London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 12. Alex

- You played well, - I say to Danny as we walk away from his friends, - congratulations on the victory.

- In case you haven't noticed, football is a team game, we all tried, and yes, we played well. Thank you,- Danny is clearly happy and pleased with himself. - So, off to the hotel? Let me just change my shirt to a dry one. I can tell you're enjoying the view,- he teased me. And I was so hoping he'd already forgotten about it.

- That's not fair! - I'm ostentatiously embarrassed. - If you want to impress me, move slower, and preferably to beautiful music. What have you got in the car? - I play a game.

- I'm afraid rock for striptease isn't much of an accompaniment, - he laughs.

I settle into the front seat of his car, Danny swings open the door and pulls off his wet T-shirt. All I see is a taut torso, covered in droplets of sweat. Oh, my God, put that picture on repeat!

- How was the conversation? - Danny got in the driver's seat and starts the car. - Stella wasn't bothering you too much? Was Tyler a gentleman?

- Tyler's charming, but a little suspicious. He even told your story, I'm sorry, bad things happen - I don't know if I should broach the subject. Perhaps it's unpleasant to him, so I don't go on. I see my words make Daniel's face turn serious and a crease appear between his eyebrows.

- Fucking hell, he can't help it! Is he turning detective again? He told you to stay away, didn't he? I'm sorry, all right? - Is he making excuses now? - I'll talk him out of it. It's just Tyler, Liam and me - we're like brothers to each other, we've been friends since we were kids. It's his kind of caring or something. And about that story... it's in the past. It's not even worth talking about.

- I didn't ask, but whatever you say. - I raise my hands in the air in a conciliatory manner. The situation is heating up, so I decide to low the degree of tension. - I like Janine, by the way. She's very friendly, so we found things to talk about quickly, but Stella... is she always like that? And what's her problem with Liam? I mean, she's a girl, what's he picking on her for? - I think there's something between those two. I guess I wasn't wrong.

- Oh, Stella, they were once in a relationship. Everything seemed to be going great, but then Stella started having more and more "must" towards Liam. The demands grew too much, and at some point he couldn't take it anymore. He tried to break up, but it wasn't easy with Stella. So at one of the parties she caught him on the bed with another girl. She wasn't the only one who saw it, so the break-up became inevitable. Liam got his "goat" status and his long-awaited freedom. And now it's like they're in the line of fire all the time,- he finishes.

- Wow! It's like a soap opera. So, what time do I need to be ready? - I clarify, when we get to the hotel ground.

- Is two hours enough time for you to get ready?

- I think that's fine. I'll text you if I need to, I still have your number. - I say as I get out of the car. Daniel doesn't even notice the stupid smirk imprinted on his lips.