“I prefer the other stuff you make, but in all honesty, the healthy food just doesn’t vibe with me.I’d much rather tuck into a big bar of chocolate—you know that.But yes, I hate most of the words you just said.”
Trish gasps, “I know, but you don’t have to say it.”
“If you could come up with a healthy chocolate, you’d be set for life.”I can see the cogs turning in Trish’s head.She plonks herself down on the sofa next to me just as they start to announce the fixtures.
“And here we are!The moment you’ve all been waiting for.The fixtures for the upcoming season.”
Game Four catches my eye:
Union verses City.
Me versus AJ.
“I know most people’s eyes will be on the Unionversus City clash for obvious derby day reasons, and now there is the added excitement of Aaron “AJ” Johnson against Kyle Thurston.Two childhood friends, now vying to become the Northern Star.”
My face scrunches up at the mention of AJ, and I see Trish watching me from my peripheral.“Go on, say it…”
“Why don’t you text him?”
“I’d rather eat more of what you tried to poison me with.”My tone is a little sharper than it needs to be, and I hold up a hand to apologize.
“Look, it’s a new season, and you might both be playing for England this season.You might even have to share a room together.Oh my goodness, it’ll be theonly-one-bedtrope andforced proximityall rolled into one.You’re living my bookish fantasy right now.”
I glare at her and say, “My life is notbookish.My life is football.We’ve been over this.”
“All I'm saying is give him a call.You don’t have to have sex with him.”
My face flushes red, and I dart my eyes to the floor.
“Well, I guess that ship sailed.Good for you,” she says, as she slides onto the brand-new armchair that she picked out herself.It’s a hot pink high back chair, apparently good for posture, and not for me to sit on.
“Once football is over, and I’m a recluse, then I can think about love.That’s the deal.No more need to discuss it.”I fold my arms over my chest to put a physical exclamation point on my words.
“Any other fixtures you’re looking forward to?”
“I’m a little nervous to head back to my old club.”
“Why?You’re going to get a hero's reception.”
“But I left them,” I say with a grunt.
“Yeah, after saving them from being relegated.And besides, if you get booed, shame on them, everyone knows Union has always been your end goal.”
“Regardless, I’m still nervous.It should be a decent game though.We really need to challenge for the title this year.We’ve been in the wilderness for far too long.”I take another sip of my water, the ghost of what I ate is trying to escape my mouth.
“That’s why the manager brought you in, and drafted a load of youth players from the academy.”
“Let’s hope so.Hey, wanna go for a run?”I ask, trying to change the subject.My anxiety is scratching at the surface.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 14
AJ
My hand hovers over Kyle’s Insta.The fixture list has been out for a week now.Training has been intense, life has been intense, and all I want to do is talk to the one person who hates me.I’ve also been seeing more homophobic shit online, which makes me want to hold a press conference and tell the world I’m gay.
Someone has to be the first, so why not me?I said as much to my dad, and he shot me down.Again.I don’t see what’s so difficult to understand for Neanderthals in the media and knuckle-draggers in the crowd that we can love who we want.I’ll bang in fifty goals a season.So why do they care who Ibangin my sheets?
