Lucy Bronze x Reader (50) / Alexia Putellas x Character (16) & Jordan Nobbs x Leah Williamson (9)
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Alexia POV
They were all standing around the baggage carousel, avoiding a few photographers who'd appeared and Alexia was regretting the fact that she hadn't worn a hat. She looked over at Lucy who was using her body to protect an embarrassed Blau from photos in her wheelchair, Jordan kneeling on the other side, reassuring her. Lucy had gone to stalk over and scare them away, but Blau's hand remained tightened around her jumper.
It was then that Alexia spotted Ridley. It was the first time she'd seen her since just after she'd jump seated the take-off and they'd had their close encounters. The flight attendants had checked on the four multiple times, especially Blau, and Alexia knew it was because Ridley had asked. She watched her now as she sauntered through the crowd as if she owned the place. The uniform on her was perfection. Perfectly crisp and clean, her gold wings pinned just above her breast and her tie cutting the symmetry of her white shirt. She wore a leather belt and black, lace-less boots she could see were expensive. She already had her suitcase that she was pulling with her good hand, her flight bag strapped on top. In her cast hand, she held a lead with her not broken fingers as Narla trotted in front of her. She was also wearing a plain black backpack and her pilot's hat. Alexia's heart skipped a beat. That wasn't the cutest thing about her though, surprisingly. The cutest thing was Chiquito perched on her backpack, his front paws on her shoulder, head raised as he looked around. It was adorable. She melted and felt her breath trembling, unable to look elsewhere but at her.
Ridley turned her head with a little smile at the cat and gave him a kiss which he leaned into and then rubbed his cheek along that sharp jawline of hers as she turned back. It was then that she locked eyes with Alexia.
Alexia couldn't even try to pretend she wasn't looking because it would be a lie. Yep, she'd definitely be touching herself that night.
Ridley gave a smirk at her as she approached and as she came closer, she noticed the photographers, and something similar to indignation flashed across her eyes.
"Riddles!"
"Hey peg-leg. Attracting attention, are we?"
"It's just because I'm here," Lucy said cockily as she took Narla's lead from her with a thank you and she bent down to pick her up. She brought her over to Jordan and Blau to pat. "How did you get them?"
"I don't like making Chiquito wait. Their crates will come out on the carousel."
Lucy nodded and they each gave their thanks for the crema catalana surprise.
As Alexia was closest, Chiquito's attention was on her and so she stepped towards Ridley to pet him also. He closed his eyes and leant his head on her shoulder as she did so.
"He loves attention," she admitted in Spanish.
"He can have all of the attention he wants," Alexia replied as another blinding photo flash was taken of the interaction. She shuffled to the side so her back was to them. "We don't share that."
"No?" Ridley took her pilot's hat off and put it on Alexia, pulling it down slightly before adjusting her hair over her ears. Alexia just let her, enjoying the gesture, and gave her a thankful smile.
"What're ya doin' here? Just go!" Came an annoyed voice with a strong accent behind them.
"Chickens!" Jordan grinned as she ran over for a hug.
Alexia reluctantly broke her gaze with Ridley and turned to see Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord making their way over. Their lunch seemed to be expanding again.
They greeted them all and ducked down near Blau to give her supportive hugs and words.
"We Aussies are built strong," Caitlin said proudly as she kissed her on the cheek a bit too hard. Blau winced as her jaw was still very much sore and bruised. "Sorry!"
"Where is tha bitch?" Katie asked Lucy.
"Currently? A Spanish prison. They're being flown back to England for the court date. Although it happened in Spain, their hearing will be here."
"And she's goin' away then?"
"Absolutely. She's not escaping it this time." Lucy's words were blunt and mad. Blau reached out to stroke her thigh as Lucy held Narla.
Alexia was never really the overly touchy type. She was similar to Lucy actually, though not as extreme, only appreciating hugs when they were warranted. Though every time she was near Ridley, she just wanted to be touching her, hugging her, pressed up against her. She could feel her body leaning towards her even at that moment. It made her wonder if her need for Ridley's touch was similar to Blau and Lucy's.
"You two know Alexia obviously," Lucy introduced. They each shared a Spanish welcome. She'd met them on several occasions and even played against them.
"Yeah, we lost against her," Caitlin laughed.
