Page 20 of Kicks

“So what if I am?”

“Show the world,” Tyler said. “Of course you can whip Brad’s ass. He’s a total knob.”

“Yeah, a knob who lands decent deals,” Eddie replied. “It’s not a foregone conclusion.”

“Well, he clearly doesn’t see you as much competition,” Tyler replied. “I’d work that in your favour.”

So many theories were swirling around. They were making Eddie dizzy.

Scott took Eddie’s plate and stacked it on his own. “Edward Channing, you could sell condoms to a convent. If you focus properly, this job is yours. For fuck’s sake, do yourself a favour.”

“You think?”

“Of course. If you need any help, make sure you holler,” Scott said, taking Tyler’s plate.

“Same goes for me,” Tyler added.

Eddie steepled his fingers together and stared at them in, what he hoped, was his most loving expression.

“That’s so handy,” he said. “Because I’ve already volunteered you to help me at the university open day this week. Don’t make me look like a twat in front of Brad. Pretty please.”

“Doing what?” Scott asked.

“Not sure yet. Something to do with promoting safe sex.”

“A worthy cause,” Tyler said. “I’m in if I don’t have any meetings.”

“Fine,” Scott said, getting to his feet. “Anything for you.”

Eddie winked at them. “Maybe I can do this. I have the sexiest cheerleaders in the whole of Brighton.”

“I’ve always fancied myself with a pair of pom-poms,” Scott said.

Eddie grabbed the big dish of food from the centre of table. “You’d fancy yourself in a bin liner.”

“I would if it were nipped in at the waist and not too long.”

Eddie turned to Tyler and shook his head.

“What did we do to deserve this one?”

“Luck, I suppose,” Tyler replied.

Eddie followed a grumbling Scott to the kitchen.

Maybe I can do this. I have as much right to that job as Brad. More even.

After a sleepless night, Eddie sat at a desk in the office drinking black coffee as though it were the elixir of immortality itself.

Every time he’d found himself close to sleep, Scott and Tyler’s words came back to haunt him. He’d always focused on making money rather than climbing the career ladder. Money that he had a bad habit of spending as soon as it came in.

But who wanted to be the kind of idiot who second-guessed everything? Someone like Brad. Every word, deed and outfit were carefully selected to do him the most good. It seldom worked either.

Fuck, that must be exhausting. No wonder he hammers a free bar at every opportunity.

“Rough night, I presume,” Kat said.

“Thanks very much,” Eddie replied.