Page 100 of Kicks

“Really? I’ve nothing scheduled.”

“She’s insisting.”

She?

“I’ll be right there.”

He got up and walked across the vast office space. Brad was in his usual desk-for-one by the window. He looked up when he saw Eddie walking by.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“Nah. You?”

“I’ve got the lead. As if.”

Eddie wouldn’t be drawn into an argument. Instead, he smiled sweetly at Brad and carried on his way.

When he got to reception, Charlotte pointed toward the seats in the corner for waiting guests. To Eddie’s amazement, there sat Crystal.

“What are you doing here?” he asked as he walked over.

She walked into his arms and hugged him tightly. The emotion rose up in him and threatened to spill out. It wasn’t only Billy he was missing. He’d grown attached to this young lady.

“Come on,” he said. “Take a seat.”

They commandeered one of the sofas. Crystal seemed upset.

“Now,” Eddie continued. “What’s this all about?”

“I’ve come to say goodbye. I’m heading up to Manchester this weekend and I didn’t want to leave without seeing you.”

“Hey,” Eddie said. “That’s amazing. Why the sad face?”

Crystal’s eyes welled up with tears. “Billy is saying if I get on the team, he’s going to move up there.”

The idea that Billy would be moving so far away hit him hard. For a second, he had no idea what to say.

Yet the expression on Crystal’s face suggested she had about as much enthusiasm for this as Eddie.

“I get the impression you’re not too happy with that?”

Crystal sighed. “It’s not that. I love Billy and am grateful for everything he’s done for me. It’s just, I’m nearly sixteen. In two years, I’ll be an adult.”

It was becoming clear.

“And you’ll be making your decisions.”

“Exactly. I want to go to Manchester on my own. They have families for us to stay with. It’s not like I’d be in a flat or anything.”

Eddie didn’t feel all that qualified to be having this conversation. Still, she had chosen him and he couldn’t very well send her away.

“I think you should be honest with him,” he said.

“You mean tell him I don’t want him to come with me? It’ll hurt him.”

“It’s not like that and you know it,” Eddie replied. “Say what you just said to me. Being dishonest only ends up ruining things. Look at me and your brother. I really thought it might be going somewhere. Then I screwed it up.”

Crystal nodded. “I’m sorry that you’re not together anymore. I liked it when you were.”