Page 28 of Off the Pitch

“Oh… like sexually? Because I know you have porn on your laptop. You could watch that.” Kit shrugged, rummaging in the biscuit barrel shaped like a Dalek and retrieving a handful of chocolate digestives.

“No! Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Is it about your PhD? Maybe you should do some writing then?”

I scowled, rolled my eyes, and snatched a biscuit out of his charcoal-stained fingers. “Gee, thanks. Such wise advice.”

“I’m just saying. If you wrote, you wouldn’t be grumpy about not having any words.”

“Shut up!” It was a lame response, but he had me in a corner. Bastard. Kit grinned, and it was the sort of smile that told me he knew he’d won.

“So, what’s up?” he said, completely changing his tone. Sometimes, I wondered whether Kit just liked to mess with me to see what reaction he could get—like poking a bear with a stick.

“Just trying to think of how to take Christian on a date that doesn’t look like a date. Does the cinema sound like a good plan? I mean, you and I go together, and we’re definitely not dating.”

“Apart from your very scathing tone, which I don’t appreciate,” Kit said, airily. “The cinema is always a good choice. Just make sure you get him a giant slushy. Everyone knows you need a giant slushy at the cinema.” Kit paused. “Just make sure it’s the pink one. The pink one is the best.”

“Just because that’s what you make me buy you.”

“Exactly. Point proven. If you can buy me snacks and a ticket and come away without a goodnight kiss, you can definitely take Christian.”

That was actually a very good point. “Y’know, sometimes you say things like that, and I have to wonder if you’re actually smart.”

“I might be,” said Kit, giving me a wide smile. “You’ll never prove anything, though.” He grabbed another handful of biscuits. “Now that I’ve solved all your problems, I’m going back to work.”

“I wouldn’t say solved,” I added. “And biscuits don’t count as food. Make sure you eat a proper dinner.”

“Yes, Professor!”

I sighed to myself. One day, the stress of living with Kit was going to kill me.

I flitted about the kitchen for a bit, randomly tidying things away and cleaning the hob, as I tried to figure out the best way to ask Christian out. Ugh, I was going to have to use my words again. Dammit! You’d think as someone who made money from teaching, and thus using words to explain things, that I’d have a reasonable grasp of the English language. Apparently not when it came to Christian.

Grabbing my phone, I hit the call button before I could stop myself. I’d chicken out if I tried to do it via text message.

“Hello?”

“Hey. I was just wondering what you’re doing tonight?”

“Just chilling. We’re playing tomorrow afternoon, so I won’t stay up late. Lily was muttering something about watching a film maybe. How was your meeting? Did your advisor skin you alive like you feared?”

I chuckled. “I lived. Just.” There was a pause where I wrestled with my doubts. “About tonight, I was just wondering if you’d like to go to the cinema? Just the two of us…” My voice trailed off in that weird awkward way that happened when you weren’t sure how your suggestion would be received.

“Like on a date?” Christian squeaked.

“Sort of? Look, we don’t have to act like a couple at all, promise. It’ll be like we’re just friends,” I said, trying to throw off any worries Christian might have before his brain could invent them. “I mean, Kit and I go together all the time, although I am surprised they let pets in.”

Christian laughed, and I melted at the sound. Could he be any more adorable? “That sounds fun.”

“Great.” I let out the breath I’d been holding as a giant grin broke across my face. I was tempted to do a little happy dance and punch the air because up until he’d said yes, I genuinely hadn’t realised how nervous I’d been.

“Great.” There was a small pause. “So, where do you want to go?”

Chapter Thirteen

WEEKEND PREVIEW: GREENWICH ATHLETIC VS LEICESTER

Can Trossero’s men solidify their Top 3 position with another win?

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