Page 87 of The Lady and the Footballer
Colin had been worried that he would be late, and the match, everything he had worked for, and all that Lily had done for him, could be lost. But he hadn’t wanted to risk arriving on time, in case the constables were waiting to make good on that arrest warrant before the game even started. As it was, he’d had to walk around the back of the field to the bathhouse so that the constables standing in front of the stands didn’t see him.
He wasn't sure whether they were there to keep an eye on the match and the crowd or to look for him, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.
He met Rhys’s eyes from across the room, catching the quick flash of respect before the captain’s usual humor – or lack of – returned.
"Cutting it a bit fine, aren't we, Thornton?" Rhys said, lifting a brow as he tightened the laces on his boots. His eyes narrowedin on Colin’s gingerly walk across the room to his usual place. "What's the matter with you?"
"Just a knock," Colin says, trying to mask the strain in his voice. "Nothing to worry about."
“Does it have anything to do with the fact that I was told you wouldn’t be playing today, and now here you are, practically limping across the room? You won’t be any use to us if you have to sit out early in the game.”
“Montgomery’s ruffians roughed him up,” Tommy interjected before Colin could say anything. Colin shot him a look, but Tommy just shrugged.
“They should know, Colin. Montgomery has framed Colin for theft and is trying to have him arrested. In the meantime, the earl has been interfering with our club, trying to sabotage us in every game we have played. That’s where the money has gone, Rhys. He’s got Pritchard in his hooks, and he’s likely not the only one.”
“Pritchard, the bookkeeper?”
“That’s the one.”
Colin’s eyes flicked over to Mickey, sitting in the corner, his head hanging low.
Colin knew what it was like to be desperate enough to do anything it took to take care of those around you, and Mickey had a family of his own. Yet he had still acted the traitor to all of them, which Colin could never understand.
He lifted his shirt to change, feeling all eyes on him, and when he slipped the other shirt over his head, he found his teammates staring at him in shock.
“What in the hell happened to your ribs?” Felix asked, his jaw dropping.
“It’s a long story,” Colin replied, not wanting to completely remove their focus from the game, or cause any of them concern.
“You sure you can play?” Rhys asked again, serving only to annoy Colin.
"I'll manage," Colin insisted, glad that his kit and boots were ready. He looked to Tommy, who gave him a slight nod, telling him that he had arranged all of this. He glanced around at the others, reading skepticism on some faces, encouragement on others. "Are we ready, lads?”
“Ready!” they all said. It wasn’t loud, but the intensity radiated throughout the room, enough that Colin felt a tingle up his spine. This was it. They might not have much, but they had each other, which was what a true team was made of. He could only hope that Tommy telling them of Montgomery’s subterfuge would rally them together and wouldn’t make Mickey do anything rash.
As he was about to walk out the door, a large hand fell onto his shoulder, and Colin turned to find Rhys standing behind him.
“We have much to discuss,” he said in a low, gravelly voice, “but we can wait until after this match. Until then, take care of yourself, you hear me? We have to look out for each other.”
Knowing what this game meant to Rhys, Colin could only nod, his gaze moving from his captain to those beyond him.
He looked around for any threat, anyone who might prevent him from taking the field, but finding no impediment, he jogged out, each step causing a slight throb to stab through him, but it was bearable enough that he was sure it would subside once the game began.
The stands rose around them like a living creature, buzzing with spectators and anticipation. This was it—whoever won this game would move on to the championship match, one that Colin had never imagined he would actually be a part of. This was his chance to prove himself in front of his home crowd, to be morethan the poor son who had left his education because he had no choice but to make a living by whatever means necessary.
He looked for Lily in the crowd, but there were so many people, it was difficult to see any one person in particular, although he could have sworn he felt pulled to the top left corner of the stands. He could only hope she was there, watching him, while keeping herself safe and out of any trouble.
Lord Nathaniel better not come anywhere near her, especially when Colin couldn’t be any help to her. All he could do was trust Lily to stay close to her family and Emmaline, and for her father and her friend to look after her.
He would do what he did best – besides loving her.
He took his position, trying to block out everything but the game and the rising din of the crowd.
Until his gaze snagged on one man, standing at the field level in the bottom corner of the stands, just within Colin’s viewpoint.
Montgomery.
Even from halfway across the field, Colin could sense the disdain in his features, likely because of Colin taking the field, which was not part of his plans. Montgomery looked from him to the constables and back again, only from what Colin could tell, he didn’t plan to do anything – yet. He was only trying to get in his head.
