Borrowed • Jesse Lingard

three.

Two hours later I find myself looking down at Jesse who's sleeping with his head on my lap and a sleeping Anoushka lying on his chest. Admiring the beauty of the footballer I think back to our exchange after my shower, looking away I shake my head knowing nothing can happen between us mainly because he has a wife but also because of my brother.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I jump as Jesse speaks to me not realising he's actually awake.

"It's nothing important, don't worry about it" I try to avoid the conversation knowing I can't tell Jesse what's on my mind even though I know he won't believe a word I'm saying.

"Montana, you can tell me. I'll also sit up so you're more comfortable"

"Just stay there, I don't want you to disturb Anoushka. Honestly don't worry about me, it's just sibling drama it will pass in a few days and my brother might actually like me again. He might even let me stay in Manchester if I'm lucky" although my mind is consumed with thoughts of Jesse I'll never tell him that. Thinking of the drama with my brother I know it's the worst argument we've had for a long time but I know the tense atmosphere between us will eventually pass and if it doesn't my mum will make things change.

"I know for a fact your mum will not let him make you leave Manchester. She's not going to let her little girl out of her sight when she's just got you back. Your brother did majorly overreact though, I'm protective of my sister it's just a natural instinct but I definitely wouldn't stop her from having a conversation with a man when she's old enough obviously"

"Maybe that's the difference between you and Chris. You actually know when to stop and when to be the protective older brother you need to be" I say to Jesse knowing I'd love it if Chris backed off even just a little. "Anyway, what's the plan for your birthday?" I ask remembering when his birthday is after I decided to google him.

"Daniela is still going to be in LA so I might get the boys over for a few drinks and Fifa or poker" Jesse says and I see the look in his eyes turn to disappointment.

"That's boring" I State matter of factly.

"No, that's what happens when you're a parent" Jesse says with a hint of humour in his voice.

"I have an idea, my birthday is December 1st why don't I stay in Manchester indefinitely rather than just three weeks then we can get everyone together between our birthday's and have a joint birthday celebration. It's only like two weeks between our birthdays it will give me the chance to get to know the team" I preach my idea to Jesse thinking it's foolproof.

"How are we going to make that work? Your brother isn't exactly the biggest fan of you speaking to everyone"

"He'll have to get over it. Anyway it's my 25th birthday and he's not going to ruin it for me. This is one thing I won't let him have a say in whatsoever. We can hire a room at Carrington and have a fancy dress theme! It could be so good especially if we hire a DJ plus no one has an excuse for not knowing where the party is going to be and there won't be any press access because we won't invite them. It would literally be players and their families" I say enthusiastically really beginning to like the idea of a birthday party.

"How are we going to plan all of this for less than a months time? It doesn't give people much notice" Jesse asks and I give him an are you serious kind of look.

"Jesse, I'm an event planner. This is what I do every day. If I can't pull together my own birthday party ‪in that time‬, I'm failing at my job. Leave it to me I'll organise everything you just get people there. Can we please do fancy dress?"

"Will fancy dress make you happy?" he asks.

"You have no idea. I'm thinking pimps and hoes then it's something pretty easy costume wise and I can pull together decorations and everything else that we're going to need" I explain everything to Jesse knowing this is going to be an easy party to plan if everything goes how I want it to go.

"Pimps and hoes could be a good theme actually. What will your mum have to say even worse what about Chris?" Jesse asks.

"My mum won't be bothered, she knows what I'm like plus she trusts me and as for Chris well he can get over it. If he doesn't like it he doesn't have to come" I say honestly not bothered what Chris thinks of the party "I'll speak to someone at the ground tomorrow to see what they say about all of this and I'll have invitations designed by ‪tomorrow night‬ if they can give us the space we need. If they can't give us the space, which is always a possibility, I'll spend ‪tomorrow afternoon‬ looking for a new venue. Anything you want to ask or add?" I ask as I start making notes on my phone.

"Nope but I do want to say that I can already see you're talking this very seriously and I can tell you're very professional which I respect you for massively but remember this is your birthday party as well. Enjoy this whole experience and don't forget to relax, you're only going to turn 25 once" I listen to Jesse's prep talk and hug him as best I can given our position.

"Thanks, I will take on board what you've just said but I won't relax until the night of the party when I know everything has gone to plan. Once I'm at the venue and people are there I'll relax. It's just how I've been taught, don't worry though I won't drive you insane with the planning. All I'm asking is that you hand out invitations when I have them"

"I can do that for you and if you need anything let me know. Especially when it comes to the girls at the training ground reception. I have my ways to get around them if they say no"

"Oh yeah? And what might that be?" I ask as Jesse intertwines his fingers with mine as if it's second nature to him.

"I just need to smile at them and they'll do anything I ask maybe throw a cheeky little wink in there as well then I have them in the palm of my hand"

"I can see why that would work, I'll remember that it could come in useful at some stage" I turn back to the TV thinking of everything I'm going to need to pull this party off ‪in a months time‬. This has to be some of my best work yet, not only is it a joint birthday party it's also my big introduction to everyone my brother knows in Manchester.