“Mum bought me my first place, too.” The mansion in São Paulo had a breathtaking view of the city. Just thinking of it made me homesick.
“Maybe I’ll visit you in the summer.” He glanced at me. “If you don’t mind?”
“I’d love that.”
“The salary from MU is pretty decent, too.”
We were talking a multi-million dollar deal within the premier league. Not too shabby for someone his age.
“Is Morgan financially stable?” I asked.
“Yeah, she’s paid by sponsors. She doesn’t care what people think of her. She’ll try anything once.”
“An extrovert, then.”
“She matches my sense of fun.” He turned to look at me. “How’s things in São Paulo?”
“Firm’s doing great.” I let out a wary breath, trying to find the words to tell him I had seen Daisy yesterday. Revealing her escapades might rekindle his interest in her. The fact she was willing to hang off The Shard would probably blow his mind.
Nick sprung to his feet. “Goal!”
My attention shot to the kid on the field who’d scored. His teammates were jumping up and down around him with joy. I pushed to my feet to praise him with a standing ovation. When the nine-year-old saw Nick applauding from the stands he almost fell over.
Nick took his seat again. “I need to get into Manchester United like I need to breathe.”
“You’ll make it.”
“None of this would be bearable if you weren’t here.”
My chest constricted. “I love spending time with you.”
“You’re the best intermediary to have around when Mum nags me.”
“She’s on my case, too.”
“Anyone back in São Paulo?” Nick eyed me with interest. “Yeah, I can see there’s someone.” He broke into a grin. “Do I know you or what?”
“I…well…she’s a friend.”
Daisy. He’d picked up on my uncanny fascination with his ex. We were never seeing each other again so it was fine. It would just complicate the issue to mention it. It should never have happened really—me allowing this affection for a woman we were all meant to be avoiding.
And forgetting.
“She must be a special friend, then.” He buried his face in his hands. “Oh, my God, I almost forgot to tell you. Daisy posted something wild on Instagram.”
“A video?”
He nodded. “Recorded at the Waldorf—a video of her literally flying through a glass chute at a hundred miles an hour.” He chuckled. “Totally out of character for her.”
“Maybe she’s trying to come out of her shell?”
“It’s like she’s had a personality transplant.”
I leaned back to study his reaction. “She can be adventurous.”
“I had no idea.”
I rested my hand on his back to add weight to my words. “Nick, Daisy is still in love with you.”
He leaned forward. “She needs to get on with her life.”
“I believe she’s trying.”
“She needs to meet someone new.”
“How would you feel about that?”
His narrowed gaze held mine. “I’d be fine with it. Why are we still talking about this?”
“She’s part of your past. That’s important to me.”
He blew out a sigh infused with frustration. “I knew her brother, Liam. We were at university together. I liked him. We had a lot of stuff in common, you know. He was heavily into winter sports, an expert skier, and for a while there he was headed to the Olympics. That guy could stick to a black run like Spiderman.”
Nausea welled in my throat. “What happened?”
Nick looked uncomfortable. “He died in a plane crash.”
A shiver slithered down my spine. Daisy had never mentioned it.
“It changed her,” said Nick. “Apparently, she was a fun-loving girl in college, but after Liam’s death she turned into someone who always plays it safe.”
“Were you and Daisy friends at first?”
He looked thoughtful. “I suppose we were. I met her at her brother’s funeral. At the reception afterward she got blind drunk—completely wasted. A few of us picked her up and brought her back to the house. We didn’t want her family seeing her in that state.”
“Your house in Bermondsey?”
“Yeah, I watched over her until she was sober. Stayed awake all night in a chair while she slept. When she finally woke up, she was still unsteady so I helped her into the shower.” He raised his hand defensively. “I didn’t take advantage.”
“I know you would never do that.”
“Then, not two weeks later, my dad died…” He shook his head. “We were a right pair, me and Daisy. Grieving together. That was what we had in common. We both knew how the other one felt. After Dad died, I didn’t want to be alone, so I asked her to stay at my house.”
“Nick,” I said with sympathy.
He gave me a sad smile. “Our relationship was built on a foundation of grief.”
“I should have visited more.”
“You were there for me.”
“Not enough.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Daisy. I owed it to her brother to watch over her. Help her get over his death. She was fun and innocent in a cute way. I just feel like something changed inside me. Like I started to love her like a brother. I believed a clean break was best for both of us.”
“Maybe it was the pressure you were under?”
He looked at me. “People change, right? Our mum fell out of love with your dad. You just wake up and feel differently one day.”
“What is it about Morgan you prefer over Daisy?”
“I was playing it safe with Daisy. Morgan is exciting.”
“Wasn’t your life exciting enough?”
“I need to explore another side of me. Anyway, I think Morgan improves my game.”
“How?”
“She makes me forget myself. She’s all-consuming. Like I can’t think straight when I’m around her because she’s unfathomable.”
I wasn’t’ sure that was a good thing.
“How long have you been with Morgan?” I studied him carefully.
“Three months.”
I sat up straight. “You were cheating on Daisy?”
