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lassoknewmyvibe · 3 months ago

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NGotP Chapter 2

“Your place is so cute!” Keeley was freaking out a bit at my already furnished flat, but to be honest, I was just as excited when I entered. I set my bags down and stuck the sticky note with my address on the black side table next to the rose-pink linen sofa. Across from the sofa, a flat screen was mounted into the wall, and on either side of the TV, there were black sconces cemented into the black brick.

“It’s nicer than anywhere I’ve lived,” I admitted.

“Well, we don’t have time for you to relax, babe. We’ve got to find you a dress and get you looking all sexy and fuckable.”

“Keeley!” I screeched. “I’m not trying to be... ‘fuckable.’ This is a professional dinner.”

“I know. But Rebecca won’t mind, especially ‘cuz you’re showing up with me, and I already texted her to make room for you at our table. We’ll be the Three Sex-kateers.”

Roy grumbled to himself and rolled his eyes, plopping down on the sofa to wait until Keeley was ready for us to go.

I turned to the pixie girl. “Ted told me not to dress so fancy. He said it wasn’t quite a black-tie event.”

Keeley grabbed my wrists and leaned in as if to share a valuable secret. “Men think black-tie is different from wearing a tie of any other color.” She turned to her boyfriend. “Roy? What are you wearing to the dinner tonight?”

He grunted at her and then said, “a suit.”

“See?” Keeley reassured me. “I’m fairy godmothering you. Don’t even try to fight it, babe.”

Just over thirty minutes later, Keeley and I were arm in arm walking through a posh shopping district, Roy trailing behind us in silence.

“Alright. Here’s my favorite place,” Keeley announced. “This is where I used to get fitted for all my shoots back in the day. They have the most gorgeous gowns!” She grabbed my wrist and flung the door open, pulling me inside.

“Bronte, are you in here?” she called.

“Keeley?” A tall and slender woman wearing a green chiffon skirt and black bustier emerged from behind a rack of black formal gowns. “It’s been too long! To what do I owe the pleasure, love? Are you back modeling?”

Keeley’s hand rose to my back, and she ushered me forward. “No, unfortunately. This is my friend Josephine. She’s just started a job with me at the club, and we need to get her fitted into something right sexy for her first team dinner.”

“Trying to impress the boys, Josephine?”

“No ma’am.”

“You got a chair anywhere?” Roy asked.

“Over by the dressing area, babe,” Keeley responded. “Go have a seat, and Josephine and I will grab some dresses and join you in a jiff.” I locked eyes with Roy and tried to convey a look that said I’m sorry, but he just grunted and disappeared to the back corner of the shop.

“Okay, Josephine. My process is this: I pick three dresses, Bronte picks three dresses, and you pick three dresses. You’ll try them all on and give us a bit of a fashion show, yeah? We’ll take notes on the things you like and the styles you feel most confident in, and then we’ll narrow it down, try a few more dresses if we need, and then you wear the most killer dress to the party, you’ll even have the ever-virtuous Ted swooning.”

“Keeley,” I started nervously, looking at the dresses that surrounded me. “I really appreciate you bringing me here, trust me. But I don’t have a ton of money to spend right now. I was hoping for something a little more casual and affordable.”

“Shut up! I’ve got you, babe.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she interrupted me, pointing a finger at my face. “Don’t you even think about telling me not to. This was all my idea, so I’ll cover it. Now, go over to that section and pick out the sexiest dresses you can find.”

Keeley twirled in her spot and disappeared into the mass of all colors, cuts, and occasions of dress. I shuffled to the section Keeley had pointed out and started flipping through the gowns. Every single one was fancier than even my fanciest dresses.

This one would be too tight. I’d feel like I’m in a sausage casing.

One wrong move in this one and my boobs will pop straight out.

This one is pretty. If only it had sleeves to cover my arms.

I’d be too short to wear this one.

This color is stunning, but I’d be showing some cellulite and butt-cheek.

“Josephine!” Keeley’s voice came from somewhere in the store. “Have you picked yet? We’re over here with the other dresses!”

