Chapter 13

The Lanes were supposed to be the oldest part of Brighton. A web of tiny streets packed with shops and eateries, it was popular all year round.

Usually, locals would avoid it like the plague. Tyler, being relatively new to town, had never been, so Eddie and Scott suffered in relative silence. They had convinced Tyler to make a roast dinner that weekend.

The sun had returned so even on a Wednesday evening, it had persuaded everyone to come out. After a bit of trial and error, the flatmates had found a table.

"If one more bag hits me, I'm going to scream," Scott said.

Eddie kicked him under the table.

"I think it's quite nice," Tyler said. "Thanks for coming. Danny wouldn't even consider it."

"I don't blame him," Scott muttered.

Ever since Sunday, Scott had been in a foul mood. Eddie had reached his tolerance level. After living with the drama queen for a few years, that level was pretty high. Even so, it had been achieved.

"What is the matter with you?" he snapped. "Honestly, I can't listen to your griping for one more second. Go home if you're going to be like this."

To his horror, Scott's eyes filled with tears. Tyler sprang forward and took his hand.

"Hey. What is it?"

"I'm being ridiculous. Ignore me or I'll ruin everything."

"I will not ignore my friend when he's upset."

"Nor will I," Eddie added. He shouldn't have attacked Scott when there had clearly been something wrong. He'd got himself so preoccupied, floating around on a cloud of sexual satisfaction he hadn't noticed his friend in need.

Scott took a large gulp from his wine glass.

"On Sunday I went out. The usual places. I met this really nice guy."

This all came as news to Eddie. Scott had threatened to get himself into trouble. It looked like it had come to fruition.

"We chatted for ages," Scott continued. "He was up with some friends for a week but having a night on the prowl."

"At least he was honest," Tyler said.

"If only. After about an hour, he asked me to go to his hotel. It was only round the corner. I told him I wasn't that kind of guy."

Eddie snorted.

This time Tyler kicked him under the table. Excessively hard, in Eddie's opinion.

"I know that you think I have no feelings, Eddie," Scott said. "I got a decent vibe from him. I didn't want it to be yet another one-night thing. He'd come down from London. I guess my mind started racing."

Eddie reached out and took Scott's other hand. Scott's desire to be loved had caused him to make bad decisions time and again.

"He gave me his number and said we could do something the next day," Scott continued. "We had another drink and he was being so adorable."

"And you went to his hotel," Tyler said.

"Yeah," Scott replied with a sigh. "Don't get me wrong. He didn't take advantage of me. I was fully into it but that's another story. When we'd finished, he leaps off the bed and is immediately getting dressed."

"What?" Eddie said.

Scott nodded. "I know. I'd literally just come. I asked him what was going on. Get this. He had to go and find his mates because they're playing a sex scavenger hunt game and an Essex boy is in the top tier."

Eddie and Tyler glanced at each other. Tyler appeared as stunned as Eddie.

"I'm sorry—what did you say?" Eddie said.

Now a tear rolled down Scott's cheek. "He even asked me to record a fucking video telling his mates where I'm from."

Eddie thought he might burst out of his skin with rage.

"What did you do?" Tyler asked.

"I had no bloody option, did I?" Scott replied. "No way was I going to let him see it bothered me. So, I did it."

"Oh, Scott," Eddie said. "What a piece of shit."

Scott nodded. He pulled his hand free and took another slug of wine.

"I think we'd better have another bottle," he said. "Fuck it, eh?"

Tyler caught the waiter's eye and held up the bottle.

"Impressive," Scott said with a sniff. "You should work in buying stuff."

"Good idea. Are you okay? Really?"

"Yeah. I feel better telling you both."

Eddie playfully shoved him. "Don't stew about things again. I've told you about that before."

Scott stuck his tongue out.

"Is he still here? I'd like a word," Eddie asked.

He would do more than that, the way he was feeling at that moment.

"No, they went home yesterday," Scott replied. "I knew you'd be angry, which is why I didn't tell you until today. And before you ask, yes, I've deleted his number."

"Probably for the best," Eddie said.

He would quite happily give this wanker a piece of his mind. He found himself a bit annoyed that Scott had denied him that. Still, it was his situation. Eddie adding to it wouldn't help anyone.

"Now let's talk about something else," Scott said. "Public emotion is so not my bag. How are things going in your bid to wipe out Brad?"

"More importantly, when are you seeing Billy again?" Tyler added.

Eddie scrubbed his face with his fingers. "I don't know, guys. I've really fucked things up. Billy is amazing. Like really amazing."

"And you're worried about the contract?" Tyler asked.

Eddie nodded. "I don't know what this is going to turn into with Billy. If anything at all. Regardless, I feel shit going into it with a secret."

"It's hardly a secret," Scott said. "You said yourself, he didn't even try to negotiate."

"I know that. Even so, I didn't put up much of a fight."

"You weren't to know you'd get caught up with him," Tyler said.

Suddenly, inspiration hit him. "I know what I'll do."

"Steady," Scott said. "What?"

