“Of course you didn’t offend, Marla. She loves you. She was only worried something was wrong.”
I had to bite my tongue. Instead of telling Craig the truth about his wife, I got dressed, keeping quiet. Maybe I should tell him about Marla. Spare him years of unnecessary bullshit. But I didn’t want the drama. And with Marla Denham, there was nothing but drama. Did that make me a crap friend? Most likely. But I had enough on my plate without worrying about Craig’s marriage.
Alan slung an arm around my neck. “We’re heading out of town to a new club. You game?”
“I just had my ass chewed by the gaf about my shit performance. I don’t think boozing it up at a nightclub is the best idea. Plus, it’s Sunday, who parties on Sunday?”
“Uh, I do,” Alan responded, as if it required answering.
“You’ve got problems, mate. You should address it.” I shoved him away. “Put some clothes on. I don’t need to feel your tackle brushing against my leg. “
Alan shook his hips, his dick slapping back and forth. A couple of the guys threw towels at him.
“Cover that thing up!” Sam Garcia, a second string midfielder yelled, putting a hand over his eyes.
“Prudes,” Alan muttered, bending over to pick up a towel and giving everyone in the vicinity an eyeful. I could only chuckle. Alan was a special breed of oblivious and not giving a fuck. “Come on, Bradley, just come out for a few hours. You don’t have to drink—”
“Drunk is the only way someone can tolerate being in your company, Cole,” Shane piped up.
“No one is inviting you, Given, so shut the hell up,” Alan shot back.
“I’m wounded,” Shane pouted.
Alan turned his back on our teammate and glared at me. “Don’t laugh. He’s not funny and it only encourages him.”
“I’m not really up to going out tonight. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” I closed the locker and slung my bag over my shoulder.
“Too much shagging? I know how it goes,” Alan sighed in mock sympathy. “Just an hour. Come on.”
“You’re not going to give up are you?” I asked, knowing he wouldn’t. Alan had a way of wearing you down until you agree just to get him to shut up.
“No. So put those keys away and get that sweet ass of yours to my car. I’m driving.” Alan smacked my bum and I punched his shoulder. He winced. I didn’t punch lightly.
“Can I come?” Martin asked, his eyes wide.
Alan and I traded a look. I shrugged. “Okay. But we might be out past your bedtime, Stoney,” Alan warned.
Martin drew himself upright. “Mum never waits up for me. I just turned eighteen.”
I covered my laugh with a cough. “Okay, well as long as Mummy won’t be upset.”
“Fab! I’ll only be a minute. Wait for me.” Martin hurried back to his locker to get his stuff.
“Really? We’re taking the kid?” Alan complained.
“You said we’re only going for a couple of hours. What trouble can you get into in that amount of time? And maybe Stoney will keep you in check,” I said, though I knew nothing could keep Cole in check. No one held Alan back from anything. Together we were a right mess.
“Whatever, come on.” Alan grabbed his kit and we left the dressing room before anyone else could tag along.
“THIS PLACE ISdead,” Alan complained after arriving at Night Dragon, an Asian themed club between Chester and Liverpool. Alan was right, there were maybe a few dozen people inside. The music was too loud and there were only a couple of girls dancing on the main floor.
“It’s Sunday night. Most people are getting ready for their nine to five,” I reminded him, sipping a cider. It tasted like arse.
“Should we go somewhere else?” Martin suggested. He had ordered a beer, taken one sip, and quickly put it down. Stoney was clearly not a drinker. His tee totaling wouldn’t last long hanging out with us.
Alan was in a mood. He slammed back a shot and wiped his mouth. “What’s the point? We should head back to Chester.”
I pulled out my phone. It was after ten. I had thought about calling Morgan.
