More Than A Game

Chapter 65

I still was smiling about getting the internship and whilst it was a great opportunity, deep down I knew there was some things I had yet sorted out and majority of those things were about my feelings for Chad.

Replaying mum's words over and over in my mind, I still wasn't sure what decision I should make; either stay with my current boyfriend and keep him happy or get back with my ex to restore my own happiness. It was an obvious to what my choice was to be, but I was old enough to know the consequences of making the wrong decisions in life.

With everything that has happened in my life, I couldn't afford to continually make mistakes that I know will somebody push away the people I love out of my life. I took a deep breath, trying my best to stay strong as I still tried finding a reasonable answer to my situation.

It was the day when the boys were back from Dubai and deep down, I desperately wanted to hear Chad's voice just to help me get through the day although I knew calling him wouldn't be a good idea since he'd probably be jetlagged.

Looking through my drawer, I was looking for my cardigan. I knew the weather was rather hot but honestly couldn't care less about the heat. At least the cardigan would match the way I was currently feeling; unexposed and isolated. Sighing, I moved my hand across the base of the wardrobe when I could feel my palm brush against something cold. I carefully pushed back the folded clothing to pull up a necklace, which was any old necklace but rather the one Chad gave me the night before The Brownlow's.

My eyes trailed along the glistening charm as it moved side to side, showing a kind of hypnotic vibe to it. As it kept it slow pace of moving back and fourth, I could feel my eyes begin to water as a button sided tear gently rolled down my cheeks. The warmth of the tear sent a shiver down my back rather unexpectedly. I forget I had this necklace and to see back in my hands once again bought back memories that I wish I could re - live, right now.

As I wiped away a tear, I could hear a knock on the door as I cleared my throat and slowly made my way to the wooden door at the front of the house where I was greeted by an unexpected visitor.

"Oh." That word that escaped my lips sounding quite bitter was the only thing I managed to say. I could feel my lip beginning to quiver, trying to force myself to hold my emotions together.

"Do you mind if I come in? I really need to talk to you Carmen." Travis said as I gestured for him to come inside. I sighed, feeling nervous as to why Travis would need to come to my house. I could feel my heart race rapidly worrying if something serious had happened.

I took a seat next to him on the leather couch, letting out a rather painfully sounding sigh. I prayed to myself, hoping that whatever Travis wanted to speak to me about would somehow be good news.

"Are you... are you alright Carmen?" He asked, looking at me with concern written all over his face. I answered a forced yes, before nervously nodding my head. I could feel my mouth begin to get dry as my eyes started to water.

"I'm sorry, I just -" I said cutting myself off as I looked down onto the ground. This was such a stupid thing for me to do. Poor Travis had just gotten back from Dubai and already I was giving him problems.

"There's no need to apologise Carmen, if you need to get something off your chest, feel free to do so. If you feel the need to cry, I don't mind, that's the reason why I'm here Carmen. To see if you're feeling alright." Travis said as I could feel my lip continuing to quiver.

"- I don't know Travis. I just feel, I just feel like I'm stuffing everything up." I said as the shakiness of my tone replayed over and over again in my mind. What a brilliant way to be spending my morning, feeling stressed out and pouring emotions out unnecessarily. I slowly began to bury my hands in my face as Travis' hands began to gently rub my shoulder. I slowly rose my head upwards, letting out a sniffle.

"I know breakups are a terrible thing and it really does hurt but I... I never expected to be effected this badly by the breakup with Chad. I honestly thought that it would be easier but the more time I spent with Ollie, the less I started to realise that I wasn't as happy as I'd hope to be."

As I finished talking, Travis took a deep sigh and looked down onto the ground, before he turned his attention back on me. He looked nervous, as if he was trying to hold back from saying something.

"What, what is it Travis." I asked, biting my lip nervously. I hoped to God that what he was going to tell me was in fact good news.

"Well, a couple of nights ago during a late night training session, I could tell Chad was a little on edge and knowing from previous times, I thought I should talk to him just to see how he was doing. When I spoke to him, at first he just brushed me off which I didn't think too much about. It was after training was over, I spoke to Chad again and I automatically knew something was up.

When I asked him the second time, he started telling me about how bad he felt about breakup with you. I know it isn't my place to say anything but I think that you should at least speak with him. It's quite obvious that there's still something between the two of you and quite frankly, as much as Ollie is great guy, I can tell you're suffering with being in a relationship with him."

"He feels bad about the breakup?"

"Of course he does Carmen. He particularly beats himself up about it, constantly blaming himself for the reason you aren't with him anymore. I know that there's still something between the pair of you and I also know that you're willing to give it anyone go. To be completely honest with you Carmen, in the last several years being his teammate, I've seen him as crazy about a girl as I've seen him with you."

"But I, I know he's saying that now but he's the one who broke up with me and yes, I realise it's stupid for me to dwell on about the past but there isn't anyway he's really about to get back together with me."

"Carmen. Don't be silly. He's desperately wanting to get back together with you, I don't see why you can't just move on and at least talk to him. The seasons about to begin and obviously he'll be busier this year with the new season, leaving it to any later is obviously going to give both of you mental bruises."

"Ye.. You're right Travis. I'm going to talk to him as soon as I can." I said taking a deep sigh, turning my attention back onto Travis. "Thank you Travis, not just for this but for supporting me for so long. I honestly wouldn't have known what I'd do without you."

"There isn't any need to thank me Carmen. You're apart of the Port Adelaide family, no matter what anyone else says and it would be seriously wrong for me to just leave you on your own. I don't know if this will make it any better, but you are like the younger sister I never had, very intelligent and strong but also annoying and stubborn at times." He said letting a slight scoff emerge from his lips. I pretended to be upset and gave his shoulder a little shove before we both began laughing with each other.

The laughter soon began to die down as I could feel the silence building up between the two of us. I knew Travis was right about speaking to Chad. With everything that had happened in the previous year would grow into something bigger as the new season of football was fast approaching. I couldn't leave anything hanging with either Chad or Ollie.

I knew what I wanted in my life now and what I was supposed to do to get the things that I wanted but deep down, I was going to hurt a couple of people that was close to me. And because of that, I knew that I was going to have to be stronger than I already and that was going to have to be the main gameplan of mine.

*  *  *  *  *

A/N: Sorry if that chapter was a bit short, I felt like I needed to include a bit of Carmen's thoughts about her relationship but I promise you all that the next few chapters will include HUGE EVENTS which I'm super excited to share with you all.

And in case you're wondering (lol), the Travis mentioned in this chapter is of course Travis Boak. Please keep that in mind, you're all amazing. xx