"I'm going to work my arse off and annihilate Brad. Then I can offer Billy a five percent discount."

"Boom," Tyler said. "You're the hero."

Eddie shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't mean that. At least I'll have righted the wrong."

"That too."

All he had to do was to sell like he'd never sold before.

It had gone seven o'clock and Eddie was sweating. His nylon shirt stuck to him all over. Barry raced up and down the astroturf as though someone had had a food fight in his favourite meeting room.

"You're going to give yourself a heart attack," Eddie said to him as he streaked past.

"Nonsense," Barry replied with a slight wheeze. "Got to show the lads I mean business."

He zoomed off after the ball. Eddie was in defence and took a moment to fan himself. Two figures standing on the touchline caught his eye.

It was Billy and Crystal.

Despite his legs screaming in agony, he jogged over to them.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked, beaming.

"Shouldn't you be playing?" Billy said.

"Whistle will go any minute."

Sure enough, the referee signalled the end of the match. They had won two goals to nil. Barry whooped like he'd won the World Cup.

"You played really well," Crystal said. "The best, definitely."

"Aww, thank you," Eddie replied. "I'll take that. Did you watch the whole thing?"

Billy nodded. "We were on the café terrace."

"Sneaky pair."

"Fancy a coffee?" Billy asked.

"I think a beer. I'd better go and say goodbye to Barry. And change my top. I'm soaked."

He went to kiss Billy then thought better of it in front of Crystal. It became an awkward hug.

As he walked away, he winced for two reasons. One, the impending post-exercise agony. Two, marvelling at how much of a dick he was.

When he reached Barry, the man in question had become slightly more composed.

"A good game, Barry," Eddie said. "You captained well."

"Thank you, Eddie. That means a lot. The lads are going for a drink, if you're free."

Eddie shook his head. "Got a date with a handsome man."

Sadness swept over Barry's face. "That must be exciting. Off you go. I might have one pint. You know, to celebrate."

"Go mad. Have two."

"May as well," Barry replied.

Eddie frowned. There was something odd about Barry. Maybe he should put it down to a post-match comedown.

He found his bag in the pile they'd left by one of the goals. Quickly he pulled his soggy football shirt off. It came as a relief to feel the fresh air on his skin.

After putting on the plain white T-shirt he'd left in his bag, he set off toward the café. It touched him more than he realised that Billy and Crystal had come to watch the game. He had only mentioned it to Billy he'd wanted to do something that night.

As he neared the eatery, he supposed this was what it felt like to be in a sort of couple. It had been a long time. Eddie was so used to flying solo that this would take a bit of getting used to.

Billy sat on the terrace.

"Where's Crystal?" Eddie asked as he slung his bag down.

"Checking her appearance. We have a job to do."

Eddie winced as he sat down. "Fuck, my legs are going to be in agony tomorrow."

"Oh dear, someone's out of condition."

"Why don't you come and stay tomorrow night and I'll show you who's match fit."

"That sounds like fun. But can you come to me? I'm not leaving Crystal alone in the flat all night. God knows what will happen."

"You sure?"

"Of course. She'll over the moon. You have a fan there."

"So what's this task?"

Before Billy answered, Crystal slumped down in the spare chair. "I've got to do an intro video for some of the scouts."

Eddie frowned. "Really? Why?"

"Apparently they need to tell who can gel the best," Billy replied.

"So it has to be good," Crystal added.

"We wondered, with your skills in sales, if you might be able to help," Billy said.

The pair looked so earnestly at them, how could Eddie refuse?

"Okay," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Let's get you over by the railing. The view will have the football pitch behind you."

He ignored the pain coming from his thighs and helped Crystal find the perfect pose. It had to be natural and perfect.

"You look like a statue," Eddie replied.

"Because you told me not to move.

"I didn't mean it literally."

They were all giggling now. Crystal shuddered. "I hate doing shit like this."

"Stuff like this, thank you," Billy cut in. "Less of the language."

"Bro, I'm nearly sixteen."

"So you keep saying."

Eddie adjusted her crumpled shirt.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know," Crystal replied, her voice getting higher as she got more stressed. "There's nothing interesting about me."

A few years before he came to Pleasure Seekers, Eddie had worked for a marketing company. His main role was to go into the streets of London and film strangers' reactions to whatever product they were trying to flog that day.

"Let's think of three things," Eddie said calmly. "That's all it needs."

Crystal seemed deep in thought. "How about I won the player of the league last year?"

"Perfect. One down. How about two that aren't football related?"

"I don't know," Crystal exclaimed.

"Why not tell them a bit about Brighton and where you live?" Billy suggested.

Eddie nodded. "That's a great idea."

"Okay," Crystal said. She seemed to be getting herself together again. "Then I'll say something about when I went on summer camp."

"Perfect," Billy said. "You aced it there. Come back over here. It'll look more natural when you're talking."

Crystal sat in the spare chair. They had managed to calm her.

He glanced up at Billy. Something passed between them.

"Right," Eddie said, clearing his throat. "Let's go for a take."