Page 77 of The Alternate Captain
“On the girlfriend front, I’ve got that all squared. Remember Ellie?” I remembered Ellie. She lived next to us when we were growing up, before my parents moved to the house they’re in now. I nod as Mike quickly glances in my direction. “We had this pact that if we weren’t married by the time we’re thirty, we’d marry each other.”
“I’m sure she probably won’t hold you to a school-yard pact, Mike,” I say.
“Well, I know that. But it’s an option.” He checks his phone. “Oh, anyway, how’d you feel about coming speed dating? I saw a flyer on the window of the coffee shop near my building earlier today. Ffordey’s coming. And Johnny too.”
My stomach flips. Johnny, speed dating?
Now it really is like there was nothing between us. Perhaps my attempt to avoid him had gone too far.
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to date until I’m thirty,” I say, climbing into his car. A quick glance around confirms that there’s no sign of Johnny and Ffordey—thank God. He must have brought them back here for Johnny to get his car.
“Oh, shit. Yeah. Probably not a good idea. Forget I said anything.”
I manoeuvre my cello into the back of Mike’s car, and he rounds to the driver’s side and climbs in.
“Are you hoping to find a girlfriend at this event?” I ask, getting in next to him.
“It’s more to prove a point. I can’t have Rochelle thinking she can snap her fingers and I’ll come running. I need to show her I’ve moved on,” he says.
“Yeah, but you don’t need a girlfriend for that. Just block her number,” I say.
“If only it was that easy,” Mike says, pulling out of the parking space.
It takes him ten minutes of chit-chat to switch it up and ask me when I’m next coming to one of his games. And after I’ve firmly said no for the third time, he admits Tom messaged him and asked for tickets.
“He’s obsessed with Johnny, that’s all,” I say, diverting my gaze to the window.
I can’t risk Mike seeing my face, because even mentioning his name gets me emotional.
Mike bursts out laughing, “Well, tell Tom that I saw Johnny’s ex’s name flash up on his phone earlier, but she’s exactly the reason I’m insisting on him coming speed dating. He doesn’t need that crap again. Not after last time.”
“Oh, right,” I say, literally trying to think of anything else that wouldn’t make me sound anything other than normal.
“He’ll probably kill me for telling you this, but she was a bit abusive.”
“What?” I say, trying to keep my tone even.
“Well, not sure if it was physical, but she definitely used to call him a waste of oxygen and always made a point of telling him he was such a fuckup and a disappointment. She really got in his head, Kel. She controlled his money, wouldn’t let him out to socialise... it was all a bit much.” He comes to a stop outside my house. “Anyway, those tickets are always an option, Kel. Just text me if you want them.”
“I don’t, but thanks for the lift.”
“Still hate hockey, huh?”
I can just about manage a smile, but this time, it’s less about the hockey and more about Johnny.
I open my doorto find Ryan staring at me, grocery bags in hand.
“Prez? What’s going on?” I ask.
“Do you mind if I use your kitchen?” he asks, pushing past me. “Vicky’s still sick and—”
“I’ve got plans,” I say, and he stops in his tracks, looking down at his watch before catching my eye.
“Plans? What plans?”
The worst thing about being in a team is everyone knowing your plans. Because typically, we’re either in practice together, or at the gym. And since I have neither planned...
“I’m off to the store,” I say, pulling it out of my ass.
