‘No you won’t! You’ll be busy banging number six!’ She’s not wrong.
‘Love you, bye.’ I hang up, desperate to get to the players’ lounge because even a single second spent away from Ollie Quinn feels wasted.
ChapterEighteen
OLLIE
The after-party’s in full swing; Marcus is bellowing out Irish folk songs and the rest of my teammates appear to be drunk enough to sway along with him. France were a tough team to beat, but thankfully the green prevailed.
The players’ lounge remains busy with extended family members, friends and team sponsors. My eyes are repetitively drawn to the corner of the room where Amy is engrossed in an animated conversation with Emma. The other Harrington family members linger close by them in their usual pack-like fashion. Amy’s changed into an emerald-coloured dress, long sleeved, in fitting with her usual fashion, but no amount of material could hide the curves underneath.
The two women appear to be utterly gripped by whatever they’re discussing, I only hope it’s not me. Would Amy confide in Emma? As lovely as Emma is, she’s Eddie’s woman. Anything that finds its way into her ear, will undoubtably find its way into his.
Speak of the devil, he strides towards me with his usual swagger, slinging an arm casually over my shoulder.
‘Does it bother you?’ He raises his voice to be heard over the racket.
‘Does what bother me?’ If he notices the apprehensive stiffening of my shoulders under his arm, he doesn’t let it show.
‘That your family are never here.’ His eyes crinkle and soften with emotion, something like pity. It renders me uncomfortable for more than one reason.
‘No. They’re busy with the hotel. Besides, you guys are my family now.’ I slap him on the back and relax my shoulders, reminding myself my secret is safe for now at least.
Dishonesty doesn’t sit well with me though. After last night I’m left with no doubt; Amy and I have something phenomenal. I know we are going to be awesome together, and I’d rather we were openly awesome, with his blessing. But what are the chances of him giving it to me? Himnotgiving it is something I can’t risk right now.
Grabbing my shoulders, Eddie turns me towards him so our eyes are almost in line with each other. He’s half an inch taller than me, and probably six kilos heavier. I don’t know who would win in a fight and I pray to fuck I never find out.
‘I’ve been meaning to speak to you about something...’ His voice drops and his face lowers, tilting towards mine.
A lump forms in my throat, as guilt eats at the lining of my gut. In this second, I feel like every image imprinted in my head from last night is projecting on the club walls for all to see. If I could only make Eddie see that what I feel for Amy is real, that I’ll treat her with the respect that she deserves. It’s on the tip of my tongue to offer a spontaneous apology, along with the truth of the situation. In my hesitation, he blurts out a completely unexpected request.
‘I’ve been wondering if you’d do me a favour?’
‘Sure. Name it.’
‘Would you be a groomsman at our wedding?’ A smile lifts his lips, his wide eyes scrutinise my face as he awaits my answer.
Such an honour, such a privilege. Do I deserve it? Probably not, but that doesn’t stop me from pulling him into a man-hug, slapping his back.
‘Seriously? It would be my absolute honour.’ Pride swells in my chest. I squash down the uneasiness in my gut, reminding myself once again, I will do right by his sister and once I have the chance to explain it to him properly, everything will be ok.
Amy’s inquisitive eyes meet mine across the room, in our hundredth secret exchange in the past couple of months. The longing in her widening pupils mirrors my own desire and a deep-rooted sensation of warmth expands throughout my core, filling me with all types of soppy emotion. It’s so much more than lust – it has serious potential for the other L word. I will give her everything she needs and more, if only I’m allowed.
‘Let’s drink to it.’ Eddie nudges me towards the corner of the room that his family occupy.
It seems that Emma Harvey-soon-to-be-Harrington has a taste for the finer things in life; two upturned empty champagne bottles lie discarded in a metal cooler and a full one sits on the table with four clean flutes. Amy smiles at me as we approach and Emma begins to fill the glasses.
‘A toast, to our wedding party.’ She hands a glass to me. ‘I take it you said yes.’
‘Of course. It’s an absolute honour. Thank you.’ I accept the glass, even though I haven’t had a drop of alcohol all night and had intended to keep it that way.
‘You’ll be paired up with Amy.’ Emma looks to Amy who nods in confirmation before taking a large sip from her glass. ‘She’s a bridesmaid, along with my two sisters. You’ll be alongside Matthew and Callum. It’ll be so lovely to have you with us on the biggest day of our lives.’
Callum and Abby join us, bringing another bottle of Bollinger and placing it on the rectangular table in the centre of the group.
‘Seems we have a lot to celebrate tonight, boys.’ Callum nods in approval and pulls across enough stools for us all to sit together.
Only when Marcus stops singing and a normal volume of conversation can resume, do I dare to begin a conversation with Amy.
