CHAPTER 33
On Friday night, after they’d closed up the Tavern, Cate and Nick walked down Boulder Street to the Finch, where they were meeting up with Chad and Molly.
“Over here guys,” Molly called when they walked in. It was busy but Molly had snagged them a table. “Chad’s at the bar.”
“Cool,” Nick said. “J20?” He went over to join Chad at the bar.
“I love your bump,” Molly said excitedly as Cate shrugged off her coat. “May I?”
Cate still wasn’t comfortable with people touching her all the time but at least Molly had asked first so she said, “sure, go ahead.”
“Ooh, do you know what you’re having?”
“No,” Cate said. “Kian thinks we’re having a girl though.”
They chatted some more about the baby and then Chad and Nick came back with the drinks.
“Guess who came in the store yesterday?” Molly said, bouncing up and down in her seat with excitement. “Only McThievy.”
Molly was convinced that this guy, who’d been caught shoplifting from them a couple of months ago, looked exactly like Patrick Dempsey.
“Did he buy anything this time?” Nick frowned.
“He did,” Molly said. She pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket; she’d written down which books he’d bought.
“Brilliant,” Nick said sarcastically. “He bought a book about the Criminal Justice System.”
After a couple of drinks, Cate began to feel tired. The others were going to have one more drink at the Finch before they moved on somewhere else so Cate texted Erin, asking her to come pick her up.
“I’ll walk you out,” Nick offered.
Suddenly the perfect gentleman, Nick picked up her coat and helped her put it on. Cate said goodbye to Chad and Molly and then she and Nick went outside to wait for Erin.
“Are you going to your parents for Christmas?” Cate asked, watching the road for Erin.
Nick didn’t answer and when she turned to look at him, he was looking at her strangely. “Have I…?”
“Stay still, you’ve got a loose eyelash,” Nick gently removed it from her cheek and then he held it up. “Make a wish.”
Cate was about to blow when he stopped her, “you’ve got to close your eyes or it won’t come true.”
Cate closed her eyes and was just about to blow when she felt something on her lips. Nick’s lips. He was kissing her. Ugh, as soon as she could she pushed him away.
“Why would you do that?” Cate asked him angrily. She frantically rubbed at her lips, trying to get rid of the taste of him. “I’m married.”
“But you’re not happy, are you?” Nick said. “Didn’t he only marry you because you got pregnant?”
Cate was about to slap him when she felt a hand on her arm. It was Erin. By the look on her face, she’d seen the kiss. “I had to park around the corner,” Erin said softly but she didn’t let go of Cate’s arm. “Let’s go.”
How did that happen? Cate racked her brain trying to think if she’d led him on in any way.
When they got in the car, Erin didn’t start the engine right away. “Are you and Nick…?”
“Ugh, no,” Cate said as fast as she could, just the idea was repulsive. “No way.”
Kian had to attend a dinner at the Rovers Stadium with the rest of the team. “How much longer until we can get out of here?” Kian nudged Yoakey as the waiters collected their empty plates.
“Fuck knows,” Yoakey shrugged. He took another sip of mineral water. “How’s your girl doing? Sara’s been kicking my ass to invite you guys over.”
“Yeah, she’s good,” Kian smiled.
“Hey man, did I tell you we found out we’re having a boy?” Yoakey retrieved his wallet from his jacket pocket. “Sometimes you can’t tell straight away but one look and they just knew, it’s my son of course he’s going to be hung like a donkey.”
“You’re an ass,” Kian laughed. “I’m pleased for you though. Cate’s determined not to find out until the baby’s born but I think we’re having a girl.”
“That’s cute,” Yoakey smiled. “Who knows maybe one day my son will date your daughter?”
“My daughter,” Kian frowned. “Is not going to date until she’s at least 30.”
“That right there, my friend, is why I am so glad we’re having a boy. Girls are trouble with a capital T.”
Yoakey suddenly started laughing. “Look at us, man. We used to talk about cars, tits and pussy. Now we’re sharing sonogram pictures and making dinner plans. We are seriously whipped, man. When the fuck did that happen?”
“I think it’s that damn L word,” Kian laughed.
“Now that was a great TV show,” Yoakey wiggled his eyebrows.
Yoakey’s phone started ringing. “It’s Sara, man. I gotta take this.”
While Yoakey went to find an empty corridor, Kian pulled out his phone and sent Cate a quick text. She replied back almost immediately. “Just closing up. I’ll be fine, have fun and I’ll see you at home.”