I stared at the rack and grabbed the three most “sexy” dresses within grasp, an off-white strapless piece with an A-line skirt, a gaudy purple bouffant number, and a velvet forest green bodycon that reached the floor. Nervously, I took my load to the dressing room in the back where Keeley and Bronte had hung their selections on a clothing rack. I added mine.

Dress after dress, sigh after sigh, and I couldn’t find anything I liked. No matter how much Keeley gave me a compliment or told me to twirl, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d stand out too much in any of them.

I’d remark about how certain colored dresses flushed me out or how some squeezed my breasts too tightly together. Some hemlines hit mid-calf in an unflattering way, and others were so high that I had to bring my hands down in front of me to avoid moving wrong and flashing my personal team of stylists (and Roy).

“I just don’t feel good about any of these. I’m sorry Keeley.”

“Babe, don’t worry about it.” She turned to Roy and Bronte and said, “Can you two give us a moment?” The two of them left our corner of the store in silence.

Keeley sat me down in one of the plush chairs and knelt in front of me, putting her hands on her knees.

“I think I know what’s going through your head right now, Josephine. And I want you to know that it’s okay to stand out a bit. I’ve been where you are now, trying on gowns for the first time and feeling like nothing was working. My legs used to be too short. My own boobs were too big. I hated everything because I hated standing out and letting others see more of me. It took me so long to get over it, but now I just don’t give a fuck.”

I smiled at her as she kept talking.

“I guarantee you, babe, that we’ll find a dress in here for you, and you’ll probably walk into that room feeling like a big, feathery, ugly chicken, but nobody will be able to keep their eyes off you. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with breaking from the comfort zone and showing yourself off, yeah?”

I nodded at her and took a deep, slow breath. “Let’s try some more.”

“That’s the spirit!”

Keeley and I walked back out into the mass of chiffon and silk, looking for a dress together.

“What about this one?” she asked, pulling a dark purple and maroon lace number down. It had spaghetti straps and a low-cut neckline, and I could tell immediately that it would hug my body in all the right places.

“Worth a shot,” I said excitedly.

Looking at myself in the mirror, something felt off. I walked out to show Keeley and the other two who had joined us once again.

“I love it, but something feels weird,” I sighed. “And I promise it’s not because it’s too showy.”

“I see what you mean. It’s the length. We don’t need it to quite hit the floor. Bronte, do you have any fabric shears?” Keeley stood and followed me into the nook behind the curtain as Bronte stood and hurried off in search of some scissors.

“Remember what I said about showing yourself off? Let’s bring the hem up a little bit. Show some ankle.”

I nodded my head, completely trusting my new friend’s expertise. She knelt down behind me and folded the hem up into itself, showing me the dress about 8 inches shorter.

“There, see? Perfect.”

I had to admit that I did like the dress. I’d never shown much cleavage before, but I didn’t hate it. And my curves were gloved by the dress in the most flattering way, moving my eyeling from my hips to my waist.

“I think this might be the dress,” I announced.

Keeley hopped up and ran out into the store, cheering, “She’ll take it!”

I walked out and stood on the platform by the mirrors, letting Bronte cut the hem shorter per Keeley’s instructions. I expected it to curl at the raw edge, but it stayed flat in a way that made the new length look intentional.

Next thing I knew, Keeley’s card had been swiped for two dresses, two pairs of shoes from another shop, and some diamond jewelry (to which I tried as much as possible to talk her out of), and soon enough, we were driving up the lot at Keeley’s house. She turned around to me as Roy parked.

“Alright, babe, it’s go time. We have two and a half hours until drinks are served. Which means we have two hours and forty-five minutes to get there and make our fashionably late entrance. The game plan is hair first, then makeup, then the ensemble.” She pushed open the car door and Roy did the same, slamming his and opening mine for me.

“Thank you, Roy,” I said.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied as the three of us walked with our purchases up to the front door.

