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“Vinnie’s making me train with Milligan,” I tell her, wincing as I hear how whiny I sound.?
“And that’s an issue because…”?
“He’s such a fucking shit,” I growl, my frustration bubbling over.?
Her brows creep up in obvious surprise. “Really? I’ve only ever heard what a nice guy he is.”
“People thinkI’mnice,” I point out.
Courtney lets out a loud bark of laughter, her long, brown pony-tail swishing around as she tosses her head back. “Umm…no they don’t. Your fans love you because you win them games. No one thinks you’renice.”
I glower at her, which only makes her chuckle again.
The kettle finishes boiling and she turns from me to make our teas, sliding my mug across the kitchen?island to me.?
“He’s a nightmare to train with,” I explain. “He buzzes around the place like Keegan hopped up on sugar, and he’s always so bloody chirpy. And I mean all. The. Time. No one is that happy and energetic all the time, Courts,” I insist. “No one.”
She lets out a wry huff of laughter, shaking her head. “Oh my god, babes. You’re jealous.”
I rear back, feeling stung.? “Jealous? What the fuck do I have to be jealous of?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know—he’s younger than you, faster than you. He has his whole career still in front of him while yours is winding down.” She arches a brow at me as she continues, “Ormaybeit’s the fact that he’s out and living a perfectly normal life, while you’ve been stuck in Narnia for the past twenty years.”
I flinch at her words. “I didn’t have a choice.”
Her tone softens and she offers a sympathetic smile. “I know. But don’t try to tell me you don’t feel resentment towards this kid because he took the opportunity you never had.”
I sigh, wrapping my hands around my mug and blowing on my tea just for something to do. She’s right. I have been feeling resentful towards Archie. I know it’s not his fault he’s starting his career in an era where people are more accepting of gay athletes, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.?
And then I remember what Vinnie said, about how the Lancaster United players made life difficult for Archie after he was outed, and I want to be sick. Does he consider me on a level with those pricks because of the way I’ve been acting towards him??
Fucking hell. This situation is just shit all round. Maybe I should consider apologising for being such a prick?
“He’s a pretty attractive guy,” Courtney says, breaking into my thoughts.?
I shrug. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She lets out a snort. “Right. You’re telling me there’s an incredibly fit,gayplayer on your team and you haven’t checked him out at all?”
“He’snineteen,” I point out.
“What the hell does that matter?”
“You realise there’s a smaller age gap between him and Keegan than there is between him and me, right?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a grown man. A really, really hot grown man. You’re allowed to find him attractive, Tom.”
“Well I don’t,” I insist. “He’s not my type at all.”
She just shakes her head wryly and takes another sip of her tea. “Whatever you say.”
Chapter six
Archie
“Milligan!”
Oh fuck.I glance around my surroundings, as if there might be someone else called Milligan nearby. But nope, it’s me that gruff, sexy voice is seeking out. I quickly tug on my top and get to my feet, my smile firmly in place by the time Tom Whitford reaches me.
