Page 4 of Blindsided
I exhale heavily because he is seriously impossible to say no to when he smiles like that. He gives me the same look when he begs for Chinese takeaway instead of Indian, and we always end up getting Chinese.
I suppose the fact that I didn’t even know what Netflix and chill meant is proof that I need to get out more. “You are a proper pain in my arse, Mac. Do you know that?”
He beams happily. “It’s a good thing you have a great arse then.”
“I’m coming into the house! I hope no one is wearing their birthday suits inside!”
“Ag, shut up, you idiot!” my roommate, Roan, shouts down the steps in his thick South African accent. “We’re decent.”
With a wry grin, I take the steps two at a time up to the main level of the Georgian townhouse I live in with my teammate and best mate, Roan DeWalt. I find him sacked out on the sofa with his fiancée, Allie. She’s lying on his lap, her blond hair spread out over his legs as he toys with her strands like they’re woven from pure gold.
They have been engaged for over a year and still can’t keep their hands off each other. It wouldn’t bother me if it didn’t take place inside my flat all the damn time, but I know they don’t have any other choice. Allie still lives with her cousin, Camden Harris, and his wife, Indie, who is our team doctor. They have a wee bairn who’s just turned one, so I’m sure Allie wants to stay out of their way until after the wedding, when she and Roan plan to move into a flat of their own. Regardless, their infatuation with each other is why I find myself at Freya’s more often than not.
Just to be clear, I am happy for them. Their love could make a lad jealous if that’s what a lad wanted. Thankfully, I do not, so their googly eyes and lovesick murmurs have no effect on me. Life is too full of adventure to get tied down at my age. I know I’m over thirty now, and my mum is always asking when I’m going to bring a lass back to Dundonald. But I have no interest in being committed to a woman because I have no clue where my career will end up. My contract with Bethnal Green F.C. ends next year, and my agent and I will begin talks soon about getting it renewed, God willing. I like the club and training staff, not to mention my teammates, but the truth is, I’m getting older. My sore knees can attest to that. And I know I can’t play football forever, so I have to give it my all while I still have my all to give.
“What are you two lovebirds up to?” I ask, propping myself on the armrest of the sofa and glancing at the telly.
“Just Netflix and chilling,” Roan says with a smirk, his white teeth practically glowing against his dark skin.
I shake my head knowingly. “I just came from Freya’s, and she didn’t have a clue what that phrase meant.”
Allie’s eyes widen as she sits up off Roan’s lap and pins me with a hopeful expression. “Did you talk to her about the party Friday night?” she asks in her American accent.
I nod. “Aye, she’s coming.”
“Yes!” Allie squeals. “I knew if you asked her, she couldn’t say no.”
I purse my lips because it sounds deceitful when she says it like that. “Just don’t tell her you asked me to ask her. I don’t want her thinking it wasn’t my idea.”
Allie mock zips her lips. “I would never, Mac. I’m just excited for her to come out with us. I’ve been so tied up with wedding planning and work at the boutique that I haven’t taken her out for drinks in ages.”
I nod knowingly. Allie used to be our PR rep for the team, but she was sacked after some pretty intense drama between her and Roan. It seems like it all worked out for the best, though, because she was offered a job in marketing at the Kindred Spirits Boutique where Freya works. The two of them became best mates almost instantly.
“Drinks would be good.” I grip the back of my neck, rubbing at a knot that’s been there since my run this morning. “I think her upcoming thirtieth birthday is getting her all twisted up in her mind.”
Allie nods in agreement. “That’s why she needs to get out of her flat and live a little. Maybe she’ll meet a hot footballer at the party and make some bad decisions.”
She giggles at the prospect, and my brow furrows reflexively because I know damn well there are some lads on my team who do a fine job of making bad decisions with women. I’m no saint myself, but I definitely don’t fit the typical stereotype for footballers who whore their way around London. Roan’s much the same. We both have sisters, and we were both raised by strong, fearsome mothers who didn’t let us treat women like they are disposable. As a result, we never got the bad reputations many of our teammates acquired throughout their careers. And if any of those arseholes try to mess about with Freya, I’m not going to be okay with it.
The knot in my neck twitches again, so I reach up to squeeze the ache.
“What’s the matter, Mac?” Allie asks, her eyes narrowing on me speculatively.
“Nothing. My neck is stiff, that’s all. I have a massage with the team therapist booked for tomorrow.”
Allie cocks her head. “You’re not tense because the idea of Freya with one of your teammates bothers you, right?”
I scoff because she’s clearly reaching. “No, Allie. Cookie and I are just pals. I’ve told you that a million times.”
“You’re pals with adorable pet names for each other who bicker like an old married couple,” she retorts, and I see Roan squeeze her shoulder in silent warning.
I roll my eyes. “Since when does bickering make for a solid love connection?”
Allie’s eyes flicker knowingly. “Bickering means there’s passion.”
I plug my ears like a wee child. “This topic is not up for discussion. Freya is a mate and nothing more. I’m picking her up for the party Friday night, and that’s all, okay?”
“Okay, okay,” Allie adds with a smirk and lies back down on Roan’s lap. She smiles up at him happily and nestles in, giving me my cue to leave.
