Page 37 of Begin Again Again

“It’s all good. Early days, huh?”

“Yeah. I might sub off.”

She sprinted toward the boundary and the buzzer sounded. The first half was already over.

“Hooray!” Daisy said, waving Oliver’s paws. “That was amazing!”

“Thanks, I wish we’d scored,” Beth said, resisting the urge to add‘if your fuckhead boyfriend could catch.’

The tall redhead pulled up beside her, drinking from a pink water bottle. “Are you a dancer?”

Beth winced. “Is this about me running on my toes?”

“Yeah, you look like a gazelle out there.”

“I did ballet when I was a kid, but I think I got into the habit trying to make myself look taller.”

The tall Redhead grinned. “I’m Gemma, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Josh jogged over. “We’re up, six to three. Good first half, crew.”

Daisy, who had yet to take the pitch, sighed. “You’re such a dad. Beth, you’ll get used to Josh being a dad. He can’t help himself.”

Beth looked at him. “Oh, are you…?”

“I don’t have kids.” He shot Daisy a dirty look. “Thanks, Dais.”

Daisy giggled, turning to Beth. “Do you want to come to our pre-Christmas party in a couple of weeks?”

“Uhhh….” Beth looked around, sure someone was going to suggest it was a bit soon.

“Just come! It’s a rooftop thingy at our apartment. It’ll be so much fun. But no pressure. But come! It’ll be so much fun! We all get drunk and dance and hang out! You drink, right?”

Beth had never been asked that question at point-blank range. She swallowed hard. “Actually, I… don’t.”

Daisy’s face fell and she bit her tongue to keep from adding ‘I still have fun, though!’

“Oh,” Daisy said, looking horrified. “Oh,that’s cool.”

Gemma leaned around her. “You don’t need to drink to come. No pressure.”

“Yeah, I mean,yeah. And Josh hardly drinks too!” Daisy gestured at Josh who was on the ground, doing a quad stretch. “He’s a health freak.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Josh said wryly. He caught Beth’s eye. “You did well out there. Where’d you play before this?”

“Westmere, with my high school mates.”

“Cool.” Josh got to his feet.

“How long have you played?” Beth asked.

“A little while.” Josh turned his back to Daisy and Gemma. “Don’t worry about the party,” he muttered. “They’re not total piss-ups or anything and Dais really does want you to come. She just talks a lot.”

Beth smiled. “It’s all good. So, you don’t drink much either?”

“Nah, makes me tired. People are funny about it though, ey?”

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