"What're ya doin' in London? Planning on joined Arsenal?"
Alexia chuckled. "Just for holiday."
"Ah. Your knee playin' up?"
"Little bit."
"We know a few good physios-"
"She's already meeting up with mine." Lucy interjected.
"Oh, she's really good!"
Lucy nodded proudly. "You've used her?"
"Oh yeah, plenty o times. She's a magician. And easy on the eyes."
Caitlin smacked her. Blau gestured to Ridley.
"And you remember me mentioning Ridley, right?"
They both turned to her. "Oh, the sexy one, right? I see what ya mean."
Caitlin rolled her eyes and introduced herself as a fellow Australian. And then Katie did.
"Hi, I'm Katie, nice to meet cha! And who's this little guy?!"
Alexia had to step back as they swarmed around Chiquito giving him more love and attention to enjoy.
"Chiquito."
"He looks young, no?"
"He's still just a baby."
"How's the hand?" Caitlin asked.
Ridley lifted her cast arm. "Healing."
"You flew a plane like that?"
"No, I won't be able to fly the big jets for a few weeks. I just like dressing up."
Alexia chuckled and shook her head. Ridley flashed her a wink.
"Did Leah confirm?" Blau asked Jordan.
Caitlin answered first. "She's coming and bringing Kyra, but Jonas wouldn't let us all leave too early. They're going to meet us at lunch. We'll give you three a lift."
"I don't know if the bags will fit for all three..." Katie said.
"I'll take Jordan and the extra bags," Ridley said. "And Alexia, of course."
"No driver?" Alexia asked.
"I cancelled him when I knew I was also coming. He dropped my car at the airport instead."
Ridley was driving her...
"Do you want me to drive?" Jordan asked.
"Thanks Nobbs but I don't think you'll be able to see over the steering wheel."
Jordan pouted as the group chuckled.
"But your hand..." Alexia started.
"You'll be surprised by what I can do with just one hand, la Reina."
Alexia had never been so tempted to fuck someone in public before. Ridley's eyes darkened as she watched Alexia squirm and they flirted just with their eyes.
Katie stepped back and murmured to Blau. "Ohh... so this is a thing."
"That's one way to describe it," she murmured in response. Alexia ignored them as she held Ridley's flirting gaze, refusing to back down or away. Her eyes dropped to her lips and she imagined what they tasted like. As if to infuriate her more, Ridley parted her lips and Alexia felt herself leaning forwards-
And then the carousel started up and broke the tension.
"Christ, I need to cool off." Katie laughed.
YFN POV
"That's for being so gentle, Luce," YFN murmured and leant over for a soft kiss, her ribs and collarbone complaining as she did so but she didn't care. Her lips were so soft. Lucy gave a satisfied hum onto her lips before pulling away and YFN saw Lucy's dazzling green eyes flutter back open again behind her glasses before she smiled. They were sitting around a table at lunch, Narla curled up on a chair next to Lucy and Chiquito on Ridley's lap.
"You say that like you're surprised."
Ridley scoffed. "We all know your impulsive thoughts wanted you to race her wheelchair around like Mario Kart. Trust me, I had the same impulse."
Lucy stifled a guilty laugh and YFN may have been hurting all over, but it didn't stop her launching a bread roll over the table.
Ridley caught it and bit into it. She'd changed before they left and was now in casual clothes. Alexia was sitting to her left and had also changed, though simply by swapping the pilot's hat for a plain black one and putting on another jacket. She wasn't used to the cold weather.
"I'm hungry," Lucy grumbled.
"They're almost here," Caitlin reassured as she texted.
"Nice flowers," Katie said, gesturing to Ridley's cast.
"That's all Alexia." She turned to the Spaniard. "I never asked you about that. Do you draw?"
"Sometimes."
She lifted her arm up and gestured to the two flowers next to each other, specifically their stems. "And this wouldn't be your attempt to brand me with the number 11, would it?"
Alexia looked like she'd been caught. YFN saw Ridley patiently waiting for a response, seeming to enjoy Alexia's hesitation.
Alexia opened her mouth to speak when a loud voice interrupted them.
"Big sis!"
She turned to Kyra bounding over.
"Hey little sis."
Kyra went to grab her when Lucy jumped up and tackled her. "GENTLY, Kyra."
