Page 92 of The Keeper

Bennet straightened himself up, adjusting his suit jacket. “I’ll tell you later.” He walked toward the door, pausing just before opening it.

“Almost forgot,” he turned, looking at me with a pompous smile, “I’m flying to New York on Saturday after the match. Interested in tagging along?”

Twat.

“Why are you going?”

“Dad wants to buy one of the American soccer teams. The league over there is expanding and he thinks it’ll be fruitful if we have access to their talent and vice versa.”

“No shit. That’s why we’re playing there. Why not just wait? We’ll be in New York next Wednesday.”

“We will, won’t we?” His smile was so smug and arrogant I wanted to throw something at the wall. “You do know we’re playing the match at the Legends’ stadium, right?”

The muscles in my jaw twitched. “I’m aware.”

“Don’t tell me you wouldn’t jump on the first flight over there to patch things up with Victoria.”

“I’d be on one now if I could.” The confession surprised us both, lightening the mood.

“Wow. You actually said it out loud. Impressive, Maddox. Or have you been cloned?”

“And now I know what to get you for your birthday. How many clones is too many?”

“Mate, I love you to bits but if I ever see more than one of you,” his mouth dropped open in mock terror, “I’d run for the hills.”

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about me.” An evil grin curled my lips.

“Cade?” he exclaimed. “Are you trying to give me more gray hairs? That’s it. I’m leaving. And I’d better see your sorry arse at my house tonight.”

Bennet stood at his trademark spot in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames, hands in his pockets, scotch on the mantle. Cade and I not-so-quietly referred to him as the lord of the manor when he’d stand there just to rile him up.

This library was a bigger version of the one we used as teenagers at the main house on his family’s estate. It had similar antique wood panel walls, dark hardwood floors, and Tiffany table lamps. But there were also secret rooms and private corners for some of our more adventurous parties.

Bennet appeared lost in thought. The smart ass in me jumped at the chance for a good ribbing. “Looks like the lord of the manor is too good to sit with us.”

He whipped his head around. An ostentatious smile pulled at his mouth.

“I should lock you behind the bookcase and throw out the key.”

“Then you’d have to put up with Gallagher on your own.”

He frowned. “Right. Not ideal.”

“I’m right here you twit.” Cade swallowed the scotch from the bottle. “And you clearly know I’m more fun than Maddox.”

I laughed, leaning into the Chesterfield couch. Cade passed the bottle to me and I happily took a long swallow. So much for sticking to my routine.

“I have glasses,” Bennet glowered, watching us pass the bottle around.

“We know, your grace,” I replied. “Tastes better this way. Here.” I held it out.

“Troublemakers.” He grinned, taking it and sitting with us. “Thanks for coming tonight, Xavier. I know you’d rather be alone with your thoughts or whatever the fuck it is you’ve been doing.”

“And miss out on this warm reception? Bennet, you spoil me.”

He laughed. A hearty, deep, full-bodied laugh. Cade leaned across me to get the scotch back.

“Remember the first time we came to his estate?” he asked me.

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