~ Traitor ~

Chapter Thirteen

Rae's POV

I was always dreading THAT call. I didn't expect it so soon. Joel is out of prison from Friday and I don't know how to feel. Luckily, I've sold the house. I was legally allowed to since the house was in my name and now I've signed and set up the new house. I sold all the furniture so I could have a fresh start.

I also haven't spoken to my brother in weeks. It's hard, but I'm used to it. I can't remember the last time I had contact with my mum and dad too. Approaching Christmas has always been hard since I fell out with them because I spent it in the house not doing anything, on my own. Joel would visit his family all day and night but wouldn't take me. Sylvie has her own family so I couldn't possibly intrude on her either.

"You're quiet. What's wrong?" Trent asks on the break.
"It's nothing. You go do your thing."
"Doesn't seem like nothing."
"Honestly it is."
"Wanna go for food after training?"
"Yeah is love to." I smile and set up a few drills.

_________

He asked me to be his girlfriends. Of course I said yes, but never did I think I'd find someone I trusted again, but here we are.
We were sitting watching Netflix while Marley was sleeping in his bed.

"When do you get the keys?" He asks.
"Do you need me out?"
"No, not at all. Was just gonna help you move." He replies whilst turning the tv down.
"Thursday I think. So I get two days of moving stuff before we go to the game."
"That's good I suppose? You spoke to Jordan yet?"
"No and to be honest I don't plan on it."
"But Rae-"
"Why can't everyone just respect my wishes about it? I've had Virgil, Ox, Bobby, Mo, Alisson and now you on at me about it."
"We just think-"
"But why is no one caring about what I want? It's just like my parents all over again, all bothered about him!" I snap, putting my phone on the table at the side of us.
"Rae, you know I care about you more than anyone else on the team."
"But no one is listening to me, I know you care about him. He's your captain. But he can be such a different person to me and nobody sees that."
"I know. But maybe it's worth talking to him."
"Why?"
"He's your brother?"
"Yeah because that's sensible, putting myself through more stress."
"You need to talk to him!"
"I don't need to do anything thank you." I reply and take myself off upstairs to one of the spare rooms to think about what was said.

Through the frustration, I'd started crying. I was facing the wall and trying not to make it obvious when I could hear them coming up after me. I hear the door open and Marley's panting.
"Give this to Mum big man." Trent says quietly, I roll over and sure enough, Marley is stood there with his favourite and huge rope toy.
"Hi baby." I sniffed, stroking him. Marley drops the toy onto the bed and I play with him for a minute.
"I didn't want you to get upset Rae. I'm sorry." Trent tells me, sitting on the bed.
"I know you didn't. I flew off the handle, I'm sorry."
"Quits?" Trent asks, holding his hand out for me to shake.
"Quits." I smile, looking into the mirror to fix my make up.
"For real though, taking Jord out the question. Is everything okay? You were really quiet at training."
"Just a hard time of year that's all.." I sigh as Marley sits watching us. We were stood in the kitchen. He was leaning against the side and had his hands on my waist, I was half making dinner whilst half trying to talk to him.
"Why's that? I got you."
"I know you do and you've no idea how grateful I am." I smile and stir the food. "Christmas really fucking sucks."
"What can I do to make it better?"
"Honestly, you don't have to do anything."
"I want to. You'll be going with Jordan to family right?"
"No..." my eyes immediately start filling again.
"So what are your plans?" He asks, already looking sad.
"Hang out at my place with Marley."
"On your own?"
"I've done it every year since I fell out with my parents. Joel would never introduce me to his family. So all I was left to do was spend it on my own because he'd be there Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day."
"You're not spending it by yourself, I'm not allowing it."
"It's fine. You've got your own stuff to do."
"I don't care. You're not spending it by yourself."

I shake my head and serve up the food. He didn't even know the half of it. Of course I could go to my parents, Jordan was there and they don't like me either. Sylvie was an option but she has her own family so it's not like I can ask. This then leads me to the conclusion of staying at home - on my own with Marley. He'll never understand because it seems like his family love him.

"My mum wants you to come and spend Christmas with us." Trent says, putting his phone on the table and putting it back around me. "She won't take no for an answer."
"But that's your family time."
"She said you're family so it counts. She loves you."
"I've never met her.."
"Which shows you already Rae. Spend it with us. You're more than welcome and it would be fun."
"I'd like to meet her first, but yeah I'll come. Thank you." I smile and stroke Marley.
"Before you ask, yes he's okay to come. What do you want for Christmas?"
"Honestly, nothing. I've got everything I need."
"Oh come on, there has to be something you need."
"Honestly, I don't need anything. What do you want?"
"I'm just gonna be annoying and say the same."
"Of course."