Off Limits

5: The One Where: Leah Needs her Escape

I never did well without football in my every day life. I still had training each day, however was limited from the fun part of my job. The game.

The short time back was fun and only reaffirmed my love for the game that I had been out of for nine months. I had a good month back and was now out for two weeks again.

The first week was less than fun and the recovery training routine was known for lacking intensity. However the boredom that would usually get to me in the past, I could handle a lot better these days. I had found my escapisms from football when spending so much time away from the game. I discovered and learnt how to entertain my mind.

A big part of this was finding the places that offered that escape, for me it was a lake located in the centre of St. Albans.

The fresh air within nature.

The beautiful scenes the lake had to offer.

It became my favourite place to go very easily. I went there regularly with mum and Bella to do a lap around the lake, occasionally having a lovely pub lunch after walking up an appetite. During summer I would sit on a bench or on one of the little patches of field located around the lake, either with a book or partake in some people watching while enjoying the sun.

The winter however was a lot different. The fields were cold and wet usually, the benches usually occupied.

The medical team were a big fan of my new found, favourite place. The mild exercise allowed for the mobility of my knee to strengthen outside of their training program.

As I parked my car and was hit by the sudden frost, I went to a local cafe on the St. Albans high street. Getting a hot chocolate to warm my hands and insides as I began my walk around the lake. Even with the bitter cold it was still busy, nothing seemed to stop people from wanting to take in this beautiful view that nature had to offer.

"Hi buddy!" I kneeled patting the dog that approached me suddenly. He sat comfortably by my feet as I scratched behind his ear, his panting growing and his eyes closed to express the happiness with the attention.

I looked up scanning down the three paths that led to this spot.

"Where is your owner bud?" I whispered leaning in as his eyes opened and connected to mine.

"You have a beautiful coat." I said running my hand down is back as my eyes lifted to scan again, following the very faint noise that seemed to get closer and closer in the distance.

"Bear! Bear." A female voice called out coming down one of the paths.

"Here." I called out in response as the dogs ears seemed to perk up from hearing what I assumed was his name.

"Oh my, thank you very much." I heard, lifting my eyes to meet the brunette.

"Guessing this is Bear?" I asked tilting my head towards the border collie.

"Yeah, he is my neighbours dog." She replied, her lips curving into a subtle smile.

The girl was stunning there was no doubt about that, my eyes were instantly drawn to her when they lifted from Bear. She had long flowing, brunette hair and lovely olive skin. From a quick view, she seemed to look after herself pretty well. Her hair looked well styled, her make up, although light was done in a way to accent her features perfectly. Her style was simple, seemingly due to being on a dog walk around a lake but still impressed me and held my attention.

She wore a cream essentials hoodie which seemed purposefully a size too big offering that cosy oversized fit, a pair of loosely fitted black cargos. With a pair of panda dunks which were slightly muddy, giving the impression they weren't the best of her collection as these were her dog walking shoes.

The brunette stepped closer hunching down slightly to stroke her hand over to the dogs head. There was a slight tingle as her fingers brushed over mine which were buried into his thick fur. I felt a slight buzz in the pit of my stomach.

Calm down Leah, it was just a slight touch for god sake.

Her head lifted as she looked into my eyes, "sorry." She whispered offering a sweet smile.

Her eyes a deep brown and her smile only adding to one of her best features on an already full list I had made in my head.

"Do you and Bear walk here often?" I asked, rising so I stood up straight and no longer at his eye level.

She nodded, "every now and then, when they let me have him."

"Oh yeah, neighbours dog." I replied shaking my head briefly as I recalled what she had said earlier.

"Yeah but they work a lot so, they encourage me getting him out of the house."

"He is a stunning dog." I grinned taking a step back. "Sorry, I'm Leah."

"Hi, I'm, Izzie. Lovely to meet you." She flashed that sweet smile again which caused that warmth to rush through my body again.

As Bear got fidgety and was on the move again, the moment was quickly cut short as she turned to his direction.

"Lovely to meet you," she called out.

I nodded, not replying as she was too far away at this point to avoid shouting. I turned my head again to get a last quick view as she was yet to turn the corner to exit my eyes.

A smile tugged at my lips, this girl was stunning.

Her voice was soft and sweet. The way she said her name was cute. Although, it wasn't actually cute but to me it just sounded different to how anyone would say it. "Izzie" I whispered under my breath trying to replicate the tone she had used.

My lips curved again at the thought of her again.

Let's hope that is not the last view of her I get to see.

_____
A/N: hope you're all enjoying the new book. Sorry for the slow start but it will start to pick up now 😊

So what's everyone thinking of Cassie?

Who is Izzie, will she be good or cause trouble?

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