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Okay, let’s see. There’s a ticking clock on my career and every man and his dog knows it. The team’s brought in a flashy young player to make it even more obvious that I’m on my way out. Oh, and after twenty years of hiding in the closet and denying myself any semblance of a normal life this kid is just out and everyone’s celebrating the fact that he loves dick.?
My jaw locks tight as I stubbornly refuse to reveal any of those thoughts out loud. “Why is Milligan here?” I finally ask.
Vinnie shrugs. “He’s a fantastic player. He’ll be a great addition to our forward line, especially with Andre being so bloody injury prone.”
“Fuck that, Vinnie. I want the real reason. Not the one you’re spewing off to the press.”
He lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his thumb and index finger over his forehead. “Okay, fine. Everything I just said was true. But we were also looking for someone with…longevity.”
“Fucking hell,” I growl, ready to punch something. I manage to hold myself back with great restraint. “So it’s true, then. He’s my replacement.”
“Not anytime soon,” Vinnie says firmly. “And no one is talking about pushing you out, so you can stop being such a fucking drama queen about all this.”?
I slump back against the door, feeling defeated. He doesn’t get it. Vinnie was a decent player back in the day, but he wasn’t like me. He didn’t start his career at fifteen. He actually had a life outside of the game.
Me? I didn’t even finish secondary school.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Vinnie says gently. “And whenever this all ends for you—and I’m not saying it’ll be anytime soon,” he rushes to clarify. “Therewillbe something to move on to. Just think of how much more time you’ll have to spend with Keegan,” he adds with a smile. Well, as much of a smile as Vinnie ever gives, which isn’t much.
A stab of guilt hits me as I think of my eight-year-old son. I should be looking forward to the day when I have more time to spend with him. But what about when he’s in school? Or at Courtney’s place? And let’s face it, it’s not going to be too long before he has no interest in hanging out with his dad.
“Yeah, I guess,” I say with a shrug, because what else can I say?
“Look, about the interview—”
I let out a groan. “Bloody hell, it was a joke.”
The corner of Vinnie’s mouth quirks up. “I know that. And I don’t think anyone found it particularly offensive. I just thought you deserved to know why Gideon was in such a tizzy about it.” For a second I think he’s about to tell me Gideon’s gay, which would be a bit of a bombshell considering he’s married with two kids. But then he continues, “The reason Archie needed to leave Lancaster United is because the team wasn’t very…accepting when they learned about his orientation. We don’t want that happening here, Tom,” he adds sternly. “He’s a brilliant player and we want him to stay. And I don’t care how much you don’t want to hear it, youareone of the leaders of this team. You and Alex need to set the example here. If you guys make Archie welcome, everyone else will fall in line.”
Fucking hell. I might not like the kid, but I sure as hell don’t want him treated like shit just for being who he is. With a sigh, I nod my agreement. “Yeah, of course. I’ll make sure the guys all fall in line.”
Vinnie smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “Good. And you’re going to train with Archie as well. We want our forward structure to be seamless, and you’ll be a great mentor for him while he adjusts.”
“What? Fuck no.”
“You’re doing it, Tom. No arguments.”
Bloody hell. Grumbling under my breath, I exit Vinnie’s office and head to the showers, relieved not to see anyone on my way.
A mentor to the kid they’ve recruited to be my replacement? Talk about worst nightmare territory. But that’s not the only reason I don’t want to do it. I can’t bring myself to examine the other one too closely, though. Because it has nothing to do with my fears of being pushed out of the team, and everything to do with the way my body reacted to the sight of his smile when I met him in the green room this morning. A stupid smile from a fucking teenager had my stomach flipping all over the place—how bloody ridiculous is that. Obviously I was just light-headed because I’d skipped breakfast. Because there is no way I’m actually attracted to Archie fucking Milligan.
Considering the conversation I just had with Vinnie, I’m not surprised to find Alex Williams, our team’s captain, waiting for me when I finish up with my shower.?
“I gather you got the same talk I did?” he asks.
“About making sure the lads don’t act like pricks when the new kid gets here?” I grumble as I rub a towel through my hair. “Yep.”
“Might as well get it done now before they all take off,” he suggests.
“Can I at least put some bottoms on first?” I glance pointedly at the towel wrapped around my waist.
Alex lets out a soft chuckle and pats me on the shoulder. “Yeah, of course. It’ll take me a minute to round them all up anyway.”
He leaves me to get dressed while he wrangles the rest of the team. It doesn’t take the lads long to stop fucking around and pay attention when Alex calls for it. They can be a rowdy bunch sometimes, but Alex is one of those people with a natural ability to demand respect, which is what makes him such a good captain. He's known as the Golden Boy of the football world. Partly for his looks, which wouldn’t be out of place on a beach in California, but mostly for his personality. He’s just so bloody affable, you can’t help but like the guy. It’s fucking annoying.
Once everyone’s quiet, their attention focused on Alex, I move up beside him. He really doesn’t need my help with this, but Vinnie asked for it, so I’m doing it.
“We wanted to talk to you all about Archie Milligan joining the club.”
