. It was only a couple of years later that a development team took notice of Aedan and he began his football career at the tender age of thirteen.
Aunt Aoife had often flown over to the UK after visiting his mum in Dublin to watch a match when he was playing, and he spent one whole summer at her house before she moved down to DC from Boston. He remembered a lot of time spent with her in the kitchen, she with a big glass of wine in one hand and an oven mitt in the other, watching the football and telling off the refs if she felt a call was out of order.
Aedan barely made it to the front door when she swung it open and pulled him into a bear hug.
“Aedan! It’s about time you got here,” she exclaimed. “I was about to send a search party after you. Come in, come in.” She pulled him into the house and right into the kitchen. “What can I get you? A beer? Some wine? Whiskey?”
