Page 147 of The Alternate Captain
“Don’t ask. But we can’t get them to leave,” I say, ignoring Tom’s hoots of excitement. “They weren’t invited, nor are they welcome.”
“J-Dog. Can I call you J-Dog?” Tom says, right in Johnny’s face.
Johnny sniggers, patting Tom on the shoulder. “Do you need some water, bud?”
And when I tell you Tom almost faints, I’m not exaggerating, but all the attention shifts to the crowd of boys, who’ve just spotted the looming hockey players. They slip into the kitchen, leaving a trail of un-plumped cushions and a broken lamp behind them.
Johnny sits Tom down on the sofa before navigating through our living room towards the kitchen, right behind Mike and Danny.
There’s shouting, then the smash of something, then the sound of a cupboard slamming, and moments later, cheers erupt in the living room as the intruders are escorted out.
“They made that look so easy,” Marie says, downing the rest of her drink. “But I think it’s time for a refill.”
I follow her into the kitchen, and assess the damage—which is luckily just a few glasses.
Marie and I rummage around in the fridge, looking to see what’s left when Darren waltzes in, followed by his new girlfriend.
“You know things are bad when even Darren can get a date,” Marie whispers into my ear.
Then the shrill tone of Darren’s voice cuts through the air.
“Kelly, I wanted to introduce you to—”
“Kel, a word please?”
Mike pokes his head around the door frame and my stomach drops.
Has Johnny told him?
I study his face, trying to decide if he knows or not, and relief washes over me when I realise this is nothing about Johnny.
But of course, Darren is here, so it’s only a matter of time before he sticks his size tens in the mix. He holds his hand out to shake Mike’s.
“Nice to see you again, Mike. Hope hockey is treating you well.”
Mike stares at him for a moment then shakes his hand, trying to maintain the manners that Mam enforced upon us.
And when Johnny appears behind him, I practically leap in between Darren and Mike—because there’s no way in hell that Darren is outing me. Not now. Not ever.
I wiggle through the gap between them and motion for Mike to lead us away from the kitchen.
“Do you mind if we head off? Ryan and Jen are having a little bit of a party back at their place for the team, well, and the WAGs and stuff—I’m just glad I’m not the only single fucker there. Isn’t that right, Johnny?”
Mike slaps Johnny on the back and Johnny looks away, just as my eyes meet his.
Because that’s the thing about this. I’m just Mike’s sister—not in a position to be seen with Johnny outside of the comfort of our own bedrooms, really.
And it’s really starting to grate on me.
And what’s worse? Johnny stands there and says nothing.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks for coming to help.”
“See you next week,” Mike says, following Hutch and Danny out.
Johnny looks at me for a second, then nods before trailing after my brother.
“Is your boyfriend not staying?” Darren says, coming to a stop behind me. “Because now, more than ever, I’m convinced that there’s something going on—something you’re keeping from your brother.”
