Reason 7: You are very patient. Who else could put up with Abs? Nobody. Or Darbs? I swear to god if that kid starts another fight next season, it’ll be his last. Fightandseason that is.
Reason 8: It was your idea to play Abs as scrum-half.
Reason 9: You are always thinking about rugby and strategy. I know I’ve said in the past it’s your Achilles’ heel, that you think too much, but it’s really not. It’s actually your greatest strength. You’re thinking about ways we can improve our game, and how everything is a learning opportunity, and I’m thinking about sausage rolls and chicken peri peri wraps.
Reason 10.1: I’m not skipper material, but you are.
Reason 10.2: Ever since I was a kid, all I wanted to do was play rugby, but I never once thought or dreamed of being captain.
Reason 10.2.2: I just don’t think I’m cut out for it.
Reason 10.3: I’m more than happy to just go with the flow.
Reason 10.4: Anyway, I’m far too good looking to be skipper. Nobody would be able to focus on the game. They’d all be too busy gooning over me.
Reason 11: Speaking of gooning, you have a very beautiful cock.
Reason 12: You notice all the tiny details that other people don’t. You can spot if someone’s not feeling their best that day, or if they’ve got the wrong studs on, or even how the weather’s gonna affect the game.
Reason 13: Your instincts are always right.
Reason 13.1 or something: I trust you.
Reason 13.2?: You take the rules seriously, but only if they’re health and safety rules. Yes, yes, very super serious. But if they’re other rules and they’re stupid, you ignore them, and honestly, I think that’s what a good captain should do.
Reason 14: I can’t let this shit come between us. You’re my best friend, and my favourite person to hang around with after Logan. I’ve spent months, years actually, cancelling plans with Megs to be with you. I never stop thinking about you. If I could, I’d spend every second with you. You could live in my pocket, and I would take you out at functions and show you off. Buy you different outfits, brush your hair, feed you mochi balls.
Reason 16: If you still don’t want to be captain after reading all this, then we will march straight up to Eksteen and I will tell him to shove his fucking captaincy right up his jacksie.
Reason 17: You won’t be doing this on your own. I’ll be right there beside you the entire time. You won’t be able to get rid of me. I’m your vice, remember?
I forgot reason 15: Who the fuck else are they gonna get to do it? Abs?!!!!!! You’re our only hope.
Reason 18: The only reason Coach made me choose between us is because he knew I’d pick you. Pretty sure he’d have sacked me on the spot if I’d chosen myself.
I know I’ve definitely missed some, but here’s a few to get you started. Just know that you can do this. You are the right person for this, and I’ve got you.
Also I just read that back, and I made it sound like I have something against Gadget. I don’t. I love the guy. I think he’s brilliant, but he’s not you.
From: Me
To: Finn Eggington
Date: 11 Jun 2027 23:21
Subject: Re: Reasons you’ve got this
Okay. I’ll do it.
Chapter 31
Aiden
Friday 18th June 2027
“Thirty-seven Darcy Street,” Eggo says, reading the little glass sign fixed to the quoits on Abs’s new building. “That’s what Jody wanted to call Logan if he’d been a girl.”
“It’s a nice name,” I say. I could totally picture having a daughter named Darcy one day. Assuming Eggs was referring to Darcy, of course, and not Street. Or Thirty-Seven. Wait, Thirty-Seven Campbell . . . Oh, no. Do I like that? It has a Seven-of-Nine ring to it. I shake the thought and refocus on what we’re actually here for. “But they are moving into the basement flat, thirty-seven D, so it’s just down these steps.”
