Page 197 of Off the Pitch

JordanYou’re too fun to rile up

FélixAnd you’re a tease who’s going to get into trouble one day

JordanI know. I like trouble ;)

JordanSo are you still at Heathrow then?

FélixYes. I’m still waiting to board

FélixAren’t you supposed to be going to training this morning? Why are you still annoying me?

I glanced at my watch. It was nearly eight. My flight was set to depart just after half past, so I’d be in New York around lunchtime local time. I didn’t have anything scheduled for this afternoon, so I’d probably just crash out at the hotel before meeting some friends for dinner and drinks. It was the only day I didn’t have something to do. The next few weeks were already filled with business events, dinners, and a couple of parties some friends were hosting. I’d definitely have to keep the business and pleasure aspects separate, especially since some of my friends threw the sort of parties that most of my corporate allies would find rather eye-opening. I’d always found them rather fun, but I’d made Lara a promise to save the world and that required keeping people on side. At least until I’d gotten what I needed.

Two of my oldest friends in the city ran a kinky porn studio together, and they were throwing at least one of the parties I’d been invited to. They always organised the most amazing events, complete with the most beautiful men, although they’d recently taken to asking me questions about my dating life. Apparently, when you were the ultimate husband power couple, you could start prying into your friends’ romantic lives. Or lack of them. I’d taken to avoiding the question by opening more bottles of champagne, but they always said that wasn’t an answer. I knew they cared about me, and they didn’t really care if I settled down or not. I think they were more worried about me hurting myself, especially since they’d both started giving me suspicious looks the last time I’d vehemently insisted I didn’t ever need or want a boyfriend. Lance’s words had been along the lines of ‘the gentleman doth protest too much’.

JordanI’m going!

JordanJust getting to the club. Gonna grab breakfast with Liam and Christian

JordanHow long do you think it’ll be before one of them brings up their other half? Fifty quid says it’s less than five minutes

FélixAre they that bad?

JordanI love them but omg they are both disgustingly lovesick

JordanIt’s gross

JordanAnd Liam keeps asking me when I’m gonna get a girlfriend so I can double date with him and Ali

JordanSo I’m just gonna keep annoying you!

FélixOh joy. I’m so lucky

JordanDo I detect a hint of sarcasm?

FélixIt’s more than a hint

FélixAnd I’ve never met your friends, but I’ll take that bet. A hundred quid, two minutes at most

FélixPeople in relationships like that are sickening lol

JordanRight?!! You’re totally on

The speaker in the lounge dinged, and a smooth voice announced that my flight was now boarding and directing me to my boarding gate. I stood, dusted the last of the croissant crumbs off my jumper, and grabbed my bag before I headed towards the gate, phone still in hand.

FélixI’m about to get on my flight so you’ll have to do without me for a bit

FélixBut I have in-flight Wi-Fi if you want to chat after training

JordanSure. Sounds like fun!

JordanFuck’s sake!! You win. Fucking Christian.

JordanFirst word out of his mouth… the name of his partner!

FélixYou owe me a hundred pounds

FélixI’ll collect next time I’m in town

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