I took in Keeley’s place with its tall ceilings and open floor plan. Neon pink decor was placed strategically around the room. She led me upstairs to her giant closet, which had a giant vanity along one wall. She set her shopping bags down on the giant ottoman in the middle of the room and pulled out some hot tools for our hair.

“You’re leaving your hair down with loose curls. That’ll be stunning with your dress. But we gotta shower first. You go ahead into that one,” she said, pointing to a door in the corner of her closet, “and I’ll head downstairs to my guest shower. Use whatever smells you want, babe.”

I let out a small sigh of relief. I can do curls. I know how to do curls. I showered and blow-dried, wrapping myself into a plush robe. I selected her 2-inch curling iron and plugged it into the outlet below the mirror, hopping up into the tall chair as Keeley joined me.

Each tendril of hair fell lightly down onto my shoulders with every layer, and finally, once my front pieces were done, I whipped my hair side to side, front to back, to give it a more natural look. Keeley’s hair was pin straight and halfway combed up into a high pony. She had already started on her makeup and was applying the finishing touches.

“Alright, your turn,” she said to me. She swiveled my chair around to face her as she began mixing and applying colors of makeup all over my face, finishing with a dark red lip.

I looked into the mirror and my breath caught in my throat. Keeley hadn’t lied when she said she would fairy godmother me. Excitedly, we both jumped down to slide into our dresses and donned ourselves with the diamonds she had bought. We stood together, looking into the mirror at the finished product.

“We’re fucking fit, Josephine. We need a selfie.”

We both posed as she snapped a few pics on her phone.

“Are you ready?” she asked. “Roy was getting dressed when I finished up showering, so we’re all good to go when you are.”

I took one last glimpse at myself in the mirror, stunned by the woman I saw.

“I’m ready.”

#ted lasso #keeley jones #roy kent #jamie tartt #ted lasso fanfic #Spotify

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lassoknewmyvibe · 5 months ago

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NGotP Chapter 1

Nerves spread through my system as a cab pulled up alongside the curb that formed the walkway to AFC Richmond’s front doors. Never had I been so nervous to start a new job, most likely because I’d never worked, or even dreamed of working, outside of the states. I opened the door and stepped out onto the cement curb, staring up at the entrance of my new workplace.

The cab driver opened the trunk of his car and helped me unload one large suitcase and two duffel bags, then drove away after my payment without a word. I was left all alone in the shadow of the large club building.

I breathed deeply and clutched all three of my heavy bags, dragging them behind me stacked on top of the suitcase, and entered through the doors. By the looks of the decor and carefully placed signs with arrows to direct foot traffic, I assumed I had entered in through where the fans would, meaning I was 100% and completely lost. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my notes app, trying to find the directions I had taken down during my last phone call with a man named Leslie Higgins. He was kind enough on the phone. He seemed a bit nervous, but that could just be him. I hadn’t ever actually met the man after all.

After following the directions and finally ending up on what I assumed was the right track, I climbed what seemed like a billion stairs to reach the office of the club’s owner, Ms. Rebecca Welton. I’d researched her a bit before coming, and the internet was full of the beautiful, broad-shouldered, and confident owner. Her smile seemed worth a million bucks, and even with article after snarky article of her divorce from the club’s previous owner, Rupert Mannion, I could tell she was a force to be reckoned with.

I knocked on her office door.

“Come in!” I heard a voice call from the other side of the door. It was a female voice, powerful, but still musical. Setting my sweaty hands on the door handle, I took a breath, helping my shoulders straighten up and my face become friendlier. I smiled at the door and opened it.

Inside, all the way to the other end of the room, sat a woman at a desk. Her crimson peplum dress matched her lipstick, and her soft blonde curls just brushed the top of her shoulders. I glanced to the left where a man, trying to decide between sitting and slouching, rested on the windowsill. He stood as I entered and beckoned me in.

“Ms. Bozzelli! May I introduce you to Richmond’s owner, Rebecca Welton. Ms. Welton, this is Josephine Bozzelli, our new media director.”