“She really has gotten under your skin, bro.” He looked concerned. “You’re not still in contact with her, are you?”
I gave a shrug. “There’s no reason to be.”
I felt a dull ache of longing for all the times I’d stood in her presence and felt like a different man.
Nick had failed to notice my melancholy tone.
He inhaled sharply. “At the end we were living together like roommates.”
“I didn’t know,” I whispered.
“You’re way overdue for a steady relationship, Max.”
“I’m fine. I just want to see you both happy.”
“Morgan and I are happy in our own way.”
I was talking about him and Daisy, but I didn’t correct his thinking.
“You’re coming over tomorrow, right?”
I gave a wry smile. “When I’m here, Mum just tells me my itinerary. Obligingly, I turn up.”
“Did she spill my news?” At my look of confusion, he added, “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”
I flinched. “I am sitting down.”
An uneasy feeling settled in my gut, but my forced smile hid my reaction. I knew what came next—the news no one was ready for.
This one was personal. No sliding down glass chutes. No hanging off buildings. This dare was about going after what you wanted with all your heart and making that dream a reality.
Earlier today, Ted had delivered his motivational speech in the Kings Head Pub in Kings Cross to us members of the Dare Club. The place had also been packed with regulars—a typical atmosphere for a Tuesday lunch crowd.
“Tonight, there will be no second guessing,” he’d told us. “No turning back. N
o backing out.”
In that very moment, I’d decided what this new dare meant to me.
Chasing my heart was all I had left—even if it made my stomach twist into knots, even if it made me question my worthiness.
Don’t think about Max.
Don’t.
Anyway, he was back in São Paulo. Not to mention the fact that every time he saw me he was only thinking about damage control. Hoping for there to be something more between us was wishful thinking. That same naivety had kept me from seeing my relationship with Nick was about to implode.
But I was becoming a new person, someone I could be proud of.
Driving out of London and all the way to Hampstead had taken a full hour. I’d watched the city give way to the countryside, blasting Billie Eilish out of the speakers, a proper soundtrack for the Shakespearian drama my life had become.
The dare plan: gatecrash the cocktail party at Nick’s family home. This newfound confidence had me all revved up and ready to do what had to be done to turn my life around. This dare felt different, because it was so personal.
There’d been no official announcement in the press yet, but after tonight the world would know Nick’s name. This event was being thrown by his family to celebrate him being accepted into Manchester United. What other reason could there be?
I was happy for him. I really was.
Thoughts of Max had eased the strain of my breakup. I really should have taken his advice and deleted that app permanently off my phone.
As though I’d not endured enough torture, I’d watched the video of Morgan shopping in Harrods for a dress to wear to the event, shop assistants fussing around her as she tried on different styles. Then she had asked her fans to vote for their favorite.
Oh, the suspense…
Would it be the elegant Badgley Mischka that showed off her long legs? Or the flowing pink chiffon that hid her Maleficent side?
We’d all just have to wait and see…
I, too, had bought a brand new outfit—a Marks and Spencer flowing black skirt and a white blouse with flouncy sleeves. Perfect for a cocktail party. I’d spent time on my makeup, too, adding some blush to disguise my pallor from lack of sleep, and applying soft pink lipstick to round out my I-kind-of-tried-but-didn’t-have-to ensemble.
I styled my hair so it tumbled down my shoulders in shiny waves. Nick had always loved it when I wore my hair down. Though doubt had settled amongst my happy memories like weeds in a flower garden, creeping in unseen, strangling what was once beautiful and sacred. I’d never seen our breakup coming.
Tonight, I’d get to meet his family. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Though I knew if I were caught, Nick would bail me out—as long as I didn’t act like the crazy ex-girlfriend, he’d see the funny side. He’d see I wanted the best for him.
My GPS led me all the way to a brass gate entryway. Beyond, a vast estate. I stared through the car window.
This can’t be it.
At the end of the long, gravel driveway loomed an intimidating manor of grey granite that was surrounded by sculpted hedges. Sixteenth century lancet-style windows added to its Gothic splendor. A bunch of rich snooty types lived here, no doubt.
The gate swung open.
My heart rate took off at a thundering pace.
A guest arriving ahead of me pulled up in her Rolls Royce to the front door where she was met by a valet. The woman climbed out of her flashy car and showed off her glamorous gown.
Shit.
I was underdressed.
Another woman in a billowing dress was being escorted into the manor by a guy in a snazzy tuxedo. I recognized several of Nick’s friends exiting a long limousine, each wearing a tux. From their laughter I could tell they’d had a few drinks on the way.
I ducked down in my front seat, not wanting them to see me and give Nick the heads-up I was here. I didn’t want to be escorted out by a stranger before I’d gotten to speak with him.
Before I realized what was happening, a valet had ushered me out of my car. I watched him drive my Mini Cooper around a corner.
Following the crowd through the impressive front door, I tried not to gawp at the elegant foyer. It reminded me of a Vanity Fair spread with its green drapes and marble flooring.
Maybe they’d rented the place for the evening? This made the most sense as no way had Nick ever lived here.
Had he?