She gave a guilty grin and blushed. It was always strange to YFN to think of how much the young Australian looked up to Lucy.
"Calm?"
Only when she nodded did Lucy release her. God it was sexy when she protected her. Kyra came over for a soft hug and kiss on the cheek before she spotted Alexia and froze.
"And Kyra, that's Alexia, Alexia, Kyra Cooney-Cross. Another Aussie." Alexia shook her hand across the table while Kyra fumbled over words until she managed to say hello. Alexia was amused but graceful about it as she usually was.
"And Kyra, that's Ridley. I'm mentioned her before, my oldest friend. Riddles, this is Kyra."
Ridley gave her an Aussie nod, stroking Chiquito on her lap.
"Is that a cat?!"
"You're lucky he only speaks Spanish. Don't listen to her, Chiquito, you can be whatever you want to be."
YFN laughed out loud at the contradiction of what she'd just said.
Kyra snorted and fell into a seat next to YFN. Lucy grunted. "Nuh uh."
She bent down and picked up Kyra's seat with her still in it and walked her to the far end of the table, past Katie, and dropped her there. YFN watched her biceps bulging into her jacket as she did so, Kyra squealing with joy.
"I'm not risking you getting excited and grabbing her." She said as she pushed her chair in.
The table laughed at the little exchange and Lucy gave YFN a wink, proud of herself as she came back to her.
"Maybe I didn't have to come to England at all," Ridley murmured from across the table. "Keep it up, Bronze."
YFN saw Jordan peer over the group and followed her gaze as Leah joined them.
"Sorry, I couldn't find parking and this one just abandoned ship," she said, gesturing to Kyra and she moved her sunglasses to the top of her head.
She made her way to YFN first and squatted down.
"How are you doing? Okay? Can I get you anything?"
"I'm okay, thanks Leah. I appreciate it." They shared a hug and Leah made her way around the table greeting everyone, pausing at Alexia to have a short conversation before she sat in the last empty seat next to Jordan. Although the table were all having their own conversations, YFN could hear her low voice.
"Hey Jord," she murmured. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Hey Lea." They shared a soft smile between them and then they went silent. YFN knew that Leah was unsure if Jordan was ready for a full conversation and that Jordan was in a similar state of mind. They just looked like they wanted to be close to each other.
YFN leant over as far as her ribs would let her, beckoning Caitlin closer to murmur in her ear.
"Let's try to keep a casual conversation going with Dory and Leah... I don't think they're ready to talk yet."
Caitlin nodded in agreement and struck up a conversation with the pair, Katie and Kyra jumping in. She felt Lucy's hand squeeze her own in support. They shared their own knowing smile. She gestured to Ridley and Lucy kicked her a bit too hard under the table.
Ridley didn't flinch. She turned nonchalantly and raised an eyebrow in question. YFN gestured to Leah and Jordan knowing that she would understand. She did and pulled Alexia into the conversation also.
Looking around, she realised the table were in their couples, all in different stages of romance. Lucy and YFN, obsessive. Katie and Caitlin smitten. Jordan and Leah repairing their love from the ground up. Ridley and Alexia both with boundaries up yet shamelessly flirting and trying to not accept that the tension between them was palpable, and probably obvious to most of the restaurant. And then there was Kyra, grinning up the end, happy to be there.
"Are we ready to order?" Lucy asked and she knew she was getting frustrated.
Ridley stood and placed Chiquito into Alexia's arms. "I'm starved. I'll go get a server."
A kid on a bicycle pulled up behind them on the footpath. "Arsenal sucks balls!"
YFN's mouth dropped, he had to be only about twelve.
"Keep on ridin', kid." Katie encouraged diplomatically.
"You don't even have balls," Kyra taunted as Caitlin reached over Katie to slap her.
"And girls' football is shit, you all got beaten by a bunch of fifteen-year-old boys."
"Get out of here. We're trying to eat lunch." Leah also went into diplomatic mode.
"And my dad says you're all a bunch of lesbians." It was funny because it sounded like he didn't know what lesbians were. To be fair, no one at the table was straight and even funnier was that Ridley was both the straightest and most gay of the bunch.
Lucy stood and he hurriedly pushed off, riding away with a proud grin.
