Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
HUGO
ME
Just had the best sex of my life.
TOM
Meaning what? You remembered the woman’s name?
ME
You’re a funny guy. It was Wilcox.
TOM
Oh, Jesus…
ME
On the bar in an empty pub.
TOM
So you finally found a way to combine your two favorite things - sex and beer.
ME
Honest to fuck, it was amazing.
TOM
It is when you like someone.
ME
Is that what does it?
TOM
That, and actually knowing the person.
ME
She’s fun. And hot. Super fucking annoying sometimes. But hot and fun.
TOM
Annoying can be hot. Hannah drives me nuts sometimes. Anyway, how do you handle the awkwardness at work on Monday?
ME
Thought I’d fill the office with flowers, heart-shaped balloons, and pink fluffy teddy bears. And book an opera singer to serenade her with some tragic Italian love song.
TOM
Great. That won’t be awkward at all. Seriously, what are you going to do?
ME
Maybe pick up a coffee for her on my way in?
TOM
Does she drink coffee?
ME
Good point. She always has a travel mug in the mornings. No idea what’s in it.
TOM
Isn’t this adorable? Hugo Powers is going to learn how to get to know a girl.
ME
I’ve gotten to know women before.
TOM
Like who?
ME
The flight attendant who used to work the England team trips.
TOM
What was her name?
ME
Freida.
TOM
Last name.
ME
I could ask someone if Wilcox drinks coffee.
TOM
And what was Freida’s last name?
ME
Fuck off.
TOM
So are you intending to actually date Drew?
ME
Don’t think she wants to. She went kinda cold afterwards, so I didn’t want to push my luck. Just asked her if we should talk about what had happened.
TOM
And…?
ME
Said she’d talk about it when she had pants on.
TOM
So she was stalling?
ME
Maybe?
TOM
I realize you’re not aware of this phenomenon, but for us mere mortals, a woman saying no when you ask her out is always a possibility.
ME
She seemed happy at first. Very happy. Twice.
TOM
She’s sensible, though, right? And serious about the job?
ME
And I’m fucking serious about the job. I really want to keep it. For one more season anyway. Then maybe I can move to somewhere in Europe.
TOM
Right. So how do you date someone you need to put out of work to get the job you want?
ME
Fuck off.
TOM
And would she want to date someone who SHE needs to put out of work to get the job she wants?
ME
She never wanted that job. Rumor is she wanted to own the place. But apparently her dad’s a total wanker and sold it and gave her the head coach job as a consolation prize. I also reckon he thought the Fab Four would fire her.
TOM
Oh, look at you. Getting to know her family already.
ME
Never met them. But Prince Oliver is cool, and he told me that’s what he’d heard.
TOM
All I’m saying is, perhaps she is the woman of your dreams. But maybe I was wrong before. Maybe there is such a thing as bad timing.
ME
I know how to find out if Wilcox drinks coffee. The Fab Four’s assistant. She seems to know her. I’ll ask her in the morning.