A middle-aged waiter hurried toward me. “Are you going to just stand there?”
I realized he was talking to me.
“We need help with the hors d’oeuvres.” He gestured with a crook of his head for me to follow.
My gaze snapped over to a waitress holding a tray, offering wine to the newly arrived. She was wearing a white blouse and black skirt. I had dressed the same as the frickin’ staff!
I inhaled sharply at the vision at the end of the foyer.
He was here.
Max was chatting with an older couple. He’d told me he was flying back to São Paulo, but he hadn’t mentioned when exactly. His way of shaking me off, no doubt.
His tuxedo enhanced his already generous shoulders, fitting him so well he looked like royalty. His dark hair looked tousled, like he’d run his fingers through it in a moment of rebellion. And those eyes, God, those brown irises glimmered with good humor as they greeted those around him. Guests were just as enamored with him as I was, it seemed. They surrounded him, fawning over the man who stood out in the crowd; the brother of the star of evening.
Max was annoyingly gorgeous. The kind of distraction I didn’t have time for. If he saw me, he’d tell me to leave. Stepping back, I hid behind an enormous vase.
Oh, fuckadoo.
Max was walking in my direction.
I turned quickly and burst through a door, following a waiter down a long corridor teeming with staff—all of them dressed like me in black and white.
My humiliation was complete.
It wasn’t my fault. The last thing I’d been expecting was an über-posh event.
The staff swarmed around me, some carrying trays of food, others returning with empty glasses, everyone scurrying around looking busy. It was organized chaos in the kitchen as chefs prepared the food, shouting orders and sending dishes out on trays.
Two fingers clicked in my face. “I need you with it,” said a waiter.
“I…um…”
“This place may be filled with football royalty,” he snapped. “But you need to do your job.” He handed me a plate of hors d’oeuvres.
This wasn’t exactly the plan but being undercover as a waitress might be a great way to sneak around unseen. I improvised, heading out into the party and offering food to the party-goers, all the while scanning the room for Nick. It was kind of nice to nosy around and get a glimpse of Nick’s secret world.
Inside an empty sitting room, I took a few minutes to strategize. As soon as I saw Nick, I’d grab his attention and have him follow me to somewhere more private. We’d talk, clear the air, and I’d get the precious minutes I needed to make him see sense.
My jaw slackened.
There, hanging on the far wall, was a portrait that had apparently been taken a few years ago. David Banham stood beside his beautiful wife, Nick’s mum. Two proud looking parents posed with their children, Nick and Max.
This was their home.
Nick had grown up here.
The realization made me tremble with unease.
I’d never been good enough to be introduced to any of these people.
They’d had the money to throw at me. They’d used their authority to make me go away quietly.
Yeah, not so much.
I was the hero here and one day they’d come to see that.
I walked over to the tall glass window and stared out at the beautiful people having fun in the elaborate garden. Even their laughter sounded posh. The people out there knew Nick better than I did. It was the kind of crowd Morgan would feel at home in. The glamorous types.<
br />
I’d gone from loving my outfit to feeling frumpy.
I didn’t belong.
Never would.
Fresh air beckoned as I stepped out onto a stone patio. I rested the tray on the linen-covered table.
“What do we have here?” A middle-aged man was pointing at a table strewn with a selection of delicious edibles. “Recommend anything?” He offered me a warm smile.
“I think that’s salmon.” I gave a shrug of doubt. “They have a nice white wine over there that will pair well.”
“Oh, lovely,” he answered in a crisp accent.
Realizing he was waiting for me to pour him a glass, I got on with it, sloshing the contents of an oversized carafe of white wine into a large glass and handing it over.
He looked amused. “Thank you, my dear.”
Then I recognized him—this man was the son of the owner of Manchester United. His say would influence Nick’s career.
“I want you to know,” I began. “Nick Banham is not only a brilliant player but a good person, too.”
“I appreciate that,” he said.
“He’ll give his all. You’ll have someone who’ll make you proud. Football’s in his blood, but more importantly, he’d be a team player and he’d also be good to the fans.”
He held out his hand. “And you are?”
Oh, right.
“No one important. Just someone who cares deeply for him.”
He headed off and disappeared into the crowd.
Peering beyond the throng of party-goers, my eyes adjusted to the dark, making out the seemingly endless amount of land that belonged to the estate. The curtain was drawn back on who Nick really was—a man who’d lived a privileged life.
I’d never really known him.
Yet my heart reacted the same way it always had when I saw him across the lawn, as though forgetting the pain he’d put me through.
Nick was pulling Morgan down a garden pathway. The sight of them together sent an arrow into my heart, lodging there, causing my chest to constrict with a sudden pain. I bit my bottom lip and put a hand over my heart as though I could soothe away the agony.
Turn back.
But I couldn’t.
Blinking into the darkness, I hurried along beside a fence that surrounded a tennis court. Inhaling deep breaths to calm myself, I followed along after them, trying to convince myself that what I was doing made sense. I’d have to wait for Nick to be alone before I confronted him. All I had to do was not lose sight of them.
Maximum Dare Page 9
