Page 19 of The Penalty

“In any case,” Rebecca kept talking. “It’s only fair we get to spend time with her.” She placed her hand on my dad’s arm. “We’ll have them both over for a relaxing dinner. Sound good, James?”

I braced for my father’s standard answer.

“Maybe.”

Xavier

Friday’s training proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. I thought I covered it well but Cade noticed. He pestered me until I agreed to grab a leisurely dinner with him before retiring to our hotel rooms.

“Mate, in four days I’ll be laying on the sand in Dubai enjoying the scenery.” Cade waggled his eyebrows at me. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me?”

“Quite sure, thanks.”

“You’re going to stay here? In this cloudy, drizzly city? You’ve not been yourself since…well, you know. Give yourself a break. It’s the off-season. Live a little.”

I pushed the food around on my plate. “I’m going to see Victoria.”

Cade’s eyes practically bugged out of his sockets. “That’s great,” he exclaimed. “You finally pulled your head out of your ass.”

I fought an urge to throw my napkin at him.

“Is Victoria happy you’re going? She must be buzzing.”

“She doesn’t know.”

“Why not?” He sounded incredulous. “You’ve been wallowing in misery for days.” He knocked on the table for emphasis. “Weeks. Reckon you’d have called her for a naughty video chat to celebrate.”

This time I did throw my napkin at him. He just laughed in his unaffected way.

“C’mon Maddox. This nonsense with McKennie really got you down. I’ve never seen you like this.” Cade’s voice lowered. “I know you hate when I say this shit, but I’ve been worried about you.”

I rubbed my eyes. “I know. Thanks, mate.”

“Wow. An actual acknowledgment.” Cade sat back in the chair. “I’ll have to mark this down.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “Xavier Maddox, Somewhat Moody Goalkeeper, Appreciates Cade Gallagher, Best Striker in the World.”

“Best is a lofty title for a striker who hit the post twice at our last match.”

“Arse,” he snickered. “I did land that beauty of a free kick though.”

“That’s because Liverpool’s keeper didn’t react fast enough.”

“For fuck’s sake,” he laughed. “Give me a little credit.”

I laughed with him. Cade is always good for bringing some levity to any situation.

“Seriously though.” His solemn tone gave me pause. “I remember what happened the last time Jordan interfered in your relationship.” My muscles tensed. “You got blinded by revenge and—”

“Drop it, Cade.”

“No. I realize you hear it from Logan almost daily but you’ve worked too fucking hard to get yourself right. Victoria is an amazing woman. Create a future with her. Don’t burn down the past just because you think you can.”

For a guy who walks through life like it’s one giant red carpet, Cade does have his moments of deep reflection. He’s not wrong. I should focus on creating a future with Victoria, not going scorched earth on Jordan.

Watching him burn is tempting though.

Our conversation soon shifted to more light-hearted topics. Cade mostly rambled on and on about what he planned to do in Dubai, Spain, and Greece.

“Vegas will be my final stop,” he told me. “If you’re still in Manhattan, let me know. I’ll come crash your romantic escapades. Or maybe catch up with those American football players. We all got on really well after our match at that bar.”

---