Let Me Love You (Australian Sports Star Series Book 2) (14 page)

“Considering you haven’t replied with a no, I will attend the wedding.”

Oliver opened the door, and she walked to her car. It took her a lot of willpower not to look back as a sensation of intense nausea and misery swept through her. As soon as she slid behind the steering wheel, she started the engine and drove off. She needed to get away, needed to feel some distance from Oliver. If only she’d known a few months earlier what she knew now.

There was a small park close by, and Tamara parked the car and sat in silence for a while. Watching the children at the playground, she imagined a life with a husband and little children. She’d always wanted children. Jason had wanted to wait, so she had channelled all her energy and passion into her career.

A thunderstorm rumbled in the distance. Occasional lightning lit up the edges of the clouds. The trees swayed in the breeze, and mums gathered their children and left the playground. She grabbed her phone and dialled Katie’s number. The phone rang a couple of times before an electronic voice prompted Tamara to leave a message.

“Hi Katie. Tamara here. Apologies for the back and forth, but I wanted to confirm that I’d be delighted to be part of your wedding this weekend.”

Leaning back, calm spread through her as the final decision had been made. No more turning back, otherwise Katie’s seating would be out of order. Nothing drastic, but big enough to upset a bride-to-be.

***

Oliver slid down the door and pulled his knees to his chest, burying his head between them. Leaving Tamara behind in Perth had been hard, ignoring her today had been close to unbearable. The words she’d said, the pain in her voice, and her look of tired sadness had almost undone him. He’d understood, but at the same time had wanted her to tell him all this when he’d been in Perth.

The last few months had been busy for him with the rehabilitation of his knee as well as the process to gain accreditation as a baseball coach. Erik had been a great help. So had Markus and Ty. Life had settled into a comforting everyday rhythm, and Oliver’s mind was slowly getting used to his baseball career being over. He’d met a few girls during his Friday nights out and flirted shamelessly with the pretty ones, but none kept his interest for too long. Soon he’d become bored with them all.

Letting out a long breath of frustration, he stood and walked through the rooms to close the windows. The breeze had picked up and lightning lit up
the dark clouds in the distance. When he walked into his bedroom, the picture of Tamara lying on his bed rushed through his head.

He still loved her.

The phone buzzed and snapped him out of his reminiscing thoughts.

“How are you?” Oliver asked Ty by answering the phone.

“Things are getting a bit tense here. The days before the Brownlow Medal evening were nothing compared to this. Teagan’s coming tomorrow. Not sure whether I should move in with Grandma Hazel or not.”

Oliver laughed. Katie’s friend, Teagan, was a great girl, intense and caring, but you never knew what to expect the next moment.

“I can’t bake like Hazel, but you’re more than welcome to put up camp here for a few days.”

“Could that be considered grounds for divorce?” A chuckle escaped him before Ty’s tone grew serious. “How are you, mate?”

Oliver had enough emotional chit chat so he said, “The way you sound, better than you.”

His friend knew him better though, it seemed. “Still pissed about the Tamara situation?”

“Nah. It’s Katie’s wedding, and by all means she’s allowed to invite whoever she wants to.”

“That sounds unusually mature of you.”

Laughing, Oliver moved the phone to the other ear. “I was a bit taken aback when you told me, is all. I didn’t know those two were friends. Didn’t think they even knew each other.”

“Can’t help you with that one, either. They met the day you went fishing with your dad, and the girls came for cake at your place.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less.”

“She’s still playing with your heart?”

Twenty-something years of friendship could sometimes be a curse. This was one of those moments, when Tyson knew him too well. Oliver hated it.

“That’s a load of crap.”

“Of course it is,” Tyson replied, his voice filled with sarcasm. “Anyway, Thursday night, eight o’clock at Mark’s place. No stripper, no girls, no getting me into trouble.”

Oliver laughed. “You’ve become such a boring soul since you’ve been with Katie.”

“You’d better behave or I sit you next to Tamara myself.”

Another pinch of salt into his wounds, so Oliver hung up.

***

Tamara spent Thursday night with Katie and some of her friends. Each of the girls wore a feather boa around her neck, and with lots of giggles and laughter, they went from one pub to the next, singing a different Celine Dion song in each bar. Men bought them cocktails, and they danced to the thumping beat of the music. Although embarrassed at times, Tamara had a wonderful time and for the first time in months just lived the moment.

She even dared to enjoy the casual flirt here and there.

Andrea’s wedding the previous year had been a more subdued affair. They had gone out with the bride-to-be, but it’d been an elegant dinner at one of Perth’s posh restaurants. It was what she’d been used to with her friends, so tonight’s activities had taken her aback initially, but once she noticed the fun the others had, she took part. Of course, it had all been organised by Teagan, who apparently was well known amongst Katie’s friends for her extravagant ideas. It was obvious, though, the two friends were very close, and Tamara envied them for what they had.

