37
Ryan
Ilace up my boots and throw a hoodie on over my jersey, ready to follow the team out onto the field and sit my arse down on that bench.
Ian and Jamie are hyped up, always prepared – they’re always played from the first minute. Well, I guess Jamieisthe captain and Ian is definitely the best in our family, no doubt about it. Apart from all the bullshit he went through when he thought he’d lost Riley – when he was booted off the team for a few run-ins – he’s never strayed from the rails. No warnings, no slip-ups.
The perfect player, the perfect brother, the perfect son. And now, apparently, the perfect man, too.
I wonder if he has a weakness, an Achilles heel – something that makes him lose his mind.
Ah, yeah. One. Always the same: his woman. And soon, with the baby on the way, things are going to be really tough for him. It almost makes me want to gloat, to finally see him as a human being, see him crumble and give way – but I’m not that much of a bastard. Not even me.
I catch up to them just as the coach is walking over.
“O’Connor!”
Both me and Ian tense up, waiting.
“The dickhead.”
His clarification doesn’t help.
“Little Ryan,” he scoffs.
Little Ryan.
I see Nick’s managed to get to him, too. Another reason to hate him.
“You’re on. First minute.”
“What?”
“What didn’t you understand? It’s a simple sentence, even Scott would get it.”
“No, it’s just that I…”
“My God, you’re all as bad as each other. Who the fuck has landed me with this team?”
The coach walks off, yelling his way through the changing rooms.
“Big day for little Ryan,” Jamie says, winding me up.
“A huge day,” Ian adds. It’s fine. I’m not nervous.
“Try not to fuck it up,” Jamie continues. “I’m keeping an eye on you.”
“Come on, Jamie, let’s not put any more pressure on him – can’t you see he’s about to pass out?”
“What? Me? I’m fine.”
They both burst into fits of laughter.
“Sure, Ryan, sure. You’re great,” and they both walk off, chuckling to themselves.
Apparently two arsehole brothers weren’t enough – now I have our team captain, Ian’s soon-to-be-brother-in-law, too.
My life just gets better and better.
