~ Traitor ~

Chapter Twenty One

Rae's POV

Today is the one day I was dreading - my birthday. Training started later than usual, so I dragged myself out of bed and plaited my hair before putting on the least amount of make up and my training clothes. I really don't want to do anything, but I also don't want to hurt the guys if they have planned something, which knowing them, they have. So plastering on a fake smile, I carry on with the day like it's nothing.

I feed Marley before helping him into his harness and he hops into my car and sits down on the back seat on his blanket so I can clip him in safely. A call comes through from T through my car so I answer as I get in.

"Happy birthday!" He cheers as I set off.
"Thank you." Trying to fake it is a lot harder than I thought.
"I've got mum to get you my presents so you still have something to open and I can FaceTime a little later."
"I miss you.."
"I miss you too, what are you doing?"
"Dragging my sorry arse to training."
"I'm sure the boys will make you feel better."
"I've got so much going on that I literally just want to be in bed and not move - all day."
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too. I just got to training so I have to go but I'll call you later?"
"Please! Have the best day Rae."

I have a minute with Marley before dragging myself out the car. I head inside and into my office to finish planning training and taking a few notes. As I come out, I see my brother and I couple of the guys, standing together.

"Aren't you getting ready?" I ask them, wondering why they were stood here when normally I'd find them changing their footwear for the session and messing around by the lockers.
"I'm off to pick something up." Jordan replies.
"I take it you've spoke to Jurgen?"
"Yeah. He suggested it actually."
"Oh okay. Have fun. Let's go boys."

I spent the rest of the session with my hands in my pockets, struggling to find any passion for the job at hand. I don't understand why it's having this much effect on me, so I slip off and head into my office while I set them onto a longer drill. Marley knew I wasn't right and as I was crying, he just put his head on my shoulder, before leaving.

Little did I know, he'd gone to Jordan and was nudging and barking at him until he followed him. He then found me, having my moment as I like to call.

"Shut up." I mumble, before he'd even spoke.
"I wasn't going to say anything. I know you're hurting." He replied before offering me a hug, which I happily accept.
"I dont understand why it's hurting this much though."
"You work together, you practically live together! You're allowed to be sad and miss him Minnie."
"You've not called me that in forever."
"I know right? It's your birthday. You're not allowed to be sad."
"Birthdays suck."
"You were in a horrible relationship before this Rae and weren't allowed to celebrate it. So of course it's not going to feel right. But with time it will be easier because all we want to do is to spoil you because you deserve it."
"It just sucks because we planned to come training and then we were going to go for a weekend away in a secluded area that had nice long walks with a beach and hot tub in our rooms balcony.."
"I know but I'm sure when he comes back you can still do that."

Taking his advice onboard, we go back outside and finish off the mornings session. We had about a two hour break to refuel and rest for a bit, so I was in my office looking at our stats for the season and looking into new ways to train.

"What you doing in here?" Virgil asks as he walks in.
"Working?" I ask and laugh.
"You're excused for the day. Out you come."
"But-"
"No arguments with your captain."
"I'm your coach-"
"Shh. It's still applies."
"I'm only listening because you'll just pick my chair up and carry me out anyway."
"Exactly!"

I follow him out and the players are sat round in small groups, but all keep glancing towards us. Knowing something was about to go down I sit at the table and they place a box in front of me.

"T told me to give you this." Jordan tells me. I lift the lid and it's like the stacking dolls, but walls of chocolate and all my favourite pieces. There's about four sections.
"Marriage material!" I cheered before opening the last small box. Inside is the latest AirPods, which he'd seen me wanting for a ridiculous amount of time and then an envelope on top.

I open it and it's a letter. I start reading it. I was reading quietly and they're all watching me. I can't even get through the letter before crying which I didn't expect I wouldn't.
"So with all that said, the boys helped me give you a little surprise."

I notice someone sit behind me, which is exactly how he used to if we weren't eating. Knowing it was him, I covered my face with my jumper because I'd already cried a lot. I turn and hug him.
"I missed you!!"
"I missed you too princess." He replies and starts laughing. "I hope these are happy tears."
"You've no idea." I mumble.

They all left so we could have a minute to ourselves and I still hadn't let go.
"I thought you needed to stay longer... what about your injury?"
"They said I've made really good progress and enough that I can continue the recovery at home."
"I'm so proud of you." I reply and smile.
"How did you get here?"
"Jordan came and got me."
"That's where he disappeared off to."
"Precisely."

We go our to finish training. He joins in, but strictly on light work. But as soon as Marley notices him, he starts barking, jumping and being excited. He runs over to him and jumps onto him, licking his face and barking.
"This dog." I mumbled, shaking my head but also laughing, a lot.