My breathing comes in short spurts, like a sputtering fish left on a dock, flapping wildly, hoping to throw itself back in the water. I’m hoping to jump back twenty-four hours. Too bad Groundhog Day syndrome isn’t real.
I woke up to thousands of notifications. Not tens or hundreds. Thousands. Unfortunately, it was not because everyone was raving about the brand I’m currently working with. Nope. It has to do with a certain tall, dark, and handsome devil who apparently is a famous soccer player!
It explains his impressive body and why my head still hurts. I got hit in the head by the force of a midfielder’s kick.
The video that was interrupted by the ball to my head was posted instead of deleted, including the part where Santiago popped up on the screen. And it’s viral. I’ve had viral videos before, but this isn’t a normal one-million-view video. No, in less than twenty-four hours, the video has ten million views and rising.
I fall back in my bed and cover my face with a pillow. When I went to the café down the street from my apartment rental, I was bombarded with questions I could thankfully dodge with the excuse that I only speak English.
Santiago isn’t any ole Spaniard. Oh, no. He’s one of Madrid’s most popular players, making him a well-known athlete worldwide amongst soccer fans. At thirty-four, there have been rumors about him retiring from the team and moving to a different league.
I bet he still has some good years in him; however, it doesn’t help that he popped up in an American’s video who people are mistaking as his secret girlfriend. ME.
It fuels the rumors, people asking on my video if he’s moving on to the MLS to be with me.
I gasp for air, but my lungs can barely pull any. Is this what a panic attack feels like? I’ve never experienced one before, but my shortness of breath and blurry vision could be a sign of one. Maybe I do have a concussion, and this is all part of my imagination.
That’d be great.
I startle when my phone rings. Seeing it’s a video call from my best friend, I answer because it’s the middle of the night over there, and I’m afraid something’s happened.
“Hello?” I act nonchalant, seeking false confidence from the gods.
“What in the world is going on?” Allyson says by way of greeting.
“Why are you awake? It’s like two in the morning.”
“Walker’s having a rough night. He’s been sick for two days, and he won’t sleep unless I hold him.”
“Is he okay? What’s wrong with him? Let me see him.” I put my face to the screen as if that’d help. Ally’s son is my nephew, whether we’re blood or not, and I love that little boy with all my heart.
“He’s okay,” she assures me. “He’s being a difficult sleeper.”
“Then go tend to him. Talking will wake him up.”
“He’s with me,” Camden’s voice floats through the speaker. I can’t see Ally’s husband, though.
“He’s asleep, so Camden can carry him,” Ally giggles. He grunts in response, and I smile.
“He’s got a case of mamitis.”
“What?” I furrow my eyebrows.
“You should learn it. It’s a Spanish word when the baby only wants to be with his or her mom.” Allyson’s smirk turns mischievous. “Especially since I hear you’ve caught someone’s eye.” Her eyebrows waggle.
“I’m not a soccer fan, but is it true you’re spending time with that Madrid player?” Half of Camden’s face appears on the screen. He’s nosier than we are, and that says a lot.
“I’m not. This is taken out of context, and that video wasn’t supposed to post since it got interrupted. He hit me on the back of the head with a ball. That’s all.” I shake my head, puffing out a breath.
“That’s it? I saw pictures of you two sitting on a terrace,” Ally frowns.
“What?” I screech.
“Yeah, you looked cozy with beers and food,” Camden responds.
“I think you two need to take care of Walker. I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up the call and open my browser, googling: Santiago Madrid soccer player.
Sure enough, I see articles and pictures of us. I guess people at the bar snuck photos while we talked. I didn’t even notice, or I would’ve brought it up.
“Gah!” My shoulders slump as my head spins.
This situation is a disaster from the beginning, and I don’t want to know what the beauty brand will say about this since this video is completely overshadowing the ones about their product.
It’s the Rachel to Monica’s engagement. The video is totally stealing the others’ thunder and soaking up all the attention. All because of a sexy player. I bet the soccer field isn’t the only one he plays on.