Chapter 52
Martin
When I arrive at the stadium, the game has already started. I climb the bleachers to my row and spot two familiar faces waiting for me. I squeeze past people, mumble an apology, and awkwardly settle into my seat next to the oldest O’Connor.
“Making progress, I see,” he teases.
“I just came to watch the game.”
He turns to look at me, sipping from a large cup of coffee. “In the VIP rows.”
I must look surprised as I take this in.
“Didn’t you know?” Casey leans forward to look past Nick.
I really didn’t. I’ve never even been to the stadium before, and I had no idea there was a VIP section.
Jamie called me yesterday, said he had a ticket, and asked if I wanted to go to the game.
I tried not to sound too excited on the phone, so I just said yes.
He left the ticket in my mailbox, and I found it after my shift.
I didn’t even check the seat number. I was just thrilled to see a live game, especially to see him on the pitch, since that’s all I really cared about.
I took a quick shower and rushed over, as always.
“These seats are for family, friends, or someone special,” Casey says, clearly hinting at something.
“Everyone gets a few VIP tickets, but Jamie never uses his. He always gives them away,” Nick says, turning to me and sounding unusually serious. “Don’t waste it,” he warns.
“Ah, leave him be. Can’t you see he’s already on edge?” Casey interjects. “It’s a thrill for him, his first time seeing Jamie live.”
Casey’s words don’t calm me. If anything, I feel even more exposed.
“Next time, let me know. I can get a T-shirt made for you, too,” she says, showing me hers.
I am part of the O’Connor clan.
“Yours will say, I love my Captain.”
“Aren’t you getting a bit ahead of yourself, hon?” Nick asks.
Casey just smiles at me and lets it hang.
“And is it just you today?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“Chris had no one to cover her, and Riley is at home with Jamie.”
“I see.”
“Focus on the game! Save the chatter for the tea room,” someone snaps.
I turn and see Coach Madigan, Casey’s dad, looking as grumpy as ever behind us.
“Morning, Don,” I say.
“Don? Seriously?” Nick asks, eyeing him.
“What do you want, O’Connor?” Don growls.
“Why does he get to call him by his first name?” he asks Casey.
“He earned my respect on day one,” Don says.
“And me, no?”
“You earned yourself a couple of kicks and a grave dug in my back garden.”
“Nothing from you, Casey?” Nick asks.
“Martin doesn’t sleep with his daughter, Nick. You need to understand that.”
Nick snorts, all put out. Casey lets her head fall onto his shoulder and turns back to the match. I drag in a breath, trying to relax as I watch.
Out on the pitch, there’s suddenly a heap of bodies on the grass. Lads are roaring, more players pile in, and the bench explodes into noise. Then someone bursts out of the ruck and tears down the field, leaving everyone else behind.
“You picked well, Doctor,” Madigan says behind me, and it’s only then I cop that it’s my Captain legging it for the try line.
The place goes mad. Everyone’s on their feet, even Nick and Casey, but I stay where I am, rooted to the spot and lost for words.
Jamie dots the ball down and gets back up, still clutching it, and his teammates come charging at him, shouting and thumping his back.
Madigan gives my shoulder a tap and nods up at the big screen. I look, and Jamie’s face is everywhere — his grin, his pride. Something warm flickers in my chest, pride or something close enough to it. I don’t know if I have any right to feel this, but I do.
And God help me, I want to keep feeling it.
“So, Doctor, did you enjoy it?” Nick asks, slinging his arm around my shoulders.
“Sure, it was exciting.”
“Mmm… that doesn’t sound very convincing.”
“Nick,” Casey cuts in, pulling him back.
“It’s your first time; you should savour every moment.”
“Please, can we not?” Casey tries to rescue me.
“You’ve got to see the behind-the-scenes, too. It’ll help you get into rugby and get to know the team better.”
“Don’t listen to him, Martin,” Casey warns.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Nick’s grin makes it clear I’ve walked right into it.
“Hey there, may we?” Nick pokes his head into the room. “Come on, Doctor. All clear.”
“Clear for what?”
He waves for me to follow. I step through the doorway, eyes wide, jaw dropping in surprise.
We’re in the team locker room. The players are celebrating, shouting, jumping. Most of them are half-naked; a few are completely naked, and I’m desperately trying to keep my eyes on the ones who at least have kept their underwear on.
“You’d better have mates like me,” he tells me with a sly grin, before ditching me and disappearing among the others.
I’m stuck at the door, eyes glued to the floor. I can’t look up — I know rightly I’ll end up staring at their most obvious assets — and I can’t leave without looking like a total coward.
“Are you embarrassed, Doctor?”
I glance up, then snap my gaze straight back. “Holy shit.”
“What’s wrong, Doctor? Not used to such abundance?”
Ryan. The usual arsehole.
“You could at least cover your…”
“I’m not the one with the problem. As you can see, I’ve plenty to be proud of.”
“Well, well… look who wandered in.”
Oh, fuck. The other brother, too.
I drag my gaze up again.
Holy fuck.
Also naked. Of course.
“Lose your way, Doctor?”
“Nick brought me here under false pretences,” I mutter.
“I told him I’d show him what goes on behind the scenes and… up front,” he says, sauntering back over just to take the piss.
Damn O’Connors.
All three of them crack up, that deep, filthy locker-room laugh they do every time they get one over on me. One of them is at least fully dressed, but it doesn’t help. I’ve seen his photos. I know exactly what the O’Connors’ best assets are.
Honestly, I wish I didn’t.
“Are we done here, children?”
Holy fucking shit.
“Put your weapons away and stop bullying the Doctor.”
“Here to claim something, are you?” Nick fires back, still grinning.
I look up, slow and careful. Thank goodness he’s still in his training shorts. Any less and I might have actually passed out.
“I’m here to claim what’s mine.”