Page 54 of Keeper
Indie laughs. “Her and Tanner are probably shagging in the bloody changing room as we speak.”
“They’ve seen each other before the wedding?”
“They both refused to go in the visitor’s locker room. They said it’d be worse luck than seeing each other before the wedding.” Indie throws her hands up in the air. “And you know Belle’s dress is red, right?”
I nod and smile. “She mentioned it.”
“Nontraditional to the core.” Indie beams. “I’m glad you’re here. I hope you can still have fun with Andrew. We’re doing a limo cruise around London after the ceremony. Then we’re eating dinner at that gorgeous nightclub Belle mentioned.”
I smile. “Can’t wait.”
The musicians begin waving Indie over, so she excuses herself to go see what they need. Just as I turn around to look for Andrew, my eyes collide with something that makes my heart hop up into my throat.
Booker Harris is strolling down the pitch looking fucking sexy as sin in his black suit, dimples, and broad keepery strides…
…with none other than Sidney Carmichael on his arm.
“I’m so glad I was able to catch an early flight back. It’s not every day you get to see a wedding on a football field!” Sidney’s voice seems an octave too high as we walk through the tunnel toward the pitch. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve gotten so used to Poppy’s deeper voice that now Sidney’s seems too high in comparison.
“Well I guess it’s good you saved me because I never did find a real date.” I force out a laugh and adjust the cufflink on my left wrist. I was fully prepared to come alone when Sidney called me back a few days ago saying she changed her flight to come home early. I couldn’t exactly take back my invitation, so here we are. Arm in arm. Painfully-forced grin to over-eager, toothy smile.
Sidney huffs. “Last I checked, I’m as real of a date as they get. Flesh and blood,” she says with a flick of her tongue. “I can show you more flesh if you’d like.”
She shimmies into me and I pull back. “Sorry, Sidney. You know what I mean.” I look away, my jaw tense. If Sidney shows any more flesh, we’re going to be seeing nipples. Her jubblies are on full display in her little black dress this evening. I can already hear the crass remarks Tanner will be making. That is if he looks away from his bride long enough to even notice.
We round the corner and I squint against the bright stadium lights. I do a cursory glance of the pitch and see Poppy staring right at us. Her face looks as if she’s seen a ghost. I want to hurry over to see what’s got her looking so upset, but Sidney’s latched onto me as herstiletto heels sink into the pitch.
Sacrilege. At least Poppy had the sense to wear appropriate footwear.
Poppy scampers over to meet Andrew, who’s walking toward her. She snatches a drink out of his hand and downs it in one gulp. He frowns and then looks around, his eyes finding me.
Then, he peacocks.
Hard.
His posture stiffens and he gives me a look like he could fuck me up if he wanted to. And I’m not one hundred percent sure he couldn’t. I’ve got him in height, but he certainly has me in muscle mass. However, he doesn’t realise that I’m walking with six years’ worth of fucked-up best friend angst on my shoulders. I’m pretty sure I’d welcome a release on his jaw.
“Is that?” Sidney puts her hand up to shield her eyes from the lights. “Is that Poppy McAdams over there? With the short hair? It looks like her, but I haven’t seen her since school.”
“It’s her.” My tone is rueful as I realise I haven’t mentioned to Sidney that I have a flatmate, or even a new flat.
All of the sudden, Poppy grabs Andrew’s arm and hauls him in the opposite direction of us, clearly trying to avoid saying hello. My eyes narrow as I watch them leave, looking perfectly at ease with each other.
With a quizzical brow, I usher Sidney over to say hello to Vi and Hayden. My face lights up when Rocky reaches for me. Needing the comfort of her, I scoop her up out of Hayden’s arms and hold her to my chest. She’s all puffy in a white tulle dress, and a glittery headband slices through her blonde wisps of hair. She instantly tries to pull my tie into her mouth. Sidney directs a pinched smile toward Rocky that has me turning away from her to sit down.
I’m half listening to the conversation Sidney is having with Vi and Hayden, more curious where Poppy’s buggered off to with Andrew.
My focus is diverted when Gareth claps me on the shoulder and drops down on the chair beside me. “Hiya, Book.” He stretches out his long legs as he gets comfortable and pins me with a curious look.
“Hiya,” I mumble, looking past him.
He reaches out and gives his finger to Rocky, who immediately pulls it into her mouth. “Who you looking for?” he asks me.
My eyes narrow. “Poppy. I just…She doesn’t know her date very well. I want to be sure we keep an eye on her.”
“Suuure,” Gareth drawls. “Nice to see Sidney could make it after all.”
I shrug, glancing over at her. She’s moved on to chat with the musicians. “She called me after changing her flight. It was too late to stop her. How’s Tanner?”
