Page 53 of Keeper
I smile into his big brown eyes. “I’d love that.” He winks and pulls out of the parking stall.
“So,” Andrew asks after we’ve been driving a few minutes. “Where we headed?”
“Tower Park…for a wedding.” He looks at me in silent question. “It’s Tanner Harris and Belle Ryan’s wedding. They’re getting married on the pitch. Sorry I didn’t tell you before. They were worried about the press finding out.”
“Bloody hell!” Andrew exclaims, whacking the wheel with his palm as he hoots with excitement. “This is going tae be fantastic! I’m no a Bethnal Green fan, but ye’d have tae be deed tae no ken who the Harris Brothers are. Tanner and Belle had that big scandal in the papers earlier this year. Caught bollock naked in a car or something. By the sounds of it, Tanner Harris has turned shit around and is no quite the wild boy he once wis!”
He giggles naughtily and I can’t help but giggle, too. Andrew’s enthusiasm is cute. “Maybe don’t mention that story tonight.”
Andrew nods dutifully. “Of course. So, who else will be there?”
“Well, Camden will be there with his fiancé, Indie, who is Belle’s best friend. Then their oldest brother, Gareth. I don’t believe he’s bringing a date, but I could be wrong. He’s always a mystery. Their sister, Vi, will be there with her fiancé, Hayden, and their baby, Rocky. And a nanny, I believe, because Vi says she intends to party tonight. Then of course their dad, Vaughn. Oh, and Belle’s older brother, Ronald, and his wife.”
“Brill. No Belle’s parents? Her dad’s a judge or something, right?”
I nod. “Yes, but he won’t be there. You’re actually taking his place.”
He lights up. “Does this mean I get tae walk her down the aisle?”
I shake my head and try to hide my laugh. God, Andrew is adorable. “Doubtful, Andrew. But fingers crossed for you.”
A few minutes later, we pull up to Tower Park and are directed into a special parking area inside a fenced-in lot. All is quiet as we make our way to the door that’s guarded by security. He checks our IDs and marks our names on a list and then directs us through a long, dimly lit hallway. The ceiling is low, so Andrew hunches a bit to avoid the fixtures. He reaches out for my hand when I nearly stumble on some cracked concrete. “Is now a bad time tae tell ye that I’ve got a fucking hard on?” he whispers in my ear as he helps me right myself.
My eyes widen. “Andrew!” I chastise.
“Big fucking football fan, Poppet.” His voice is trembling as we approach some lights shining around the corner. “I’m a Heart’s fan, but that’s no matter. This is the stuff all footy fan dreams are made of.”
I can’t help but laugh. He looks like a kid in a candy store. “Well, try to tuck it into your waistband if you can.”
He nods seriously. “Good thinking.”
We turn the corner and the pitch is illuminated in bright stadium lights. A small number of white wooden chairs sit on a platform in front of a net that’s covered in a sheet of white lights. From a distance, I see Vaughn and Gareth standing in their slim black suits, identical to Booker’s. They appear to be talking to a female preacher. Beside them is a man and woman with acoustic guitars in hand, plugging into amps and adjusting their stools and microphones. Vi and Hayden are in the chairs, passing Rocky back and forth as they try to straighten the white, puffy dress she’s kitted out in. Indie’s red hair blows in the wind from beside them.
She sees me approach and scurries over to us in her floor-length silver gown. “Poppy, you look beautiful!” she beams and reaches her hand out to Andrew. “Hi, I’m Indie.”
“Indie, this is Andrew,” I say as they shake hands.
“I’ve got a wee hard on!” he blurts and then his face falls, his neck and cheeks flaming red as Indie covers her laughing mouth. “I’m sorry, I didnae mean tae say that. I just mean I’m chuffed tae be here. Walking on this pitch is the most exciting thing that’s happened tae me all year.”
“No worries. It’s pretty impressive. And we won’t judge if you develop tumescence.” She glances down at his package.
“If that means a Chubby Charlie, then cheers.” He snorts out an awkward laugh and Indie and I can’t help but join in. Andrew is a bit of a wanker, but a sweet wanker.
Indie points to the sideline. “There’s a small bar over there with a few cocktail tables if you want to grab a drink before the ceremony begins.”
Andrew looks at me.
“White wine?” I ask.
“I can handle that. I hope they have champagne!” He squeals and heads over.
“So, how’s it going?” Indie asks, walking me toward the cluster of white chairs.
I roll my eyes. “Andrew’s great. Gay as the day is long, but Booker has no idea, so he’ll do for tonight.” I exhale. “As for everything else, I have no bloody clue. I’m more confused now than ever.”
Her face falls. “But why? Belle’s plans always work.”
I shrug. “At this point, I’m simply trying not to get my hopes up. He’s acting different around me. For some reason, I feel a bit like he’s trying to say goodbye or something.” Indie’s face looks sad, but I wave her off. “How’s Belle? Is she freaking out? Trying to pull a runner?”
