Page 28 of The Keeper

“Enough.” Cade spun around and stood toe-to-toe with Adam. “Take your fucking face somewhere else or I’ll be more than happy to provide the service for you.”

Shooting one last indignant glance in my direction, Adam stormed off. I swore under my breath, grabbing my gym bag.

“Let’s call it a day, yeah?” Cade asked.

I looked at my friend and pushed out a sigh.

“Yeah. Enough for today.”

“Want to go downtown for a pint?”

The last place I wanted to be was London. “Let’s go to Black Rose instead. I’d rather not be in the city.”

Cade looked at me like he sometimes does when he can’t figure me out. Our friendship has been like this since we were twelve. I’d make an off-handed, cryptic remark. He’d stare like I’d presented him with hieroglyphics. I often wondered what it was about me that both fascinated and confounded him.

“Black Rose it is,” he replied. “My treat. See you there in a hour?”

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, making my way to the car park.

“You alright?” Cade asked, fidgeting with his empty beer glass. “You’ve seemed on edge all afternoon, even before that arse show up.”

“I’ll live.”

“No offense, mate, but your brother can be a real prick. Everyone knows it. I’m glad you’re back in goal next week. Hasn’t been the same without the greatest keeper to ever wear the RCA kit.”

“Again with the accolades.” I smirked. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“That’s not what you said to me earlier,” Dawn said in a sing-song voice, flashing one of her megawatt smiles. “You boys need a refill?”

“Dawn, you always know what we need. Marry us?” Cade grabbed her hand, kissing it dramatically. “Ray won’t mind.”

“The hell he won’t.” Ray Halston appeared beside his wife, a good-natured smile touching his lips. “You two are nothing but trouble.”

“The good kind, Ray. The good kind.” Cade laughed. All we needed to complete our little group was Bennet. A roar erupted from the other side of the bar.

“Looks like United just notched another win.” Ray chuckled and leaned against the counter.

“Our match with them is going to be cracking,” Cade exclaimed, standing up. “Next round’s on me.”

Another loud cheer filled the pub. Cade was notorious for being a crowd pleaser. Of course, that meant we’d be surrounded in no time.

And we were.

I drank in the attention, like I always do. So did Cade. We bantered with the fans, shared a few stories and posed for photos. This lot was much more amicable than the drunk arse from the other night.

“I always seem to miss all the big fun.” Bennet sauntered over as the crowd dispersed. His casual sarcasm made Cade and I laugh.

“Maybe if you showed up on time, mate,” Cade teased.

Bennet rolled his eyes and sat with us. “I’ve been caught up all day with my sister and the girls. Much more enjoyable than you.”

“Good old Uncle Benny.” Cade jumped up, ruffled Bennet’s hair and draped his arms around him. “How do you make it look so easy?”

I thought Bennet was going to throw Cade into next Thursday. The look on his face was pure exasperation. I stifled a laugh and took a long swallow of beer.

“Leave the man alone,” I scolded.

“You,” Cade pointed at me and returned to his seat, “still haven’t spilled what happened last night with the hot American.”

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