Page 72 of Kicks
It made a nice change to see a different side to Barry.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
They sat on the grass. It was still warm from the day’s sun.
“I love it,” Barry said, taking a swig from his water bottle that clipped to the waistband of his shorts. “Am I doing, okay? Not too much? I can get a little carried away.”
The earnestness in his eyes made Eddie’s heart melt a little.
“You’re doing great.”
“Thanks. Is everything all right with you? You don’t seem to have been yourself at work. Is this Brad competition getting to you?”
Getting to him? It was all anyone could talk to him about. Eddie seriously contemplated handing the victory to Brad and walking away.
Eddie sighed. “Not really. I mean Pleasure Seekers isn’t the centre of the universe.”
He wanted to rip his tongue out. Barry had worked there since time began. Perhaps it was the centre of his universe.
“Is that all that’s bothering you?”
“I can see nothing gets past you,” Eddie replied. “Got some worries of the romantic nature too. Nothing major.”
Barry clipped the water bottle to his waistband once more. “Ah yes, the man who came to watch us the other night. Was that his daughter?”
“Sister. He raises her.”
“That’s a plus point in his favour then.”
“He has many of those.”
Barry frowned. “So what’s the problem then?”
“I’m not sure I’m good enough for him.”
Barry sat up. His face grave. “Listen to me very carefully, Eddie. I once had a chance of love. A wonderful woman.”
Eddie had never heard this. “What happened?”
“Me,” Barry replied. “I got so caught up in day-to-day things, I lost sight of the bigger picture. I fear I broke her heart.”
Eddie could not picture Barry as a heartbreaker.
“What happened?”
“I told her I needed to focus on work. The truth being I was absolutely terrified.”
“Oh, Barry…”
Barry waved him away. “Ancient history now. What I’m trying to say is that these opportunities seldom come up. Grab it with both hands, Eddie.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Love is more important than anything.”
“Wow.”
“Except for one thing.”
