I don’t answer her.I don’t want to ruin the day with one of our usual arguments about how essential Ryan is in my son’s life.
“Good morning, everyone!”Casey greets cheerfully and sits next to Chris.“I’m ready for the big event,” she says, opening her jacket to reveal a T-shirt that reads:We love Evan Kane.
“Oh, Evan will be thrilled!”Chris laughs.
“How come you’re here alone?”I ask.
Casey looks at the pitch and points to Nick, who is also on the grass with Ryan, the coach, the team, and everyone else who’s apparently allowed to be there.
I snort, starting to feel like a fish out of water, the only one who doesn’t understand a damn thing about rugby and who has nothing to do with this family.The only one who will inevitably always be left out.
After all, it’s fair.Who am I?Just Evan’s dad.I’m not part of this fabulous clan, and I have nothing in common with them.Mr and Mrs O’Connor are nice to me; Riley, Chris and Casey, too.But nothing I do will win me the favour of the three little pigs, not even if I build them a brick house with my own hands.
“I see the girls are all here.”
His voice cuts through the noise.My spine goes rigid, and my head snaps up before I even realise what I’m doing.I turn towards him, with no control over myself at all, and that cocky grin still manages to catch me off guard.Truth is, you could give me ten lifetimes, and I still wouldn’t be ready for a face-to-face with the ultimate Captain.
Jamie Murray isThe Man.
He’s pure, bleeding testosterone: the face of a manipulative jerk, eyes that could ruin you in a thousand different ways.A lethal arse.A body that looks permanently honed and sweat-slick from the gym.Hands that, I’m sure, would know exactly how to hold every inch of your body.But he’s also a total bastard and a serial heartbreaker, and beyond a wild, hot ride, he has nothing else to offer.
Worse, he’s a member of the O’Connor club.
Even worse, he kissed me at his sister’s wedding.
Worst of all, I liked it, and I haven’t been able to get him out of my head since.
He sits down next to me, leans back, and spreads his legs in front of him.“Where are the two inseparable brothers?”
“Where do you think they could be?”Chris retorts.
Jamie looks towards the bench.“They never piss out of the way,” he says, smiling.Then he turns to me.“What about you, Doctor?”
“Me, what?”
“Do you prefer to stay here with the girls?Aren’t you supposed to wish your son luck?”
He’s taking the piss, of course.
“It’s not my place,” I say, feeling a hint of bitterness in my stomach.
Jamie studies me for a few moments.I’m sure he’s about to take the piss again; instead, he turns his gaze in front of him and lets it go.
“They’re coming back,” Casey announces.
“It’s time,” Chris says.“And I don’t think what they’re doing is even allowed.”
“Apparently, the O’Connors can do whatever they want,” I mutter.
“Someone’s got a self-esteem problem,” Jamie mocks.
Ryan and Nick rejoin us, and the discussion ends.Ryan explains that Evan won’t start but might come on in the second half, since he’s new and still on trial and under close scrutiny.
I take a deep breath and try to focus on the game.Casey and Chris fidget in their seats, and the O’Connors shout and leap to their feet at every scrum, tackle, or whatever it’s called.But no one takes a moment to explain what’s going on.I don’t even know if we’re winning.
When Ryan stands up, wriggling like a monkey, I realise something is happening.
“His time has come,” Jamie whispers in my ear.
