Playing The Risk - Book One in The WSU Series

- Chapter Twenty-Eight -

"I need a drink."

Kian grabs Lizzie's hand and leads her over to the bar, "Alex, can you dance with me?" I notice Hayden gives him a look before heading off into the crowd, probably to find his parents.

"I only dance when I'm drunk." Liv takes Alex's hand, "you don't drink though." He smirks, "exactly." Liv releases his hand to throw her hands up, "Em let's dance." Emilia downs the last of her drink before her and Liv head towards the dance floor in the center of the room. The Jones' outsold themselves, last year the event was in a penthouse with a balcony overlooking the city whereas this year they opted for an old-styled ballroom. "I'll be back." Alex heads off into the crowd stopping to greet people on his way.

I notice Eles grip has tightened on my hand, "Ele?" She looks up at me and her expression softens, "hmm?" With my free arm, I sneak it around her waist bringing her closer to me, "Roma."

"What?" Ele looks around the room before going red in her cheeks, "we're in public." I roll my eyes at her statement, "obviously." She lowers her head to avoid my eyes, "we're dating Ele. I'm not going to keep it a secret." I release her hand to bring it up to her chin, I tilt her head up so she's looking at me, "wanna meet my parents?" Ele goes still, her breathing deepening, "Ele they'll love you." Because I love you. And they love me. "You're too confident." I take her hand again as I lead her into the crowd, heading towards the tables that surround the first dance floor, "baby, I'm a football player of course I'm confident."

"Not helping."

"Roma?" Me and Ele stop in our tracks, looking to my left I see my mom and dad sitting at a table with another couple, the tables sit eight which is amazing for us because it means I don't have to sit with my parents. I keep a hold of Eles hand, squeezing to show that I'm here for her. "Mom, dad— how are you?" I would go hug my mom but as she's pregnant so I'm not even going to attempt it. "We are good!" My mom nudges my dad who nods, "how are you?" My dad cuts in, "how's football? We heard you've got drafted." I hold back a laugh remembering that he didn't bother calling to congratulate me after finding out.

"Footballs good. Mom, dad— this is Eleonora Gomez," Ele offers a small smile, "my girlfriend." My mom stiffens while my dad looks annoyed.

"Hi, you can call me Ele. It's lovely meeting you, Roma has told me so much about you." Dad reaches for his drink to finish it off while my moms still frozen. "I'm Christopher and this is Christina." I notice how Eles moved closer to me, seeking some form of comfort which warms my heart and a small smile appears on my face. "Are you taking part in the auction?" I shake my head at my dad's question, I never did enjoy the auctions, all of the football team and the other eligible bachelors can take part and the money raised goes to different charities each year, last year the money went towards scholarships, this year it's going to the animal shelters in the city.

Whoever bets the most money on the guy wins a date with them and the money goes towards charity. The last two years I've been, the dates sucked.

"I will not be taking part, I have a girl." I place a kiss on Eles bare shoulder. "So I'd love to stay and chat but we need to get back to our table before the auction starts." Dad stands up stretching out his hand, I shake it only because the other couple was watching. I lead Ele to our table on the other side of the room, Lizzie, Kian, and Liv are already at the table. I pull out Eles seat before taking mine next to her and Lizzie with Kian on Lizzies left. "That looked tense," Kian takes a sip of his drink. "Nothing I can't handle."