Page 6 of The Keeper and I

He scowled at her. “Fuck off.”

“It’s an innocent question!”

“It’s a loaded question, and you know it.”

“Look.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You’re my brother, and I want you to be happy. All you do is go to training and matches, then sit alone in your flat and paint. Isn’t that lonely?”

“I go out,” he insisted.

“With?”

“The lads, my teammates.”

“And how long do you stay?”

He cut his gaze from hers and shrugged. “Half an hour, I suppose.”

“And you think that’s enough socialization?”

“Am I a toddler? I don’t need some arbitrary number of hours with others so I don’t turn out to be a hermit.”

“You’re just toeing the line of recluse,” she said. “I hate the thought of you all by yourself.”

He raised a challenging eyebrow at her. “You’re as bad as I am.”

“I am not!” She folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve been single for ages. I want to make sure you’re not depressed or something.”

“Haveyoumet anyone special?” he returned sarcastically.

“Well, no, but—”

“Then fuck off, Ava.”

She huffed and returned her gaze to the television where the match was going into halftime. The camera panned back to Ethan, who had stopped by the stands to speak to his fiancée, Billie. She beamed at him, her eyes shining as he tucked her brown curls behind her ear. As if they weren’t infuriatingly precious when they began dating at Stanmore, now they were engaged and absolutely revolting. Yet Jordan’s heart gave a twinge.

“Don’t you want someone to look at you the way she looks at him?” Ava asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scoffed.

“Alright, do you at least want a date for their wedding?”

He paused, recalling the moment he opened the invitation. It was addressed to Jordan Frawley and guest, and on the RSVP card, it let him know, once again, that there were two seats available for him. He hadn’t filled it out yet.

“You could come with me,” he said.

“When is it?”

“June, I think. After the season’s over.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be on tour.”

“I’ll go stag, then.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I like being on my own, Ava,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “I like having all my free time to myself and not answering to anyone. I’ve got no desire to be in a relationship right now. It’s not because I’m depressed or whatever. I just…I like being alone.”

Her eyes searched his for a long moment. “If you say so.” She paused for a beat, then her brows furrowed. “Are you sure it’s not about what Mum—”