Page 25 of The Keeper and I
Coach Warren yanked open his office door and emerged. His typical jovial nature was replaced with a frown as he glanced between his downed forward and his goalkeeper.
“What happened?” Coach demanded.
No doubt he was reluctant to have more problems among the team after the animosity between Peter and Ethan last season, but Jordan didn’t feel the least bit sorry.No one would ever disrespect Laci in his presence.
“O’Riley can’t keep his fucking mouth shut about my girlfriend,” Jordan said.
“He headbutted me!” Peter cried as he scrambled to his feet.
“I was setting a boundary.”
Peter looked at Jordan, incredulous, while Coach Warren pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
“Alright,” Coach said. “Peter, best keep your opinions on other people’s partners to yourself. Jordan, you’re the captain. You know better than to resort to violence.”
“Didn’t resort, it was my first instinct actually,” Jordan admitted freely. “Anyone else with something disparaging to say can expect the same.”
“Jordan—”
“I’ve given everyone fair warning. That’s the best I can do, gaffer.”
“Are you fucking joking?” Peter protested as he rounded on Coach Warren. “You’re the manager, you’ve got to do something!”
“I’m not a schoolteacher, O’Riley, you’re adults,” Coach Warren replied. “Keep things professional, and there won’t be any more problems. Right?”
He met Jordan’s gaze. Jordan nodded. Then he looked at Peter, who huffed, turned on his heel, and stalked over to his locker and snatched his shirt from the kit boy. Coach Warren leaned closer to Jordan.
“Did he deserve it?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Thought so.”
Jordan bit back a chuckle.
Coach Warren cleared his throat and addressed the room. “Alright, lads, get dressed, get on the pitch, and get warmed up, then we’ll play first team versus second team.”
A murmur of agreement went through them. On their way out to the pitch, Peter tried to shoulder past Jordan, but he saw it coming and moved out of the way. Peter’s momentum took him right into the back of Luka, who shrugged him off and proceeded out of the tunnel.
“I’m gonna get so many shots past you, Frawley,” Peter said.
“I don’t recommend trying that,” Jordan replied.
“Why? Afraid you’re not up to the task?”
“No, because we’re on the same team, you fucking knob.”
After training, Jordan recovered in the weight room alone by walking on the treadmill to work out the soreness in his knees. He switched on the television and checked his watch. Right on time for Laci’s spot on some daytime interview show. He found the correct channel as the jazzy intro music played and the hostesses introduced themselves as Robin and Kat. They sat on a tan couch while Laci sat opposite them on an obnoxiously pink armchair. The crowd applauded before quieting as Robin spoke.
“We are back, and we are live with one of my favorite people. The beautiful, sweet, and lovely, Laci Miller!”
The crowd clapped again, and Laci waved to them. Jordan’s mouth quirked up into a soft smile at how cute she was.
“Welcome, Laci,” Kat said.
“Thank you for having me,” Laci replied with a polite nod.
Jordan liked her makeup, bright, gold, glittery eyeshadow with graphic liner made her blue eyes pop, and the soft pink lipstick was subdued but flattering. She looked beautiful every time he saw her, but he appreciated the work that went into creating such a look.