Work Text
Saturday 13th January
The changing room is buzzing after our huge win against the Saracens. It’s our first win against them in three seasons and we’ve just thrashed them 45-24 on our home soil. One of the boys has linked up their Spotify to the bluetooth speaker and the music is loud and booming. Christian is beside me, spinning his shirt above his head, jumping up and down in his rugby socks, singing very badly out of tune to a Becky Hill song that’s playing. How he knows all the words, I’ll never know.We’re up to fourth in the Premiership table, on joint points with the Leeds Badgers and only 4 points behind the Harlequins and the Sale Sharks. This is probably the best we’ve ranked in the history of the club, so it makes sense that everyone is celebrating as hard as they are. Me, however, I’m not much of a party animal. You’ll find me at home, on the sofa with a cup of tea and reruns of The Great British Bake Off, thinking about how I could possibly make those amazing baked goods on my next day off.Christian is now standing on the physio table in the middle of the room when Coach Friederson saunters in. “Nelson,” he shouts, pointing at me and then behind him. “You’re up. The press wants to talk to the man of the hour.”Of course, scoring a quarter of the team’s points means I claim the title of ‘Man of the Hour’. Never mind the fact this is a team sport and I wouldn’t have converted half of the tries if it weren’t for the boys.I nod at him and dress into my travel gear as quickly as I can, spraying myself with my Sure deodorant that I have to wear because I’m sponsored by them. I forgo the extremely overpriced cologne that my dad bought me for my birthday because I don’t need Frank from The Guardian calling me out again after the last time I wore it. The article the next day claimed I had my eyes set on someone in the press room, and I can honestly tell you, hand on my heart, there will never be anyone in that room that catches my eye.I shove my dirty kit into the laundry bag by the door and then gather my things into my backpack before saying my goodbyes to the team and heading towards the press room. Doing press is a little intimidating and I’m definitely not cut out for it. They throw out the most random of questions sometimes and the ones that are rugby related are always the same three questions phrased differently. It becomes a little unbearable sometimes and Coach does his best to try and shake up who gives the interviews, today just seems to be my unlucky day.As I enter the room, the flashes of cameras burn my eyes and the low grumble of voices grow louder until our press officer, Julie, quietens them down.“Nicholas will be answering as many questions as he can before he needs to leave, so can we take the first questions from… yes, you in the front there.”A scrawny man with glasses and an uneven beard whose hand was raised before I even entered the room asks me how I feel now that we’ve finally broken our Saracens curse after three years of failure. Fucking knob. I reply as professionally as I can, hoping I can hide the fact that I want to deck the bloke.My eyes scan the room as another reporter asks Coach about team logistics. It’s the same old faces - the lady with the pointy nose who always sits in the middle of the second row, Jim from The Daily Mirror who’s a nice bloke but god, does his writing suck. There’s the guy from The Sun that I refuse to talk to and then there’s…There’s…Sitting in the fourth row on the end is the most beautiful man I have ever had the pleasure to lay my eyes on. His hair has the prettiest jet black curls and his eyes shine brighter than the stars in the sky. His skin is absolutely flawless and he’s wearing the sexiest pair of transparent rimmed glasses. Beside him is an empty seat, which isn’t unusual but he’s fiddling with a phone that he’s trying to place into a tripod and no one seems to be helping him.“Are you okay back there? Do you need some help?” I ask the man, completely cutting off Coach in his rant. The room is focused on me now and the guy hasn’t responded at all, too focused on setting up his camera. It’s strange, he doesn’t look like a normal sports reporter. Not to make generalisations, but I know the kind and he is definitely far from it.Am I a little hurt that the sexy god man completely ignored me and I didn’t get to hear, what I assume is, his sweet, melodious voice? Yes. But the great Sarah Nelson has always told me to shoot my shot, which is exactly what I plan to do after this boring arse press conference.I try to answer the remaining questions as informatively as I can but my mind is distracted and my eyes keep wandering over to the man in the fourth row. He is definitely not paying attention, which is totally fine because I wouldn’t want to listen to me boosting my own ego either. As Julie announces there’s time for one more question, my stomach fills with nervous butterflies.I lie my way through the question and then thank everyone for coming as Julie and Coach Friederson make their way out of the room. I’m supposed to follow but I tap Coach on the shoulder before he can step any further.