Page 58 of The Alternate Captain
“Not you, too,” I sigh.
“What?” He gets out of the car, moving closer to get a better look. I scramble out and follow him.
“Mike said the same thing.”
“I’m not surprised. Have you spoken with your landlord?”
“Sort of. It’s on the ‘things to fix’ list,” I say.
“Do you want me to call him?”
“You can quit the boyfriend act now,” I say, and he frowns.
“I wasn’t—” And his phone blows up in his pocket again. “I’m sorry, I need to go.” And he leans towards me and pecks my cheek ever so slightly.
He waits until I’ve closed my front door before driving away.
I take my usualSunday morning swim and go home via my sister’s place since we’re supposed to be going for brunch. Prez has moved in with Jenna, who was sharing a place with my sister, so I’m not surprised that it’s him who answers the door.
“Vicky’s not here. She said she’d meet you at brunch,” he says.
“No problem,” I say.
But even I realise that my voice comes out way too chirpy. Prez looks at me as if I’ve offered to do the guy’s laundry for a month.
“What the hell is going on?” he asks.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t buy it,” he says, leading the way through to the kitchen.
“I’m in a good mood. I had a good swim and I’m feeling positive about our win last night. And let’s face it, we’re in a good spot to beat these guys later.”
“I have to agree but...” Ryan looks at me then shrugs, dropping it luckily and I’m glad because I don’t want to tell him I’m into someone.
“Hey, I’m glad I caught you, anyway. Remember when Jen had that idea to do the reverse psychology thing?”
“Yeah?” he says.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about it. And I really think we should leave them to it,” I say.
“Well, maybe, but think of what Lee can actually bring to the game if he’s fully focused. And if he’s laden with distractions, it’ll seep into every aspect of things. Obviously, I’m not going to force you to do anything, Johnny, but consider it. He and Vicky—”
“Yeah. I know.”
In the times I’ve hung out with Liam since he’s been back, he’s never mentioned Vicky. Which I’ve seen as a positive, anyway. But then last night he was acting weird. Something’s going on, but my attention is too busy elsewhere to put much thought into it.
I decide not to press it with Ryan, either. I leave it there, because my sister’s face will probably tell me all I need to know.
The coffee place isbusy when I get there, and Vicky has already got us a table. I weave through the room and sit down opposite her.
She pounces on me.
“What’s made you so happy?”
“Nothing,” I lie.
When the truth is, I’m still buzzing about Kelly.
