All That Went Unsaid | Complete (18+)

Chapter 32

Sophie Esinberg's POV 

By the time I reached the exit from the VIP box, the crowd was a blur of noise and motion. Daniel called after me, but his voice was lost in the sea of chants and stomping feet. Raymond's manager spotted me in the chaos and met me halfway, his face drawn and tired.

"Where are they?" I asked breathlessly.

"Player's dressing room," he said, pointing toward a narrow hallway guarded by security. "Down that corridor, second door on the left."

I barely thanked him before I ran. My shoes clicked against the concrete, echoing through the tunnel. The air was thick with the scent of grass, sweat, and something metallic like disappointment, maybe. My heart raced for him, not because of the game, but because I knew how cruel he could be to himself when he failed. A trait that we both shared, and knew only we can take each other out of the spiral. Like we had done before. 

When I pushed open the door, the hum of conversation died down to a dull murmur. The locker room was a haze of steam and fluorescent light. A few players spoke quietly, some laughed to mask their frustration, and others sat in silence, staring into the tiled floor as if it held answers.

Raymond sat on the far bench, head bowed, a white towel draped over his shoulder. His jersey lay twisted in his hands, his fingers clenching and unclenching around the fabric like he wanted to crush the memory of what just happened.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking him in. The curve of his back, the tremor in his breath, the defeat radiating off him like heat. I paused at the doorway, uncertain if I should even be there. But then Raymond caught sight of me and that faint, tired smile of his tugged at the corner of his mouth. There was sadness that he tried to bury, the quiet storm swirling in his gaze. The world might have seen the captain who missed a goal. But I saw the boy who once played football barefoot in the summer rain because it made him feel alive. 

Two men who stood in front on Raymond with their backs to me turned around- Hudson and Caleb. Hudson was a tall man- probably six feet two- with ginger hair and eyes with lightest shade of brown. While Caleb was short man with black hair, gray eyes and face cut like he could be Versace model. He probably was- that's why he looked so familiar. I instantly recognised them both from the stories Raymond told. 

Hudson had a smirk that could probably talk its way out of any crime, and Caleb looked like the kind of man who'd try to stop him and end up joining instead.

"Well, if it isn't the legend herself," Hudson said, tossing a water bottle into the air and catching it. "The woman every tabloid wants to interview."

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Miss Esinberg", Hudson said bowing in slight courtesy, which felt more like mocking but in a good way. 

I rolled my eyes, already smiling despite myself. "And I assume you're Hudson- the famous guy from Octivia deodorant commercial?"

Hudson grinned, straightening with a flick of his wrist like he'd just finished a royal performance. "Ah, so my reputation precedes me. I knew that commercial would make me a household name."

Caleb snorted from the right. "Yeah, in households that smells of rotten eggshells and Vieux Boulogne "

Then he looked at me and offered a hand "Caleb Maniscalo. And, don't feed the beast, Sophie. He'll be unbearable for the next week."

"I'm already unbearable," Hudson said smoothly, shooting Caleb a wink. "But go on, Sophie. What did you think of my performance?"

I folded my arms, pretending to think. "You mean the one where you come out of the locker room, spray that deodorant and a bunch of men start running towards you?"