“I’m just gonna make sure that reporter is okay. I noticed he didn’t write much down and he had trouble with his equipment. I won’t be long.”He shoots me a worried glare before nodding. “Fine, but don’t comment further on anything that we spoke about in the conference, okay? We don’t need off the record rumours flying around.”I salute him playfully and then push my way through the hordes of reporters gathered amongst the seats. I approach the reporter but he doesn’t seem to hear me, so I tap him gently on the back. He jumps, his eyes are wide with shock and his hand has landed on his chest.“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to make sure that everything’s okay with your setup. I noticed you having a little trouble and I wish I had helped you earlier but it would have been headline news if I had jumped up mid-conference to give you a hand. Especially with Frank over there, he’s a slimy bugger who always worms his way into any ol’ gossip.”Fuck, I’m rambling and he’s watching my lips intently, looking at me like I have seventeen heads and have just spoken to him in fluent French. Shit! What if he doesn’t speak English and that’s why he needed the camera? Oh it all makes sense now.“Erm… I’m Nick, by the way. Nick Nelson.” I hold out my hand for him to shake and hopefully tell me his name but he looks at it and then back at me as if no one has ever shaken his hand before.A tall, flustered guy approaches us, sweating and panting as he greets the curly haired man. He begins to use his hands in a way I’ve only seen on a Sunday when I’m watching the Coronation Street omnibus and there’s a tiny human at the bottom right of the screen signing for the hard of hearing.That’s when I spot it - the hearing aid in the reporter’s left ear. Now it all makes sense. He was filming so that someone could translate for him later because the scary looking guy that’s just shown up was supposed to be his interpreter.“Hi, sorry to interrupt, but you are…”The man scowls at me, eyeing me up and down before rolling his eyes. “I’m Tao Xu. I was supposed to interpret for Charlie but they wouldn’t let me into the room once it started even though I was only two minutes late and I needed the toilet after the match.” He then signs something to… Charlie, the name suits him, and then turns back to me.“Can I help you, rugby lad?”“Oh, erm, well…” Why can’t I get my words out?Tao’s eyes slacken as if he’s bored of me stuttering.“Sorry, I noticed that… Charlie, here, was having some issues with his camera so I wanted to see if he was okay and got all the notes from the conference down.”He continues to stare at me menacingly before he signs to Charlie, what I can only assume was my concerns.Charlie smiles and, oh my fucking god there’s dimples. Two very deep holes in his cheek that I want nothing more than to poke with my fingers. He signs back so delicately, his fingers brush gently against his palm and his hand across his face, so now I have to figure out what he’s saying.“He said it’s all sorted.”Charlie glares at him as if that wasn’t what he said at all, which Tao, again, rolls his eyes at.“Ugh, fine. Fine!” He signs a thumbs up at Charlie which seems to please the man. “He said that everything should be fine, but if it’s not, he wants to know whether you’re happy to relay what you said… Y’know… one on one.”I’m pretty sure my cheeks are tinged pink but not in a bad way. I’m actually really impressed that he has the courage to ask something like that so boldly, I just never expected his playful smirk and his glistening blue eyes to do things to me as they are doing right now.“Oh, uh, yeah, yes! Absolutely. Well, he’ll need my number to contact me just in case, right?” I ask Tao but I’m staring at Charlie. It’s so hard to take my eyes away from this… Adonis. I pull my phone out of my pocket and wiggle it between us, in hopes that he gets his out too to exchange details. Instead, he grabs mine from my hand and tries to open it. It’s locked, obviously, what kind of maniac doesn’t have a code on their phone?He looks up at me and tilts the phone slightly so it can recognise my face, which it doesn’t. It’s most likely not recognising my face from the angle but it could also be the fact my face is turned upwards in the most Cheshire Cat like grin and I’m honestly offended that my phone has never seen me this happy before.I move closer to Charlie, so close that I can smell the floral aftershave he’s wearing. Now, I’m really kicking myself for not spritzing myself with my own cologne before I got here. Stupid Frank. He smells just as you would think he does; a mixture of apple and honey, sweet just like him. God, I want to bury my face in his curls and inhale his angelic scent.
Focus Nick, you sappy bastard!