My confidence grew as I recognized his voice as the one I’d spoken to on the phone. This was Leslie Higgins. I approached Ms. Welton’s desk with an outstretched hand as she stood and smoothed her dress. As we shook hands, I took note of how tall and strong she was. The fire behind her eyes flickered as she pulled her hand away and gestured to a cushioned chair just across the desk from where hers was.

“Please, have a seat, Ms. Bozzelli. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” We both took our seats. “I trust your trip went well?”

“Oh yes, Ms. Welton, thank you.” Mr. Higgins had arranged for me to fly first class across the pond to begin working on and organizing my work in peace.

“Good. And please, call me Rebecca. Higgins-” Rebecca turned to the man, and he straightened his spine at attention. “Go fetch the coach, won’t you?”

“Right away,” Higgins promised. He was in the hallway in a flash.

“So, Ms. Bozzelli, I – may I call you Josephine?” I nodded. “Josephine, I hope you find your accommodations to your liking. I made sure Higgins arranged for a flat within walking distance of the club. He mentioned commuting was a concern of yours.”

Again, I nodded. “Thank you,” I said. “I look forward to moving in.”

“Well,” Rebecca started. “We are thrilled to have you join AFC Richmond. I’m certain your contribution will greatly benefit the team. I know I sent over a list of duties as media director, and I want to make sure to answer any questions you may have before sending you over to your office.”

She stopped talking and bore her gaze into me expectantly. I fidgeted with the hem of the shirt I had been wearing the last two days.

“I guess I would just like to know what area you’d like me to focus on. I’m a skilled writer, so I’m happy to do any print or online writing, but I am capable of more as well.”

Rebecca smiled reassuringly. “Josephine, you’re going to do wonderfully here. I would love for you to work closely with our marketing girl, Keeley Jones. She puts together any sort of sponsorship and partly handles PR, but I’m sure you’ll both find that you’ll need each other as a valuable resource.” She stood once again and moved to the window, which overlooked the field. “You’ll also be the one to help direct press conferences. Any question that gets asked is up to you for approval. If anyone asks something too personal about a team member or anything of the like, your responsibility is to step in. Let them know we won’t be answering those types of questions. You know that sort of thing. You won’t necessarily be the face of Richmond, but you’ll control it. Does that make sense?”

“Absolutely,” I affirmed. “I can’t wait to get started. When will I be able to meet the team? I’d love to schedule one-on-one meetings with each of them over the next week to acquaint myself with them.”

“Higgins will be returning with our team manager slash head coach. He will be the one to show you around the club and introduce you to everyone. I’ll ensure he settles you in your office. You will share a wall with Keeley so you can work closely together. You’re going to love her.”

Just then, the door swung open, and Higgins entered the office with a man in tow. “Ms. Bozzelli, this is our head coach, Ted Lasso,” he said, gesturing to the man.

Coach Lasso stood tall with perfectly gelled hair and a combed moustache, but most striking were his golden-brown eyes, glittering as he reached his hand out to shake mine.

“Well, hey there Ms... Bozzelli was it?” the coach asked.

“Josephine is fine,” I answered, beaming.

“That’s mighty pretty, Josephine. Reminds me of my neighbor, Josephine, back in Kansas. She’s this ol’ lady with the most beautiful flower garden. Always let me use ‘em to make my wife a nice bouquet. You see, there was this one time-”

Rebecca cleared her throat. “Ted.” The coach looked over at her and realization hit his eyes.

“You’ll have to forgive me,” he said, turning back to me. “I tend to get carried away. Long story short, I’m proud and honored to work with ya.”

“Coach Lasso,” the boss interjected once again. “Are you still available to take Josephine on a tour of the place? You know, show her the office she’ll occupy, take her to the locker room, out on the pitch. Anywhere she will need to know inside and out for her job.”

“Happy to, Scooby Doo. Are these your bags, Josephine?” Coach Lasso pointed down at my luggage.

“They are,” I answered, leaning down to pick them up.

