Page 203 of Playing By Ear

Perry shouted his approval. Though a defender, Robert was one of the Warriors’ highest scorers, thanks to his headers on set pieces like corner kicks. He was near the goal’s far post now, but had two well-informed opponents shadowing his every move.

Fergus sent an inswinging kick, and the mass of players surged like a single organism.

One Warrior leapt highest of all, whipping the ball with his head toward the goal. It hit the crossbar, struck the ground, then ricocheted⁠—

“YAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!”

As he hugged Ben, Perry heard the commentator in his ear announce the goal scorer as none other than Liam. “Checking stats here,” the man said, “and it looks like this was only Carroll’s second goal of the season.”

Perry paused his celebration to rewind the livestream and watch the goal again. “Lads, look what he did!” He ran the video back and held up his phone.

Liam had jumped so high, the ball had arrived at collarbone level, so he’d ducked his head midflight—nearly folded himself in half—to steer the ball into the goal.

“Magic.” Brodie clapped his hands. “Pure magic.”

John laughed. “Never knew he was so flexible.”

“If Liam’s scoring,” Andrew said, “perhaps it’s a day for unlikely heroes.”

Jamie also rarely scored, though he was one of the team’s leaders in assists. “From your lips,” Perry said, “to the football gods’ ears.”

Chapter 39

The Warriors’ rapture was cruelly short-lived. Forthside charged up the pitch right from the kickoff and answered with their own header into Heather’s net.

“Nooooo!” Jamie dropped back into his seat, hands over his face. He was sick to death of their opponents’ victory song after only two goals. If Forthside won, the tune would haunt his head for days.

“I am divinely supported in all that I do,” Colin mumbled beside him, eyes squeezed shut.

As the 2-1 game kicked off again, the Rainbow Regiment belted out a song for the Warriors captain, “We’ve got—clap clap—Fergus Taylor!” to the tune of the Dave Clark Five’s “Glad All Over.” The fan club always knew when their lusty support was needed most.

Halftime arrived, and Colin and Jamie went onto the pitch to warm up. As he booted the ball around with the other subs, avoiding the water sprinklers freshening the pitch, Jamie scanned the crowd for his loved ones.

Perry was easy to pick out in the midst of the Rainbow Regiment, thanks to his purple hat with the flaps.

The MacKrays, of course, sat in the front row. They’d finagled some of the choicest seats, because criminal or not, the family name would always demand respect—and a wee bit of fear—in parts of this city.

Lucy spotted him and started bouncing and pointing. Belinda waved, holding her rainbow flag high. Then the whole clan of aunts, uncles, and cousins joined in, whooping and shouting his name.

But the seat between Belinda and her bodyguard, Rory, was empty. Apparently Stuart had chosen his original family over her. How awful, especially for Lucy.

An even harder thought arose, of those who’d never had the chance to witness this match:

Ritchie.

Mum.

Dad.

“Oi, Jamie!” Colin called, just before a ball bounced off Jamie’s right shin.

On reflex, Jamie stepped to control the ball and passed it to one of the other subs. Later he could dwell on those he lost. Later, after the game was won.

The whistle blew to start the second half. Perry withdrew into his hat’s viewing tent and once again brought up the match’s livestream on his phone.

Colin subbed in for Kieran, playing farther forward as part of a more offensive formation. It was just the spark the Warriors needed. Colin’s speed and canniness stretched the Forthside defense on the left, letting Duncan and Shona sneak into the center and take more shots.

Both strikers quickly got off attempts. All were saved by Forthside’s formidable goalkeeper, Ramsay. But the hunt was on.