Right, yes. Sorry!Charlie hands me back my phone and sitting on the screen is his phone number and his full name. Charlie Spring. Even his name is heavenly. I shoot him a text so he has my number and he smiles as his phone vibrates in his hand.Me: Hi! ✋🏻
Charlie Spring 🩷: hi 🥰✋🏻
I’m a goner already and I don’t even know if Charlie is definitely queer. He seems it, but I am not the kind of person to assume. He has been staring at my lips since I walked over here but maybe he’s just trying to lip read?Charlie is nibbling on the inside of his cheek, tapping against the screen when my phone pings.Charlie Spring 🩷: your hair is much cuter when it’s fluffy…
Charlie Spring 🩷: you should cut ties with your hair gel sponsor 🤭Well… I’ll take that as confirmation.Me: And you should smile more… those dimples are heart shatteringCharlie snickers, covering his mouth with his hand, denying me of those beautiful facial indents. I’ll remember that, Charlie Spring.To my left, there is a clearing of the throat and a disgruntled looking Tao staring at me.“Well, as fun as this has been, we should probably head out now,” he grunts. He turns to Charlie and suggests they leave with his hands. Charlie’s expression seems to dim but he nods, bending down to grab his backpack. Charlie communicates something to Tao, who sighs as the man finishes signing.“I love being the middleman in what I can only assume will be a great film one day, but Charlie says ‘thank you for checking in on him and to text him later.’”“Wait, can you… can you teach me how to say thank you and goodbye?” I ask. I want to be able to speak to Charlie at least once today in a way that isn’t Whatsapp.Tao shows me that ‘goodbye’ and ‘hello’ are just a simple wave. Mastered that already. Thank you is like I’m blowing a kiss but the tips of my finger touch my chin and then directing it out to Charlie. Thinking about it, I’ve seen Giovanni doing that alot when he says thank you on Strictly, I should have realised then what he was doing. There are butterflies in my stomach again with the way his face lights up at me being able to speak to him. I would do anything to see that again. The way his eyes widen and his plump lips turn upwards. The way his nose crinkles and his cheeks tinge slightly rose coloured.He waves goodbye and then he leaves with Tao hot on his heels. The door clicks shut and it’s just me in an empty press room, reeling from the encounter with the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.A man that I can’t speak with, and it pains me to know that I maybe never will.Unless…I’m on the phone to Coach Friederson asking for the number that could quite possibly change my life._____
Saturday 13th January
Me: Just so we’re clear and open… I’m bi actually
Me: I know I look like your stereotypical hetero, but I’m bi and I’m outCharlie Spring 🩷: hi bi, i’m Charlie
Charlie Spring 🩷: sorry, i make jokes when im nervousMe: Oh god, sorry, did I make you uncomfortable? Did I read this all wrong?Charlie Spring 🩷: no, NO. you read it right. i’m just…
Charlie Spring 🩷: i use comedy as a coping mechanism and sometimes i don’t know when to stop
Charlie Spring 🩷: let’s start again. hi, i’m Charlie and i’m gay :)Me: Hi Charlie! I’m Nick and I’m bi****
Wednesday 17th January
Charlie Spring 🩷: so, like… what are the rules of this angry sport?
Me: You mean to tell me you wrote that whole article and didn’t know what you were watching?
Me: Also… angry sport? 😂Charlie Spring 🩷: it helped that the men were fit, and i recorded your interview
Charlie Spring 🩷: it’s not hard to make up a few sentences around what a big, burly rugby lad waffles on about
Charlie Spring 🩷: i’m a journalist after all 😉Me: You think I'm fit?Charlie Spring 🩷: oh sorry, i meant everyone else is fit. you are… alright. Me: Alright???!!!! ALRIGHT?!!! You take that back right now Charlie middle name Spring
Charlie Spring 🩷: or what? what will you do 😱
Me: Ohhhh, just you wait, Mr journalist. Just you wait.****
Friday 19th January
Me: Are you free this weekend?
Me: We have a week off because of the international break and I wanted to see if you fancied grabbing some food and seeing a movie or something?
Me: There’s a few movies at the Everyman that are subtitled, whichever you fancy
Charlie Spring 🩷: Nick, are you asking me out on a date?
Me: Um… I guess I am, yes.
Me: What do you say?Charlie Spring 🩷: i would love to, but my sister’s partner is out of town and i said i’d go and see her in Gillingham
Charlie Spring 🩷: i’m sorry :(Me: It's okay, next time?Charlie Spring 🩷: next time x****
Monday 22nd January
Me: How does a fashion journalist such as yourself end up at a rugby press conference?
Charlie Spring 🩷: been stalking me, Nicholas?
Me: Maybe just a little, Charles.
Me: And I’ve had to, I’ve got absolutely NOTHING from youCharlie Spring 🩷: you could just ask, y’know…Me: What’s your favourite colour?
Charlie Spring 🩷: really???? OF ALL THE QUESTIONS TO GET TO KNOW ME, YOU ASK THE DUMBEST ONE OF ALL!!!
Me: What?! I just want to see if we’re compatible
Charlie Spring 🩷: and what on earth suggests that colours can make anyone compatible?
Me: Well, answer my question and find out.Charlie Spring 🩷: fine… it’s green Me: Oh, we’re definitely compatible
Charlie Spring 🩷: on what authority?
