flatline • erling haaland

Part 21

The sunlight trickled through the gap where the curtains didn't quite meet, streaming into Scarlet's hotel room.

She cracked open one eye, closing her eyes once more when she saw alarm clock said it was only 4:54AM.

"Mhm, what's the time, baby?" Erling's voice was deep and sleepy in her ear, his hot breath making her body erupt in tingles,

"5AM." Scarlet replied and she couldn't help the sleepy smile that spread across her face as she felt Erling pull her body closer to his chest.

The pair had fallen asleep pretty soon after their little intimate session last night, both so exhausted from the emotions and physicality of the evening.

"That's another 2 hours to sleep." Erling gripped his arms around her even tighter and Scarlet felt giddy as she looked down at his big arm locking her in against his body.

Content with the idea of going back to sleep wrapped up in her boyfriend's arms, she innocently backed her bum into him, not anticipating the hardness that pressed into her.

Erling groaned. "Don't do that, baby."

Scarlet grinned to herself at the effect she was having on him.

"What? I'm not doing anything." Her voice was laced with fake innocence as she pushed her hips back into him once more, pretending to try and get comfy and loving the soft whimpers that were coming from Erling.

"Seriously Scar, if they can tell what we got up to last night I'm in serious trouble. We definitely can't do anything now." Erling took a deep breath, trying his best to compose himself.
"I've literally got a game in 7 hours."

Scarlet giggled to herself. "I'm only playing, baby." She pulled herself out of his grip so she could turn over, instead tucking herself into Erling's bare chest. She looked up at him, his eyes full of sleep but a mischievous look on his face. She knew he was seriously considering it, but she also knew he would regret it. "Let's go back to sleep for a bit."

Erling wrapped his arms around her once more, cradling her frame against his.

"I think that's going to be a bit hard for me now."

Scarlet felt her cheeks twinge with heat. "Come on, I don't want to be the reason you don't perform tomorrow. And I definitely don't want to be taking pictures of a sad Erling to be posting on our socials."

"Mhm, I'm sure I'll be able to put on a smile for you."

-

As Scarlet's camera snapped away at the players leaving the pitch, her mind flashed back to what Erling had said that morning. A smile was certainly nowhere to be seen now. It was his worst game yet, barely seeing the ball at all and not even having a shot.

Luckily they managed to salvage the game with a goal by Phil in the 89th minute, but as they walked off, Erling knew the criticism he was going to face.

In the changing room, the atmosphere was frosty. Everyone was relieved they had won, but knew they were in for it at the next training session. Pep surely wasn't going to be happy.

"Those marks are looking fresh, Erl. Big night last night?"

Erling really wasn't in the mood for any questions after his performance, shrugging off Phil's question as he threw a fresh t-shirt on after his shower. He knew there was some resentment laced in Phil's seemingly playful comment.

When Erling didn't reply, Phil raised his eyebrows. "Seriously? You had someone in the hotel last night?"

"He better not have." Erling felt like his heart dropped out of his chest as he heard Pep's voice booming, walking across the dressing room to the two boys.