Page 112 of Kicks
He seemed genuinely stunned.
“Can we talk?”
“Of course,” Eddie replied. “Come through.”
Billy walked past Scott, who hadn’t taken his eyes off him.
“It’ll be fine,” Billy said. “I promise.”
He followed Eddie into the lounge. There Tyler greeted them. It looked as if Billy had crashed a party.
“Is everything all right?” Tyler asked.
Billy nodded as Eddie opened the door to his room.
He walked in. They had got up to all sorts in there. Today it felt alien to him. It was as though he were a stranger once again.
Eddie gently closed the door behind him.
“I guess from the banners that you got the job?” Billy asked.
“I did,” Eddie replied.
Billy was genuinely happy for him. He deserved it. His instinct was to dash over to Eddie and throw his arms around him. They had a few hurdles to overcome before he could do that.
“So I didn’t ruin it then?”
Eddie shook his head sadly. “No, you made it happen.”
“How so?”
“When James suspected I’d thrown the Webster contract away for other reasons, he said it showed him my integrity. I wouldn’t have put it like that. More like what a piece of shit, I am.”
Billy moved a little closer to him. “I think he’s right.”
Eddie’s eyes widened. A tiny glimmer of hope appeared in them.
“Take a seat,” Eddie said.
Billy opted for the chair in the corner while Eddie perched on the end of the bed. They stared at each other for a second. It was joyous to see Eddie again. Even under these circumstances.
“Did Crystal get off okay?”
“She did,” Billy replied. “I believe I have you to thank for her going it alone.”
Eddie held his hands up. “That wasn’t my idea. She told me what she wanted and I said she should be honest. Believe me, the irony isn’t lost.”
Billy sat forward. “I’m glad you did. I would hate for her to put up with me because she felt obliged.”
“I don’t think she’d ever put up with you,” Eddie replied. “She loves you very much.”
That was true.
“I love her too. Even if she drives me crazy.”
Eddie chuckled. “That’s her job. You must be missing her.”
“I’ve only done one night. It’s pretty bloody quiet.”