"That's it, I'm chasing him."
"Riddles, he looks like he's twelve."
"I don't care if he's twelve, I'm going to argue with him. Order me the ragu please, Blue."
Ridley hopped the fence and jogged off down the street, Alexia's expression surprised and amused.
"Is she for real?" Jordan asked.
"Oh yes. You'll get used to it. Loves to correct injustice, that one."
Jordan scoffed and YFN knew it was because Leah was the exact same. Leah didn't look at her, but she did hide a smile as she looked at the menu.
A server came over then, not knowing where to look. From the wheelchair to the Arsenal girls and then widening at Lucy and Leah and even more at Alexia.
"A...are you ready to order?" he asked.
They placed their orders one by one.
"And a ragu please," YFN said.
"And can we get a bowl of water for our little dog please? And maybe some milk for the cat?" Lucy asked.
He nodded. "We also do food for them too..."
"That'd be amazing. Thanks."
The server finished writing it down and asked permission before he bent down to Narla curled up on a spare chair, giving her a pat before he left.
YFN tugged Lucy's hand and the footballer automatically turned to her and leant in for the soft kiss she expected. Lucy gave another little satisfied hum into the kiss before pulling away and brushing the purple bruising on her face gently with her thumb. They were so happy in their own little world while the girls chatted around them. She wondered back to when she'd surprised her at her game and Lucy had looked like she'd wanted to kiss her so badly but didn't because of the crowds. She made a mental note to bring that up later.
"What was that for, little one?"
"You said 'our little dog'."
She smirked as her green eyes hooded behind her glasses and she looked love-drunk. "Motherhood suits you."
YFN tucked a strand of hair from her low bun back, her fingertip tracing around the outside of her ear as she did so.
Lucy gave her another quick peck, this time on the dimple, just as Ridley arrived back, leaping back over the fence. Alexia offered to give Chiquito back, however he was fast asleep in her lap. "Just leave him to sleep," she murmured as she reached over, her arm resting against Alexia's as she stroked him.
They all had their little discussions around the table, Kyra firing off a lot of questions to Lucy and Alexia. Ridley sometimes had to help Alexia with translations. They looked like such an attractive couple and YFN wasn't aware if they knew just how far they were leaning towards each other, their shoulders almost touching and their fingers brushing while they pet Chiquito.
YFN texted Kyra when she calmed down a little.
YFN: How was your date, mate?
She saw Kyra blush as she read it.
Kyra: It went really well. She kissed me...
Lucy read it over her shoulder and shot her a proud thumbs up.
YFN: You're happy?
Kyra: Really really happy
YFN: When's date number two?
Kyra: This Sunday after the game. She's playing in London.
YFN: Lucy said 'wear protection'.
Kyra: Yeah because she'll get me pregnant *eye roll emoji*
YFN chuckled as she showed Lucy.
"Still want kids?" YFN teased.
"Don't tease me while I can't have sex with you," she murmured quietly in her ear as if she'd even able to get her pregnant.
She turned and replied just as quietly. "I thought you were hungry?"
She pulled away to see Lucy's eyes darken before she moved close again, her lips on her ear.
"Nothing's stopping your mouth from reaching me..."
"What're whisperin' about over there?" Katie huffed.
"Probably about us," Kyra said.
"My money is on them flirting," Jordan teased.
YFN heard Ridley's shoe hit Lucy's just as hard as she'd received before.
"Bronze..." It was a warning. "How am I supposed to let you two go unsupervised?"
"How are YOU allowed to go around unsupervised?" YFN retorted.
She flashed a grin. "Pure sex appeal?"
"What are you going to do with work?" Leah asked YFN, changing the subject.
She sighed. "I've been thinking about that a lot actually. I've spoken to everyone and I think it's best if I keep working from home."
"You'll keep organising the crews?"
"Yeah, I'll sort all of the rostering and content out. We're in London but I'm not going to be able to get to work and back everyday, it's too much of a pain, so I'll do some networking, content building, organise the rosters, and I'll zoom our prep meetings."
"What about the interviews?"
"We have a group of talented interviewers now who I've been working with closely. I trust them."
"Yeah, they did really well at our game last weekend actually," Caitlin admitted.
