"Plus," my brother continues, "you're my sister and no one picks on you but Aiden and me. We're allowed and no one else."
I have to laugh. "That sounds more like it."
"So you need to do your homework. Call me tomorrow with an update."
We disconnect and I sit there, a surge of inspiration coursing through my veins.
It's not a plan—not yet—but it's a start.
Time to start finding receipts.
Chapter 44: Xavier
No news is good news. Except for when no news is bad news.
It doesn't matter. I'm living in limbo, which is akin to hell in my book.
I should probably simply admit defeat and move back to England, tail between my legs. I've never been one to cower in the face of a challenge though.
It may be why I'm here, against my better judgment, doing a grueling circuit that includes burpees, dragon walks, jump squats, spiderman push-ups, broad jumps, and pistol squats. My quads hate me, but only as much as I hate myself.
I can't admit that I'm done, so I'm still here, training like a fool. Kenley, of course, is egging me on as if I'm going to be on the field for pre-season in two months. I finally hit my max, my legs buckling under the sheer fatigue, and I collapse down on the artificial turf of the Buzzards' training facility.
Three weeks have gone by and the only thing keeping me partially sane is pushing my body beyond the point of exhaustion. Kenley lets me in after the rest of the team is done for the day, but I'm fairly confident he's giving me the same sets they're doing.
I'm not sure why he let me crash in his flat in the first place. I'm quite certain he's punishing me in the gym for my overall crankiness and poor attitude. On the other hand, when I push my body to the point of breaking, it's the only time I don't feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest and smashed beneath a boot.
Clearly, that's not a good feeling either, so I'll take muscles so worn out they simply cease to fire. It's better this way. Not sustainable in the least, but I don't know what else to do.
I close my eyes and clench my fists over my face, willing the burning to cease.
"Holy shit, Bird Man, you're a beast. You hit the highest reps of the team."
"Too bad I'm not on the team," I growl through clenched teeth.
"Yeah, I wish I could put your name on the leaderboard. It might spark a fire under these lightweights to know they've got serious competition."
"Who you callin' a lightweight?"
I don't recognize the voice immediately, so I sit up. It's Callaghan Entay, the keeper. He's been named co-captain for the upcoming season. But if he's in here, it probably means the rest of the team isn't far behind.
Bollocks.
I need to stand up and get out of here before I'm accused of trespassing. With my luck, it won't matter that Kenley let me in. I'll still be accused. Or Kenley will end up being sacked. I don't need that on my ledger. He's a right good mate, and I can't have him suffer for trying to help me.
Randomly, Ophelia's rant about birds being bad luck and harbingers of doom passes through my brain. Perhaps she was right about that.
"Fuck, Kenley, I'll go. I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Actually, I came to talk to you." Entay sits down. He glances around nervously. I'd be nervous to talk to me too. "I've got to make this quick though. Word on the street is that you're totally screwed right now."
"Good words travel fast."
"I got it from an inside source." Entay glances at Kenley. "Listen, those of us on this track know what it can be like. We get targeted for things all the time. Do you know how many paternity tests we've taken as a team?"
Kenley laughs. "Just you personally."
Entay shoots daggers at him with his eyes. "And the majority are unfounded. Kenley's working with you, helping you out. That leads me to believe that there's a chance you might not be as diabolical as the press is making you out to be. But you need to start speaking up for yourself."
