Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
So engrossed in the game, I didn’t hear the knock at the door or the door opening.
“I just had dinner with him,” a familiar female voice announced behind Zac.
We turned to find Lily standing between the couch and the kitchen, gesturing to the TV. She gave me a smile. At the sight of her, of those dimples, I ignored the flutter in my chest.
“You had dinner with who?” Zac asked, grinning up at her.
“Callan. He’s dating my cousin Beth.”
Harry and Zac erupted into a million questions. Lily laughed, surprised by their excitement. I literally cut through them by getting up to cross the room to her. Reaching for her, I took her by the upper arms, bending my head so our faces were inches apart.
“My darling Lily, are you telling me you know Callan ‘the Flash’ Keen?”
Her full lips trembled with laughter at my intensity. “I do.”
“You had dinner with the man?”
“Him and Baird McMillan. They came to Beth’s parents’ Sunday dinner.”
Harry and Zac exploded into renewed excitement behind me and Lily shook with laughter.
“What will it take to be invited to one of these Sunday dinners in which people you know entertain Caley United heroes?”
Her grin got wider. “You’re fangirling!”
“Uh, yes.” I gave her a gentle shake. “He’s Callan Keen.”
“Oh. My. Goodness.”
“My darling Lily.” I pulled her into my arms, squeezing her tight and comically stroking the top of her hair. “I’ll do anything. Do you need a kidney? I have two.”
I could feel her laughter thrumming through my chest.
“A foot rub for life? Because I could get over my aversion to feet for you.”
“I have nice feet,” she mumbled against my chest, still laughing.
“Back massage? Every day for six months.”
“I think that’s more of a treat for you, Bas,” Zac cracked.
Lily snorted and shoved me away. “In all this time I haven’t seen you watch a game or even talk about football.”
Harry huffed. “How is that possible? Bastian was on course to be a professional football player.”
My gut tightened and I cut Harry a dirty look.
“No way.” Lily gaped at me as if she’d never seen me before.
“Yes, bloody way. Sebastian played forward on a team at our boarding school and while he was on the team, they slaughtered all the others. He was scouted at sixteen but …” Harry suddenly stopped talking, his expression tightening as he realized the subject he’d almost stumbled onto.
“But?” Lily queried, eyes wide at this new information.
“But nothing.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “I didn’t want to play professionally. Now, let’s order some food. I’m starving.”
Everyone, thankfully, let it go, and we watched the rest of the game while we waited for our food to arrive. Zac and Harry pestered Lily with more questions about Callan and Baird, and Harry googled Beth and Callan.
“Jesus. Fuck me. Keen is a lucky bastard.” Harry gaped at his phone. “Lily, your cousin is a prime piece. I’d give my left nut to hit that.”
He was rewarded with a smack across the head from Lily.
“Ow.” Harry rubbed at the spot. “I’m only saying she’s a gorgeous girl, for fuck’s sake.”
“Women aren’t pieces, Harry.” Lily glared at him over the top of a forkful of red Thai chicken. “We’re not walking holes for your cocks to ‘hit’ like they’re targets.”
I almost choked on a bite of food.
Harry wrinkled his nose. “Well, when you say it like that, it sounds disgusting.”
“See, to my ears what you said sounds equally disgusting.”
My friend’s brow furrowed as he sincerely seemed to contemplate that. He stared at Lily like he’d never seen her before. “I’m going to take this on board,” he assured her.
Lily visibly fought a smile. “I’m glad.”
“Hey, so, Lil.” Zac nudged her. He was sitting on her other side. “I downloaded that album you recommended. That band. White Lies.”
“Oh aye, did you like them?”
I frowned, because since when did Lily and Zac share music recommendations?
“Really good. Any more recs?”
“We Are Scientists. Album: With Love and Squalor.”
“Noted. Thanks.”
I nudged her now. “Would I like them?”
She turned to me, considering. “Actually, yeah. We Are Scientists more so than White Lies.”
“I’ll check them out too.”
The four of us ate and chatted and I was grateful that the lads were welcoming to Lily and didn’t bring up what they’d brought up earlier. About our friendship. About my monk-like existence since Lily and I had become close.
Afterward, needing her to myself for a bit, I asked if she wanted to go for a walk. It was a dry but chilly November evening. We couldn’t see much of the stars in the middle of the city, but the moon was shining bright, illuminating our way as we walked down South Bridge together. Buses and cabs passed us, as did pub goers and diners, while we strolled quietly. Sometimes that’s what I loved most about Lily. She never felt like she had to fill the silence. At least not with me. She’d told me she was different on dates. That silence made her panic. That she worried her date would find her boring. I told her if he did, then he was a clueless arsehole and not worth her time.