The coach comes towards me, along with my brother, the second the meeting ends.
“Boy.” I stand up right away. “No pissing around. Don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t,” I respond, determined, when I’m actually shitting myself.
“You’ve been under observation over the past month and we’ve decided to give you a go. Don’t let me down, or I swear you’ll be watching the next few matches from the changing room toilet.”
I nod, immediately crushed by the pressure.
The coach walks off, yelling at the others, as Ian stays standing in front of me with a stupid smile all over his face.
“Your time has come,” he says solemnly.
“Let’s not make a big deal out of it,” I say, playing it down.
“He’s nervous,” Jamie winds me up.
“Terrified,” Ian says, rubbing it in.
“He’s about to shit his pants,” Jamie continues.
“Will you both just leave it? It’s not a big deal.”
Ian comes closer.
“I know how long you’ve been waiting for this, so don’t bullshit me.”
I shake my head, trying to hide my nerves, and head quickly for the changing rooms to take a shower and get out of here – but first, I stop off in the bathroom. I actually am about to shit myself.
* * *
I getout of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. Ian appears in front of me, already dressed, with his phone pressed to his ear.
“Okay, okay. I’ll go and pick up Riley, then we’ll get there earlier. See you tonight.”
He puts his phone in his pocket, then turns his attention to me.
“Ah yeah, that’s right. Mum’s expecting us for dinner this evening.”
“Why?”
“To celebrate! What a stupid question.”
“You’ve already told her?” I ask, nervous.
“Of course, what did you expect? It’s important, Ryan.”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“For us it is, and we want to show you how much we support you.”
“Don’t tell me…”
“He’s part of the family. We’re not going to leave him out of it.”
Shit.