Tired and exhausted the next day, she picked up her parents from the airport and gave them a lift to the same hotel where she was staying.

“You look tired, darling,” her mother said once they were in the hotel room.

“It was late last night,” Tamara replied.

Britt stopped and turned to her daughter. “You have a smile on your face. Does that mean your conversation with Oliver went well?”

She shoved her hands in her jeans pockets and shook her head. With a big sigh, she sat on the bed next to her dad. As soon as her father took her into his arms, she started to sob.

“Oh darling,” Britt said. “Did you get to talk to him?”

A hiccuppy sob shook Tamara. “I tried to tell him, but he wasn’t…he was—”

She wasn’t able to finish her sentence. Her dad tugged her even closer. The feeling of emptiness in her was slowly pushed away by the warmth of her parents’ love.

They sat in silence for a long moment before Britt stood and started to unpack some of their clothes. Her mother chatted away and brought Tamara up-to-date on recent events in Perth. It was an obvious attempt to lighten the mood, and Tamara appreciated it.

“When’s the dinner at Erik’s?”

“It’s at his place at six. I’ll pick you up.”

“Are we having lunch together?” Britt asked.

“Mum, I told you, I’ll need to get a few things organised for the wedding tomorrow.” Tamara stood and grabbed a tissue to wipe some of the tears. “I think Auntie Jenny wants to do a little tour with you around Melbourne. I’ll be here at five.”

Her mum nodded, and Tamara stood to leave.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, and by the time Tamara had her hair and nails done and found a dress, she only had time for a quick shower before picking up her parents.

The evening flew by. Her uncle’s birthday celebration was a gathering of very close friends. No Oliver and only a very few of his baseball colleagues. The party with the baseball club was organised for the next day.

When Tamara woke the next morning, her head was heavy, throbbing, and seemed detached from the rest of her limbs. Minutes ticked by before she was able to move. She had only had a few glasses of wine the previous night, but it was obvious that she wasn’t used to late nights anymore. The clock next to the bed read ten to seven. Pulling up the duvet a bit further, she turned and decided to have another snooze before getting up. Breakfast wasn’t due until nine o’clock.

A few minutes before nine a quiet, though persistent knocking at the door woke her. She rolled out of bed and wandered to the door. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she opened her door.

“Darling, are you all right?” her mother asked.

Tamara stared at Britt as she stepped past her and into the room.

“Of course I am. Just a bit tired,” she replied.

“It’s nearly ten o’clock and you haven’t come down for breakfast.”

Tamara did her best to focus. She checked the bedside alarm which clearly said nine o’clock.

“Mum, it’s only nine,” she said as she pointed to the alarm.

It was Britt’s turn to be confused. “Oh my.” She turned on the television, which showed the local time as nine o’clock as well. “I think your father didn’t change my watch to the correct time zone. Oh my. Did I wake you?”

Tamara lifted her eyebrows as if to say
isn’t it obvious
.

With a heavy sigh, Britt placed her hands on her daughter’s face and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You take your time getting ready. Jenny will pick us up in half an hour. I suppose we kicked them out of bed as well,” she said with a smile. “Enjoy the wedding. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

She left, and Tamara took a towel before heading into the bathroom where she treated herself to a long hot bath.

Chapter Ten

Sarah gave Tamara a lift to the church in the early afternoon. People had already gathered in front of St. John’s. Tamara assumed it was a mix of guests, nosy people, fans, and the media. Sarah rushed off to meet with the bridal party, and Tamara walked inside. The flowers were still being set up and arranged. The buzz of the last minute rush was obvious. People around her were taking their seats, and she was grateful for the young man who ushered her to her seat. The church was nearly filled, and they were still coming.

Looking around, she admired the church. It was old with beautiful stained glass windows.

The pastor entered from the little room at the front of the church, dressed in a long flowing robe. He took his place at the front of the altar and said, “Please rise for a prayer.”

The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Katie looked stunning in the strapless chiffon dress, and Tyson didn’t look that bad either in his tuxedo.

Of course, she couldn’t help but stare at Oliver. He’d had his hair cut short and had shaved. He wore a bow tie beneath the collar of his shirt and didn’t look bad in his tuxedo, either. The ache in her heart grew a bit more. She smoothed back her hair and scanned the rest of the church. She found Hazel dabbing her face with a handkerchief, Diane right at the front, Sarah next to Katie, and Markus next to Oliver.

The reception was held in the late afternoon south of Melbourne, near the coast. The venue had a beautiful view over the ocean, and with near perfect weather, it was the ideal location.

Tamara received a lift from Oliver’s parents. Initially, she felt uncomfortable to accept the ride, but in the end common sense prevailed. They chitchatted all the way to the coast, and Tamara found out what Oliver had been up to the past few months. The rehabilitation of his knee was on track and going very well. He’d worked hard for his accreditation as a baseball coach and had been successful. It was obvious both Benjamin and Diane were very proud of him and of what he’d achieved.