“Oh no, no,” Coach Lasso cut in. “Let me help ya out there.” He hoisted my two duffel bags up over his shoulders and then clutched the handle of my suitcase. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Thank you, Rebecca, Higgins. I truly appreciate your help.”

“Let us know if we can do anything more,” Rebecca assured. “What’s ours is yours.”

She beamed at me, and I gave her a nod and a smile back.

“Alright,” the coach said. “On the road again.”

He led me out of Rebecca’s office and down the three flights of stairs to the ground floor. I couldn’t tell if he struggled with my bags because of the weight or the bulky size, but by the time he landed from the last step, he dropped the bags to the floor.

“Please, Coach Lasso, let me take a turn. They’re my bags after all.”

“Ted is fine,” he replied as he tried to casually catch his breath. “And it’s light work, I don’t mind.”

I decided to change the subject, instantly knowing that arguing over who needs to carry the bags would get nowhere. He was too kind to let me do it. “Okay. Well, Ted, my focus this week is on meeting the players. I hope you don’t mind. I want to learn about each of them. I think it’ll help me settle into the dynamics here.”

“I’ll do you one better. The guys are in the locker room now, so let’s head over and I’ll introduce y’all. Follow me.”

He picked my bags up once again and led me down the hallway, following the noise coming from the locker room.

“Alright fellas,” he proclaimed. “Focus in. I want y’all to meet our most important team member!” He stepped aside to make me the center of attention. “This is Josephine Bozzelli. She’s gonna be meeting with each of you here pretty quick to get to know y’all. I expect 100% from all of you. Don’t mess it up either. She’s our new media director, so you’ll wanna stay on her good side.”

A couple of laughs rippled through the team, but most of them stared at Ted as if he’d proposed they join a cult or something. I stepped in.

“What he means is that your public perception is my job, so don’t be stupid. No scandals, broken laws, you know, that kind of thing.”

One of the players raised his hand and I pointed to him. “Yes?”

“Uh, yeah, so I’m guessing by your accent you’re American like Coach.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Isaac. McAdoo. Captain.”

“Thanks for the question, Isaac. Yes, I’m from across the pond. Small town.”

“Please tell me you’re not another midwestern wanker,” another player asked. He wore no shirt and sat under the name over his locker.

“’Tartt.’ And you must be Jamie. I’ve read loads about you. And don’t let it get to your head. Not all of it is good.”

The team laughed more at that jab than they did at Ted’s humor.

I continued. “I guess that’s a mystery you’ll have to solve the longer I’m here.”

“I hate to cut you boys off, but there’ll be plenty of time to get to know Ms. Bozzelli. I’ve gotta finish showin’ her around so Coach Beard and Roy will be out on the field with y’all for training. Don’t be late, or you guys get to deal with Roy this time.”

The team stood to finish changing, and as I saw a few more shirts being removed, I turned my attention back to Ted.

“Let me show ya to your office. Right next to the ever-beautiful Keeley Jones!” Ted cheered. He picked my bags up once more and walked me two doors down from the locker room.

The room only had a desk and chair, but on top of the desk was a small pink paper box with a note written on top. I walked over to read it.

“Welcome to the team! -Ted”

“Just figured you might like some of those biscuits. I usually bring some every morning for Rebecca. I’m not one to brag, but she usually has the whole box gone in a whopping ninety seconds.”

My heart warmed a little at the gesture, and I watched Ted closely as he set my bags down neatly against the wall just inside the door. “You’re a gentleman, Ted Lasso. Carrying my bags, biscuits every morning, fresh bouquets for your wife. You’ve gotta give me something, man. You’re making me look bad!”

I meant it as a joke, but Ted only gave a small smile and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” I offered, just barely above a whisper.

He drew his eyebrows together and shook his head as if to shrug it off.

“Don’t worry about it. Just not all of it is true these days is all.” He quickly changed his demeanor, walking into the office and knocking on the wall behind my desk. “Keeley! Get in here and meet our new friend Josephine!”

