piece by piece~j.d

~23~

Although it had only just been the bye week and a lot of the wives and girlfriends of the players had gone away with them partners most of them had handed together and decided that they would take a trip up north and go to the game whilst their boys took on the suns. The girls decided to book accommodation away from the boys and have a few of them room together for a bit of a fun between themselves as if they were to go and room with the boys then they'd most likely have to actually sleep and get things done. While a few of them couldn't make it on such short notice, a few of them had impulsively booked, Aubrey was one of them. Her, Chloe and Tara, Bailey's girlfriend had all decided that they would share a room together for the few days that they would be there. Unfortunately, Logan was one of the people that wasn't able to come so they all had to say goodbye to the girl, though they all agreed that for the few days they would miss Lola the most. 

"You guys'll come visit later this afternoon right?" Josh asked Aubrey as they all collected their belongings after landing in the sunshine state.

"That's the plan, don't miss me too much." Aubrey joked and kissed Josh who ended up grinning in response. "I better go find the girls before they leave without me."

"Fat chance that'd happen." Josh replied but let her go and fine them none the less as he made his way over to his teammates and staff so that they could find their way to the bus that would transport them to their accommodation.

"I'm so ready to just pass out on my hotel room bed." Aubrey sighed as she rested her head against Chloe's shoulder, plane flights always made her feel sick and eating plane food was a big no no, no matter how long the flight. 

"I hope you're not serious because that is definitely not happening." Chloe gently pat Aubrey's head before jolting her shoulder up and hitting the girl in the head.

"I hate you so much," Aubrey groaned and rubbed her head before moving over and resting it on Tara's shoulder who thankfully and unlike Chloe, let her rest there as all of the girls grouped up together and they only moved from that position when they were able to get on their own bus.

~~~

The three girls had all done what they said they wouldn't, taken a nap as soon as they got to their rooms, not even bothering to unpack first as they had gotten up quite early that morning for the flight. Chloe was the first to wake up and she started texting Pat to pass the time, Aubrey was next and she stepped outside to call Josh back as she had missed a few calls from him. It was ten minutes later when she came back inside when Tara woke up.

"Is anyone else starving?" The blonde questioned and yawned, still looking half asleep.

"Starved, we should go and explore and find a good cafe or something." Chloe suggested and they all quickly agreed that, that was the plan for the early afternoon.

They wasted no time in getting ready and were out the door in about five minutes, each looking on their phone to read some reviews about places around them.

"The Owl Cafe sounds sick," Aubrey suggested and the two others nodded as they hadn't found anything to dispute the idea. They walked the short distance and were lucky enough to get an outside table.

"I wish it was like this back home." Tara sighed as she enjoyed the sun rays that were keeping them warm, sunny was one thing that Melbourne didn't do to well with during winter.

"You can say that again," Chloe agreed and they fell into a silence as they all read a menu to decide what to get. Once they had all decided, Tara getting avocado on toast, Chloe getting Zucchini fritters and Aubrey with scrambled eggs, they all voted and sent Aubrey in to order all of their food for them.

"Are you Aubrey?" She had just walked in the door when a males voice called out to her and she turned around to come face to face, well face to chest due to the height difference,  with someone that she decided looked very familiar. "I'm Wil."

"Oh shit. I know you." They both laughed at her realisation and made their way to the counter to order food. "Who are you here with?"

"By myself, I always eat here the day before a home game. Call me superstitious or whatever but it's just a thing that I do." He explained and flashed his boyish grin Aubrey's way, she laughed at the comment. Being related to Bailey meant that she knew all about some crazy superstitions. 

"I'm here with a few friends, want to join us whilst we eat?"

"For sure, if it's okay with them."

"We have company." Aubrey announced in a strange accent as she led Wil back out to where the three of them were sitting. "I hope you don't mind."

"The more the merrier," Chloe said and then her and Tara introduced themselves to Wil as he slid into the seat beside Aubrey.

"Are we fraternising with the enemy?" Tara asked and they all laughed. "I hate to think what our boys will say about this."

"They'll disown you for sure," Wil said and they all laughed as their food arrived. "I can't believe none of you got the waffles, they've always been a crowd pleaser."

"That's okay," Aubrey grabbed her cutlery and cut off a bit of his waffle for herself, she moaned at the taste and ignored Wil as he whined in protest. "There's plenty there for you."

"I need all the food I can get, shut up." Wil laughed and stole some of Aubrey's egg making her roll her eyes and slap his arm. "You can leave now."

"You're rude," Aubrey giggled at Wil's response and Tara and Chloe shared a look.

"We better get back and visit the boys like we said we would." Chloe smiled at Wil politely. "Sorry."

"No worries, I'll dm you later." He said to Aubrey who nodded happily and got up to leave with the girls.

"Why're you looking at me like that?"

"So much for being really awkward lately." Tara pointed out, she wasn't being rude by any means but there was certainly an edge to her voice.

"I'm getting better, most people are better at appearing proud of me for being able to step out of my comfort zone. Plus he's been active on my social media, I don't see an issue with having a friendly chat with him. Not like either of us were flirting or anything."

so i've started writing like what i plan to maybe be an actual book, i give myself two weeks before i give up on my idea :)