Jay looked at herself in the mirror as she applied her make up, applying her blush on the apples of her cheeks was easy seeing as she couldn't stop smiling. Her heart was drunk on Jack, but her head was telling her to be careful.

Jack walked in for breakfast with Phil, instantly scouring the room for Jay. Of course he hadn't told anyone what had happened between them, and he hadn't any plans to either. What they'd shared the night before was private, it wasn't a sordid little hook up to laugh about with his mates in the changing room. It meant something.

He went up to the buffet and picked up a few bits for breakfast. He wasn't all that hungry, probably down to the butterflies he had in his stomach at the anticipation of seeing her again.

'I saved a seat for Jay' said Phil, as if she were just part of the crew now. 'I almost saved one for John too, but then I remembered' he bowed his head. They'd all had a scare.

'When I saw him last night he looked alright, don't worry' Jack reassured him.

Pep approached Jack and Phil.

'Have either of you two seen Jay?' He asked.

'No, is something wrong?' Replied Phil.

'She's not answering her phone. She's probably exhausted after last night'

Jack almost choked. Did Pep know what they'd been up to the night before?

'Hospitals always exhaust me, even if I'm just visiting' he clarified.

'Yeah same' said Jack.

'Remember now, be ready for the flight at 12' warned Pep. Out of all the players, those were the two who were always late.

Jack nodded, but his mind was back to Jay. Where was she, and why wasn't she answering her phone? He knew her better than that, she'd never ignore Pep. He was starting to worry now.

'Jack, Jack, you still with us ?' Asked Phil, laughing at Jack being totally zoned out.

'You wha?'

'Never mind' said Phil, still laughing.

After breakfast Jack went to check on Jay, but when he got to her room housekeeping were already in, and all her things were gone.

His mind was racing. Where was she? Had she freaked out about what had happened between them the night before? He'd been so sure she felt it too. She had to have. She said that she wanted him to stay. What had changed? Had she gone back to her ex in Paris?

When he boarded the team bus to the airport she still wasn't there.

'Wonder where Jay's gone' he said to Phil.

'She'll be here, bet she's gone shopping or something' he replied. Shrugging it off.

He wondered if he should ask Pep. He went to stand up, but the driver closed the doors and pulled away. She'd missed the bus.

There was no sign of her at the airport either. Phil was babbling on about something or another, but he couldn't concentrate. He checked his watch 11:58am. The planes engines were starting, it was clear she wasn't coming. He was kicking himself, he'd have far rather have kept her as a friend than having her ghost him like this.

'Sorry I'm late, I forgot how bad Parisian traffic is' Jack looked up and there she was apologising to Pep. He couldn't hear what Pep replied, but she sat down next to him, and they looked deep in conversation.

For just about the whole flight he looked at the back of her chair longingly. Willing her to tell Pep to piss off and come and sit next to him. He couldn't take it anymore.

J.G.Priv: are we okay?

JaymeDee: of course we are ya donut! sorry, peps talking the ears off of me. Speak to you when we're back. Maybe meet at GloBar tonight about 7 so we can talk properly? x

J.G.Priv: you had me shitting myself 🤣 yeah, I'd like that a lot xx

His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his heart.

When the plane landed, Pep stood up and made an announcement.

'Jay went to see John at the hospital this morning, and he's doing really well. The doctors want to keep him in for another day, and then he'll be able to come home. It'll be a few weeks until he's back with us, but he's okay' he said happily.

So that's where she'd been. At the hospital with John, he'd been freaking out over nothing.

Her car was waiting for her at the airport, but she managed to say a quick goodbye to Jack before heading off.

'You fancy her' said Phil, nudging Jack.

'Nah, I just think she's sound'

'What a fucking liar' Phil laughed. 'Is she your new Laura Woods then? Just coz she's been on sky sports'

Jack could barely conceal his smile.

'Alright, I like her, but don't go telling nobody'

'And does she like you?' asked Phil, digging deeper.

'I think so, I dunno'

'Wooft, Tasha's got competition'

Tasha. He'd forgotten about her.

*****

Jay was exhausted after the late night and early morning going to see John. It was worth it though to put Nadia's mind a little more at ease. As the car drove her back to Josh's she could feel her head drooping. As soon as she was home she was going straight to bed for a couple of hours, then she'd shower and go to meet Jack. At least she knew he was still keen.

'You look happy' said the driver, opening the car door for her.

'Yeah, I am' she smiled.

The driver carried her case to the doorstep and left her to it. She could almost hear her bed calling. She wearily unlocked the door and stepped inside, to be met with shouts of-

'SURPRISE!'

Chris, Josh, Anna, Olly and Charlie were all in the living room waiting for her. With what looked like a small buffet of party food behind them. There were even balloons and banners pinned to the wall.

She stood dumbfounded.

'The boys wanted to throw you a surprise party to say well done for how good you were on the tv last night' explained Anna.

Chris handed her a massive bouquet of red roses, then leant in for a kiss. She managed to turn her cheek in time to dodge it without looking like a total bitch.

'These are amazing, thank you so much'

'And Charlie's got something he'd like to ask you too' Chris said excitedly.

'Jay, would you like to come away this weekend with me and my dad? It's a pretty cool place with a hot tub and everything' Charlie was clearly super excited by it all.

'There's no game this weekend with the cup final being midweek, so we thought we'd make the most of it. What do you say?' Asked Chris.

'Sounds great' she said. 'I just need to nip to the toilet, be right back'

She ran up the stairs and locked the toilet door, she felt sick. It felt like not only had she betrayed Chris, but Charlie as well, and for what? One night with a fuck boy who has a girlfriend? It had been a stupid mistake, and one that she wouldn't be making again.

JaymeDee: sorry, I can't meet you tonight. I don't regret what happened, but it won't happen again.

J.G.Priv: ????

She didn't reply though, she splashed her face with cold water and headed back down to join the party.

'Here you go' said Anna, handing her a glass of Prosecco.

'Here's to our very own tv star- Jay' said Chris, proudly putting his arm around you.

Jack threw his phone on the sofa in frustration and it bounced onto the hard floor. He didn't even care if it was broken. What the hell had happened within the space of an hour? That's all he could think of.

'What's wrong babe?' Asked Tasha, hearing the clatter of his phone.

'I've booked us a table at GloBar tonight at 7. Think we need to talk' he said.

'Really? Oh my God, I've wanted to go there for ages. I'll need to Vlog it' she said, turning back towards her bedroom to get ready for the night.

He rolled his eyes behind her back. It wasn't the night he'd planned, but no point in wasting the reservation.