Rice, Rice, baby

Chapter 27

"So, are you ready to make coffee for your favourite player one last time before the little man arrives?"

"Declan, just because I'm going on maternity leave doesn't mean I'm not allowed to make you or anyone else a coffee, you know?" I laugh.

"I was talking about Jack, Liv" he smirks over facetime.

"You... urgh" I reply, rolling my eyes.

"But good to know I am your favourite player" he winks.

"Maybe not anymore" I say, trying really hard to stop my cheeks from turning bright red. How can his wink affect me even through a screen? Like... how?

"Liar" he laughs. "Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask you before me and the boys arrive tomorrow."

"Ok."

"Now that my family and everyone at Arsenal knows about us... About having a baby together and all that..." he says, biting his lip. He had never done that before, and it is... dear God. It is the hottest thing ever. "Would you mind if I also told the people here?"

"What?"

"I just... It's going to be very tough to see you and not be able to act normal around you. To have to fake in front of everyone and hear them talk about you and Alex, or about him being the father of my son."

"Alex is sick, you won't have to see him."

"How convenient, uh?" he chuckles.

"That's what I said, yes. He's a coward, he doesn't want to have to face you."

"Good. Because if we crossed paths and he said something to me, I don't know if I would be able to contain myself and not break his nose."

"Leave the punching to me, please."

"Ok" Declan smiles. "But Liv... I think it would help us both be more relaxed, you know? And it would be a way to avoid the boys who already know about it saying something they shouldn't or someone hearing them and starting a rumour."

"I guess it makes sense... But the idea of Jack Grealish knowing about it isn't the most comforting one. He doesn't seem to be the most trustworthy person, you know?"

"Jack is a good guy, Liv. But if you don't trust him, we won't tell him anything."

"Thank you. I don't trust any of his club teammates, to be honest."

"Liv!" Declan laughs.

"What? Don't you read the news?"

"Ok, fine. We won't tell anything to the City boys."

"Good. I don't like Henderson either."

"Olivia!" he laughs again.

"It's not my fault that your teammates suck, Declan" I shrug.

"I think it would be easier if you sent me a list with who is banned and who isn't."

"Good idea. When were you planning on telling them?"

"Liv, I was joking" he chuckles. "But you aren't."

"I'm not, no. I'm about to have a baby for the first time, and that's scary enough already. I don't want to have to worry about people I don't like telling their wives, lovers or whatever it is they have going on, and it ending in the press. We have enough with your ex's crazy fans."

"Yeah, that's true" he sighs.

"I'll send you that list later today, ok?"

"Ok."