Page 35 of The Alternate Captain (Elite Hockey #3)

He still hasn’t told him.

And I feel sick with worry because we’re now seeing in a New Year. A New Year that was supposed to start with no secrets.

Except Johnny maintains the guise that he hasn’t found the right time yet.

And I finish telling Tom all about it just as carnage ensues at the New Year’s Eve party which he is throwing in our student house.

And if there’s anything I’ve learnt in my nineteen years, it’s that I can’t deal with it. I’m physically incapable of confrontation with strangers—even ones that burst into our home.

Not only does Darren show up with a plus one, but someone Tom fooled around with before Christmas turns up with a load of his friends.

“What are we going to do?” Marie asks, eyeing the crowd of delinquents that settle themselves in the corner of the living room .

One of them picks up the lamp and swings it around by the cord, and my stomach tenses with queasiness.

“I’d call Jake, but he’s away with the team,” Marie says, worrying her lip.

She’s onto something, because her rugby-playing boyfriend would definitely get them removed.

She exhales and looks at me, saying, “Can you call your fella?”

“No. But I can call my brother.”

Mike, Hutch, Danny, and, of course, Johnny turn up twenty minutes later, all dressed in post-game suits that have girls staring with eyes like pucks as they filter in.

Honestly, this is like something out of James Bond, because all of them are donning expressions that say ‘I mean business.’

“What the hell is going on?” Mike says, coming to a stop next to me.

“It’s Johnny,” Tom shouts at the top of his voice, turning his head to project his speech over the music. And since I take longer than a second to answer, he’s hell-bent on getting a response. “Kelly? Didn’t you hear me? Johnny’s here.”

“Yes, Johnny is here,” I say.

I see him. And he sees me. Our eyes lock for a moment before a smile creeps across his face.

Bloody Johnny and his handsome face. Honestly, I could scream at him right now.

“Who the hell are those guys?” Mike says, breaking the gaze between me and Johnny.

“Don’t ask. But we can’t get them to leave,” I say, ignoring Tom’s hoots of excitement. “They weren’t invited, nor are they welcome.”

“J-Dog. Can I call you J-Dog?” Tom says, right in Johnny’s face .

Johnny sniggers, patting Tom on the shoulder. “Do you need some water, bud?”

And when I tell you Tom almost faints, I’m not exaggerating, but all the attention shifts to the crowd of boys, who’ve just spotted the looming hockey players. They slip into the kitchen, leaving a trail of un-plumped cushions and a broken lamp behind them.

Johnny sits Tom down on the sofa before navigating through our living room towards the kitchen, right behind Mike and Danny.

There’s shouting, then the smash of something, then the sound of a cupboard slamming, and moments later, cheers erupt in the living room as the intruders are escorted out.

“They made that look so easy,” Marie says, downing the rest of her drink. “But I think it’s time for a refill.”

I follow her into the kitchen, and assess the damage—which is luckily just a few glasses.

Marie and I rummage around in the fridge, looking to see what’s left when Darren waltzes in, followed by his new girlfriend.

“You know things are bad when even Darren can get a date,” Marie whispers into my ear.

Then the shrill tone of Darren’s voice cuts through the air.

“Kelly, I wanted to introduce you to—”

“Kel, a word please?”

Mike pokes his head around the door frame and my stomach drops.

Has Johnny told him?

I study his face, trying to decide if he knows or not, and relief washes over me when I realise this is nothing about Johnny.

But of course, Darren is here, so it’s only a matter of time before he sticks his size tens in the mix. He holds his hand out to shake Mike’s.

“Nice to see you again, Mike. Hope hockey is treating you well. ”

Mike stares at him for a moment then shakes his hand, trying to maintain the manners that Mam enforced upon us.

And when Johnny appears behind him, I practically leap in between Darren and Mike—because there’s no way in hell that Darren is outing me. Not now. Not ever.

I wiggle through the gap between them and motion for Mike to lead us away from the kitchen.

“Do you mind if we head off? Ryan and Jen are having a little bit of a party back at their place for the team, well, and the WAGs and stuff—I’m just glad I’m not the only single fucker there. Isn’t that right, Johnny?”

Mike slaps Johnny on the back and Johnny looks away, just as my eyes meet his.

Because that’s the thing about this. I’m just Mike’s sister—not in a position to be seen with Johnny outside of the comfort of our own bedrooms, really.

And it’s really starting to grate on me.

And what’s worse? Johnny stands there and says nothing.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks for coming to help.”

“See you next week,” Mike says, following Hutch and Danny out.

Johnny looks at me for a second, then nods before trailing after my brother.

“Is your boyfriend not staying?” Darren says, coming to a stop behind me. “Because now, more than ever, I’m convinced that there’s something going on—something you’re keeping from your brother.”

“Why are you even here?” I say, turning towards him. “No one invited you. In fact—”

But then there’s a vibrating from the pocket of my jeans. And since I’m more invested in that than I am in Darren, I shift away from him and pull my phone out.

Johnny

I really wish I could see in the New Year with you.

Kelly

Tell him then.

Johnny

I will. I just need to find the right time.

Kelly

Are you having second thoughts?

Johnny

Not at all. I just need to find the right time.

Kelly

Will you tell him before my sister’s wedding?

We’d had a brief conversation about Johnny being my plus one. But it’s seeming more and more unlikely the longer this drags on. And I’m not sure if it’s the booze I’ve drunk, but I’m getting pretty pissed off.

Johnny

I’m not sure. I hope so. Like I said, I just need to find the right time.

What’s the point in being in love with someone—who you think may feel the same, when you can’t do the things that couples do together?

Johnny

Can I come see you later tonight?

But I’m too pissed off to reply.