Sliding Doors - 2 (English Version)

Bonus Chapter - 110

Hero

Los Angeles is not as totally deserted as I imagined.
People have started going out again, even if only in masks and maintaining a minimum of social distance.
The distance that Jo and I can't seem to maintain at all.
Not at all.
I've been here with her for a week now and we haven't been apart for a second.
Being with her and inside her, now that we are free of work commitments, is something unique!
We do everything together and I know that this will make things more difficult when we have to say goodbye.
I don't think about it now though.
I've taken a break, given the intense three months and I don't know when I will actually go back to London.

New Year is coming up, I haven't yet asked Jo what her intentions are, what she wants to do or where she wants to go.
Christmas we spent together, alone in her house, video chatting with our respective families.
That may not sound very appealing, but to me it seemed really perfect.
Besides, making love under the Christmas tree definitely has its charms.
As does doing it in front of the fireplace at night when it's coldest, snuggled up between the blankets.

"What are you thinking about?" Jo suddenly bursts into my thoughts.

I blink quickly to wake up from the daydream.
"I was thinking about how good it feels to take you and make you mine on every surface in this house!" I catch her by surprise.

In response she opens her eyes wide and then bursts out laughing in amusement.
I laugh along with her as I grab her wrist and pull her towards me, onto the armchair where I am sitting.
She lets herself be guided over my legs and passes her arms around my neck, smiling.
God how I love her.
Did I say that already?
We look at each other for endless moments.
"You know, I didn't think I could get along so well with someone," she confesses, "But since I met you, I had to change my mind!"

I hug her tightly and she immediately reciprocates. We stay like that, locked in a mutual embrace that makes me feel at my place in the world.

The mobile phone rings, interrupting the magical moment.

"Is that yours?" We turn to the small table between the two sofas and she leans over to hand me the phone.

Jamie.

I huff and run a hand through my hair.
"I told her I needed a break..." I mutter to myself.
I reluctantly answer, hoping it's not some engagement that can take me away from Jo. There will be time to get back to work, not now!

"Hi Hero, sorry to bother you. I know you're on holiday now! Say hi to Jo for me!" Jamie exclaims.

"Hi Jamie!" Exclaims my girlfriend and I can't help but smile.

"Relax, tell me. What is it?" I reassure her as I continue massaging one of Jo's hips. It feels great her skin under my fingers.

"I have a gig for you and..."

"Come on Jamie, can't we reschedule?" I interrupt her huffing again.

"Listen before you say no!" I can't see her but I can feel her smiling.
What could it be?

"A football team called me because they need some publicity, someone famous to represent them!"

I look at Jo dumbfounded, speechless.
A football team?
Oh God make that the...

"West Ham, does that ring a bell?" Jamie continues and I think I'm having a heart attack.
My palms start to sweat and Jo takes my face in her hands.

"Breathe!" She whispers, "Hero, breathe!!!"

"Are you still there Hero?"

"He's a bit excited!" Giggles Jo "But you tell us the details, then I'll calmly tell him!"
They tease me but this is serious.
West Ham?
My favourite team wants.... Me?