Chapter 34
KAI
At first, I was annoyed at myself for my complete inability to stay well the fuck away from Alex Taylor, but the second Alfie the Prick Preston started talking to him like he was dirt on his shoe, I was suddenly very happy I hadn’t.
When Alfie came round the corner with that tone, I knew it wasn’t going to end well.
The guy’s literally a bomb waiting to detonate. Always had been.
But the moment I saw Alex flinch, something in me settled.
I wasn’t going anywhere. I needed to make sure he was okay.
And thank God I stayed, because that prick actually put his hands on him.
Tried to drag him off to whatever hole he crawled out of.
And I know he grabbed him hard, too - I heard the way Alex yelped when it happened.
I don’t lose my cool often. I don’t go around throwing punches. But with Alfie the Prick Preston , it felt… what’s the word? Inevitable.
“Are you okay?” I asked, shaking out my hand. It didn’t really hurt - just a dull throb - and honestly, it was worth every second of it. “Did he hurt you?” I gestured toward his arm.
Alex shook his head, but the shock was still written all over his face. His breathing was too fast, his eyes wide and glassy, like he was holding back tears he didn’t want me to see.
“You… punched him,” he said, disbelief colouring his voice. “ For me ?”
“Yeah,” I said simply. “He shouldn’t have been touching you like that. Or talking to you like that at all.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” He gestured toward my hand. “Does it hurt?”
He was actually worried about me . After everything Alfie had just put him through.
“I’m fine,” I said, blinking, amazed at him. “I’m more worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay.” He tried to shrug it off. “Dumped and fired in the same day - that’s got to be some kind of record.” He forced out a laugh, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It barely even reached his voice. And God, I just felt sorry for him. No one deserved the way Alfie spoke to him.
“It’s not your lucky day, is it?” I said, slipping my hands into my pockets.
He shook his head, another shiver running through him as he hugged his arms closer to his chest, a saddened look on his face.
“You know, you shouldn’t listen to a word that comes out of his mouth, right?
He literally chats so much shit, I’m surprised his face isn’t a toilet seat. ”
“Yeah, but in this case, he was right,” Alex said with a sigh, leaning back against the wall. I looked at him for a moment, and I swear I could actually feel my heart break.
“You shouldn’t let anyone talk to you like that,” I said, but he just shrugged his shoulders. A beat of silence passed, and no matter how many times my brain told my feet to stay away, to say goodbye, I couldn’t leave him.
I sighed. “You have a ride home?”
“Alfie was my ride.” He nodded toward the car park, now nothing but wet tarmac and empty spaces. His shoulders dipped a little, like the reality of it had just hit him.
“Come on,” I said gently. “I’ll take you home.” I tilted my head toward the exit, already stepping half a pace in that direction.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to do that. I really don’t mind walking.” He shook his head, trying for casual, but his voice wavered.
“You can’t walk in the rain.” I glanced up at the sky as another sheet of drizzle swept across the pitch.
“I kind of like the rain.” He gave a small smile, the kind that flickered and faded almost immediately. He looked down at his shoes, scuffing the toe against the ground.
“Yes, but you’re freezing.” I nodded at the way he was trembling. “I won’t feel right leaving you like this.”
“Why?” He looked up at me, genuinely confused, like the idea hadn’t even occurred to him.
“Because you’re my friend, and I care about you.” I shrugged, like it was obvious, even though saying it out loud felt heavier than I expected.
“You care about me ?” His voice was quiet, almost cautious, as if he wasn’t sure he was allowed to believe it.
“Yes,” I said, meeting his eyes. “Now would you just let me take you home?” I softened my tone, but I didn’t look away.
“Okay.” He nodded, a small, unsure smile tugging at his mouth as he pushed his damp hair off his forehead.
“Okay.” I smiled, leading the way.
He fell into step beside me as we crossed the nearly empty car park toward my car.
The weather was miserable, the kind that sent everyone else sprinting for their warm houses and roast dinners the second they were out of their kits.
Most of the lads had already peeled off, engines revving, taillights disappearing into the rain.
But looking at Alex walking next to me - shoulders hunched, hair plastered to his forehead, still shaking a little - I couldn’t shake the relief that I hadn’t rushed off with them. That I’d taken my time in the showers, letting the hot water thaw out my joints. If I hadn’t… what would’ve happened?
Would he have gone with Alfie?
Would he have let himself be dragged off by someone who talked to him like that?
My jaw tightened just thinking about it - the way Alfie spoke to him, the way he grabbed him like he had any right.
The anger simmered low in my chest, steady and controlled, and the only thing keeping it from boiling over was the memory of my fist colliding with his stupid face.
Of knowing Alex wasn’t alone in that moment.
I let out a slow breath, glancing at him again as he hugged his arms tighter against the cold. Yeah. I was glad I stayed.
Alex stopped himself before getting into my car, one hand hovering over the door like he was afraid to touch it.
“Your car is so nice; I feel bad. I’m going to get it all wet,” he said, eyebrows knitting together as he glanced at the seats.
I looked over at him from the driver’s seat and couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out. “This car has had Callum’s grubby hands all over it. I’m sure it can take a little water.” I shook my head, amused.
He looked at the leather again, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Get in,” I beckoned him, tapping the dashboard lightly. “You’re getting soaked.”
He hesitated for another second before finally believing me and lowering himself awkwardly into the seat, careful like he thought he might break something. I reached over, switched the ignition on, and cranked the heat all the way up.