"I'm running a tight ship on that. But I was also thinking of interviews from home." She looked at Lucy. "Luce and I have been talking about putting a few backdrops up for the photographers to snap a few photos of each guest, and then I was thinking of making a casual segment on interviews that I can put out twice a week."
"I'm in! Individuals?" Katie supported.
"Yeah I was thinking just one on one and super casual in the lounge room-"
"-so she can rest her leg." Lucy interjected.
"Yeah, and also I think it'd be nice for people to see their players out of uniform in a comfy environment. We'll be chatting, drinking coffee, trying to ask questions that are not as typical as your usuals."
"Shotgun first!" Kyra almost yelled.
Lucy scoffed at her. "Too slow! You can go second."
YFN rolled her eyes. "I'll be sending an email around to all of the players currently working with us to see if they're interested and make a list to go through. Is that something everybody would be interested in? Completely fine if you're not!"
"I think we're all pretty keen mate," Jordan admitted.
"Only English?" Alexia asked hesitantly.
YFN didn't know why, but she was a little caught off guard that she seemed interested. She wasn't planning on pushing anything with Alexia as she was already so massively popular and overwhelmed with requests and interviews.
"Absolutely not, I'm fine interviewing in any language. I can get a translator. I don't want it to be just English speaking."
"Have you done an interview in English?" Leah asked, leaning forward to see her.
"Uh one but I not sure if it came out."
"I think your English is definitely good enough for an English interview, Alexia. I personally think it would be great to see a proper, relaxed English interview with you. We can edit anything out and won't post it unless you're happy with it. Completely up to you. Also we can have a translator there just in case. Ridley, if she's free."
She and Ridley shared a look.
"I'll be fine with that," Ridley murmured as she broke their gaze.
"Okay, we can do that while I here," Alexia agreed.
"Sounds like you're going to have a backlog of interviews to get through," Lucy laughed. "So much for alone time."
Ridley kicked her again as the food arrived.
YFN dug in, not realising how hungry she was but also not enjoying the pain as she chewed. Although she was starved, Lucy paused to help her take her pain medication.
"What about a podcast?" Jordan asked. "Everyone's doing those now but they're not getting many players on."
"Yeah, that's also one of my thoughts. Podcast twice a week and an interview twice a week would keep me busy and pick up popularity and views. I just need another regular host on the actual podcast and it can't be any of you because you could be anywhere."
"Jill doesn't have much work on..." Leah suggested. Jill Scott, the former England player. She'd retired recently.
"Oh?"
"We were talking about it the other day actually."
"I think she'd be a great fit to be honest, she has done a lot of interviews. We'll just need to prep together and see the dynamic between us. Can you send her my phone number?"
She nodded, mid-bite. "Will do - she's going to be so excited."
"There's Alex..." Alexia suggested.
"Alex?"
"Alex Scott?" Leah confirmed with her. Alexia nodded. Another former England player. She and Alexia had played together a while back.
"That's also a very good thought... do you have her contact?"
Alexia shook her head.
"I'll send her your details also," Leah offered.
"Big sis, you're not going to do all of the interviews at Lucy's house are you?"
"No, just while I'm recovering. I plan on it being a regular segment that I can take around the globe to interview players in casual settings so it'll just start like that but really my vision was that we'd tailor the interview around the player. Like for Lucy we can do some fun activity where she can show off how good she is at everything. Like a sport or I'd really like to do a rage room..."
She and Lucy shared a look as they thought about their exciting rage room date. Smashing the room to pieces and then chasing each other with water balloons full of paint. Running out of paint as Lucy tackled her to the ground and their mouths met, hot an desperate, their tongues stroking each other as Lucy pulled her leg up around her-
"-stroke the ego," Jordan quipped, knocking her from the memory.
"Exactly," she laughed. "With Kyra, we can go to an arcade...."
"Really?!"
"With Dory, we can go to the beach..."
"I do love the beach," she admitted.
"For Caitlin, we can bring in puppies..."
"Oh, that's actually perfect for me."
"I want puppies too!" Katie argued.
"I was thinking Nando's for you..."
Katie almost drooled. "Yeeeeees."
"For Alexia, we can do some painting..."
Ridley turned to the Spaniard. "You like to paint?"
"Si... how did you know?"
YFN shrugged. "I do my research."
"Thoughts about me?" Leah asked.
