“Do they?” I narrow my eyes at him. “Because you certainly didn’t seem too concerned the other day.”
“Of course I was concerned, but Archie’s wellbeing should concern us all.”
“Archie’s wellbeing?” I let out a harsh laugh. “Archie’s selfishness you mean? He is costing the club in reputation, in time, and now in money. He has violated his contract, and he will be benched and penalised when he gets back, you do understand that, don’t you? As part-owner of the club and all?”
“Have you tried calling him?”
I lean back against the wall with a frustrated grunt, folding my arms over my chest. “Fuck’s sakes, yes I bloody have. He doesn’t answer, he never answers.”
My father clasps his hands over his rounded belly and raises his eyebrows. “And why do you think that would be?”
“Dad, I told you already, I am late, and I do not have time for this. If you have so much empathy and understanding for Archie, you call him, and see if you can’t convince him to step up to his responsibilities and come back.” I gesture down the hallway past my father. “Now, may I leave?”
My father steps aside and sweeps his hand in front of him. “Go ahead.”
I storm off down the corridor, pursued by my father’s voice.
“I’ll call Atlantic, I’m old friends with the CEO. Don’t worry, Dominic.”
I lift my hand in a wave without turning around, and head down to the parking lot. The game’s already started by now, and I curse myself for letting the whole situation with Atlantic get out of hand. Kasia did everything she could to waylay the discussions, acting more the part of the CEO than I was. These conversations still left me feeling completely out of my depth, and I know it wasn’t just Archie’s absence that had caused their withdrawal - it was me.
No plan, just a bumbling old ex-footballer who thinks he knows about business.
I feel like a fraud pulling into the team carpark, showing my ID to the gate guards and parking my car by our bus.Dominic Graves, Arlington FC, CEO.
Fucking wanker, more like.
The crowds are already cheering up in the stands, and I take the stairs up to the boxes. I wonder if Mia’s here. Or maybe she left when I didn’t show, thinking I’d stood her up.
Stupid old fool, she’s only coming to piss Archie off, not to see you.
I’m met in the boxes by handshakes and wide smiles, but I don’t linger for too long, rushing out into the stands, telling myself that it’s to check on the lads and the game.
But I know what I’m looking for.
“Thought you’d bailed on me.” Mia smiles up at me as I pause by her row. “Started without you and all.”
“Sorry, just… got caught up. Can I get you a drink?”
She shakes her head, casting her gaze back down to the field. “No, I’m fine, ta.”
I flop down in the seat beside her, and she gives me a searching look.
“Rough day?”
“You could say that.”
“Mmm. You got that look about you.”
I sigh and meet her gaze. “Sponsorship woes.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Because of Archie?”
I nod. “And I fumbled the whole thing because we don’t have a plan, or any answers, and people giving you money tend not to like that.” I attempt to stretch my legs, my knees jamming against the seat in front of me, and grimace. “Even at my age I still manage to feel like a fucking amateur at all this.”
Mia nudges against me gently with her shoulder. “Ey, you’re being too hard on yourself now. Maybe you should let Kasia handle these things for a while, you’re too close to it all.”
“Maybe.” I fold my arms over my chest, keeping my eyes on the game. “You’re probably right.”