Not even ten seconds later, a small girl with her ponytail as high as her heels sashayed into the room.

“Well I’ll be fuckin’ damned. You must be Josephine!” Keeley hurried over to me and threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so excited to finally meet you!”

She released me from the hug and stepped back, looking me up and down. Insecure, I said, “these aren’t my normal clothes. I’ve just been wearing these for the trip over.”

“No, not even. I’m looking at how fuckin’ fit you are! Ted, she’s fit, yeah?” She paused for a moment, not looking away from me but awaiting Ted’s answer.

“If by ‘fit’ you mean ‘she’ll fit right in,’ then I’ll agree with ya,” Ted chuckled.

“Babe,” Keeley continued. “Don’t even worry about your clothes. You’re rockin’ that top.”

“Everyone was right,” I said, returning the conversation to a speaking level. “I do like you.”

“Aw, thanks. That’s so nice, Josephine.” Keeley was a fairy princess. “You’re officially invited to every girl’s night with me and Rebecca.”

Ted took a peek at his watchless wrist. “Hey ladies, I’ll give you two a few minutes to chat. Gotta go deal with somethin’. I’ll be back to take you outside for training, Josephine!” He rushed out the door.

Keeley stalked over to my chair and sat down, looking around at the grey walls. “These offices are nice, yeah? Just gotta add your own personal touch so it’s not so dreary.”

“I didn’t bring much to decorate with, but I’m sure I’ll collect things over time. It’s just nice to have my own office.”

“Hang on, babe,” Keeley said as she quickly stood. She left the room but returned a few seconds later with a green leafy plant growing in a bright pink pot. “This is Beatrice. She’s yours now.” My new friend placed the pot down on the desk next to the box of Ted’s biscuits.

“I’m loving the color theme. Good thing pink is my favorite color,” I laughed.

“Oh, don’t say that too loud. I’ve got a shopping addiction.”

“Uh oh, me too,” I chuckled. “I might need you as my partner in shopping crime so I can make this room my own.”

“You bet! Just tell me when and I’ll clear my schedule.”

I turned at a knock on the open door, and there stood Ted, now donning sunglasses, a whistle, and an AFC Richmond visor. “Knock, knock ladies. Sorry to interrupt your girl talk. I know how important that is. Josephine, you ready to head out to practice?”

I walked over to one of my duffel bags and unzipped it, digging into a side pocket to pull out my sunglasses. “Ready.”

A couple minutes later, Ted was leading me out of a tunnel and over to where two men were standing watching the team.

“TARTT,” one of the men yelled. “WHAT DID I JUST FUCKING TELL YOU? GET YOUR HEAD OUT YOUR FUCKING BUM.”

“This lovely guy here,” Ted started, gesturing towards the angry man, “is Roy Kent. Roy? This is Josephine.”

“Hey,” Roy growled in my direction without looking away from the team. He had dark hair and scruff and wore a scowl as his natural expression.

“Always a pleasure, Roy,” Ted joked. “And this here is Coach Beard. Followed me over from the U.S.”

“Howdy, little lady,” Coach Beard greeted. “Good to see ya again.”

I paused and looked over at Ted, having never met Coach Beard before. “Don’t question it,” Ted whispered to me. “That’s just Beard. He saw your picture when we extended the job offer.”

Nodding at Ted’s explanation, I turned my attention to the players dribbling the ball across the field.

“I won’t lie,” I started. “I don’t know too much about sports. I’m not sure why Rebecca hired me.”

Ted laughed. “I didn’t know much about soccer either when I accepted the job. ‘Course it was because she was tryin’ to burn this place to the ground to get back at her ex-husband, but that’s ancient history. Things’ll be peachy keen, James Dean.” I smiled at his rhyme. He turned his attention back to the field. “Alright guys, huddle up! Time for dribble drills!”

