Page 80 of Kicks
Billy connected the call. “Hi, love. We’re on our way home now. What’s up?”
“They’ve called,” she said. “I got a conditional offer.”
“A what?”
“If I do well at the summer school, I’m in. Can you believe it?”
SEVENTEEN
EDDIE
“Happy Friday,” Amanda said, helping herself to a cashew nut. “Got much planned for the weekend?”
“Only worrying endlessly about Monday’s big announcement,” Eddie replied.
The pair of them were sitting in the lounge waiting for Scott and Tyler to appear. They were busy in the kitchen, which either meant Tyler had some culinary treats or Scott planned to fell them with a cocktail of some description. Secretly, Eddie had hopes for both.
“What’s the panic?” Amanda asked. “Aren’t you beating him?”
James had told him and Brad there was a lead but a very slim one. He’d stared pointedly at Eddie.
“I could be the one lagging.”
“No way. He’d give you the heads-up.”
“You reckon? Wouldn’t that make this whole thing a bit pointless?”
Scott came in clutching a bottle of prosecco and four glasses. “I think he’s watched too muchSuccession.Who knows?”
“Prosecco, Scott? Very tame,” Amanda said.
“This is the finale of ourLord of the Ringsmarathon,” Scott replied. “It deserves fizz to begin with.”
Eddie was suspicious. “Which means you have something else up your sleeve.”
“Fasten your seatbelts,” Scott added with a malevolent glint in his eye. “It’s going to be a bumpy night.”
Tyler entered with a tray of delicious-smelling treats.
“What have we got?” Eddie asked. This was far more exciting than Scott’s dastardly plan.
“Some chicken wings, corn, mini crab cakes, chips and dips,” Tyler said proudly.
“Wow,” Amanda said. “That’s quite a spread.”
“I thought we’d have dessert at the halfway toilet break,” Tyler added.
Scott had been pouring the drinks when he stopped. He stared at Eddie, who plumped his cushions with maybe a shade too much aggression.
“What’s up?”
Eddie shifted in his seat. “I can’t settle. I’m dreading Monday.”
“Babe, worrying about it won’t change the outcome. You’ve done everything possible to make sure you beat Brad.”
“It’s not just sales,” Eddie replied. “We’re being interviewed as well.”
“Hah!” Amanda said. “If it does come down to personality, nobody would put their money on Brad. Do you know, no one has a good word to say about him. Normally, I’d feel sorry for him. I know what that feels like.”
