Page 77 of Playing for Possession
He threw back his clear shot. He gave a brief grimace before his drunk smile fell back into place. “And have you heard from Joanie?”
“Who the fuck is Joanie?” Sean’s voice made my teeth grit. He had a nasty smirk on his face. His beery stench enveloped me in a sickly blast.
“Someone from the team. We had to do a commercial together.”
“The commercial. I heard about that. It looks like you’ve caught the sun.” He prodded his finger into my chest. “Why the fuck did Rob askyouto do a commercial?”
“Because he’s punishing me.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Punishing you? Rob’s golden boy?”
He wrapped an arm around my neck and leaned heavily on me, his pint swinging precariously in front of him.
“Do you know what I think, Earnshaw? I think you volunteered for it. He should have asked me, but you’ve been there like a little dog, arse-licking the boss again.” He shot a sideways glance at Jack, but his words were for me. “Didn’t we have a chat about this already?”
I peeled him off me and tried to steady him on his feet. “I can assure you I didn’t want to do it. It’s a fizzy drink that tastes like armpits.”
He dragged his tongue over his teeth. “It’s done now. Fuck it. I don’t care.”
My phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and Joanie’s pretty face flashed on the screen.Shit.I was late for this thing with her dad. I needed to get Jack home and get out of here.
“Who’s that?” Sean peered down at Joanie’s face with interest. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a girlfriend? About time. I was beginning to wonder about you.” He flashed Jack an amused glance. “I’ve never seen this man with a girl the entire time I’ve known him. I’d wondered if he was playing for the other team.”
Jack shrugged, but a muscle jumped in his jaw. His glassy eyes sharpened a little. “You know Kieran. He’s all about football.”
Sean clamped a vicious hand on my shoulder. “It’s a relief, honestly, to know I was wrong about you. I don’t like the idea of you eyeing me up in the locker room.”
Jack gave an anxious cough. A bartender dropped a glass behind the bar and the shattering crash made my teeth grit. This fucking prick. I hated him. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“You’re not my type, Sean. I wouldn’t touch you with a fucking pole.” I grabbed Jack by the elbow. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I dragged Jack stumbling away.
“Where are you going?” Sean cried. “You’re talking shit. You’d be all over me, Earnshaw. I did a shoot forDazzlemagazine last year. I bet you saw it, Jack, didn’t you? Or do you only have eyes for Ollie Fox?”
Jack froze. His lips moved up and down but no words came out. I glanced around. A couple of old guys at the bar looked up from their game of cards and dropped their heads. At least there was hardly anyone in here, but still, Sean was making a scene. Anger exploded inside me. A hot, sharp jolt in my solar plexus. The world tilted sideways. No one got to put that look on my brother’s face.
I stormed back toward Sean. “Have you lost your mind, Wallace?”
Sean’s face twisted in amusement. This was what he wanted. He’d never intended to sit on this. Never. Sean transferred his gaze to Jack and mock shuddered. “Good for you. Women give me a headache. I’ve had some really clingy ones lately. You always know where you stand with a bloke.”
Adrenaline burst through my veins and I fought every urge not to knock Sean into next week. “Shut your fucking mouth, or I’ll shut it for you.”
Jack swallowed and shook his head. “Forget it. He’s not worth it.”
Jack was pushing me back with firm shoves on my chest. I fought to stand my ground.
“Come on then, Earnshaw. I don’t know what the lads see in you. You’re not captain material. I see you’re following in your dad’s footsteps. He got his comeuppance and so will you. I’m going to the press. Everyone’s going to know about Jack’s little pop star romance. Why are you hiding this? You should be out and proud. Love is love.”
The violence building behind my ribs exploded out of me. Jack got to make that decision if and when he wanted to. Not this prick. My fist connected with Sean’s face so fast, it was as though my hand didn’t belong to me. My captain fell backward, tripping over a bar stool. He stood, staring, blood dripping from his nose onto his white shirt.
He swiped his knuckle across his bloodied nose. “You’re going to regret that, Earnshaw.”
My body shook with adrenaline. Yeah, I was going to regret it, but I’d still do it over and over again. A vile smirk lifted his lips. Then he launched at me.
Chapter 35
Joanie
