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)
“He’s just drunk.” A short, younger bloke was suddenly at the drunk’s side. “Dad, leave it, eh.”
The drunk curled his lip. “I can say what I want, ye wanker!”
Seeing his fist tighten, I grabbed Baird’s shoulder. “He’s not worth the fine,” I reminded him. Any antisocial behavior on or off the grounds resulted in having to pay a hefty fine to the club.
“Settle, lads.” The bartender, a big bruiser of a man who was a fair match for Baird, crossed the now quiet pub. “Ant, get your dad out of here,” he ordered the short guy. “And I’ll not let you back in here if this happens again.”
Two more people appeared to help Ant get his moronic, drunk father out of the pub. I’d like to say this was the first time we’d encountered such a situation, but it definitely was not.
The bartender sighed and turned to us. “I’m Al. I own the place. Sorry about the hassle.” He glanced sternly around the pub and said loudly, “It won’t happen again, or folks will find themselves out on their arse.” Al turned back to us. “Your meal is on the house.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
“No. I do. No one gets hassled in my pub. No matter who they are.” We really shouldn’t have come to a pub in Leith.
I gave him a nod of thanks, though, and then nudged a still furious Baird back into the booth.
Ainsley eyed her brother in concern. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Conversation rose again. Baird narrowed his eyes. “You should be able to say what you want without some prick talking to you like that.”
“I don’t know how you guys put up with this.” Ainsley frowned. “People think they have the right to shit all over you.”
“It doesn’t happen all the time,” I assured her. “We’ve got places we can go where we get peace. But we’re the bad guys here, Ainsley. Leith United fans hate us.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head, her short dark hair swinging around her face. “It’s appalling. How would they feel if someone came up to them on a daily basis to criticize how they were doing at work?”
I nudged Baird with my shoulder instead of answering his sister’s rhetorical question. The truth was, I couldn’t let comments like that get to me. They used to when I first started playing professionally, but I’d found a way to compartmentalize them. When national newspapers turned the criticism into blazing headlines, I had to find that place in me that could let it roll off my back. Some days that was easier than others. But I had to try, or the pressure might break me. “You calm now?”
Baird wasn’t easily riled, but if you messed with his sister, he’d mess with your fucking face.
“Aye, aye, I’m fine. Just hangry. Where are those menus?”
The waitress returned seconds later with them, and we quickly ordered food before chatting with Ains. She and Baird talked every day, so it was mostly me and her catching up.
“How’s Helen?” I asked about the woman she’d been seeing last time I saw her.
Ainsley snorted. “Oh, she lasted all of five seconds. I’m seeing a guy called Ky at the moment. He’s not the brightest highlighter in the pack, but he’s fun in the bedroom.”
Baird grimaced as I chuckled. “What happened with Helen?”
“Uh, we’d only been dating six weeks when she asked for a key to my flat.” She bugged her eyes out. “Like … no.”
Understanding her horror, I nodded.
“My flat is my space. It will take finding someone I can’t live without before I give up my autonomy.”
“I’ll never give up my autonomy,” I promised.
“I don’t know.” Baird shrugged. “It might be nice to come home to someone.”
Ainsley gave her brother a tender smile. “You’re so cute.”
“I am well aware of my adorableness.”
The food arrived and the pretty waitress turned to me as she settled my plate on the table. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Just give me a shout if that changes.” She slid a piece of paper onto the table and then sashayed away.
“Is that her number?” Ainsley asked, a huge grin on her face.
Sighing, I lifted the paper and turned it over. It had Anabeth scrawled across it with her number.
Anabeth.
Fuck.
I couldn’t escape the woman.
“You want it?” I asked her.
She raised an eyebrow. “She’s a bit young for my tastes. You don’t want it?”
I shook my head and left the invitation on the table. “I’m taking a break from all that shite.”
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day.”
“More for me,” Baird said before taking a massive bite of his burger.
His sister pursed her lips. “As long as you’re being careful, wee bro.”
“Always,” he mumbled.
“So, what’s with the drought?” Ains asked me. “Is it that ugly couch you threw in with my design? I told you women wouldn’t go for it.”