Page 12 of Count On Me

“You’re only interested in one guy,” she continues, “and you either have to take your shot with him or get over him. It’s like those books you review for your blog. The hero doesn’t realise what he has until it’s gone and then he makes a big romantic gesture to get her back. You need to make him think you’re gone. Let him miss you, Edie.”

I nod my head, deep in thought. My voice comes out quiet and scared. “What if he doesn’t do the grand gesture? I’ll be left without my best friend, nursing a broken heart and alone.”

As quick as a flash, she has my hand cradled in hers again, speaking firmly as she looks directly into my eyes. “Stop that! You’ll still have me. Your heart will heal and you will never be alone. I’m in this friendship for life, sister. Whether you want me or not.”

As my eyes fill with unshed tears, I manage a wobbly smile and tell her, “For life, sis. Thank you. I’ll think about Tom, okay?”

With a roll of her eyes, she sits back in her chair whilst I struggle with the idea of an imaginary boyfriend helping me get a real life one.

10

JAXSON

My patience is wearing thin with these jackasses. And it’s my own damn fault. I invited them into my apartment.

But what was meant to be a quick visit has turned into an all day thing, and I can’t get rid of them. I’ve tried telling them to get lost, but they’re intent on winding me up and refuse to leave. I only invited them in because I was annoyed.

Coach won’t give me a straight answer. Will I or won’t I keep my place when Marcello comes back? It’s a straightforward question, but all I got back was, ‘Time will tell.’ And when I tried to call Edie about it, she didn’t answer. Instead I got a text saying she’d call me later. A text isn’t enough. I need to speak to Edie. I’m having withdrawals from her. The woman is pure intoxication. She can snap me out of a bad mood with just a murmur of her voice.

And I need that today. Not these braying mules and their dumbass antics.

Jordan distracts me from my mood when he grabs a frame off the fireplace, knocking over the mounted pocket watch Gramps gave me as he tosses the frame to Lockheart who catches it, frowns at him and refuses to throw it back, no matterhow much Jordan whines. I step in front of Jordan and scowl at him. “Knock it off, asshole. Eddie gave me that.” I turn my back to him, take it from Lockheart and place the frame in its place, straightening the pocket watch next to it.

A smile creeps over my face as I remember the day Gramps gave it to me. ‘Now you’ll never run out of time, Son.’His words send a chill down my spine and I shake my head, frown, and spin on my heels to face these dicks. I fold my arms across my chest and watch as Lockheart’s grin gets wider.

“Eddie, huh? The cute little redhead you were with that time after training.” My lip curls up into a snarl and he holds his hands up in surrender. “Wow, calm the fuck down. What’s the deal with you two? You lost your shit with me the last time I flirted with her. And now you’re ready to fight me about her. You know I’m only fucking about with you. She looks like a happily ever after kinda gal, and I don’t think I’m her ‘Prince Charming’.”

Blowing out my anger, I run my hand over my face and walk away from the two idiots in my living room, heading into the open plan kitchen. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and chug half of it down before responding.

“She’s my best friend and I’m overly protective of her. I’ve known her since we were kids. She means a lot to me.” I avoid their eyes as I speak, and the heavy feeling in my chest threatens to swallow me whole as I think about her.

“So you don’t wanna fuck her? I’d fuck her.” Jordan thrusts his hips and pretends to slap an imaginary ass.

“Don’t talk about her like that!” I spit out through gritted teeth.

“Jeez. But you don’t love her?” Jordan asks outright and I stumble slightly. I cover it with a chuckle and a shake of my head, but I notice Lockheart’s penetrating gaze laser focusedon me. He doesn’t miss a trick, and I know he saw my little hesitation.

“Nah, bro. We’re not like that. I just don’t want any of you dicks hurting her. I’d have to beat the shit out of you for it, and that doesn’t look good from a teammate. Eddie is free to date whoever she wants.”

I turn my back to avoid Lockheart’s stare, take a deep breath and let the air out slowly. The idea of Edie dating anyone makes me feel sick. She’s mine. I look around my kitchen and smile because she's all I see. Everything was designed by Edie, and it’s like having her here with me.

“Hurry the fuck up then, dude. The night is young and the pussies are ours for the taking. I’m gonna get changed.” Jordan claps his hands together and heads out the door.

Unfortunately, he lives across the hall from me in our expensive as hell apartment building in Hampstead. Most of the team rents or owns somewhere in here, the ones without families and the need for a big house that is. With Lockheart being the exception. He owns a mansion in the fanciest part of Hampstead and lives there alone. Jordan and I have definitely come a long way from the two bed apartment in a crappy part of town I first moved into with him.

The apartment I fled to after living with Edie and her mom. After that night…

“Why are you lying to yourself, Jax?” Lockheart’s voice rings out in the silent apartment and I roll my eyes as I turn to face him. I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid him.

“About what?” I feign stupidity and he just shakes his head.

“You and Little Red. You like her. A lot more than just a friend, even a best friend.” He stares me down like I’m an opposing player ready to take a penalty against him, his gaze unwavering. He’s like a British version of one of my brothers.Able to see through my bullshit and not afraid to call me out on it.

“Whatever, dude. You don’t know me. I’m gonna get ready for the club. Need to find a new plaything for the night. You should do the same thing, bro.” I walk past him quickly and head into my bedroom. But not before I hear him mutter, ‘stupid motherfucker.’

I wait to hear him leave before I sigh out a breath, thankful I handled that as well as I did.

Fuck. Who the hell am I kidding? Lockheart knows how I feel about Edie. I didn’t convince anyone any differently. Everyone knows how I feel about her but the lady herself, and that’s how it’ll stay. As long as I can keep it from her, I’ll be okay. I don’t even know if I’ll still be playing in this country this time next year and I can’t ask her to uproot her life for me. She deserves more. I’ve always told her she can count on me, and for everything else she can, but on this… my fate isn’t decided by me, it’s decided by Coach. And all he can say on the matter is ‘time will tell.’

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