I watched each player line up behind a row of orange cones, evenly spaced down the long end of the pitch. Coach Beard heaved up a netted bag of footballs and walked halfway between where we stood and where the first player, Obisanya, stood. Beard removed one of the balls from the bag and rolled it quickly to the young player, who received it and dribbled the ball back and forth through the cones. Ball after ball, each player followed the other on the same path. Once they all cleared the cones, they lined up again on the other end and Beard blew his whistle as the boys did the same routine all the way back.

“HUSTLE,” Roy bellowed. The players picked up the pace, but only slightly, as they battled to mix speed and control. Once finished, Roy yelled, “AGAIN.”

The boys repeated the exercise three more times, each time trying even harder to satisfy Roy.

A ringtone interrupted Roy’s berations, and Ted fished his phone out of the pocket of his track pants. “Ope, ‘scuse me guys.” He walked over to the entrance of the tunnel but stopped and put the phone to his ear, his other hand resting in his pocket. I lost focus on the practice as I heard Ted say, “Hey, Buddy! How are ya this mornin’?”

It was barely 1 PM in London, which made me realize he must be talking to someone from the U.S. I listened as he talked, most likely to a child.

“Have a good day at school! Help your mom and your teacher out... Yeah, I know, I know. Just makin’ sure your memory hasn’t completely gone away!... Okay, love you too, Henry. Say hey to your mom for-”

He pulled his phone away and looked down at the screen, his shoulders slouched just a bit. I pretended I hadn’t been eavesdropping when he turned and jogged back to where Roy and Coach Beard were running the team through passing drills.

Once he rejoined, Beard split his attention between the team and Ted, asking, “How’s the kid?”

“Aww, he’s good. Just headin’ out for school. Couldn’t talk too long this mornin.’”

“You have a kid?” I asked the head coach. “How old is he?”

“Goin’ on ten now. Gettin’ busy with playing soccer but also learnin’ the piano, which I’ll tell ya, he doesn’t get from me. Kid’s a talented little bugger.”

“Piano!” I exclaimed. “I play too. I taught for a while through college a few years ago.”

“Well next time I have Henry on the line, I’ll have to introduce the two of you! He’s real eager to play but doesn’t have anyone around who knows it. His mom and I are kinda helpless in that department.” He puffed his chest out and put his hands around his mouth to be heard over the team’s back and forth trash talk. “Gentlemen! Short practice today for the team dinner. Hit the showers!”

Every team member turned and sprinted to where the coaches stood, a few of them pulling their jerseys off. I held my hand over my eyes to block the sun as I watched them run, and I laughed as a few players offered me a high five or fist bump, saying, “Hi,” “Hope you liked it,” or even just flirtatiously whistling. Jamie brought up the rear and instead of reaching out for a high five, he winked at me. I swung my hand down and smacked his butt, causing him to turn around and skip backwards, holding his hands up to his heart and blowing a kiss into the air.

“Day one and you’re already flirtin’ with one of the guys,” Ted joked.

“You could do a lot better, Josephine. Tartt’s a fucking prick,” Roy grumbled.

“It’s all in fun, boys,” I chided. “Jamie doesn’t peg me as the kind of guy to take some light flirting too seriously.”

“You might get pegged by him eventually,” Beard teased.

“Fellas,” Ted interrupted, putting his hands up to signal his new control over the conversation. “She just said it’s not serious, so let’s believe her. Besides, Jamie’s come a long way. He thinks a bit more with his heart now.”

“Yeah, but his dick’s still got control,” Roy argued.

“Okay,” I laughed, jumping into the conversation. “Wow, didn’t realize playfully responding to the guy’s wink would have the three of you up in arms.” I reached my hands up to place one on Ted’s shoulder and the other on Roy’s. “Let’s not get carried away by it all. I’m here to do my job, but making friends with the guys is also important to me.”

“I’m sorry for gettin’ us all worked up,” Ted apologized.

“Don’t worry too much, boys. I’m glad you guys will have my back. It’s tough moving to a new country alone at my age.”

“That’s how Beard and I felt, and we’re in our fourties,” Ted reassured.

“Thirty-three,” Beard cut in.

