~ Traitor ~

Chapter Fifteen

Rae's POV

Today is Christmas Eve and I couldn't be more excited but also nervous. I'm staying home till Trent comes to get me so we can go over to his family home and spend Christmas with them. I'd also be meeting some of his extended family, which is why I was mostly so nervous for it.

When I was with Joel, he never let me meet any of his family. He always made excuses. Ranging from "they were busy" to "they don't like new people", it was almost like he was ashamed to be with me and I think that's where some of my anxiety comes from. I am also considering quitting Liverpool. I just need to find a suitable, stable job first. I can't take much more abuse and criticism from the media. Every move I make, it's in the reports. Every time we concede a goal, my names thrown in to the mix, whether it was a keeping/defending blunder or not.

Marley happily jumps into Trents car and onto the back seat. I give him a toy and a treat and he happily settles down.
"Hi." He smiles as I get in and gives me a hug.
"Hi, I missed you."
"I missed you too."
"Listen, before we go. I need to talk to you about something."
"Okay. I'm all ears." He says, putting his phone down and turning to me.
"I'm in the process of finding another job. I've got my notice written for Liverpool but it's just a case of finding a decent waged stable job first... I just wanted your opinion."
"Please tell me you're joking." I can hear how sad he was before I even look at him.
"I'm not. I can't take the abuse anymore. I can't take the constant criticism anymore. I can't do anything right."
"Yes you can. You're perfect Rae."
"I knew stepping into a male dominant role would be difficult, but I never suffered this at my old club."
"I really want you to rethink. I think we should have a meeting with Jurgen, talk through your concerns and talk to the club. I love working with you."
"I love working with you too. I just can't take much more. Every time I go on social media, it's like a guessing game of what I'm going to be picked on for next."
"Will you let me put a tweet out?"
"Absolutely not. Not without speaking to the club first too."
"But-"
"No. I appreciate what you're trying to do but I just can't have you getting in to trouble too."
"Okay. But promise you'll let me organise something with Jurgen?"
"Fine."

We pull up outside his family home and I was already feeling nervous - even though I'd already met most of them at the family day. He's holding our bags while Marley sits patiently by my side.
His mum quickly opens the door and whilst ignoring Trent, she hugs me.

"Hi Rae! Son." She smiles and lets go.
"Told you she likes you." Trent tells me, laughing.
"Of course, she's great. Now come in, it's freezing out there."

We step inside and take off our shoes. He takes our bags upstairs and whilst I sit on the bed sorting Marley's things, Trent sits next to me.

"So you know while we have this break?" He asks quietly.
"Yeah?"
"There's the international few weeks after that isn't there?"
"Where are you going with this?" I ask quietly.
"I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks. I got picked for England."
"I'm so happy for you!" I smile, hugging him. I really was, what an achievement England is.
"You're not mad?"
"No! Why would I be? The only thing I'm angry about is I won't be able to come and watch."
"You're the best."

We head downstairs and just sit and watch movies with his family. We shared a blanket whilst Marley sat beside us, chewing a toy. I was leaning on to Trent and my eyes were so heavy - I was really struggling to stay awake.

"You should take her to bed." His mum tells him.
"She's exhausted. I don't know what to do." He replies.
"What's going on?"
"She gets so much criticism and abuse from the media, she wants to leave Liverpool. She's working so hard at the minute and she's just exhausted."
"Poor girl.. I'll talk to her tomorrow at some point." She tells him and he nods.
"Thanks Ma."

I feel him pick me up and Marley follows us as he carries me upstairs.
"Night Rae." He mumbles, pulling the covers over us and falling asleep himself.
"Night.." I yawn and do the exact same.

___________________

I wake up about 8am. I lie, just being happy in Trents presence and know all hell is about to break loose. He's an excitable puppy at most times, never mind Christmas.
He rolls over and puts his arm round me.

"Morning." He yawns.
"Morning."
"Merry Christmas Marley." Trent cheers and strokes him.
"He loves you, you know." I smile at them.

We decided to open a few presents to each other upstairs whilst we waited for everyone to wake up. He'd already spoilt me so good knows what's waiting downstairs. He'd gotten me a couple of make up pallets from Jeffree Star I'd asked for, some new boots and a new overnight bag from Louis Vuitton.

"You've spoilt me." I start laughing at him. "Thank you."
"You've dome the same to me." He replies. "You deserve it."
"So do you."

We head down the stairs and Marley follows us close by. His family had even gotten me some presents and we just sat opening them and genuinely enjoying ourselves.
By the time dinner rolled around, I'd helped him mum for most of it so I was able to talk to her a lot.

"I really appreciate you letting me come today."
"I couldn't let you be by yourself."
"I've never had much of a relationship with my family. You've genuinely made me feel part of something today." I smile at her and she looks like she's about to cry.
"I just wanted you to feel welcome and I'm glad you do Rae!" We hug and I help her clear up after the dinner.

We finished the night by watching old christmas films on the tv. Similar to last night, I was half asleep on Trent whilst Marley was chewing the new toy Trents mum got him.