Page 55 of Keeper
“Cool as a cucumber. I just checked on him.”
I shake my head and shift Rocky in my arms. “I can’t believe Cam and Tan are actually getting married. It’s unbelievable all the changes happening to our family.”
Gareth retrieves his finger from Rocky’s clutch and leans back in his chair. “I know. I thought for sure you’d be the first one of us to get hitched.”
This makes me frown. “Me? Why would you think that?”
He shrugs like he didn’t just drop a ridiculous comment on me. “You seem the most emotionally stable out of all of us.”
This makes me laugh. I don’t feel emotionally stable. I feel like a fucking head case right now as I twitch all over looking for Poppy. I’ve never been more confused in all my life. Recently, something has shifted inside of me when I look at Poppy. Something that’s making this whole bringing separate dates situation even harder than I expected. I’m having very un-best-friend-like feelings that I’m trying to work my way through.
“Vi wouldn’t call me emotionally stable,” I mumble through clenched teeth as I position Rocky on my shoulder. “She thinks I’m damaged.”
Gareth exhales and replies in a weird saccharinely sweet voice as he addresses my comment to Rocky. “That’s because you’re lying to yourself and we can all bloody see it.”
Rocky giggles from his attention, but I’m not amused. “I’m so tired of everyone saying that. I don’t know what you guys expect from me.”
Gareth cuts his severe hazel eyes on me. Where Tanner, Camden, and Vi took after our mum with blonde hair and blue eyes, Gareth and I got our dad’s features, so looking at him is a lot like looking at Dad.
His jaw is tight as he speaks. “Booker, as a keeper, your instincts are spot-on. Your eyes are laser sharp, so you see every player on the pitch at all times. And you protect your net with everything you have, like it holds your most prized possessions. That’s why you’re so good. Being a keeper is who you bloody well are.” His face softens. “But you are blind if you think Poppy hasn’t made it into your net.”
I exhale heavily. Just then, Vi breezes over, interrupting our tense discussion. “I need Rocky for a quick pic!” She grabs her from my hands and gives us a strange look. “You boys all right?”
We both nod and then she dashes away without a care in the world as she goes to join Hayden for a photograph by the net. I watch the happy family for a minute, wishing like hell I could switch places with them.
Gareth grips my arm and adds, “Fix this or you will lose your best friend, and I don’t want that pain for you.” His voice cracks, so I look over and I’m stunned to see his eyes become glassy. He looks at me with a severe expression that makes my heart pound. “I know what it’s like to lose a best friend.”
My breath catches. My single word response is a mere whisper. “Mum?”
He closes his eyes and nods. It’s the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen him.
“Gareth, talk to me,” I beg, witnessing a world full of emotional torment that he’s never let free. Never given life to. He’s got to be going mental inside that dark mind of his.
He shakes his head. “Another time perhaps. Today, I’m more concerned about you. Poppy’s in your net, Booker. You just have to turn around and look at her.”
My vision is distracted when I see Poppy re-emerge back onto the pitch, firmly clutching Andrew’s arm. Her eyes look red like she’s been crying. Without hesitation, I’m on my feet and marching straight at them in long, hacked-off strides, barely stopping myself from breaking into a run.
“Poppy,” I bark. “What’s happened? What’s he done?” I turn a furious glower at Andrew, who looks shocked and dismayed by my accusation.
“Nothing, Booker,” she says, stopping when we reach each other and avoiding my gaze as she dabs at her eyes.
“Bullshit. What’s got you upset?” I thrust a finger into Andrew’s chest. “If you’ve done something to her, I swear to fuck you’ll be sorry. Harris Brothers come in quadruplets and we don’t fight fair.”
“Back the fuck off, lad!” Andrew exclaims, stepping into my space. “She’s a grown arse woman. If she needs protecting, she’ll ask for it. If anything, she needs protecting from ye!”
Andrew’s words cut me as I look at Poppy. She eyes me with a sad look that hurts my insides. All of the sudden, this feels like the worst kind of betrayal. She doesn’t belong with this prat. She doesn’t need him for comfort and protecting. I should be Poppy’s safe place. Her shoulder to cry on.
“Do you want to talk?” I ask, my voice shaky.
“No, Booker. I don’t want to talk. I’m having a lovely time with Andrew, and I’d appreciate it if you’d go back toSidneyand leave us alone.” Her voice is acerbic and flat. Nothing like how she usually talks to me.
“It’s time!” Indie’s voice calls as she hustles out onto the pitch with Tanner hot on her heels. “Everyone take your seats!”
My eyes reluctantly pull from Poppy as she walks away with Andrew. I turn to see Tanner striding toward me. He’s dressed in a slim grey suit with a black tie. His long hair is down, nearly to his shoulders, and his beard is trim. He looks like a proper grown up.
His smile is beaming as he looks at me. “You look like shit.”
I school myself to smile back at him. “It’s nothing.”
