Smoke Rings in the Dark

"So how's this new fella of yours, Cassie? Do I have to kick some ass?", teased Shelton.

Cassandra just laughed as she brushed her hair, seeing her brother on Facetime on her phone. "No, Sergio is a real gentleman. How's dad and Wife #5?", she asked dryly.

"Daddy's on tour in Australia, Cheyenne's with him. Reckon he don't want his newest wife messin' with the poolboy", he joked.

"At this rate, he's gonna get married more times than Elizabeth Taylor. How's the album coming along?", she asked.

"Real good, I'm working on a new song with Phil and now that I got my own label I can do fuck-all on my album. Tammy helped me come up with the bridge on a new song", he said proudly.

"That's great, she's a Beckett for sure", she said.

"Yep, she was always messing around with a guitar when she was a kid but she's more interested in songwriting and producing htan being a singer. I didn't wanna do what our grandma did with Daddy, putting him onstage as a kid at a bar to sing Hank Williams songs for booze money. If one of the kids wants to be a musician, that's great. If not, that's good too", said Shelton.

"Yeah, if Daddy had done what Grandma did, you'd be doing pop country", she teased.

"Fuck no, you know I hate that shit, Cassie. And what's this Sergio guy like?", asked Shelton.

"He's from Argentina, he plays for Manchester City. And Grandma really likes him", she giggled.

"Don't that beat fuck-all. He speaks English, right? Didn't know how an Argentine got to England", he laughed.

"He's improving his English, he came to Manchester after being traded from a team in Madrid. Sergio left tickets for us and we're going to the game, I'm wearing his shirt", she said proudly

"Go and cheer for your man, Cassie. I oughtta fly out there and check out your new fella, see if I gotta do some ass-whoopin'", he chuckled.

"Shelton, I'll tell you when, I'm not a kid", she retorted.

"You're my baby sis, even if we got different mama's. If this Sergio guy ever hurts you, I will kick his ass when I get there", he warned.

"I know, Shelton. Bye, and say hello to Becky and the kids for me", she said.

"All right, go and cheer on your man", he laughed.

Cassandra finished brushing her hair and put on her football shirt Sesrgi had sent her, taking a picture and texting it to him. The phone buzzed as she read the message: Son muy bonita, mi amor. Voy hacer un gol para ti :)

"I haven't seen a footy game in so long, I hope the fans aren't rough", said Mary.

"They have security now, gran. And Sergio said we are sitting in the family section", she replied.

"How lovely, Sergio is a real gentleman", said Mary.

Etihad Stadium buzzed with excitement as the sky-blue clad fans waited for the game against their Lancashire rivals. Sergio was in a really good mood as he got ready, eager to head to the tunnel and onto the pitch. "Estas pensando a tu novia, Sese? Ese son una messaje bueno", teased David.

"Si, ella son muy bonita en mi camisa", he laughed.

"Hacer un gol para su novia", laughed Jesus.

Both teams lined up in the tunnel and were escorted onto the field as the crowd roared, the Man City fans serenading the team with Blue Moon. The team captains shook hands in the middle of the pitch as children in the teams' uniforms stood in front of them, the referee tossing a coin as Manchester City won the call to the delight of the crowd.

Cassandra watched the pregame unfold curiously, the gentlemanly display unlike an American football game. "Wait until you see the Manchester Derby, that is the big one", said Pablo's wife Catalina in her Spanish-accented English.

"I'm a Yank from Tennessee, all we got is one NFL team and a hockey team that both stink", she said dryly.

"If you have any questions, just ask", said Catalina.

The score was 1-1 in the 90th minute when David passed the ball to Sergio as he ran down the pitch to the Everton goal, the Man City supporters on their feet and waving their sky blue scarves and roaring. He fired the ball past a diving Tim Howard as the crowd erupted, chanting his name and waving their scarves. Sergio was mobbed by his teammates as he kissed his son's name on his tattoo and pointed to the family section, blowing a kiss in that direction

The team hung on to win 2-1 as the jubilant fans roared and the team made their way to their locker room. Sergio was floating on air and a huge grin stretched on his face as his teammates clapped him on the back and he was interviewed by the TV crew. He was still smiling after his shower and getting dressed, going up to the famimly section and embracing Cassandra. "Marque un gol por ti, corazon. Did you like the game, Senora Flynn?", he asked.

"Very much, I haven't been to a game since I was a wee lass. Thank you for the seats, Senor Gutierrez", replied Mary.

"De nada, senora Flynn. The team is going to a club, he said.

"I'm too old for that, you two go ahead", said Mary, a naughty gleam in her blue eyes.

"I will drop you off at your house, senora Flynn", said Sergio politely.

Sergio dropped off Mary at the house and took Cassandra's hand, leaning over and kissing her. "After we win go to Britain's Protection for dinner and whiskey and then Sansky's for dancing, Manchester people are crazy for the partying', he said with a laugh.

"I've seen that, I never seen folks drink so much before", she said.

"Verdad, I like northern English people, crazy happy people", he agreed.

The team was at their usual group of tables when they arrived, hand in hand. "Sese, ya estas azotado si tu tomo la abuela en casa", teased Jesus.

"Puedo ser batida, pero al menos tengo mi novia", he retorted as his teammates hooted.

The team ordered dinner and a waitress came over with a bottle of Talisker, pouring everyone a shot. "To a win today, and a win against United next week, Cheers!", toasted captain Vincent Kompany as everyone knocked back their shot.

Everyone was in a good mood after dinner as they headed to the club which was just up the street, quickly ushered into the VIP section. Several of the younger players went downstairs to the dance floor while others stayed upstairs with their partners as loud thumping techno music came from the speakers. Sergio took her hand and led her downstairs to the dance floor, his hand on her hips. "Eras muy bonita, Cassie", he said huskily. She wore tight dark blue jeans that gave him a tantalizing view of her ass and his football shirt with his name and number on the back, her long auburn hair falling halfway down her back.

"Thank you", she whispered.

"Es verdad, Cassie. Son muy bonita, estas la chica mas bonita aqui. Did you see the goal, I scored it for you", he whispered in her ear.

Sergio held her close as they danced, her body pressed against his and his big hands on her hips. Cassandra felt very warm at the feeling of his body against hers, a blush on her cheeks as his dark eyes glittered with amusement. "Te gustas, Cassie? No tengas miedo", he said softly, kissing her lips.

He saw his teammates were busy with their own partners as he took her hand and led her back outside, hailing a cab and giving the driver his address. "What about your teammates?", she asked.

"Some of them already left, thosse are the guys con novias y esposas. Son muy bonita y te deseo", he whispered. Sergio pulled her close and kissed her, his lips applying pressure as she returned the kiss. A low groan escaped his lips when he felt her fingers tangled in his hair as he broke the kiss, winking at her. "No aqui", he teased.