“Have you moved back to Melbourne?” Diane asked.

Tamara shook her head and looked at Benjamin through the rear-view mirror. “No. It was my uncle’s birthday celebration yesterday. I came over for that, and it turned out to be perfect timing for the wedding as well.”

“I didn’t know you were close friends with Katie,” Diane commented.

Tamara’s gaze moved to her hands in her lap. “Katie rang me after I’d had moved back to Perth. In short, I’d say she wanted to play cupid.”

Benjamin and Diane’s light chuckle echoed to the back, and they nodded as if they understood.

“Once she backed off the Oliver topic, we’ve become good friends,” Tamara added.

Diane turned back to look at her. Her eyes expressed sadness and grew distant. “He was devastated when you left,” she said, barely above a whisper.

Tamara wasn’t able to say anything in reply. Her gaze moved to the window, but she closed her eyes, trying to find the right words. How had this conversation become so uncomfortable?

“I know. I went to see him the other day to apologise.”

Diane nodded and turned back again. It must’ve been a big effort for her to turn in the first place. Tamara admired how Oliver’s mother handled her disability. Diane was a remarkable person. She displayed a courageous optimism and always had a kind word for others. Her love for Oliver was apparent, even though he was the reason behind her life in a wheelchair.

The silence was welcome, and Tamara watched the scenery go by. Melbourne wasn’t Perth and not comparable, but during her short time she’d lived in the Victorian capital, she’d come to appreciate and like some of the places around. A small ache settled in her chest as she replayed her conversation with Oliver the other day. Why had he been so unreceptive to her apology? Why wasn’t he able to see how sorry she was?

She sighed, knowing she couldn’t change the past, and wasn’t able to change his opinion. She’d hurt him, she knew that, but she’d given anything to undo what she’d done.

They’d arrived at the reception venue only minutes later. Tamara helped Benjamin transfer Diane from the car to the wheelchair, but quickly noticed what a good team these two were and there wasn’t much she was able to do. Deep inside, she envied Oliver’s parents for their close relationship.

Did she have that with Jason?

Did grief distort her memory?

No. She’d loved Jason, and to an extent still did. They’d had a wonderful time together, and Tamara missed him dearly. But the relationship between Benjamin and Diane was based on many, many more years than she’d had with Jason. She knew that. Would she ever experience love so deep?

***

Katie and Tyson left the reception to start their honeymoon overseas. Oliver sat down after his second dance with Katie’s friend Teagan. He’d laughed at her lousy attempt to flirt with him, and had apologised a few times to her partner Declan, insisting he had no interest in her. Declan had laughed and explained that Teagan had warned him that she’d have to have at least three dances with
the sexy third friend.

Markus and Sarah caught his attention. She didn’t look well at all. Come to think of it, he’d hardly seen Sarah on the dance floor, whereas she was the dancing queen amongst his friends. He walked over and asked, “What’s up?”

“Saz drowned her sorrow in some red last night after finding out Timmy cheated on her,” Markus explained.

Oliver pulled Sarah into a hug. “I told you—”

“Don’t say it,” she mumbled against his chest.

“You should try—”

Sarah placed a finger on his lips. “Just tell the happy couple congratulations, and I’ll catch up with them when they get back from their honeymoon.”

“You really are out of it, sweetheart. They left about half an hour ago.”

She sighed. “Even better. I don’t have to feel guilty.”

Oliver placed a kiss on Sarah’s forehead.

“Honey, you’d better go and have a dance with Tamara,” she whispered. He followed her gaze.

“Hope you feel better soon,” he replied, avoiding the subject.

Sarah followed Markus towards the doors. Oliver turned slowly and watched Tamara dance with one of Tyson’s football mates. Her cheeks were flushed red, and she beamed. It was obvious how much she enjoyed her dance. Jealousy crept up his spine, and he straightened. He listened to the music, and when the song finished, he watched her return to her table. After a moment’s hesitation, he walked over to her. She looked incredibly sexy in her pale blue dress that covered only one of her shoulders with dark blue sequins. Her hair was styled simple, but effective, and she’d only applied a touch of makeup.

He held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

She looked up and met his gaze. Shaking her head, she said, “Please, Oliver, I’d rather not.”

Appreciating her reply, he nodded. Until an hour ago, he hadn’t wanted to talk, either. Hell, he had tried his best to not even look at her. But there was no avoiding her. She was like a magnet, and he’d found himself staring at her at every possible chance. The words she’d spoken a few days earlier echoed inside him, and he’d come to understand that they’d come from her heart. Unable to see that at the time because he’d been guarding his heart, it was now clear to him. The realisation put a knot in his chest.

