Page 21 of The Alternate Captain
I appease her, engaging in a little small talk as we head inside.
I’ve known Jen for a few years, long before Ryan arrived on the scene. And I’d probably consider her a friend. She’s good to Ryan, and he’s besotted. That’s all I could ask for.
We choose a table in the rear. It looks private, but by the time Bettsy joins us twenty minutes later, we’ve got a small crowd gathered, asking for pictures and autographs. It’s exactly what I didn’t want to happen today.
It takes right up to our second game of pool before the crowd eases off and we’re left to our games. And this match is between me and Prez.
“You’re up, bud,” I call, chalking my cue. But instead of joining me at the table, he beckons me towards where he and Jen are standing.
“Jen wants to run something by you,” he says.
“No, forget about it,” Jen says, her cheeks flushing red. “It’s a bad idea.”
“We should consider it,” Prez says, cocking his head towards me. “Vicky and Liam.”
My sister and Ryan’s twin brother have had this off-and-on relationship for as long as I can remember. Except right now they’re off. Very much off. But we’re all inwardly worried about how things will be if Liam joins the team next season, all being well.
“What’re you thinking, Jen?” I ask.
“Well, it’s just a thought,” she says, looking between her boyfriend and me. “But forget it.” Jen lives with my sister, so she knows how Vicky’s mind works.
“No, no. I’m intrigued.”
“Well, it’s just an idea. If Liam does end up coming here. We all know that he and Vicky will—well, you can guess the rest, but given how stubborn they both are... have you thought of trying out a bit of reverse psychology? All you have to do is lay it on thick that they shouldn’t be together. If you both do it, it’ll have a greater impact. How do you think Liam will react if you tell him he absolutely shouldn’t do something, babe?” She looks at Ryan, already knowing the answer.
“Ha!” Ryan laughs.
“This is my point. Tell him to keep away and he’ll be drawn in even more if he’s really interested in making things work. It’s simple.”
I crack a half-smile. “You think Vicky is going to listen to me?”
“No, Johnny. I don’t think she will, which is exactly why it’s the perfect idea. You tell her she shouldn’t go there, throw in afew ‘stay away from Vicky’ comments to Liam, and leave them to figure it out for themselves.”
The more she talks, the more I realise it makes perfect sense, but then again, I’m not one to condone that my sister enters any sort of relationship, especially since theirs was such a mess.
“I think it’s best that we keep our noses out,” I say.
“Johnny, we both know that Liam’s focus will be on Vicky. Even if it’s him trying to stay away from her. Yeah, he’ll play hockey and give us chances...” Prez frowns. “But you know what I’m saying.”
I get it. Liam is a skilful player, and when he’s on the ice, he’s focused. But as soon as he steps off, it’s a completely different matter. The entire world could go to shit around him, but when it comes to Vicky? Well...
“Forget about it for now. Next season is next season. We haven’t finished this one yet.” I step back to the table and set up the play.
I’m acting like I’m some sort of saint, but my concentration is also being tested at the moment. Because I’m dying to know where the fuck Kelly went and why she’s ghosting me.
As I use akick stool to reach the top shelf, I catch sight of my brother’s crew cut, longer on top than it usually is, bobbing up the aisle across from me.
I’ve worked every single evening, practically begging my manager to give me the extra shifts so I can keep myself occupied. It’s been three long days since my audition, and I still haven’t got over the embarrassment. It’s stuck on repeat in my head, and I cringe at the memory. There’s little solace in that I played my pieces well, because the questions overshadow the entire event. I’m in a state of constant worry, and I’m checking my emails every five minutes, just in case.
“Back again?” I ask my brother as he turns into my aisle. “How did you know I was working?”
“You haven’t answered any of my calls. I figured I’d just check on my way past.”
“Where’ve you been?” I ask.
“Just came to shoot some pool again after a late practice,” Mike says, and I busy myself with shelf-stacking because Icannot be bothered with the shift manager tonight. “I take it you haven’t heard anything about your audition, yet?”
I shake my head. I knew he’d ask, but I don’t want to talk about it. I was practically forced to replay the whole audition to him when he came in on Monday night. That was after I’d run through it with our parents.