Me: Mine. Because I say we are 😘
Charlie Spring 🩷: oh… 😊🤭
****
Thursday 1st February
Charlie Spring 🩷: i have some annual leave to use up before i lose it all
Charlie Spring 🩷: what’s your schedule like for the next week or so?Me: Annual leave? Never heard of her x
Me: We’re on a streak of away games for the next two weeks. Manchester to Exeter to Northampton to Leeds :(
Me: I’m not back in town until two Monday’s timeCharlie Spring 🩷: damn, i would try and come to a game but… my sister wouldn’t sit through a rugby game even if i tied her to a chair and forced her eyes open with matchsticks
Charlie Spring 🩷: and Tao is away with another client this week
Charlie Spring 🩷: so the whole deaf thing isn’t fun when you’re on your own in a new environment Me: I’ll be there though 🥺
Charlie Spring 🩷: you’ll be on the pitch, dumbass
Me: Ugh, fine. But promise me you’ll come to one of my next home games?Charlie Spring 🩷: promise x****
Tuesday 13th February
Me: So, like, it’s a show?
Charlie Spring 🩷: it’s a lifestyle. it’s a religion.
Me: But… they’re so mean!! Especially the queer fashion guruCharlie Spring 🩷: David Rose is the least intimidating person in this whole show
Charlie Spring 🩷: he’s a little kitten on the insideMe: Okay, but why is Moira so fascinating?
Charlie Spring 🩷: she is mother!
Me: I don’t think she is…
Me: Well, to you I mean. Clearly she is Alexis and David’s mother.****
Thursday 15th February
Me: Stop acting like a disgruntled pelican
Charlie Spring 🩷: oh god, i should never have introduced you to Schitt’s Creek
Me: But bébé, it’s so good!
Charlie Spring 🩷: you did not just call me bébé
Me: Oh I did, cos I’m a la la la la la la la, a little bit Nick Nelson
Charlie Spring 🩷: jesus fucking christ, i’m deleting your number
_____
Monday 19th February
I’ve been talking to Charlie for a few weeks now. Regularly. He’s so fucking smart and insightful; he has so many stories that it makes me look dull. He’s also incredibly funny and it puts me, Nicholas ‘clown’ Nelson, to shame.I spoke to Leena in the club’s HR department after getting back from our mammoth away game streak, about potentially setting up lessons to learn British Sign Language and she told me she’d look into it. It’s been three weeks now and I’ve heard nothing, no matter how much I badger her and Coach Friederson about it. He even gave me some not-so-friendly hand gestures that I knew were definitely not sign language.So, I’ve taken it into my own hands and I’ve found a little club at the local library that teaches every Monday and Wednesday evening. Luckily, it’s right after training so it gives me enough time to drive home, shower and stuff my face with food.As I walk in, I’m greeted by a tall, funny looking man with light curly hair and square glasses. His smile is unwavering as he welcomes me to the group and tells me to pick a desk to sit at. There’s only four other people in the room, an elderly lady who has a hearing aid, a couple in their 40’s who are practising signing to each other and a young boy, who can’t be any older than 15 years old. He definitely recognises me because his eyes are as wide as saucers and I can see in the back of his mouth.I sit at the desk between the elderly lady and the young boy and pull the notebook and pen I brought in preparation for this from my backpack.“Hi guys, my name is Michael. I’m 26 years old and I started learning BSL because my partner’s brother is deaf and I wanted to be able to communicate with him,” the teacher announces, signing as he speaks. “Why don’t we go around the room and introduce ourselves to the newest member of our group.”Michael points at the boy next to me who says his name is Jonathan, 15 (I was right), and is learning because his dad has lost his hearing and he wants to be able to communicate with him. Then it’s my turn…“Um, hi, my name is Nick. I’m 26 and a professional rugby player. I’m here because I met someone who’s hard of hearing and I want to be able to talk to them without them feeling like the odd one out for not being able to hear. I want them to feel comfortable and safe around me.”Michael’s eyes are glistening a little and it takes him a second to compose himself before moving onto the rest of the group. After everyone introduces themselves to me, Michael splits everyone into pairs to go over the tasks he set them last week and partners himself up with me so he can help me individually.