71
Ryan
“Before you two start with your hilarious jokes, I have something to tell you.”
Jamie and Ian look at me, without a word.
“I’ve invited Christine to the game.”
Still nothing.
“And I think I’ll be inviting her to all our games from now on.”
They nod, slowly.
“And I want you to stop taking the piss for it.”
Jamie holds his hands up. “You’re taking the piss out of yourself, mate.”
“Sure, like you weren’t ready to jump all over me.”
“No, Ryan. I already told you you’re not my type. Too many…muscles.”
“Me?”
“Sure. I’d look like a complete loser next to you.”
“What the fuck…?”
“Besides, I don’t like rugby players. Wouldn’t want them to steal my thunder.”
I shake my head, exasperated.
“Also,” Ian cuts in, “We already knew Chris was here.”
“How?”
“You’re forgetting that Nick’s out there, too.”
Right. One brother too many.
“So why didn’t you jump down my throat straight away, as usual?”
Ian smiles. “We were doing it to make you move your arse in the right direction. But you’ve already taken the hint. You don’t need us to push you anymore.”
I cross my arms.
“Wow, someone’s starting to actually believe in all that crap. That’ll be Jamie’s terrible influence.”
“Hey, watch your mouth. I’m still your captain.”
“You can’t say a fucking thing to me off the field.”
“Just you wait, mate.”
“I’ll leave you two to your bickering. I want to call Riley before the first whistle,” Ian walks away, as I sit down on the bench. Jamie plops down next to me and starts to churn out one of his pearls of wisdom.
“You know, I don’t really believe in this kind of stuff…” he starts, his expression serious. “But other people do. I mean, look at Ian…and now you,” he turns to me, catching my gaze. “I think that the people we choose to surround ourselves with make us better. You know why?”
