“Don’t tell Ryan, okay?”Ian says as his brother slopes off.“He won’t take it well.”
I nod.
“Let’s go hammer some skinny arses.”
“How do you know they’re skinny?Seen them up close?”
Ian laughs before walking away, leaving me with this huge burden on my shoulders.I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn’t want to hear it out loud; I wasn’t ready to face him hanging up the boots.It won’t be easy for him to accept, and it’ll be even harder for me.
After the game,once the locker room celebrations and euphoria die down, we head to the blue room for the third half with the opposing — and losing — team, along with the VIP fans who are allowed to attend.
I take a seat at the bar and order a drink while Ian and Ryan debate a couple of alleged fouls involving two players from the other team.
“Jamie?”
I turn towards the voice.
“Liam!”I jump up and hug him.“I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“You’re right, but between the new album and the pub, I couldn’t make it to the last few games.”
“Well, I’m glad you made it today, man.Sit down.Let’s have a drink.”
He sits beside me and orders a beer.
Liam is the lead singer of Four Reasons To Die, a local band that has been making a comeback in recent years.I’ve known him for a while, and he’s such a devoted fan of the team that he never misses a game.When he’s not on stage, he and his friends run a local pub in Howth.I’ve been there a couple of times.Though it looks like a hole in the wall at first glance, it’s actually a warm, welcoming place, and they still work the taps themselves despite their hectic schedules.
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes, the lads are at the pub, and Rain, you know, doesn’t like crowded places very much.”
“How is she?”
Liam smiles.“She’s grand, thanks.”
“I heard you’re heading off on tour.”
“Something like that.Nothing mad.Just twelve dates.Ireland, England and Scotland.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“You’ll have to swing by the local sometime.We play on Thursdays.”
“I’ll pop in, I promise.”
“What about you?The team is flying at the minute.”
“Can’t complain, to be fair.”
“Are we going to win the Championship?”
“Of course,” I say, but without much heart.I still have Ian’s words darkening my mind.
Just then, the idiot brothers come to the bar.
“You know this pair of dickheads, right?”I say to Liam.
“In name and nature,” he replies.