“So, you’re a rugby player? I’m a professional speed skater myself, it’s nice to finally get another athlete in here.”A speed skater? That’s fucking sick.“You don’t get a lot of athletic people in here then?”“We generally don’t get a lot of people in here, to be honest. You’re the newest member since Jonathan joined two months ago.”My heart hurts. Knowing that this beautiful language is so far in the darkness, when it should be one of the most important languages we humans know, pains me. I wish I had learnt it sooner. I wish it didn’t take the most attractive man I have ever seen to light the fire in me to make sure I can communicate with more people.“That’s really sad. The person I met, he… they… I didn’t know they were deaf at first. I just kept rambling at them and he looked at me so innocently, so… deflated because he couldn’t understand me. I don’t want him or any other hard of hearing person to feel like that. Not around me anyway.”Michael definitely wears his heart on his sleeve because his eyes are watering again and he has to wipe at them under his glasses before he smiles at me and hands me a learning sheet.We spend most of the session together, except when he addresses everyone and asks us to take our original seats so he can go over some group learning tips. At the end of the session, I linger behind. Michael has a very strong approach when teaching and I think I could learn quickly with him as my tutor.As Joyce, the elderly lady, signs goodbye to us, Michael turns his attention my way.“So what did you think of your first lesson?” He asked.“I think you’re a great teacher, Michael. I really enjoyed myself and I can’t wait to continue with you. But I do have a question, if that’s okay?”He looks at me with an unreadable expression. He’s always so jolly, it’s hard to know when he’s serious.“Go on.”“Well, the guy I met. I want to see him again. In person. But I want to be able to sign with him and not have to type through our phones or write everything down on paper. I want him to feel seen and… and… normal. Do you… um… do you think you’d be up for some private tutoring? I’d pay you of course, and it would have to be after training every night. I’d still come to these sessions but I really need to speed run these lessons so I can talk to him.”Michael’s glasses almost fall off his face with how wide his grin is. I can see the excited energy coursing through his body, like he’s about to burst with glee any second now.“Absolutely. I would be more than happy to be Cupid’s little helper in this love scenario. Let me give you my number so we can organise some times that work for both of us.”And we do. We decide that we can meet every weeknight after training and then Saturday and Sunday morning before 11am because that’s when his partner wakes up. I’m buzzing. I can’t wait to be able to surprise Charlie with this. I just hope I’m a fast learner so that it will be much sooner than I anticipate._____
Saturday 2nd March
Charlie Spring 🩷: is your teammate okay?
Charlie Spring 🩷: that looked pretty nastyMe: Felix? Oh he’s fine. He’s got a broken nose and a bruised eye socket
Me: Just another day at the office, really
Me: Wait… you were watching?
Charlie Spring 🩷: i always watch your games
Me: You got a crush on me or something?Charlie Spring 🩷: 🙄
Charlie Spring 🩷: didn’t you just get off the pitch?Me: Yes, and?Charlie Spring 🩷: go and celebrate with your team, you loser!!Me: But I like talking to you 🥺Charlie Spring 🩷: you’re a sap, Nelson
Charlie Spring 🩷: go and be with your team, i’ll be here laterMe: Promise? X
Charlie Spring 🩷: promise x
****Me: Are yuy aslep?
Me: I’m no slep
Me: I sooooooooooooooooooiiioioioioio awakeCharlie Spring 🩷: what in the actual fuck, it’s 2:34 in the morning, Nicholas!!!Me: TER HE IS
Me: MY FAVURITR GUYCharlie Spring 🩷: you best not be drunk texting me
Charlie Spring 🩷: i stgMe: noooooooooooooo
Me: am no drink
Me: [Voice note - 1m 56s]
Me: Shut, yiu can’t here tha
Me: Fuck
Me: I’m so soory Charl bearCharlie Spring 🩷: i have an app that can translate voice notes but i don’t think it will understand that one
Charlie Spring 🩷: also… Charl bear? please not another nicknameMe: IT FUNY COS I EM NICK
Me: NICK NAME
Me: hahahahhhhhhahah
Charlie Spring 🩷: are you at home? do i need to get hold of someone? your coach? a teammate? an ambulance?
