A month later I stand in my bedroom zipping up the black thigh high boots that complete my pretty woman costume. I straighten the blonde wig I'm wearing and check my teeth for lipstick before I leave my bedroom preparing for my brother to have a breakdown when he sees what I'm wearing.
"Mum? Are we all ready? I need to get there to make sure everything is perfect" I ask as I enter the living room seeing my mum, Chris and Sam all sitting waiting.
"We were just waiting for you. You look amazing, Montana. I love the dress" my mum says as she stands up to look at me properly "I need a photo of you" I stand posing for my mum until I see the look on Chris's face.
"Come on, say what you're dying to say Chris. You might as well do it now before we get to the party" I roll my eyes knowing Chris will more than likely not be happy.
"You look like a slut. This wasn't what I expected from my sister" Chris looks me up and down disgusted with what I'm wearing.
"That's the point Chris. It's a pimps and hoe's party, if you don't like the theme you can always stay here. Now lets go before you ruin Montana's birthday party" Sam says scaring me slightly with her tone as she grabs her bag and heads towards the door. Following Sam I sit in the back with her as my brother drives us to Carrington. Arriving at the venue I see Jesse waiting outside of the room I've decorated wearing his velvet purple and zebra print costume.
"You look amazing Jesse! The hat and the cane really complete the outfit!" I compliment Jesse on his fancy dress costume appreciating the fact he's actually gone along with the all of the crazy ideas I've came up with.
"Thanks Montana. You look incredible yourself. Come on then lets see what you've done with the place" I thank Jesse for his compliment as I lead him to the room. Opening the door I look around the room pleased with myself for pulling this off. With the dull lighting setting the mood and the velvet and animal print accents everywhere completing the main decor, I look around the tables that are covered with fake money, feathers and gold dollar signs, everything is perfect and just how I want it. "Montana this is amazing. How have you managed to do this in such short notice?"
"I did tell you I have my ways and I this is what I do everyday so it comes as second nature to me. Is everything what you expected?" I ask biting my lip nervous that I've missed something crucial.
"Everything is so much better than I expected! You've missed no details out. You even have fur and feathers everywhere!" Jesse looks around the room amazed at the details that I've included.
"I didn't work at Australia's top events management company because I'm a pretty face. I am good at what I do, at least I like to think I am" I try not to get too big headed but I do know I'm good at what I do thanks to giving my all during my university and working life so far. Walking over to the makeshift bar I get myself a pint of San Miguel as I wait for everyone to arrive.
"Baby Smalling!" I turn hearing my name to see Andreas and Ashley making their way over to me. "You look so good! Very fitting with the theme I must say!"
"Thanks Ashley. You two also look amazing, thank you for actually making the effort" I thank both guys noticing they've gone for similar outfits to Jesse.
"We were always going to dress up. You'll learn quickly that United players love fancy dress" Andreas adds "we even dressed in City strips for Halloween but that stays between us"
"Now that is something I'd like to see!" As the room starts filling up I find myself being introduced to more of the players as they arrive with their wives and girlfriends. So far I'm not finding Manchester too bad at all.
Hours later I find myself highly intoxicated minus the wig I started the night with, dancing the night away to the playlist I gave the DJ before the party. Walking over to the bar I spot Jesse, Marcus, Ashley, Harry and Andreas all standing together, deciding it's time for me to lower the tone I look at them all and order a round of shots "pick up a shot glass I don't want any of you backing out, you're not allowed to let me down on my birthday" I see my mum and Sam walk passed the bar and I shout them over "Mum! Sam! we're doing shots have one with us!" As my mum and Sam approach us they pick up the last shot glasses from the tray.
"I wondered how long this would take you. To Montana and Jesse. Happy birthday to you both!" My mum raises her shot glass making a toast before downing it along with everyone else. Slamming the glass back on the bar I shake my head at the burning sensation from the absinthe. "Montana I've got you a drink" I look at Sam suspiciously knowing she's up to something as I take the glass from her "there's only one condition, you have to down it!"
"Sam I can't down it! I'm drunk enough as it is!"
"Down it! Down it! Down it!" I look at everyone as Sam starts chanting knowing I can't back out when her and my mum start singing "we like to drink with Ana cause Ana is our mate and when we drink with Ana she downs her drink in 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1!" I slam the glass back on the bar throwing my arms up in triumph laughing as I do.
"Next up we've had a nomination for the birthday girl to give us a song. Montana are you around?" I hear the DJ make his announcement and immediately look at my brother. I know he's responsible for this, no one else knows I can sing apart from my mum and Sam.
"Are you doing it Montana?" Sam asks cautiously knowing my reaction could go either way "yeah I'm doing it. He has no idea what he's let himself in for. God help Christopher Smalling when I get my hands on him" I walk away from everyone full of determination as I make my way over to the karaoke. "Let's do this" I signal to the DJ shaking my head as I realise what song Chris has chosen for me.
"Each day I live I want to be a day to give the best of me I'm only one but not alone my finest day is yet unknown" as I belt out the lyrics to Whitney Houston's 'One Moment in Time' I try to ignore my surroundings not needing to look at the screen to see what I'm supposed to be singing. As I finish the song everyone breaks out into a massive cheer and I storm over to my brother who has a look of fear in his eyes "don't EVER do that to me again Chris! I swear down I won't forgive you! What were you thinking!" Feeling overwhelmed with emotion I storm out of the room before I cry in front of anyone. Not knowing where I can go I look around the hallway panicking.
"Montana!" I hear Jesse shout for me as he comes out of the party "Montana where are you going?" I feel Jesse grab me and hold my shoulders.
"I don't know I just needed to be out of there" I look around trying to work out where I can go, ideally somewhere my brother can't find me.
"Come with me. I can take you to my room and no one will be able to get in" I follow Jesse through the training facility until we get to his room. I wait as he unlocks the door with his finger print before following him into the room and sitting on the bed "take as long as you need Montana. I'll wait until you're ready to go back".
"Jesse you don't need to stay here. This is your party as well go and enjoy it. Don't waste time on my drama" I look at Jesse knowing I don't want him to miss out on his birthday party.
"I'm not leaving you Montana. Do you want to talk about it?" Jesse asks as he sits on the bed next to me.
"I don't understand why he'd do that to me. He knows I don't like singing in front of crowds like that. I know they're all supposed to be friends but my brother knows I'm self conscious when it comes to singing. I hate singing in front of crowds" I know probably seem like I'm overreacting and if I was sober I'd probably think different but in my current state I can't comprehend why my own brother would try to get a reaction out of me to ruin my night.
"I don't know why he'd do that to you. It's something I think the two of you are going to have to talk about tomorrow when you're both sober but for the record I think you're an amazing singer. You've honestly just blown me away" I slightly smile as I feel Jesse move my hair out of my face.
"Thanks Jess" I look up not realising how close Jesse is and stare into his eyes. I feel myself starting to lean in until I remember he's unfortunately married but before I can consider moving I feel his lips on mine.
Rough. Passionate. Needy.
Everything about the kiss screams frustration. Frustration from holding back on both parts. The unspoken feelings we both know have built up in the short time we've known each other. Unable to resist I let Jesse lie me down on the bed. Forgetting about our joint birthday party that's happening in the same building I allow one thing to lead to another not considering anything other than the pleasure I know I'm about to experience.
