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The defenders part like the Red fucking Sea, and then it happens. The keeper comes out and makes a move to tackle Tom, but just before he can get there, Tom passes the ball to me and I tap the fucker into an empty net.
The roar is louder than anything I’ve ever heard as we run to the corner flag to celebrate the goal. Teammates jump on my back, but all I can think of is one in particular that I want at my back…or my front to be fair.
“Good goal, Milligan,” Tom says into my ear.
I spin around and go to hug him. He puts his hand on my shoulder stopping me. “It wasn’t that good.”
I huff out a laugh. “Couldn’t have done it without you. That was a great fucking assist.”
“I know. Wasn’t about to let Keegan down,” he says before running back to the centre line for the game to kick off again.?
Did he really just do all that so his son wouldn’t be upset??
I’m only nineteen, so I could be wrong, but I don’t think people can usually pinpoint the exact moment they fall in love with someone.?
But I know I just did.
Chapter nine
Tom
U2’s“Pride(IntheName of Love)” is still echoing in my head as we make our way off the pitch. Probably because the crowd are still chanting for “one more” even though the game is over. Archie didn’t manage his hat trick—which, admittedly, was a big ask for his first starting game—but he did score a second goal in extra time, and he returned the favour with some great assists, setting me up for a nice one just before the end of the first half, and then again early in the second. We ended up winning 5-1, with the other goal a penalty taken by Robbie around halfway through the second half.
After leaving the pitch, we make our way up to the family lounge, everyone high on the win. First game of the season is always a hard one because it’s the unknown. Over the summer players come in, players leave, there are club competitions, coaching changes, new facilities built. So many different variables that can fuck up that first game.
But we didn’t.
Archie was on fire like he had everything to prove and he nailed it. Two goals and an assist in his club debut is pretty fucking impressive. Not as good as my two goals and two assists but who’s counting?
I push through the doors and seek out Keegan and Courtney, who are with a couple I don’t recognise. Keegan is playing keepie uppie with a bean bag while the man cheers him on, and Courtney is in deep conversation with the woman sitting next to him. I make my way over, and as I get there the woman looks up at me with a warm smile.
Archie’s parents. There’s no doubt about it. That smile is a replica of her son’s.
“Tom Whitford, as I live and breathe,” Mrs. Milligan gushes, beaming at me. “This is an honour!”
Mr. Milligan looks up at me, nodding in agreement with his wife. “An honour, and a privilege.”
Ah shit. I really hope they don’t try to hug me. I don’t do well with people I barely know invading my space.
“Um…thank you?” I venture, not entirely sure how to respond to that.
“No, thankyou,lad,” Mr. Milligan says. “All that extra time you’ve been putting in with our Archie is really paying off. Look at him out there tonight—amazing. Wasn’t he, young man?” he asks Keegan.
Keegan’s grin is a mile wide. “He was incredible, Dad! Two goals! Not a hat trick but I told him he didn’t need to actually score one. I didn’t want him to feel too nervous.”
I let out a soft chuckle, smiling at my son. “That was nice of you.”
“Your dad was pretty awesome tonight, too, don’t you think?” Courtney asks wryly.
“Yeah, but he’s always good, so…” Keegan trails off with a shrug. Clearly I have to up my game if I’m ever going to impress him again.?
“You shouldn’t take these moments for granted, Keegan,” Mrs. Milligan chides gently. “Your dad won’t be playing for much longer.”
I try to hide my wince, but judging from Courtney’s sympathetic glance I’m not too successful.
Keegan’s brow furrows. “Why not?”
“Well, he’s getting older,” Mrs. Milligan explains. “They have to retire some time, you know. Can’t keep going forever.”