Me: [picture attached]
Me: OKay, I am bedCharlie Spring 🩷: okay, guess what?Me: wha? I not good at gessingCharlie Spring 🩷: hate to break it to you buddy, but that was a picture of, who i assume is, your mum and your dog
Charlie Spring 🩷: i’m going to need confirmation that you are actually homeCharlie Spring 🩷: Nick?Charlie Spring 🩷: do not make me get Tao to ring someone from the stadium to get someone to check on you
Charlie Spring 🩷: because if i have to wake Tao at 2:30 am he will not be very happyMe: sorrry, I closed my eye nd coudnt stop thinking abiut yor curlz
Me: [picture attached]
Me: I an now toiletCharlie Spring 🩷: thank you for confirming you are home
Charlie Spring 🩷: i will treasure this selfie of you and the sick in the toilet bowl for never
Charlie Spring 🩷: goodnight Nick, please drink water before you go to bedMe: anything fir you****
Sunday 3rd March
Me: I am never drinking again
Me: God, I am so fucking sorryCharlie Spring 🩷: well good morning NicholasMe: You’re going to be insufferable, aren’t you?Charlie Spring 🩷: me? Never
Charlie Spring 🩷: Charl bear, though… there’s no stopping himMe: ughhhhhCharlie Spring 🩷: how is your head?Me: Pounding. But I did drink a tonne of water before I went to bed so I don’t know howCharlie Spring 🩷: oh you poor baby
Charlie Spring 🩷: you’re welcome for that little nugget of advice btw
Charlie Spring 🩷: don’t forget to thank me at your next press conference xMe: FFSCharlie Spring 🩷: would you like me to come over and rub soothing circles into your back?
Charlie Spring 🩷: hold your hair back whilst you throw up into your beautiful, ceramic toilet bowl?Me: actually, yes
Charlie Spring 🩷: as much as i’d love to baby you today, Nicholas, some of us have jobs to do
Me: So do I…
Me: Which starts in 20 minutes
Me: FUCK I’m gonna be late
Charlie Spring 🩷: speak to you later, drunky x
Me: I hate you.
Charlie Spring 🩷: no you don't x
Me: No, I don't x_____
Monday 11th March
Michael and I have been practising as much as we can without it jeopardising our careers and our social lives. I feel like I’ve got the hang of most of it or at least a small fraction of the entire language. I feel like I could stumble my way through a conversation. Michael has suggested that as well as speaking, I sign along so I’m used to it and I can test my knowledge everyday.I start by teaching the team some basic signs like hello and goodbye, as well as some polite greetings. They take to it quickly, which is surprising as I know these boys and some of them can’t even remember their kids’ names, let alone a whole different language.Christian, however, is a lost cause, but bless him he’s trying. He messages me every so often to double check that he’s signing correctly and I have to give it to him, he’s the only person on the team that has messaged me about BSL. He says if it’s important to me, then it’s important to him and he actually brings a tear to my eye. I’ve known Chris since secondary school and it’s pure coincidence that we ended up on the same team 10 years later. We both went to different universities after St John’s, but somehow we ended up signing for the same team at the same time. I just can’t escape the massive lunk head.I also practise every day when I’m ordering my morning coffee at the shop around the corner from me. The first time I signed to one of the staff, they gave me an odd look but I didn’t care. Sign language shouldn’t be taboo, it should be taught within schools so that deaf children feel the same as hearing children.This morning, I walk into Cofifi’s, an independent coffee shop run by a young woman named Fifi, and sign my order. The barista looks at me bewildered as I ask for my regular, a medium latte with oat milk, and sign along with it. What I didn’t expect was for her to sign back.
You sign?
Oh, she’s deaf too? Yes, I’m learning so forgive me if my signing isn’t as fluent.
You seem to be doing just fine to me.
I blush. This is the first conversation I’ve had with someone that isn’t Michael or the guys from group.
Well, thank you. I’m only a beginner, but I want to be able to communicate with someone special.
They must be really special if you’re learning a whole new language for them.
He is.
I smile at the thought of Charlie, picturing the look on his face when I see him in person and can talk to him without our phones. I catch her staring and smiling too as she hands me my drink.
Enjoy, and good luck! If you want, you could come by weekday mornings and order in to practise signing with me? Pop in and we can see how it goes.
Thank you, that’s really helpful. I’ll definitely do that, yeah. Have a good day.
As I leave the shop, I take out my phone and text Michael who is excited that I had my first conversation in real life with someone hard of hearing. I can’t help the sense of pride I feel in my chest and being able to hold a conversation with someone in a language I’ve just learnt and I have an overwhelming urge to text Charlie.So I do.Me: Hey Char, what are you up to today?_____
Wednesday 21st March
Charlie Spring 🩷: guess what
Me: You know I’m not very good at guessing games, Char!
Charlie Spring 🩷: but i promise you you’ll like this one
Me: Unless it’s a greasy deep pan meat feast pizza from Luca’s round the corner from me, I don’t think I’ll like it.Charlie Spring 🩷: *screenshot of email asking Charlie to cover Nick’s game*
Charlie Spring 🩷: my heart is broken
Charlie Spring 🩷: you wound me
Charlie Spring 🩷: i thought you’d be excited for me (and Tao) to be there
Charlie Spring 🩷: guess i’ll just ask to be taken offMe: No, no, no!
Me: I’m sorry. I take it back!!!
