Page 65 of The Alternate Captain
“Yeah—honestly, I thought she was going to bring it up. I’ve been worrying about it since we got here, but they were obviously too busy doing whatever they were doing. My sister’s face was a picture. She loved seeing me make a complete idiot of myself.”
Johnny talks about his sister with a glimmer of something in his eyes. And from what he told me about his upbringing during the three months we spent chatting, they were there for each other. It’s endearing.
“I’d love to meet her someday,” I say.
“Why? So, you can ask her about more embarrassing moments? I’m sure she’s captured most of them on camera, to be honest.”
There’s that deep chuckle again.
“Can I get you any more drinks?” The server is back with a beaming smile, and she looks like she’s checking Johnny out again.
“Do you want another drink, babe?” he asks, the same hand dancing gently over my skin.
Babe.That’s a new one.
“I’m fine, thanks,” I say.
She ambles away, keeping her eyes locked on Johnny.
“That was awkward, right?” I say once she’s out of earshot.
Johnny’s brow furrows as he scoffs in disbelief. “Just a little.”
“She was undressing you with her eyes, Johnny.”
“Nah,” he scoffs, suddenly very interested in the dessert menu.
And I realise there are people looking at us. Staring even. Perhaps they recognise Johnny, or they’re possibly wondering why we’re sitting here together. Because let’s face it—right now, I’m punching.
“Why were you on that app, Johnny?”
“I could say the same thing about you,” he says sharply before taking in a breath.
“Well, obvious reasons—but look at you. You’re really good-looking.”
“I don’t think that about myself, Kelly. In fact, I see a therapist and that’s partly why. My self-esteem was so low at one point.”
He shifts away from me, and I realise that I’ve said the wrong thing.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that,” I say, feeling like my whole body is crushing itself with the pressure of my poor assumption.
His arm, which was casually draped over the back of my seat, drops to his side.
“Women want the dark and handsome types, Kelly. Not the blue-eyed, blond guys. I mean, it’s the hand I’ve been dealt, and it sucks.”
My jaw drops, because I’m in complete disbelief that Johnny would see himself any different from what I see—and what Tom sees. I could ramble on about how handsome I think he is, and tell him he’s wrong about himself, but it seems like he’s already decided. I try another angle.
“Do you not trust my judgement, Johnny? Because I can’t even look at you sometimes,” I say with a smirk. “You’re really fucking handsome.”
“Oh.”
I can’t even believe I said it out loud. My whole face burns with embarrassment.
Of course, this is the time when the server brings our food, setting the plates down on the table. Johnny insisted onordering starters and mains to arrive together, so the table fills quickly.
Johnny waits until the server’s left before speaking again.
“How’re your studies going?”
