My new housemate's stuff was minimal. He told me he was putting most of his furniture into storage until he found somewhere he wanted to buy. The house was already furnished, everything to a high standard, although there was no obligation to keep things as it was. But Ryan clearly didn't want to change anything, in fact I was pretty sure that I hadn't actually seen him bring much more than about three suitcases full of clothes into the house.
I was up early, wanting to head to the training ground and get some fitness work in before we started with the kids but there was no reason for Ryan to be up so early. He was already stationed at the breakfast bar when I came downstairs, a mug of black coffee in front of him under the remains of what looked like a macro balanced breakfast next to it. He was reading an actual newspaper, as in the printed version and not one on a tablet, and the page was open on the business news.
I’d heard bits about Ryan before he was transferred here: he was a financial genius, he was a massive introvert who never socialised, he struggled to be a team player; he was one of the best players at training in the business and put everyone else to shame. I'd also heard that he was a decent bloke who just got on with his day-job and left everyone else to get on with theirs, which would suit me fine.
Getting involved with locker room politics had never been something I was interested in. I trained as hard as anyone, I’d put in extra when needed, I'd help any of my teammates out if they wanted it, and I tried to enjoy the game as much as possible. Football was a short career, and it was one that you never knew when it would end. A bad tackle could mean it was all over, so I intended to enjoy it as much as I could, while I could. I also knew better than to believe rumours, and what I had heard about Ryan O'Connell was just that – rumour.
What I could say for certain, was that the man was up far too early when he didn't actually need to be.
“So what have you got planned for today?” I took my breakfast smoothie from the fridge, wondering if today's would taste any better.
Ryan folded his newspaper with more precision than I gave to most things in life. “Probably head down to the training facilities and do some work there.” He scratched his head then glanced over at me. “How’s that kids summer school thing?”
I gave him the lowdown on the children’s summer soccer camp, leaving out the bit about why I'd ended up doing it in the first place. If he read the financials in the newspaper there was a good chance that he didn’t actually kept up with the tabloid gossip.
“So what is it that you’re actually doing with the kids today?” He sat up a bit straighter and folded his arms.
I could feel the beginnings of an amazing guy day pricking at the back of my head. Today we started the round Robin tournament with the teams pitched against each other, the loser having to buy the winner the dinner of their choice. There was no way I'd be taking Dee Jones out for dinner at her choice of restaurant. It didn't matter how long her legs were, or how that laugh made something around my groin tighten, I refused to buy her dinner. But I wasn't averse to it being the other way around. If Ryan was as good a trainer as everyone made out he was, then surely he'd be a semi decent kids' coach?
“I'm coaching the kids for this competition. Why don't you come down and join me? It will give you a good chance to see what else the club’s about.”
He looked thoughtful for a minute, then nodded his head slowly. “Why not?”
Why not indeed?
It wasn't the best idea I’d ever had, let's put it that way.
I'd hoped that Ryan would help me out, maybe do a little bit of a goal scoring masterclass for those kids who fancied themselves as strikers, not politely go around and introduce himself to everyone, including Dee.
Usually, when she saw me, she'd get this look in her eye that suggested she was bracing herself for a bad smell that would inevitably arrive when I did. I should add, unless I just finished playing a game when I would of course stink to high hell of sweat, sometimes blood, and more often than not the opposition's tears, my usual scent was that of someone who showered at least once a day, used Cologne, and definitely always made an effort with the deodorant.
When Dee laid eyes on Ryan O'Connell, her expression was entirely the opposite of when I came into view. She smiled that sweet Little Miss Sunshine smile, her shoulders relaxed, and she looked genuinely happy, especially when they ended up in a rather awkward embrace that told me all I needed to know about Ryan’s social skills.
“When did you get here?” Little Miss Sunshine said, sounding like Christmas had come early. “I heard you signed, but I wasn't sure when you were moving up.”
I had no idea that they knew each other, but then why would I?
“I moved up yesterday,” Ryan said, touching the top of his nose like he was trying to push glasses up or something. “I was going to give you a call in a couple of days. Will you be at the weekend in Scotland?”
I turned away and went to find the kit to start laying it out, my idea being to get set up early and then go for a bit of a run, start to get some endurance back. I also had no intention of staying to watch this little lovefest that was going on between my new roommate and Sunshine Sparkles.
Kit set up, I rummaged around in my sports bag until I found the resistance bands I used to warm up. A niggling injury a couple of seasons ago had taught me that I should skip a warmup at my peril, even if it was just a run I was going for. A fake cough behind me told me that Ryan was there. I turned round, expecting to see Sparkles with him, but she was with her nephew, sat on one of the benches, looking like she's trying to persuade him to have breakfast.
“Mind if I join you?” Ryan gestured to one of the resistance bands that were on the floor.
I could’ve made some off the cuff comment, but that would have been pointless. This guy was my new teammate, probably for the next two or three years at least, given the size of the deals that we both would have signed. Plus, at the moment he was also my roommate. Just because he happened to know Sunshine Sparkles didn't mean I couldn't get along with him.
“Sure.” I nodded, continuing to squat. “I was going to do about fifteen minutes of this, then go for a quick five-k-run.”
“Sounds good.” Ryan picked up one of the bands and started doing a similar routine with them. We clicked seamlessly into helping each other, holding a band while the other one pulled at it, rotating joints, stretching ligaments. We didn't say much until we started running, keeping to a steady pace that wasn't going to make any of us blow through our arses.
“Dee mentioned that the women's team are going with us this weekend.” Ryan glanced over to where Dee was, still sat down next to her nephew. “Is that standard? To do some of the training together?”
I shrugged. “Sometimes. It's not that often though, I think with this they want us to do a bit of cross team bonding. The league is really trying to push women's football this season, there are definitely going to be more televised games, so I suppose by taking us all away, we get a chance to know what the other squad’s about.”
It was the politically correct answer. I wasn't bothered either about the weekend away with the women's team as well as ours. I had no doubt that there would be some challenges set, either pitching them against us or making us work in smaller teams. I was already bracing myself for being placed in the same team as Sparkles.
“I like the idea. It might break up the usual testosterone-based shit that lingers in most locker rooms.” Ryan stepped up the pace a little. “Dee said you were really good with her nephew yesterday.”
