Fragile

Chapter 9 - Run In

"You heard me," I teased, taking a sip of my drink.

Leah huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

"And yet, here you are."

Beth laughed, clinking her glass against mine. "Oh yeah, she's a keeper."

Lotte, who had been relatively quiet up until now, leaned in with an amused smirk. "So, Evelyn, you actually watch football?"

I turned my attention to her, grinning. "I mean, yeah. I had to keep up with Riggs's obsession somehow."

Katie perked up. "Ohhh, you've got one of those little ones who can name every stat, don't you?"

I sighed dramatically. "Every single one."

Lotte chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. "Okay, then. Who do you support?"

I hesitated just long enough for Leah to groan beside me.

"Oh, no," she muttered, shaking her head.

I smirked. "Chelsea."

Katie gasped in mock betrayal. "You're a Blue?!"

Beth clutched her chest. "Leah, I can't believe you're with the enemy."

Leah sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Hey, I didn't know!"

I shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I like pain."

Lotte laughed, resting her chin on her hand. "That's actually worse than if you said Tottenham."

"I refuse to be slandered at my own table," I said dramatically, taking a sip of my drink.

Leah smirked beside me, leaning in slightly. "It's my table, actually."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Captain."

Her smirk twitched, and I didn't miss the way her thumb traced lazy circles against my waist.

Lotte leaned back in her chair, still watching me. "Alright, then, Evelyn the Chelsea Fan—since you've clearly spent time watching, what's your opinion on Arsenal's season so far?"

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Oh, you want my opinions now?"

Beth grinned. "We might as well hear them before we bully you into switching allegiances."

I huffed a laugh, setting my drink down. "Well... despite my allegiances, I will admit Arsenal have been solid. Second in the league is impressive. But not like our first place blues.

Leah tilted her head slightly, watching me. "Yeah?"

I shrugged. "Yeah."

Lotte smirked. "That's actually a solid answer. Minus the Chelsea part."

Eric, who had been sipping his drink quietly, finally spoke. "So, uh... how famous are you, exactly?"

The table erupted into laughter.

"Oh my God," I groaned, shaking my head. "Eric, how drunk are you to forget?"

"No, seriously," he continued, waving a hand. "Because I thought I knew who you were, but now I'm realizing I definitely don't follow football enough."

Leah huffed a laugh, shaking her head. "It's fine. You're not missing much."

Beth scoffed. "Oh, please. She's just being humble because she doesn't want to scare Evelyn off."