Me: You’re far better than a deep pan meat feast from Luca’s!!!
Me: PLEASE don’t ask to be taken off the game 😔😔Charlie Spring 🩷: you really are a golden retriever
Charlie Spring 🩷: okay fine, i won’t… as long as i get to see you after
Charlie Spring 🩷: i know our schedules haven’t aligned, so i was hoping this would be a good excuse to see each other again?
Charlie Spring 🩷: it’s okay if not, idk why i asked, you’ll probably be busy
Charlie Spring 🩷: ignore me, it won’t let me delete the message
Charlie Spring 🩷: i’m sorryMe: I’d love to 🩷
Me: See you then xx
Charlie Spring 🩷: 🩷 xx
_____
Sunday 31st March
Am I excited that THE Charlie Spring is in the stands watching my game and we are mere moments away from seeing each other, in the flesh, again? You could say that. It definitely helps boost my energy and my need to impress the irresistibly seductive man sitting in the press box.I asked Julie before our team warm up where the press box was so I could look out for him, and look out for him I did. I notice him straight away. His curly, dark hair is easily recognisable to me now and I hate to admit that I cannot wait to run my fingers through it. He’s wearing a short sleeved t-shirt with a graphic design I can’t quite make out and he’s taking pictures of the stadium and pitch.That’s when he notices me staring. I wave up at him and he smiles a wide, toothy grin and returns the wave. Even from here I can see those fucking dimples tormenting me and I almost risk my career right here and now by jumping into the stands and running up to him just so I could kiss them.How are you? I sign to him and he looks completely shocked. His hand drops and his grin falters and his expression is completely taken aback.I’m… good. He signs back and I reply with Good before continuing with my warm up with a smirk on my face. I don’t think I’ve given too much away, they were very simple signs that I could have picked up anywhere.I run the width of the pitch, changing up different stretches with every lap. I see Tao taking a seat next to him and I realise I need to somehow get rid of him for my plan to work. As the team warm up finishes, I run ahead of the group and pull Julie to one side to see what she can do.“I can’t promise anything Nick, but I’ll try my best.”Her best is all I can ask for and it’s not the end of the world if Tao is there, it just means that I’ll have to attract Charlie’s attention another way.We’re not allowed on our phones before a game but I slyly text Michael and let him know that today is the day and he sends me an array of emojis and good luck messages. So very Michael. I just hope the days, weeks, months of learning to sign aren't forgotten when the time comes.The game goes by slowly, probably because I’m counting down the seconds until I am within touching distance of Charlie. The first half drags on and we only manage to score two tries to Leicester’s three.During the half time break, I surreptitiously check my phone again and see a message from Charlie.
Charlie Spring 🩷: you’ve got this rugby lad 🩷 xx
That seems to be all the motivation I need. The second half, we come out in full force. Chris passes me the ball and I manage to sneak past Leicester's defence to run a quarter of the pitch and tie the scoring. I look up to Charlie who is cheering and pulling an unwilling Tao to his feet to celebrate. I giggle and pick up the ball to take the conversion, which sails through the posts and the game is tied.Now that my head is in the game, it seems to go too fast. We’re down to the final five minutes and the game is still tied. Felix and Chris whisper some tactics between each other and then point to me with the signal we practised during the week.Got it.The boys join the scrum and we win the ball, Yaccine passes the ball to Lucas who fakes passing to Vinnie and makes a run. I’m on his tail and the second he sees a Leicester player advance on him, he passes to me who is open wide on the wing and I make a run for it. I can hear someone chasing after me and I daren’t look behind me to see if it’s one of my team or Leicester’s, but then I remember Charlie is here watching and that sets off the runner within me.I find one last push and then I’m in the air, pouncing at the try line and throwing myself over it to score a last minute try. The crowd are on their feet and the boys are all around me, screaming at me that we just won the game, but there’s only one face I want to see right now.As I climb to my feet, I find Charlie again who is jumping up and down, clapping, and I point to him. That was for him. There’s no doubt that it will be all over the papers tomorrow but I don’t care. Charlie means the world to me and I want to show him. I blow him a kiss which he pretends to catch and holds it close to his chest.The next few minutes are a blur and I suddenly find myself in the changing room, showered and dressed, ready for the press interview. I don the cologne this time, not holding back, before Coach is calling me out of the room and into the corridor. He slaps me on the back and congratulates me on an amazing game and then we wait outside the press room for Julie.She appears round the corner not long after with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Mr Xu understands what is required of him and has decided to sit this interview out. He told me to pass on this message.” She hands me a folded up piece of paper that I unfold hastily.
