~ Traitor ~

Chapter Seventeen

Thirds POV

The waiting room had four or five players sat patiently waiting. It had been at least two hours since they arrive and they were no closer to finding out whether she was okay or not.

Trent still had a tight grip on the jumper he'd helped Rae with. It looked like he was almost staring into thin air. Two doors opened near by and police officers came in.

"We're here to talk to Raelynn Henderson-"
"Are you serious?" Trent snaps, causing the other players sat close by to snap out of their day dreams. "We've been sat here hours, waiting to find out if she's alright and you've the decency to turn up now? If you did your jobs right in the first place, the guy who did this would still be in prison and not be able to contact the outside!" He sits back down, resuming the same spot he'd been sat in since he got there.
"We need to take the jumper for evidence.." the office says to him, going to take it. Trent simply shakes his head.
"What if I need to help her again?" He asks quietly as Virgil steps in.
"She's in the best place lad and you know that. She's going to be fine. Let them have that and you can go and get cleaned up."

Reluctantly letting go of the hoodie, he stays rooted to the spot.
"We'll shout you if the doctor appears okay?" Mo says to him and he nods.

Another few hours pass and as they're about dropping to sleep, a doctor appears from the side room.

"Are you guys here for Raelynn Henderson?" He asks and suddenly, they're all wide awake.
"Yes." Mo says, cutting it short.
"I've got good and bad news. The good, is she's going to be alright we think. The bad news, it's that she's already suffering with pain, but because she's been in surgery, we can't give her more than what we already have. For now, she'll need a lot of rest and to just let herself heal. The nurses will be in touch for further appointments, we'll probably keep her in for a couple of days at least."

The players wandered into the private side room she was in and there she was, exhausted but alright.

Rae's POV

"What are you lot doing here?" I ask quietly, going to sit up and try to hug Trent - but realise quickly what an error it was.
"Don't move, you need to rest." He tells me.
"You've has us worried." Virgil adds.
"Where's Marley? He was with us..."
"He's fine. He's with the other guys at your house."
"Promise?"
"We can FaceTime them if you really want?"

I nod, just needing to know if he was alright. After a short call of them seeing I was okay and Marley was absolutely fine, the boys all left, apart from my brother and Trent.

"I'm gonna get some food, do you both want anything?" Jord asks, before stretching as he stands up.
"I'm not hungry, thanks man." Trent replies, just watching me.
"Order him something." I smile at him. "I don't even know if I'm allowed anything but can I have a sandwich or something please?" I look for my bag so I can pay him for it.
"I know what you're doing. You don't need to." He leaves and that leaves me to talk to Trent.

"What happened?" I ask quietly.
"Do you remember anything?"
"The last thing I remember was like sitting in my office and hanging out with Marley planning training."
"We had a security breach. Some guys came in with knives and stuff and security were pretty powerless. You took all three of them down, but got yourself stabbed in the process... you were saying crazy shit Rae."
"Like?"
"I'm not saying anything. I just wish I could swap places with you." He replies. He looks that frustrated that he's about to cry.
"No. No you don't."

___________________
     1 week later
___________________

I was slowly getting a lot better. It was hard getting in and out of bed and it wasn't bad walking, but I was doing much better. They've all hardly left my side through it, which makes me more than emotional just thinking about it. I didn't think anyone cared this much. Me and my brother have finally sorted out our differences and they even snuck me off the ward so I could go and see Marley. They'd brought him to the front doors so I could see him.

Today, I'm hoping to go home. I was waiting for some results and for a doctor to come talk to me. I'd also been offered a contract to play for Liverpool's ladies once the season gets back underway after the break and once I'm recovered. Trent has gone home for a nap and something to eat - subject to me forcing him.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through twitter and saw a few articles reading my name and the blame game starting. One main one read -
"Raelynn Henderson at fault of the losses during the period she hasn't been there"
And the other belter was -
"Is Raelynn Henderson to blame for the losses against Manchester United and Chelsea? She's not been there to train the boys for two weeks and this is where the losses have happened."

There were hundreds of articles like this and I couldn't bring myself to read any more of them. I'd already started crying half way through the second one and by the time I'd read through a few more I was a mess - I called my brother, knowing Trent would go into a flap.

"Hey Rae." He says.
"Can you talk?" I ask, my voice cracking.
"We're just on our break. What's up?" He asks, sounding actually concerned.
"I can't do this anymore. The media are battering me for the losses against Chelsea and Manchester..."
"You can't hold yourself accountable Rae."
"But the media.... it's constant... I quit. I can't do it."
"You're not quitting the job you love because of the media Rae."
"I just want it to stop.." I hear talking on the other end of the phone and then what sounds like Jordan getting into a car.
"We're gonna sort this. Okay? You're not quitting Rae. I'll see you soon."

Shortly after, he walks into the private side room I was in and hugs me.
"Why can't I quit?" I ask quietly. "It's what they want."
"But it's your life, you love it."
"I know I do, but it's what they want."
"You can't give in to them. I won't let you and neither will any of the guys."

We're disturbed by being tagged in multiple tweets by the club, the boys and fans. Liverpool had put out a statement, supporting me.
It simply said:
'We at Liverpool football club are absolutely disgraced to hear of the atrocious abuse towards one of our coaches after some recent matches and since they started.

Raelynn has been nothing but an asset to this club and is highly thought of. Her having saved lives during the security incident left her unable to attend for a short while and we are shocked and saddened that media outlets are using this to exploit their hatred.

Following our statement this afternoon, we are no longer able to comment any further as we are now taking legal proceedings. We will also be withdrawing players and staff talking and being interviewed by the following media outlets - Sky, BBC and few others which shall be released in due course.

Raelynn has our complete support and admiration. We cannot wait to have her back, safely and working to get this team back to where it needs to be. She's an asset and a great coach. We love you Rae.

Liverpool football club'

"I told you everyone loves you." Jordan tells me. I was in too much shock to even respond. They care. They really do.
Not long after Trent arrives.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here." He says as soon as he comes in.
"Don't be stupid. You needed the rest." I smile at him. "I just wanna go home now."
Soon after, we get the clearance to go.

He helps me slowly stand up and they both practically are helping me to walk. Even though I could do it on my own.
We finally pull up at home and I can see Marley in the window. I'd bought him countless toys and treats while I'd been in the hospital and I couldn't be more excited to see him and to reward him for being the best dog ever.

Trent opens the door and calms him a little before I go in and see him. He doesn't jump up like normal, but is still fussing and running round like his excitable self. I love him. He sits, chewing on his new toys and Trent makes me take rest on the sofa.

"Do you wanna stay for a bit?" I ask my brother who nods.
"I'd love to, if you're not too tired."
"I'm good."

Just like that, we're back to normal. As I'm dropping to sleep, I pick up snippets of their conversation.
"I never thought I'd trust you with her." My brother starts.
"I can understand why."
"But I do, totally. I just need you to promise you won't ever hurt her."
"I'd never. She's my everything. She's the one I want to marry, have kids with, everything. Her and Marley have brought me out of some pretty dark spots by just sitting with me. They're my family already."
"When did you grow up?"
"When I met her. I realised I had something to lose."