"I was thinking either skiing or just relaxing at Somerset House, depending on the weather, or a country music event. The good thing about the segment is that we can do multiple interviews in multiple places so we're not just stuck to the same old boring place. Only while I can't walk..."
"Wow, you really do your research," Leah admitted. "And I don't think we have anything like it. I think this is a really good, strong idea and the girls would love it. I'm happy to do whatever, podcast, interview, just let me know."
YFN felt good, like she was doing something right. "Thanks, Leah."
She didn't miss the soft expression Jordan flashed the England Captain.
YFN's phone buzzed and she looked down at it. It was Catherine checking in again like she had every day since the assault. She'd offered to help in the background with Kristie, but YFN ensured her that Lucy's lawyers were handling it. She didn't want to risk Catherine being found out. Instead, she'd asked a favour, and told her about Mark and the sex tape. She'd been disgusted, though she'd handled it. It 'wouldn't see the light of day.'
She thanked her for checking in and sent a selfie of the group that she'd gotten Lucy to take. She'd also sent it to the work group chat. The response was overwhelming excitement from work, and from Catherine, thrilled for the content to come, especially with Alexia there.
YFN ate as must as she could, and when she couldn't stand the pain any longer, she shook her head and pushed her plate towards Lucy. Instead of jumping on it like she usually did, she fully turned her attention to her and rubbed her leg.
"Is it your jaw, love?"
She nodded. How stupid she'd been to get the pasta. And to talk as much as she had been. She should have ordered a-
"Would you like me to order a soup? There's no way you're full."
She nodded instead of speaking and Lucy kissed her nose lightly before standing and going to get her soup. She watched her go, her ass perfect in her dark grey track pants she had on for the flight. She had one hand in her jacket pocket, the other readjusting her glasses. Even sitting there with her leg in a brace and her left arm and shoulder completely immobilised with what had happened, she was still the luckiest girl. Her Lucy.
Lucy returned with soup in a bowl that she could lift and drink. Only after she watched her take the first few sips, did she go back to eating.
They parted way when they'd finished lunch, Katie having to break up the discussions because they were needed back at camp. Katie took Caitlin and Kyra to head back to Arsenal, though also Jordan to drop her at her car at their house as she needed to drive back to Birmingham.
"I'll see you in a week chicken." She said as she gave YFN a hug. "If you need anything... anything at all, just let me know and I'll be here, okay?"
"Thanks, Dory."
Leah watched her walk away with longing in her eyes. She didn't need to go to Arsenal as she was headed for a physio session and had offered to drop YFN and Lucy at their apartment instead.
"Would you like me to drop you at my apartment?" Ridley asked Alexia.
She looked a little confused. "You are not staying there?"
She shook her head. "No, I have some business meetings at a hotel in town. They've put me up in a room there. The apartment is all yours, and the driver's number is on the card I gave you..."
YFN knew Alexia was disappointed, though she hid it well. "Okay, and yes please."
Ridley sauntered over to her with Chiquito. YFN patted the cat and accepted Ridley's forehead kiss. "I'm just around the corner," she reminded as she cupped her cheek. "Whatever you need."
She leant into her hand and nodded. "Thanks for everything, Riddles."
She watched Ridley walk away and she felt bad for Alexia having come to London with the group, just to be stuck in an apartment alone. YFN knew Ridley was avoiding staying there so she didn't make a mistake. She KNEW that. But still, she had been flirting. YFN had seen it herself.
"Alexia, do you want to come over tomorrow and hang out?" YFN asked her. "It'll just be Lucy and I."
Lucy jumped straight onboard. "I'll make us lunch and we can watch a movie. We can even go kick a ball around with Narla at the park while she works if you want?"
Alexia smiled cutely and nodded. "Okay."
Ridley smirked at YFN, knowing exactly what she was doing. She returned a stern gaze as she looked to Alexia and back, making her point. Ridley sighed and held the door open for the Spaniard.
They all parted ways and YFN found herself on Lucy's doorstep, their suitcases just inside and Narla yapping excitedly, remembering the apartment as they said goodbye to Leah.
"We'll find a time to chat about me using Lumos when you're free, okay?"
"You know where I am!" She smiled.
The Lioness hugged them both and just before she left, YFN spoke again.