“It’ll warm up in a sec,” I said, adjusting the vents toward him. “Do you want the heated seats on?”
“You have heated seats?” he asked, eyes widening like I’d just revealed a magic trick.
I laughed and flicked the switch for him. “Yeah.”
He settled back, fingers twisting together in his lap as the warmth started to spread beneath him.
“Tell me if you get too hot, okay?” I said, glancing over at him - probably more intensely than I meant to. But the way he looked right then… damp hair sticking to his forehead, shoulders drawn in, that small, unsure smile tugging at his mouth… it knocked the breath out of me for a second.
I was supposed to be staying away from him. Keeping my distance. And now here he was - in my car, shivering, trusting me to get him home.
And I didn’t regret it for a second.
“So… where am I taking you?” I asked, easing the car into reverse. My hand rested lightly on the back of his headrest as I looked over my shoulder.
“Um… Warwick Road,” he said in a small voice, fingers fidgeting together in his lap. “Do you know it?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I know it.” I was just about to pull out of the car park when my phone lit up on the dash - Mum calling through the Bluetooth.
“Sorry, I’ve got to take this. If I don’t, she’ll just keep ringing,” I said, glancing at him.
He nodded quickly. “It’s fine.” He folded his hands tighter, like he didn’t want to take up space.
“Hi, pet, I didn’t know if you’d finished playing or not,” Mum’s voice boomed through the speakers. I winced and turned the volume down.
“Yeah, it got called off ’cause of the weather,” I said, drumming my fingers on the wheel.
“Oh, well, there’s no surprise there; it’s raining bloody buckets.” She paused. “Are you on your way back now then?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m just dropping Alex home. Why did you need anything?” I asked, glancing sideways at him. He sat up straighter at the mention of his name.
“Oh, is Alex there?” she asked, sounding far too hopeful.
“Yes, Mum. That’s what I said. Now, was there a reason why you called?” I asked, impatience slipping through.
“Well, I did need some flour for the Yorkshire’s and some extra potatoes - why don’t you ask Alex if he wants to come for dinner? I’ve got plenty of food.”
My cheeks burned instantly. “You’re on loudspeaker, Mum,” I muttered, mortified. I shot Alex a look; he was already blushing, eyes wide.
“Oh! Sorry, pet.” Then, louder again, “Well, Alex, you’re welcome to come for dinner if you want.”
My palms started sweating. She was actually doing this. And Alex looked like he wanted to sink into the seat.
“You don’t have to,” I said quickly, turning toward him. “Seriously.”
But he surprised me.
“Uh… okay. Sure.” He gave a tiny nod, like he wasn’t sure he was allowed to say yes and
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.
“Great,” Mum said. “Alright, pet, see you soon - and don’t forget the flour and potatoes… and anything else Alex wants,” she added quickly.
“Okay, see you in a minute,” I said, hanging up.
Silence settled for a beat.
“Sorry,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “Do you actually want to come? Because I don’t want you to feel like you have to, just because she was on the phone.”
He looked at me, earnest. “Do you want me to come?”
“Well… yeah. If you want to.” I said, scratching the back of my neck.
“Okay.” He smiled softly, fiddling with his fingers again. I felt my own smile tugging back.
“Oh, you’re gonna love her dinners. Callum says she’s the best chef in Belrose,” I enthused, nudging his arm lightly with mine. He nodded, a little shy. “You’re in for a treat.”
“Thank you,” he said, eyes drifting to the window as the rain blurred past.
“You haven’t eaten it yet.” I chuckled, eyes glancing from the road to him.
“I meant for the lift. And the thing with Alfie. And now this.” His voice dropped, like he still didn’t think he deserved any of it.
“Oh, don’t sweat it. That’s what friends are for.” Friend, a word that meant so much to begin with, but now didn’t seem like enough.
“What kind of music do you like?” I asked quickly, pulling myself out of my own head.
“I don’t really have a favourite. I just listen to whatever’s on.” His shoulders finally loosened, the shivering easing.
“Do you like Arctic Monkeys?” I asked, hopeful.
“Yeah, of course,” he said, giving me a look like I was ridiculous for even asking.
I grinned and turned the music up. A familiar track came on, and he started humming along under his breath, barely audible. I joined in singing loudly and dramatically off-key on purpose. He laughed slightly at this.
“What? You don’t think I can sing?” I said, pretending to be offended as I turned the music down.
“I think you should stick to football,” he said with a smirk, another small laugh slipping out as he nudged his shoulder lightly against the seat.
“Did you think I was good then, when you saw me play?” I asked, glancing at him as I slowed for a turn.
He nodded, eyes flicking up to mine. “I can see why you’re the captain.” His fingers tapped absently against his knee.
“You think that nickname suits me better now?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” He laughed again, shaking his head. “But I’m still not calling you it.”
“Still think you can come up with a better one?” I said, smirking as I shot him a quick sideways look.
He nodded, lips twitching. “I still like Piggy.” He laughed again, covering his mouth like he knew he shouldn’t.
“No.” I shook my head with a chuckle, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. “Not happening.”
“But it suits you so well,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm as he leaned back in the seat, clearly enjoying himself.
“Anything but that.”
“Fine.” He crossed his arms, settling into the seat as his laughter faded. The car went quiet for a moment, the warmth humming around us.
I hadn’t realised how much I liked the sound of his laugh until it stopped - so I turned the music back up, louder this time, and started singing even worse than before, deliberately off-key. He burst out laughing again, head tipping back, and the whole car seemed to brighten with it.