Royal Defender (Twin City U Book 3): An MM college soccer enemies-to-lovers romance by Cecelia Storm

Author:Cecelia Storm [Storm, Cecelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Royal Court Publishing
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

PERCIVAL

The sports banquet is not what I expected. Apparently the word "banquet" doesn’t translate equally from England to the American Midwest.

Where there should be elegance and fanfare there are paper plates and swimmers in their speedos.

"They lost bets," Isaac says, gesturing to the swim team.

I nod as if I understand such absurdity. "And what's the excuse for the paper plates?"

He shrugs. "Budget cuts?"

I look at the cold meats on the buffet table in horror. "With all the ticket sales from the sporting events you'd think they could get decent catering."

Isaac chuckles. "It's just the teams tonight, no public to impress, so the department slums it a little. It's a good time though, there are awards later!" He slaps my shoulder. I flare my nostrils and glare at him.

He raises his hands. "Okay, okay. Just try to enjoy yourself." He hands me his drink. "Hold this while I go to the restroom, will you?"

I have no time to protest before he trots off into the crowd of student athletes populating the football stadium event room. I have to admit, for a university, the facilities are impressive. We don't have such expansive stadiums in the UK just for college sports. University athletics over here is a thing. This is a professional stadium for tens of thousands of fans⸺my mind boggles at such a thought.

Apart from the impressive view overlooking the entire stadium, the ambiance is less than thrilling. There are tables set up around the space for each team, but not nearly enough seats for the number of people in attendance. No one is sitting, anyway, so the cheap folding tables with their paper tablecloths are empty. A single silver balloon floats up from a sad, fake flower centerpiece at each table.

They should have set up smaller, standing tables instead, with metallic tablecloths and edible candy bouquets instead of flowers. The balloons should be much more dramatic⸺ at least ten at each table. These tables should be practically floating in the air. Floating!

I take a breath. I'm starting to sound like Hen in my own head. That reminds me, though, I need to check in with the event planner about the wedding. It's a last-minute gig, and we're⸺well, I'm⸺paying handsomely for it. What I don't want is for any of our guests to look around and feel the way I do right now. I take out my phone to call her when someone taps my shoulder.

I turn and five young men encircle me, staring me down. Half of them seem friendly and pleased. The other half seem annoyed. And at least one looks like he wants to knife me in the gut.

"Percival Newmont!" the one closest to me says, holding out his hand. "A great pleasure to finally meet you." He's attractive⸺they all are⸺and he has a distinct golden retriever energy.

"You must be Toby," I say with a smile.

He raises his brow in surprise. "Why yes! So Isaac told you about us after all."

I nod gracefully and take his hand. "You see, the pleasure is all mine, really.

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