Jesse's POV

Pulling into the driveway I sigh, I've tried all ways to avoid going home. Knowing Anoushka's with my mum I don't see the point in me being there. After what Montana has told me I want to punch something. No one deserves what she's been through and I know I promised not to say anything but it's going to be hard keeping it to myself. Taking my key out of the car I walk into the house and see Daniela sitting in the living room.

"Where've you been? Training finished nearly two hours ago" Daniela asks and I know what she's hinting at she's done it for years except this time I am hiding something.

"I went to see Montana after last night just to make sure she's okay" I say not wanting an argument. Everyone knows me and Montana are friends so there'd be no issue with me going to her house.

"Has she not got a brother who could do that? She isn't your responsibility Jesse"

"I know that but you saw yourself how upset she was last night. You didn't exactly help either" I say knowing Daniela being over the top didn't help Montana's frustration.

"Don't defend her Jesse. She's clearly after a footballer and to me it doesn't look like she's bothered which one. Must be her trick, start with the kids get them to like her then go after their dad"

"That's ridiculous. She's friends with all of the girls why would she try and steal a man from under their feet" I say rolling my eyes mainly because I'm the only one she's had eyes for since she arrived in Manchester, as far as I know anyway not that I'd ever stop her.

"Get a grip Jesse. You're looking at her through rose tinted glasses. You obviously didn't hear her last night when she said she was sick of you and Anoushka being around" Daniela says and from the tone in her voice I find myself being convinced by what she's saying.

"Montana isn't like that why would she say that?"

"I don't know Jesse! But she stood in our kitchen questioning why you're around her family so much. Apparently you need to man up" unsure what to believe I doubt everything, a lot. Surely Montana doesn't think that, she chooses to spend as much time as she does with not just me but Anoushka as well.

"Because she knows what she's talking about doesn't she" I say rolling my eyes. I'm absolutely fuming and I need to let off steam. "I'm going to do some extra training" I say before walking to our in home gym making a beeline for the punch bag. This day is a disaster. All I know is that I need to speak to Montana soon.

"What was that this morning all about? Some kind of ploy to throw me off what you're really like?" I say trying not to get angry again. Daniela's gone to see her mum with Anoushka so I've came back to Montana's house. I need to know what's going on.

"I'm not being funny but what the fuck are you talking about?" Montana asks looking confused, either that or she's a really good actress.

"You could've just said if you're sick of me and Noush being around but apparently I'm not man enough isn't that right?"

"Jesse I don't know what's brought this on or why you're throwing accusations at me when everything was okay this morning"

"Tell me exactly how I'm not man enough for you seen as I need to man up?" I shout remembering what Daniela was saying.

"Jesse mate I've got no idea what you're talking about. I've never said you need to man up" Montana shouts back rolling her eyes.

"Don't play stupid with me Montana when I know you're not"

"Jesse I've got no idea what you're talking about. What do you mean you need to man up?" She says, if she's acting she's good at it. "Last time I looked I thought you were pretty fucking manly"

"I'm supposed to believe that am I? And to bring Noush into as well!"

"Jesse you're chatting pure shit. You know how much I love that little girl. Anyway who the fuck do you think you are coming into my house throwing accusations out left right and centre" I see the anger on Montana's face, I don't think I've ever seen her this angry. "I don't know where you're getting this from but if you're going to speak to me like that you know where the door is in fact just don't bother coming over any more. We're over" shit I've messed up. Badly.

"Montana don't be like that" I say trying to calm her down but from the look on her face I'm making it worse "we'll sit down and talk about it. We don't need to be over"

"You should've thought about that before you started throwing accusations at me Jesse. Just get out, I'm done with you and your family if that's what you think of me. It might hurt for a while but I'll get over it. You know where the door is" Montana says before walking upstairs. I couldn't say for definite but I'm sure I saw tears in her eyes. Maybe she didn't know what I was talking about after all, realising I'm not going to be able to speak to Montana now I sigh before leaving her house. Well done Jesse.

Montana's POV

I'm livid. I'm shaking with anger. Jesse has no right to come into my house and speak to me like that. I don't know who's trying to get into his head but he's believed them and it's worked. I knew me and Jesse never were going to be forever but this isn't how I expected us to end. I'm hurting and I feel alone. The only person I can go to is Andreas. Other than people who are connected to Manchester United I have no friends in Manchester. I guess this is what happens when you up sticks and move to Australia at eighteen. Finding my phone I FaceTime Zoe, it might be the early hours of the morning in Australia but I need someone to talk to.

"Montana I swear if you don't stop ringing me at stupid times in the morning I'm going to block your number" Zoe says adjusting the phone so she's looking at me "What's wrong? You've been crying"

"Everything is a mess. I've messed up so much. Obviously I told you about Jesse but I've just ended it. He came over and started saying loads of shit like I'm sick of him and Anoushka being around and I think he needs to man up, shit like that. I don't know where it's all come from but now I'm the one who's hurting. I knew this would happen but I didn't think I'd be this hurt" I explain to Zoe. If I'm honest with myself I'm devastated.

"To me it sounds like someone has said something to him. Is there anyone that knows about you who'd say anything like that to him?"

"The only person who knows is Andreas and he promised he wouldn't say anything to anyone and I believe him. He's became one of the only ones I can trust" I know Andreas wouldn't say anything to anyone let alone go to Jesse saying things that aren't true.

"And there's definitely no one else who'd say anything?"

"I did think Daniela because she hates me and that's without her knowing half of what's gone on but I didn't think she'd be that malicious" I say finally saying out loud what I've been thinking all along. In a way I'm pleased she's leaving again, me and Jesse might be over but she isn't a nice person to be around.

