Page 49 of Kicks

“What’s changed?” Billy asked. “Between us? For long enough, you acted like I’d died.”

Harry took a swig of his beer. “It’s a fair question,” he replied. “Must seem a bit weird to you.”

“Not weird. Just unexpected. When I asked you for help, I thought you’d tell me to fuck off.”

“Have I been that bad?”

“When I brought Nate round, you wouldn’t be in the same room as us.”

“Okay, fine. But Nate was a dickhead and I got proven right on that score.”

Billy couldn’t argue with that. As soon Nate had realised the enormity of what Billy had taken on, he’d made a sharp exit.

“Regardless of Nate, now you’re giving me dating advice and testing vibrators.”

Harry grinned. “I’ll be doing gay pride next. Hey, that’s an idea. Let’s think of some clever promo.”

“Harry.”

“Okay, fine. About a year ago, I got friendly with a lad on the circuit. Turned out he’s gay.”

Billy frowned. “What happened?”

Harry sighed. “He got a brain injury. One punch landed wrong and he went down. Then he didn’t move. As a boxer, it’s your worst fear.”

“What happened to him?”

“He lives with his parents now in Ireland. Twenty-six and can’t do much for himself.”

“Harry, that’s awful.”

“Yeah. I got quite close to him. I suppose that’s when I realised how shit I’d been to you. Then I saw how his family rallied. Honestly, Bill, they were there the next day. No fucking about.”

Billy nodded. “He’s lucky to have that.”

“That was what I thought. Then I realised it shouldn’t be luck. We’re family, no matter what. I’d forgotten that.”

Billy frowned. “That was last year. Why didn’t you get in touch?”

“Truth? I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I expected you to tell me to fuck off. I wouldn’t blame you. So when you got in touch, I told Kim I’d do whatever it takes.”

Billy squeezed Harry’s hand. “And I’m glad. I’ve missed you.”

Harry took his sunglasses off and wiped his eyes. “Yeah, me too.”

They sat in companiable silence for a while, watching Crystal and Lennox playing happily like they had once done.

“Did he show up?” Harry asked.

Billy nodded. He tried and failed to stop the smile from creeping across his face.

“I don’t know if I trust him,” Harry continued.

“I think it’s too late for that.”

ELEVEN

EDDIE