After a moment’s hesitation, he took the chair next to her, and sat.

“I’m not really in the mood for talking, either,” she said.

Again, he nodded. “You look beautiful tonight,” he commented.

Her gaze turned towards the crowd on the dance floor. He took her hand into his and gently rubbed her fingers with his thumb. His whole body reacted from that simple touch, and he remembered how good it had felt exploring her body and the little noises she’d made. A smile tugged at his lips, but quickly disappeared when she removed her hand from his and stood.

She walked towards the door, and he followed her. It took him a bit to catch up, and when he was only few steps away from the restrooms, he took her hand and pulled her into the disabled toilet. As gently as possible, he flipped her around and pinned her against the wall. Holding her hands, his fingers intertwined with hers, and he moved so close, he felt her chest rise and fall.

“Did you tell me the other day you’re not scared anymore?”

“Oliver,” she whispered. “I’m a bit scared now.”

“I’d never hurt you, you know that—right?”

He moved so close, his lips nearly touched hers. “Tamara. Are you still scared?”

“No,” she replied, barely audible.

He nodded, but didn’t move.

“I missed you,” she said suddenly, meeting his gaze.

“You’re going back to Perth?”

Breaking the eye contact, she stared past his shoulders.

“Let me get this right. You’re not scared anymore, and you came to apologise to ease your guilt.”

“No,” she nearly shouted. “Not at all.” Still pinned to the wall, she moved her weight from one leg to the other. “I’ve…” She hesitated for a moment before she continued. “I’ve taken some counselling, and I’m now aware that it’s okay to feel what I feel when I’m around you.”

“And what do you feel when you’re around me?”

“About a million and one emotions.” She paused. “But most importantly, I feel things I don’t even know how to describe. It’s like the first time I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, and it’s like my heart is at peace.”

Oliver stared at her as the words sunk in. Trying to steady his heartbeat, he absorbed the enormity of her words. For a moment, she lowered her eyes to his mouth, and the second his lips touched hers, his best intentions to stay away from her flew out the window. His hands moved down her arms to her shoulders, before he cupped her face and tilted it up, deepening the kiss.

Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. Tamara stared up at him, her eyes slightly glazed.

Unable to calm his racing heart, he asked. “What are we doing?”

“I was hoping to start over,” she replied, her voice sounding weak and raspy.

Oliver nodded and thought about it for a moment. “Is this what you want?”

“Yes,” she replied quietly.

“You live in the west.”

Her eyes were on his face in an unwavering stare. “I do distance study. I could move.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t like Melbourne.”

Slightly shaking her head, she replied, “I never said that. I needed to be away from you, is all.”

“You thought I’m a womaniser.”

She choked out a laugh. “I still believe you’re quite a charmer, but no womaniser would’ve travelled all the way to Perth to confess their love for me.” Hesitating for a moment, she added. “At least I don’t think so.”

Tracing her lips with his thumb, he studied her face for a long moment. The shadows under her eyes were gone, and her cheeks were full of the rosy colour again that he had liked so much. She glowed with health.

He leaned in and covered her mouth with his, kissing her softly, igniting a fire inside him.

Groaning, he broke the kiss and whispered against her lips, “Any plans tonight?”

Tamara shook her head.

A smiled tugged at his lips, and he moved back a bit before taking her hands. “Let’s go.”

With the bride and groom gone, as well as Markus and Sarah, Oliver headed straight to the door.

“What about your parents?” she asked.

Oliver stopped in his tracks to look at her. With a grin, he said, “I don’t need their permission anymore to sleep with a girl, cupcake.”

The dazzling smile on her face was replaced by an annoyed frown. “They gave me a lift and probably would be wondering where I was if I leave now.”

Smiling, he leaned in to give her another little kiss. “Easy.” He pulled the phone out of his jacket and pushed a few buttons before holding it to his ear. It wasn’t a conversation, but an information dump as he told his father that he’d give Tamara a lift back into the city.

With a wink, he took her hand again and continued his way to the car.

***

Tamara’s heart raced with excitement at the thought of where she was heading. It hadn’t necessarily been the talk she had envisioned, but she was glad they’d had a chance to open up, even if it’d been in a disabled toilet. All her nerves were on alert as Oliver drove in silence to his house.

“You sure?” he asked as he parked his car in the driveway.

Smiling, she nodded. She was sure. She was looking forward to it, and nothing would stand in her way to make this happen.

“Yes,” she replied.

They went inside, and it wasn’t long after he kicked the door shut that his lips found hers again. Her low moan spoke volumes as she returned his need. Gently, he pushed her into his bedroom where he slid the zip of her dress down her back. His hands moved over her naked skin before tugging the straps down her arms. His tantalising strokes made her legs feel as if they were going to go out from underneath her, and another moan escaped her, when he skilfully unhooked her bra.