“Naked?” Kian texted back.
“We’ll see,” Cate texted back with a wink.
Kian felt a hand on his shoulder. “So I heard you got married,” Alice said softly.
“Yeah,” Kian shrugged, like it was no big deal. He wanted to keep Cate as far away from this world as possible.
“So where is she?” Alice looked around. “Your wife?”
“She’s at home,” Kian replied, checking his watch.
Alice laughed. “She let you out on your own? What a silly, little girl.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Kian snapped. “Cate trusts me.”
“Then she’s even more of a fool than I first thought.”
Kian kept his voice low, “what are you even doing here, Alice?”
“Aren’t you happy to see me?” Alice pouted. She ran her fingers down the length of his club tie. “Your sister invited me. Jack’s in Barbados with his family so…”
Jack was the married Hollywood actor Alice had been seeing for the last 3 years.
“Hey Alice,” Yoakey interrupted, returning to the table. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”
“Yeah,” Alice replied, “just for a couple of days. Meg’s got laryngitis so we finally get some time off.”
“That’s cool,” Yoakey nodded. “I’d love to stay and catch up but the gaffer’s given us the nod so I’m heading out.”
“I’m going too,” Kian said quickly, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair. “Big game tomorrow.”
“That’s perfect,” Alice smiled. She quickly linked her arm through Kian’s. “You can walk me to my car? For old times’ sake?”
When they got to the main entrance, they split up as Yoakey’s car was parked on the other side of the ground. “See you tomorrow,” Yoakey said.
“Call me,” Alice cooed, air-kissing Yoakey on both cheeks. Behind Alice’s back, he mouthed “Trouble.”
Kian shrugged. There was nothing he could do; Alice had a tight grip of his arm. He just had to grit his teeth and get her to her car as quickly as possible.
Already in a bad mood, he dragged Alice towards where she’d said her car was parked. He couldn’t stop thinking about Cate being with Nick. Fuck, he hated that guy.
Alice had overdone it with the perfume and it was making his eyes water. As he reached up to rub his eyes, suddenly there was a wall of photographers right up in his face. He turned his head for a split second and Alice’s lips were on his.
Kian pushed her away. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Alice smiled sweetly. “Don’t cause a scene in front of the paps, you’ll only make it worse.”
“Alice, love, are you two back together?”
Alice snuggled up to Kian. “Now boys, you know I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Where’s your car?” Kian asked through gritted teeth.
“Oopsie,” Alice giggled. “I guess I didn’t bring my car after all. Can you give me a lift back to my hotel?”
“No fucking way,” Kian said quietly.
“If you leave me here all alone, I’ll have to call a taxi and they can take a long time to arrive, you know. Oh well, never mind, at least the paps will keep me company. I bet they’d like to know all about your child bride?”
Kian grabbed her arm. “Leave my wife out of this.”
“Take me back to my hotel then,” Alice said.
“Fine,” he stormed over to where his car was parked, leaving Alice and the goddamn paps to follow him.
“You might want to open my door,” Alice smirked. “Show you’re not a complete bastard.”
Kian opened the door. “Just get in the fucking car.”
As he pulled out of the car park, leaving the photographers behind, he turned the music up ear-splittingly loud so he didn’t have to deal with the manipulative bitch in the passenger seat.
Alice turned it down. “Kian, don’t be an arse. It’s no big deal. Jack’s stalling about leaving his wife again. I’m just giving him a little reminder that he’s not the only guy out there.”
“It might not be a big deal for you,” Kian hissed, gripping the steering wheel. “I’m married now. I’m not playing these stupid games with the press anymore.”
“Hey,” Alice whacked his arm. “This works for you too, buddy. You think the press aren’t going to be a little bit suspicious about why you’ve suddenly gone off the grid? The exploits of you and your… well, your cock have sold millions of papers, my friend. If you’re not with me, they’re going to start asking questions. You really think your girl can handle all of that? You want her calling you crying because she stopped at Tesco’s with your baby and they’ve surrounded her car? Your wife’s scared, your baby’s crying because of all the flashes and you can’t do a thing about any of it because you’re in Azerbaijan or somewhere with the England squad.”
As he pulled out of the hotel parking lot, Kian switched on the hands-free and dialled home. There was no answer. Then he tried Cate’s mobile.
“Hey,” she sounded quiet.
“Where are you?” Kian said. “I’m on my way home now.”
“I’m almost home.”
“You OK, angel?”
“Yeah, no, I’m fine. I’ll see you soon.”