You embarrass him or hurt one hair on his head and I swear to god rugby man, you won’t only have me to answer to but you’ll have the wrath of Tori Spring to fear. I hope your stadium cleaners are good at their job.
I try not to be intimidated by the man because in two seconds I will be reunited with the love of my life.Wait… Did I just say that?I have no time to freak out, because the door is opening and I am being ushered onto the stage and into the chair I have come quite accustomed to. Charlie is in the same seat he was last time, except this time there is no empty chair next to him. His face is a mixture of confusion and uncertainty, but it also looks like he’s happy to see me, which I’m relieved about.He gets out his phone and then mine buzzes in my pocket. I look at it as quickly as I can.
Charlie Spring 🩷: what did you do 🤨 🤨 🤨 🤨
I slide the phone onto the table and hit record on the voice notes app and smile knowingly at him. As Julie begins to address the room, I begin to sign along with her. I stare into the blue gems that are Charlie’s eyes and my hands glide swiftly through the air, forming the words that are coming out of her mouth.Those platinum eyes begin to well and his mouth has dropped into a perfect O shape, as I begin to communicate with him for the first time.“Some of you may notice that Nick is signing today. As there are a few people in this room that benefit from the use of sign language, whether that be because they are deaf, autistic, mute; there are many different reasons that BSL is important in our society.”“Nick has taken it upon himself to learn BSL, not only to make those who need it feel more welcome within this room, but to help those in his own life that are unable to communicate like the rest of us. So please, if you could, we would like you to allow Nick time to translate your questions before he or Coach Friederson continue with their answer. Thank you.”Surprisingly, the room erupts into applause but I seem to have shut them out because my focus is on Charlie. Charlie who is fully crying now, wiping tears from his eyes because for the first time, he knows what the people in this room are saying.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I’m fine. Since when…
Later.
The conference goes on with questions about our tactics and how the team came out looking sharper in the second half. There are some personal questions aimed at me about who I pointed to after the winning try and why I decided now was a good time to start learning sign language. There is also a snide comment from Frank about my aftershave but I brush over it. Overall, the conference is quick and easy and that means I am seconds away from being with Charlie.A text lights up my phone as the conference comes to an end and I quickly read it before I go to find Charlie.Michael 🤟🏻: You didn’t tell me the person you were learning BSL for was Tori’s brother!!!
WHAT?
I scrape back my chair and jump off the stage, pushing my way through the reporters, much like that first time, to make my way to Charlie. Not caring if any of the other reporters turn and notice.When I get to him, he’s standing and staring at me. His face is unreadable and I’m scared that maybe I overstepped. That is until he begins to sign.
Hi!
Hi!
You learnt to sign for me?
I did. And I’d do it again.
I didn’t even take notes, how am I meant to write about this?
It’s okay, I recorded it on my phone. I can translate it and send it to you tomorrow.
No one has ever done something like that for me, learn sign language I mean. Except for my family and Isaac, my best friend, but… he pauses. No one has ever done something so special for me.
The first time I saw you in that chair and you had no aid or interpreter to help you, I just knew back then that I needed to do something. Anything. Then I met you and my heart melted on the spot. I’ve never felt that way about a person before. The next day I asked the club to sign me up for lessons so that I could surprise you but they weren’t sure they could accommodate that. So I looked up private lessons and that’s how I found Michael.
Michael?
Oh, sorry, he was my teacher. Apparently you know him. I didn’t know that at the time but judging by the text he just sent me, you must do.
Tall, crazy curly hair with glasses? A little insane?
That’s the one.
So you’re the reason Tori hasn’t seen her fiancé most evenings.
I promise, he told me it was all fine.
Try telling that to Tori.
Yeah, I’d rather not. I’ve already been threatened by her through Tao and they’re both equally scary.
Tao is literally the least intimidating person in the world. Tori however, you might not want to piss her off.
Noted.
There is another small pause where he looks down at his shoes and starts playing with his fingers. Then he looks back up at me.
So…
So… What do you say to that drink? I did promise you that we’d meet up after this.
That sounds really nice.
Good, then let’s get this date started Mr Spring.
His eyebrows lift to the top of his head. Date?
If you want it to be?
I do. I really do.
Then let’s get out of here.
I smile and hold out my hand for him to take. He picks up his backpack that was already packed away and takes hold of my outstretched hand. I guide him through the stragglers of reporters that stay for a chinwag after, again not caring who sees us. We walk down the corridors and out of the stadium to my car that’s waiting in the underground car park with a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates on the passenger’s seat.Just a little something for the most beautiful man in the world.