“Yeah, what he said,” Ted smiled. “Anyways, now that I’ve shown you pretty much all the club, is there anything else we can do to help you out?”

“I think I’m just going to go back to my office and get everything set up. I want to jump right in first thing tomorrow morning! Keeley already volunteered to go shopping to transform the space into my own.”

“Ah FUCK,” Roy interjected. “I’m gonna have to go too.” Coach Beard chuckled as Roy rolled his eyes.

Ted gave a quick laugh as well, then turned to me and explained, “Keeley and Roy here are a couple.”

“Ah,” I started. “Well Roy, it’ll be wonderful to have you there to offer your glitter expertise.”

“Fuck, no.” I tilted my head back and laughed, unphased by Roy’s menacing glare and clenched fists.

Back inside, before I had the chance to cross the threshold of my office, Ted invited me into his. “I wanna go over a couple-a things with you for when you dive right in tomorrow.” He led me the few paces down the hallway and held the locker room door open. I waited a moment to step in, giving any of the guys a chance to be decent. Once inside, I turned back to face Ted, and he waved his hand to show the way to his office. I glanced over at the players, noticing Jamie throwing his teal t-shirt over his head to complete his outfit.

“One moment, Ted,” I said as I turned to walk towards the flirt. “Hey, Jamie. Can I speak to you a moment?”

“Yeah, but only a moment. I’ve got things to do.” He said these words with a grin, letting me know he didn’t want his words to be rude, just honest.

I walked closer to him and lowered my voice so that his teammates wouldn’t hear me. “Listen, it’s my first day and I shouldn’t get carried away in the fun, especially since we hardly know each other. I crossed a line back there.”

“Eh, it’s good.”

“We’re good?”

“We’re good.”

“It won’t happen again. Thank you.”

“Besides,” he started with a glint in his eye. “Most girls can’t resist me bum. I’m pretty used to it... I mean, I’m Jamie Tartt for fuck’s sake.”

I giggled at his joke, and he laughed with me. Though I knew it was just a bit of fun, I felt relief to know that he understood my intentions.

“Josephine,” Ted called. I whipped my head around and saw him standing in the same place he had been when I approached Jamie, hands stuffed in his pockets, his shoulders tense, and his brow a bit furrowed. “Come on over here.”

His look made me slightly anxious, so I looked over at Jamie and shoved my fingers into his hair, messing it up. “That’s better. Catch you later.”

I followed Ted into his office, and he sat down behind his desk, gesturing for me to sit in the chair at the opposite desk.

“First off,” he started with an energetic expression, “I just want to say I look forward to workin’ with you.”

“Thank you.”

“Second off, you and Jamie? Up top.”

He held his hand up over the desk and I smacked it, but still said, “it’s truly nothing, just making friends.”

“Whatever you guys call it these days, I guess. Third, wanted to invite ya to the team dinner tonight.”

I blinked in excited surprise. “That sounds like fun! Is this black tie? Casual?”

“Not quite black tie,” Ted said in a higher tone than usual. “But not casual. It’s just here. They’re clearing out one of the larger conference rooms. We’ll have a little press, but don’t worry, they’ll go easy on ya. You’re a lot younger and prettier than I was when it was my first day with them.”

“That’s promising,” I chuckled. “So anyway, what you’re saying is I’ve gotta go shopping? Deal.”

Just then, Keeley walked through the open door. “Did I hear someone say shopping?”

I nodded.

“Ted, I’m taking her out right now. We’re going to try on every sexy dress in town!” Keeley’s purse was already slung over her shoulder, and her faux fur jacket shook as she jumped up and down. “Let’s get your bags, babe. Roy can drive us to your flat to drop them off and then he’ll come with us!”

I looked over at Ted with a knowing smile, and he showed a toothy grin, his moustache perking up on both ends and his eyes conveying his amusement.

“I bet Roy’d love that!” he chided. “Best idea I’ve heard all day.”

#ted lasso #afc richmond #roy kent #keeley jones #jamie tartt #rebecca welton #fanfic #Spotify

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