Page 89 of Kicks

“Nope.”

“Hmm. He’s a tough one.”

Eddie regarded his colleague. One good thing that had come from playing in this team had been getting to know Barry. Even just a little.

“You’re a decent man, Barry.”

“No I’m not,” Barry replied. “I’m a bit of a joke. I know that.”

Not that long ago, Eddie would have agreed with him.

“I don’t think you are. I think you’re a kind individual who wants us to have the best place to work in. There’s nothing wrong in being dedicated to something.”

This time Barry welled up with tears.

“That’s very kind of you, Eddie. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you.”

“I’m a lost cause,” Eddie said. He stretched his legs out and enjoyed the warmth on his skin. “Maybe it’s time for me to hit the road again. Brad’s going to get this sodding job. It’s clear as day.”

“Running away isn’t the answer although I can understand it. What if this gentleman has a change of heart? Sometimes just being near to them can be enough.”

Eddie had no idea what Barry was going on about. “Not my style,” he said. “I can’t live with the threat of bumping into him whenever I go into town. Scott will kill me but I don’t think I have a choice.”

“I thought I was the one that did the drama around here,” Scott said.

He’d followed Eddie into his bedroom and was sitting on the end of the bed, refusing to move.

“You are invading my space,” Eddie said.

“I know.”

Eddie lay back and made sure his feet were as close to Scott as he could get away with. He still hadn’t had a shower.

“What else can I do?” he asked.

“At least wait and see what happens,” Scott replied. “Bloody hell, Eddie. You’ve had a row with Billy. Look at Tyler and Danny. We had him moping for long enough then boom, love was back on the menu.”

Eddie shook his head. “That was just Tyler’s rotten mother stirring the pot and Danny’s pig-headed ness. They hadn’t tried to rip each other off.”

Scott waved him away. “Nonsense. If you want me to tell Billy how many long, drawn-out conversations we’ve had over whether you should tell him the truth, you only have to say the word.”

“You’re all heart.”

Eddie nudged him with his foot.

“Get those stinking trotters off me. How can you lie on your duvet in your football kit? Honestly.”

“Stop nagging. I’m emotionally wounded.”

“How many messages have you left on his voicemail?”

Eddie shifted. “None.”

“None? How is he going to know you even care?”

“I sent a couple of WhatsApps asking if we could talk.”

“That’s pathetic. Call him. If you do, I will watch a movie of your choosing.”