Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I couldn’t wait to talk to Lily about Sebastian later when we were alone. Forever the secret romantic, I imagined their tutoring session turning into something far more exciting.
Even through my thrill at the prospect of Lily dating handsome Sebastian, I felt a twinge of envy. For some reason, lately, I had to admit I’d been reluctant to go back on the dating app. Time was ticking, though. Next February I’d turn twenty-five. That put me three years behind my mum when she found love. I didn’t want to waste my twenties looking for it! I wanted what Mum had.
A lifetime with Mr. Right.
CHAPTER TWENTY
CALLAN
Ifollowed Baird from the training grounds to Leith. While he’d surprised most people by moving to the picturesque medieval Dean Village a twenty-five-minute walk west of my place, his sister Ainsley lived in a modern apartment in Newhaven.
We met Ainsley at a pub in the heart of Leith and instantly regretted it as we crossed the room toward her where she sat at a window booth.
“Yo! He’s slick, he’s class, he’s faster than the Flash, Callan Keen! Callan Keen!”
I glanced over my shoulder at the bar where a lad around my age was chanting. I gave him a toothless smile and a wave before sliding into the booth beside Baird, across from Ainsley. It was difficult, but I also pretended not to see the phones popping up to take our photo.
“He’s slick, he’s class, he’s faster than the Flash, Callan Keen! Callan Keen!”
Ainsley rolled her eyes with a good-natured grin.
“It wis fun watchin’ ye get fucked up the arse last weekend, lads!” the chanter’s companion shouted with a sneer. “Dalmarnock goat ye nice and lubed for the fuckin’ Leith is gonnae gee ye!”
“Enough!” a deep voice boomed from behind the bar. “You leave my patrons alone or get out.”
The pub went quiet, and Baird and I shared a glance as we felt the burning stares of the entire place. The only sound that broke the silence was the fake shutter noise of phone cameras clicking. After a few beats, however, conversation picked up again.
“You two know how to make an entrance,” Baird’s sister teased.
“I need a chant,” Baird grumbled. “I’m one of the best goalies in the country. Where’s my chant?”
His sister cocked her head in thought. Ainsley was surprisingly petite compared to her brother, but they shared the same dark hair and eyes. “I think your name is the problem, not your talent. How the hell do you chant Baird McMillan? Just doesn’t have the same ring to it as Callan Keen. Too many syllables.”
That seemed to appease Baird.
“Would you like to order food?”
We all looked up at the young, attractive waitress. She stared at me, an inviting smile on her lips. Her long blond hair was swept up in a high ponytail and she’d created cat eyes with her makeup. There was enough of a hint of Beth to her that I looked away as Baird asked for menus.
“How are you?” I asked Ainsley as the waitress walked away.
Ainsley was Baird’s older sister by two years. Their dad took off when Baird was born, and their mum had moved them in with their grandparents in Falkirk. They were a close-knit family and Ainsley had fallen in love with Edinburgh when she studied art history here. It suited Baird just fine to have his sister in the same city.
“I got a new client this week, so I’m good.” She was an interior designer. Her business had taken off on social media when her design videos started racking up some nice views. “How are you after last week’s defeat?” She gestured toward the bar where the arsehole had called us out.
Before I could respond, a shadow fell over the table. It wasn’t the waitress. An older man, eyes glazed with the whisky he reeked of, put his hand on my shoulder and bent his head to mine. “Just wanted to come over and tell you laddies not to worry about last week.” He slightly slurred his words. “Not your fault. Not your fault.” I was nodding along politely while inside wishing for a moment of peace when his sympathetic smile turned wicked. “But I’m a Leith United man, so I could give a fuck. Imagine getting whipped by Dalmarnock, you pathetic bunch of pussies.”
Considering Dalmarnock were the reigning champions, his comment made no bloody sense.
Ainsley reached across and shoved the man’s hand off my shoulder. “Fuck off. You’re the pathetic one.”
He stumbled back, eyes blinking blearily at her. “You don’t talk to me like that, you cu—”
“Finish that and die.” Baird nudged me hard, and even though I knew I should stop him, I slid from the booth to let him out.
My friend and teammate towered over the drunk. “Whit were ye gonnae say tae ma sister?” Baird asked with quiet menace, his accent slipping.