midnight rain | mason mount

iii

CHARLOTTE POV.
FEBRUARY 1, 2022

With Phil's help, I found my way to the couch and sat down, finding a cushion to hug. He patted me on the head and said, "Please don't yak in my house." 

"I'll try. But I make no promises." I replied, only half-joking. He sat down next to me, and I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I missed you. I enjoyed seeing you play a few weeks ago at Stamford Bridge." 

"Yeah, me too. It felt just like when I used to play for the Man City youth team, didn't it?" He laughed.

"It's been so long since I saw you play in person. I used to watch your games a lot when Ferran played for City, but after we broke up, well... It was just too awkward watching your games, y'know?" 

"Yeah. I get it. Don't stress about it." 

"Thank you." 

"... Can I stay in one of your guest rooms? I don't think I can go home in this state. Besides, all the trains are prolly done by now and I didn't bring a car. And I'm not too keen on hitching a ride back to London with anyone here." 

"Why? Did you not enjoy the car ride with Mason last time?" Phil laughed.

"That was a foul attempt to try and set me up, by the way." I giggled. "I could see right through you, then. You knew full well I don't live too far from Stamford Bridge, so I really could've just called a cab or taken public transport." 

"I know. I guess I just wanted to try and set you guys up, see if anything would come out of it." 

"You know I want to be alone right now. After everything that went down with Ferran, and in the months after with Luis." 

"I know. But it kills me, seeing you alone."

"I need some time alone. I was in a two-year relationship with Ferran, then I jumped into another relationship with Luis not two months after I broke up with Ferran. I haven't been single since I was 18, and I'm 21 now." 

"Mason's a good guy, you know?" 

"He does seem like a good guy. But I don't know." 

"If you don't like Mason, I reckon a lot of the England or City boys fancy you. So you could take your pick." He laughed. 

"Take my pick? You want me to go shagging all your teammates then?" 

"Preferably not." 

"Yeah, well. I've been thinking of entering a hoe phase, actually. I think I've been too much of a good girl for the last few years, in a committed relationship and all. Maybe it's time I go back to my old days of clubbing every single day." 

"Nah, that's wild." Phil replied, laughing. "That was a mint time, wasn't it? There wasn't a day of the week when you weren't hung over. The number of times you'd call either me or Ferran and ask us to pick you up. We had to take turns picking you up eventually because we both got so sick of you." 

"Yeah. Gotta make more friends in London to do that, though." I replied. "I went clubbing with Lily and Kiera a few days ago. Might have to go again with them." 

"Please just don't go around shagging any random lad from the club." Phil replied. "I mean it though. I want you to stay safe, okay? Especially since you're alone in London, and all. You haven't got me there to watch your stupid arse." 

"Yes, dad." I said. "I'm not a baby, you know." 

"Yeah, well sometimes you act like one." 

"Oh, shut up." I gave him a hug and said, "I'm getting old. I can't handle all this alc anymore."