Page 52 of Going Overboard

‘My God, you two are cute,’ Kira blurts, love hearts where her eyes should be. ‘The way you’ve fallen so hard for each other, just when you needed one another – it’s beautiful.’

‘I know who I’m expecting to hear wedding bells from next,’ Al adds. ‘Is this because you caught the bouquet at our wedding?’

I open my mouth to speak but Nikki gets in first.

‘We don’t talk about that,’ she snaps. ‘And anyway, you’re talking about wedding bells, for them? They hardly know each other. Surely Todd and I will be next!’

I mean, it’s not a competition, but even if it were, and even with our relationship being fake, officially she and Todd have only been together, what, a week or so longer than us, tops. Do you know what, I should say that! Because I just know, in my gut, that there had to be some overlap, and I can’t let it go.

‘You guys have only been together a couple of weeks longer than we have,’ I point out. ‘So, really, our relationships are the same age.’

‘How about we race you?’ Brody suggests.

‘The bad boy of cricket settling down,’ Al says with a laugh. ‘I can see the headlines now.’

‘Perhaps you can get a magazine deal for the wedding,’ Kira jokes. ‘Like inOKorHelloorBaccior something.’

‘What? No!’ Nikki practically explodes.

‘Oh, no, I’m sure we could,’ Brody replies, wilfully missing her point. ‘You were always telling me I should get more sponsorship deals and do more press and stuff. I think a big wedding feature could be a good way to show the world the new me.’

‘And I would be honoured to do it with you,’ I tell him. ‘I just want the world to see the incredible man I see too.’

‘Aww, baby,’ Brody replies, leaning in as though he’s going to kiss me.

I think on my feet, dipping a chip in my chocolate milkshake, and placing it between our lips. As Brody takes it in his mouth, his lips ever so lightly brush mine before he pulls away again. I lick my lips, swiping away the salt and the chocolate.

‘Almost as delicious as you,’ he tells me with a wink.

‘Well, I can’t wait for the wedding now,’ Al replies. ‘So, Brody, if you could get a move on and pop the question. I’ve always fancied going to a celebrity wedding.’

‘Me too,’ Kira adds. ‘I thought a cruise to a wedding was as fancy as it was ever going to get, but a celebrity wedding – wow.’

‘He’s not really a celebrity, though, is he?’ Todd says.

We all turn to look at him.

‘I’m just saying, he plays sport, it’s not like he’s Tom Cruise or Freddie Bianchi, is it?’ he adds. Somehow, explaining himself only makes him look more pathetic.

‘Mate, he plays for England,’ Al reminds him. ‘England!’

‘Yeah, but – and I mean no offence by this – but at cricket, not football or something like that,’ Todd replies.

I glance at Brody, and while it’s a relief to see how unbothered he is by Todd’s words, I do wonder why he doesn’t speak up for himself.

‘Erm, excuse me,’ a waitress interrupts our conversation and it’s probably for the best. ‘A couple of gentlemen over there asked me to send over these shots, for the table. With their compliments for Mr Ryan.’

She gestures over at two men who are sitting by the bar. As soon as they realise Brody is looking at them, they come alive with excitement.

‘There’s only one Brody Ryan, one Brody Ryan, one Brody Ryan. Brody Brody Brody, oi oi oi…’

As they chant away, Brody just smiles to himself.

‘Tell them thanks,’ Brody says to the waitress. ‘And tell them I’ll come over to say hi, after we’ve eaten. I really appreciate it.’

‘I’ll tell them,’ she says. ‘And, while I’m here, if you could sign this… it’s not a bill or anything, it’s just an autograph, for my dad, he’s such a big fan.’

‘Of course,’ he replies.

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