Page 4 of Legend

“I’ve been a big fan of yours since you played for Newcastle United,” I try again, relieved when I manage to stop myself from mentioning the posters of him I have plastered all over my bedroom wall. “I don’t know if you heard, but I signed with Croydon last night.”

Nothing. He is giving me absolutely nothing.?

I don’t get it. I know he’s always a bit gruff in interviews and stuff but I’ve only ever heard nice stuff said about him on fan forums.

I decide to try one more time. “I can’t wait to train with you.”

That gets his attention and the look he’s giving me, I’m not sure I want it.?

Tom Whitford is looking at me like I shat in his tea.

“Are you done talking or can I get back to my phone?”?

I plaster a smile on my face. “I’m sorry, mate, I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“Just because we happen to play on the same team doesn’t make us mates.”

Before I have a chance to recover from that particular slap in the face, I hear the door open again and a young woman steps inside, flashing me a bright smile.

“Mr. Milligan, your dressing room is ready so I’ll take you down now. Sorry about the delay.”

I smile back at her. “No worries at all. What’s your name?”

Her grin grows wider. “It’s Tori.”

“Nice to meet you, Tori.” I follow her out the door, turning back at the last moment to glance back at Tom. “I guess I’ll see you at training tomorrow, mate.”

He just grunts and continues to stare at his phone. ?

Well, this is going to be fucking great.

The interview and sport sequence was over within an hour, thank fuck. The promo director had me walking toward the camera way too many times. It was ridiculous. I’m pretty sure the only reason we were able to wrap up when we did was because I had to get ready for my TV segment. Otherwise the director would have had me walking another dozen times at least.

“Paul, is there anything wrong with the way I walk?”

He looks up from his phone, brows knitted together.?

“The way you walk?” he asks cautiously.

“Yeah. The director had me do the walking thing about thirty times.”

“Archie, they just needed to get the perfect sequence for their graphics. Your walk is fine.”

That mollifies me a bit. I’m a professional footballer, of course my walk is normal.

“Where are we off to now?” I look out of the car window as the London landscape creeps by.

“The stadium, remember? We have that meeting with Gideon Collier and Vinnie Bishop.”

Fuck. How the bloody hell did I forget that? We discussed it only this morning. “Right. Of course.”

“And then afterwards you have a signing photoshoot on the pitch.”

“Will any of the other players be there?” I say, with as much chill as possible. I’m not sure that’s very much. “For the photo?”

I need to know if Tom Whitford is going to be there. I doubt it. If any player is going to be there then it’ll be the captain and?all-round golden boy of football, Alex Williams. But I still need to know.

I’m really fucking hoping that Tom’s reaction earlier was because he was just in a bad mood and not because he hates my guts.

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