"Do you want me to book flights to come and see you? I need a break and I thought about going to Bali but I can always change my plans and come to visit my favourite Brit" Zoe says but I can't let her change her plans for me.

"Zoe let's be honest Manchester has nothing on Bali, don't change your plans for me" I say.

"Bali doesn't have my best friend. I'll look into flights and see how soon I can get time off work. Expect me any time in the next few weeks" Zoe says and I'm relieved I'll have someone who isn't a footballer.

"You're the best. Thank you" I say before hanging up. I don't even know what to do with myself now. Normally I'd go to Jesse but now I can't. He's been my life since I pretty much arrived in Manchester now I need to carve a life that doesn't include Jesse Lingard. Easier said than done.

Three weeks later I arrive at Old Trafford for the first time since I ended things with Jesse. I've avoided everything football related especially Manchester United's number 14, in my defence I have been busy training for my new job. Lucky for me today I've got Zoe with me. She arrived into Manchester two days ago and what better way to introduce her to the city.

"Are you excited for today?" I ask as we walk into my brothers private box. If I stay here the only other person I need to see will be Sam if she comes to the match.

"I can't wait! Yes football's big in Australia but the UK's the home of football isn't it? You'll have to point Jesse out when he comes on, compare him to the internet photos"

"Shut up! No one can hear you saying anything like that!" I say laughing. I feel like it's been a long time since I had a reason to smile.

"What happened isn't your fault you know that don't you?"

"It is though isn't it? I got involved with a married man and I knew something like this would happen all along. It was never going to end well" being able to talk about what's gone on is a relief, I know I got into this situation myself but it doesn't make me hurt any less.

"You need to speak to him. If I know you as much as I think I do, I know you've avoided him since you ended it but from being around you for all of two days I can see it's unfinished between you two" Zoe says and I know she's right. Avoiding Jesse seemed like a good idea at first but all I've done is make myself miss him and regret my decision. 

"Yeah I've avoided him. I didn't know what to say. I miss him but I'm the one who ended it I've got no reason to feel the way I do"

"You've got every right to feel the way you do. Just because it wasn't a conventional relationship it doesn't mean you can't have feelings" watching as the team make their way on to the pitch I feel my heart pounding in my chest seeing Jesse walk out next to my brother. I've missed him and seeing him in the flesh I realise just how much.

Watching the game I feel my stress levels rising, United are being held at a nil nil draw and it's already sixty minutes into the game. Someone needs to pull something out of the bag and quickly because it's not going to be easy for them. Seeing a defender launch himself at Jesse it's easily a straight red, he's gone straight for the knee with no chance of even getting near the ball.

"This isn't good" I say standing up to see what's going on. Biting my lip I want nothing more than to go where Jesse is. He's rolling around on the floor and anyone can tell he's in agony. Watching the medical team attend to Jesse I watch them put an oxygen mask on him before he's taken off the pitch on a stretcher straight into a waiting ambulance.

"Montana..." Zoe trails off clearly not knowing what to say. I don't know what to say all I know is that I need to find Andreas to find out what's going on. I already know from Sam that Daniela isn't in the UK, shock. There's no chance of seeing her but I need to know if Jesse's okay.

"I'm going to find Andreas. He might be able to tell me what's going on or where they've taken Jesse. Will you be okay for say fifteen minutes and I'll come back?" I ask Zoe. As much as I need to know what's going on I'm not going to abandon Zoe when she's flown all the way from Australia to see me. 

"Yes. Go and see him. You won't settle until you know. I'll just spend my time drinking from the free bar" thankful I have one of the most understanding best friends I take off running through the corridors of Old Trafford until I get to the players area. Frantically looking for Andreas I spot him heading towards me.

"Montana calm down" Andreas says catching me.

"What's going on? Can you tell me anything?" I'm close to tears but manage to hold them back. I can't cry in front of the whole team.

"I don't know what it is all I know is that he could be out for a while. I knew you'd come to find out so I made sure to ask" Andreas says. He knows I ended things, he's the only one who knows anything but he also knows how much I still care.

"Shit! I was hoping you'd be able to tell me more, it looked bad. Where's Anoushka?" I ask wondering if she's in the USA with Daniela.

"She's here with Kirsty. Luckily she's small enough to not really know what's going on" Andreas says as we see Kirsty come out of the medics office.

"Tana!" Anoushka comes running at me and I bend to catch her. I haven't seen her for three weeks and I've missed her so much.

"Hi Nooshi! I missed you so much. Have you been a good girl for Nana?" I ask holding Anoushka as close as I can.

"She's always good aren't you sweetheart?" Kirsty says joining me and Andreas.

"How's Jesse? Have they told you anything?" I ask knowing Kirsty will be worried.

"They think it's his ACL but they won't know until he has scans" my heart sinks hearing the words ACL. Any footballer can do without this kind of injury never mind Jesse who's basically a single parent. "We're heading to the hospital now if you want to come. Jess has been a bit down the last few weeks maybe a friendly face would cheer him up" obviously Kirsty doesn't know about me and Jesse but it hurts me knowing he's been down and it's all my fault.

"I'll let him get sorted first. I know you'll want to go and the kids so I'll wait until he's home. If you or Jesse need anything you know where I am" I can't just turn up at hospital, I don't know how Jesse would react to me turning up and I don't want to make him any more angry than he'll be after an injury.

"If you don't mind can you keep Noush? Jess might need surgery and I'd rather not keep her hanging around the hospital, just until I can get in touch with Louis to pick her up" Kirsty asks and I know she needs me or she wouldn't ask.

"Leave her as long as you need. I have no plans just keep me updated" after making arrangements with Kirsty I make my way back to Zoe. Toddler in tow my plans might've changed for the night but I wouldn't have it any other way, all I need now is for Jesse's injury to be better than we're expecting.