Page 76 of The Alternate Captain
He shifts on the spot before backing away, which suits me because my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I fumble to pull it out, hoping to see Johnny’s contact information, but it’s not him. It’s my brother.
Mike
Do you need a lift home?
Panic hits me in the chest. Because if Parker Fforde knows, he could well have told Mike and then... well, I have no idea what the repercussions of that would be.
Kelly
I’m fine. Thanks.
Mike
I’m driving past, it’s cool.
Kelly
It’s fine. I’m not finished yet.
Mike
Then why are you texting me?
I put my phone away and grab my cello and backpack, not even bothering to say goodbye to Darren. I’ll leave him to fester, knowing that our professional relationship is declining as quickly as our personal one.
Except, I regret leaving as soon as I exit the music building because Mike is waiting for me. Is he angry? Did Johnny have to come clean, or did Parker tell him?
I try to come up with a single reason why I can’t accept Mike’s lift home, but he’s striding towards me at record speed.
Shit. He knows.
Except, he’s smiling, and I realise his expression is not that of a man who’s recently pummelled his team captain.
“Okay, full disclosure. Mam asked me to check on you. She’s been worried,” he says.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“Are you sure? Because the other day you were a bit off, and both Mam and I think someone’s upset you.”
“No, Mike. It’s because I’m so stressed with work and uni. I haven’t been feeling myself.” He gives me a sideways glance that tells me he needs more information. “I’ve been working overtime, and I’ve had uni work to do on top of my music stuff. I’m trying to keep afloat, but things just got the better of me last week.” I pause for a moment and decide to play the ultimate card. “And I got my periodso—”
“Okay. Okay. Fine. It’s probably a good thing you’re so busy, anyway. I don’t want you dating until you’re in your thirties.” There’s a hint of humour in his voice.
“That’s completely unreasonable, but whatever,” I say.
He scoffs. “Jokes aside, you need to make sure you’re focusing on your studies, Kel. You don’t want to end up like me, do you?”
“You get paid to do something you love,” I say.
We start the walk to his car.
“Yeah, but I’m just one injury away from claiming benefits. I mean, I have nothing to fall back on. Not like Johnny and Ffordey with their degrees. And Danny has his dad’s company.” He unlocks his car and lets out an exasperated sigh before listing off other guys in the team who appear to ‘have their shit together’—his words. “I just want to ground myself. Perhaps find a girlfriend, maybe.”
My jaw drops open. “You want a girlfriend?”
“No. Yes. No, actually. Pretend I didn’t say that.”
“Okay—well, you should come up with a plan. See if you can find something to use as a fallback. For life after hockey, I mean.”
