Page 48 of Keeper
Gareth wallops Camden next. I just roll my eyes and sit down on top of said desk. Camden’s home is too nice for the likes of his dirty mind. He purchased a Victorian townhouse on an idyllic cobblestone street in Notting Hill. The neighbourhood looks like a movie set. The place is a stunning three floors and is very spacious for London. Arsenal certainly pays more than Bethnal Green.
Truthfully, I can’t complain. Living with Dad so many years means that I was able to stash away the majority of my earnings. I should be able to retire from football around the age of thirty-five and not have to work if I don’t want to. But I always fancied the thought of owning my own business someday. Just need to work out what that business would be. I should ask Poppy. She has such a creative mind, I’m sure she’d be great at brainstorming what I’d be good at outside of football.
“So, are you and Poppy at each other’s throats after Sunday night dinner?” Gareth’s deep voice asks as he sidles up next to me.
I frown. “No…We’re fine.” I think? Yesterday morning seemed fine. Until she asked my advice about that sorry excuse for a shirt, and I had to worry about concealing the bulge that formed inside of my jeans. Christ, if she really thought she could wear something like that to her new job, I’m seriously concerned about her idea of a professional workplace environment.
Tanner slides up on the other side of me, sandwiching me tightly between him and Gareth. He nudges me in the shoulder. “I think the girls are up to something.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Belle was looking at Poppy kind of funny,” Tanner states, scratching his beard in contemplation. “I can usually tell when her crazy starts to show, and I definitely got a whiff of some crazy.”
“The three of them did spend time together on Friday night,” Camden adds, perching on the other side of Tanner.
“What could they be up to?” I ask, completely confused as I stare at all eight of our feet dangling in a row beside each other.
Tanner shakes his head. “I don’t know. Has Poppy found a date for the wedding yet?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.” It’s not really something I’ve wanted to ask her about. It’s going to be weird watching her with another guy the way she is now…allwoman. But deep down, I think maybe it’s exactly what I need to get her out of my head. It’s a miracle we got past the first two slips, so maybe seeing her with another man will be helpful in getting us back to the friend zone. The real friend zone.
“Have you lined up a date?” Camden asks.
“Not yet,” I reply. “I am probably going to call Sidney.”
“The one from our neighbourhood with the huge fake jubblies that you brought to Belle’s charity event a while back?” Tanner asks, making a squeezing gesture over his pecs.
I nod and elbow him for being crass. He’s not wrong, though. Sidney Carmichael does have massive boobs—something she apparently treated herself to after secondary school. Regardless, she’s just a friend. We dated casually for a while when we were eighteen, but I had to end it. Her feelings were much stronger than mine and it became too much.
However, we’ve remained friends, and she’s kind of turned into my go-to date for events. As a pro footballer, we’re frequently invited to charities, formal galas, and award ceremonies. Sidney is easy and always available. And I don’t have to worry about her latching on like a wannabe WAG because she knows how I feel.
Tanner tsks. “I think it’s a mistake to bring Big Jubblies, baby bro.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think Poppy wants to see you with a date any more than you want to see her with a date.”
“I don’t care if she has a date,” I bark defensively.
“Bullshit!” Gareth coughs into his fist.
“I don’t!” I turn and look at him with accusing eyes. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you guys this. Poppy is just a friend. That’s it. I couldn’t give a toss whom she brings to the wedding.”
“Well you acted like a jealous boyfriend Sunday night,” Gareth prods.
I cut him a glare, his words causing a tightness in my shoulders. I wasn’t trying to act jealous. I was trying to protect her. “Teammates are different. They’re…off limits. You guys know why.”
“Prove it,” Tanner dares.
I swerve my head to look at him. “Prove what?”
“Prove that you don’t care. Call Sidney to come with you,” he challenges.
“You’re a moron. I was going to do that anyway.”
“Then there’s no need to wait another day.”
Rolling my eyes, I pull my mobile out of my pocket, find her number, and press CALL. They all watch me as it rings a few times.