"Leah?"
"Hm?"
"I'm going to say something, and I don't want you to be mad at me... and I don't want you to ask questions... but you need to know."
Lucy's arm came over her good shoulder supportively and she reached up to tangle their fingers. Leah's face stiffened, assuming it would be bad news involving Jordan. "Okay."
"The sex tape? It's handled."
She opened her mouth to speak and closed it again, her expression sceptical.
"Leah, I promise you... it's handled. It'll never see the light of day. I'm sorry I got involved, but my boss... she knows people. You can take that stress away now and just work on things with Dory, okay?"
They shared a look until Leah's expression changed and her body relaxed. She believed her. "Thank you."
"Thanks for protecting Jordan. You always do right by her."
"She... she's my person."
"When are you seeing her next?" She asked softly. "This weekend?"
"I'm not sure. We're playing in London on Sunday and she'll be playing in Birmingham Sunday night so probably not."
Leah felt her stomach sink as she realised she wouldn't see her for a while. God, she missed her. She missed living with her. She missed everything. Their little date at her house reminded her even deeper at just how badly she wanted her and Blu back in her life. So bad she could barely function. And now knowing that the video was no longer an issue...
Leah's phone buzzed and she looked down at it.
Jordan: Can I pencil a hug in for Sunday night?
Alexia POV
She understood finally what Blau had said when she mentioned Ridley underestimating the size of her apartment. Her mouth dropped open as she dropped her suitcase in the entrance and looked around. How was this just sitting here in London unused?
The ceilings were high. Way, way too high. The main area was a mass of large, empty space with a living room and kitchen. There appeared to be a hallway leading to a few rooms and a staircase spiralling slowly upwards to what she assumed were more bedrooms.
She composed herself and turned to look at Ridley who was studying her, leaning up against the entrance to the main area.
"When was the last time you were here?"
"Few months ago, after my Dubai trip."
"For business?"
"Yes."
"And... this is all yours?"
"Yes." She looked at her a little longer before pushing off from the wall. "I have colleagues stay here from time to time, or the housekeepers."
"Housekeepers?" She almost whispered it.
"Yes, Alexia. It won't stay clean by itself. I have two housekeepers; an older couple who stay when they need to. One of them also does the driving. They'll stop by tonight to offer to cook you dinner and introduce themselves. I didn't know if you wanted them to do that or leave you alone... you can let them know of anything you need."
She was closer now, standing right in front of her. Alexia didn't know what to say.
"Take a look around. There's a gym and a pool. My bedroom is upstairs but you're more than welcome to take any of the spare rooms downstairs."
She was so close, so overwhelming. And her smell... that spicy musk. She didn't know if it was that or the pheromones.
"And you have to go?"
"I think we both know it's best that I do."
She frowned. "I don't think that at all..."
She leant down closer. "Then perhaps you should reassess that judgement, la Reina."
Alexia stood taller, reminding herself who she was. "I'm a very good judge of character."
Ridley straightened back up and Alexia felt proud of herself.
"I know you are. But not here. Not with me. I'm not... good."
"I refuse to believe that."
Alexia believed that so, so deeply. She was good. She was kind. She was strong.
She wanted to tell her that she saw her. That she dreamt about her. That she felt pain when they were close, but didn't touch. That she felt invincible whenever she was with her, or under her gaze. That she just wanted to get to know her, above all else.
Alexia knew she was staying elsewhere so that she would not be tempted into a 'mistake'. It hurt her so deeply. She could feel her emotions rising, knowing she'd be crying that night. Alexia always fought her tears, though. Especially around people, as she did so now.
Ridley gave her a soft smile as if she knew, and it looked to Alexia like an apology almost.
She reached out to stroke her cheek and hesitated. Alexia rarely ever saw her hesitate. She was rarely unsure. She continued anyways, her fingertips gliding across her eyebrow, pushing her blonde hair out of her face. Alexia relished her every touch, not knowing if it would be her last. If she would just jump on a plane and leave. It was Ridley, after all.
God, it felt so natural. So right. They didn't have to force it. They were drowning in it.
Something flashed across Ridley's eyes and she lowered her hand, speaking softly.
"You have my number."
Ridley's way of telling her to text her if she needed her.
And then she turned and walked away.