Team dinners, whilst frivolous and daunting, did make a difference. A small difference, but a difference all the same. Neil never organised them: That was the parent’s job. But they always invited him, and he always felt inclined to go, even if it was just to help the parents understand the game and give them advice on injuries, or affording equipment.
This time, it was held at a park. Two fathers were grilling burgers, a group of mothers huddled around with champagne, and the rest sitting at a park bench nearby. The kids were running themselves to death, laughing and rolling around the grass. Neil watched Robin, hesitant but still enjoying herself, and made sure she didn’t get too anxious whilst out in the open. He’d ignored offers of beers in favour for some water, and kept himself propped against a nearby tree.
“Very social of you.” A new figure appeared by Neil’s side. He recognised Kevin’s windswept hair in the ruckus of children, though it was newly cut. Good. He’d been having trouble with his helmet. But where Kevin was, his father wasn’t far behind.
“Social functions aren’t my thing.” Neil offered.
“Neither.” Andrew said, remaining civil as he sipped his beer. “Do you ever get sick of it?”
“Of what?” He glanced at him. He was dressed casually, a sweater over a button-down, skinny jeans, boots. He always was well dressed, Neil acknowledge.
“Being looked down at. Being gossiped about. Dealing with prejudice. Young, single parenting. All of it.”
Neil shrugged. “It gets easier to ignore after a while. My coaching fees are much less than other local teams, I’m equitable, I don’t take shit. Parents who can’t wrap their heads around that can fuck off.”
“What comes after the neophyte team?” Andrew nodded towards the other children.
“I sort them into A League, B League or C League, depending on what they can handle.” Neil rose a single eyebrow. “Are you trying to be nice to me so that Kevin can get into the A team? It wont work. I don’t take bribery.”
“I don’t give a fuck where you put him, so long as it’s just. Besides, I know he’ll get into the A’s. He’s a stubborn little shit.” Andrew said. “Maybe I promised my son I’d get along with you, because he’s friends with your daughter now.”
Neil snorted. He was right about Kevin: The kid worked harder than any of them. “How decent of you.”
For a moment, they remained in comfortable silence, until Andrew asked: “What’s your sob story?”
“Mine, or Robin’s?” Neil bit his lip. “Because everyone already knows my sob story. Or did you forget that I’m a crime-lord’s son?”
Andrew was unimpressed.
Neil shrugged. “Kidnapper’s van crashed outside of my old place. Rescued Robin from within. Haven’t let her go since.” He took Andrew’s beer for a sip, which gained him an even more unimpressed glare. “Yours?”
“Not as tragic as yours.” Andrew stole his beer back. “My old exy coach’s heart gave out. He was too sick to look after him. Carted Kevin off to me, for some reason.”
“Good of you to take him in.” Neil offered.
“Good of you to take a foster kid out of the system.” Andrew returned.
They’d reached a comfortable level of appreciation. Neil didn’t realise how easy it was to just talk to him, until the evening was close to finishing and they’d spent the entire time chatting.
As Neil and Robin walked back to their car, Robin tugged on his hand. He looked down at her.
“You seem very happy.” She skipped along beside him. “Did you have too much adult juice? Should you be driving?”
“I didn’t have any, sweetheart.” Neil promised, mildly amused.
Was it that noticeable?
How odd.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait.” Allison narrowed her eyes. “Do you like him?”
They sat opposite each other at Sweeties, Jeremy, Laila and Robin crammed next to each other and playing a badly set-up chess with salt and pepper shakers they’d stolen from other tables.
“What?” Neil stammered, immediately flustered. “No!”
"First you’re yelling about him, cursing him, mouthing off about his clothes and his pretentious job and car and his nerdy son. Now you wont shut up about how he hangs around at practise, and you talk about everything and anything, and you’ve offered to take Kevin to games, and he’s offered to take Robin to school. Look at you! Moon eyes, pink cheeks. You’ve fallen head-over-heels for him!” Allison cackled, clapping loudly and drawing the attention from other tables.
Thank god that the kids always ignored them. Neil spluttered, shoving her hands away as she wiggled her fingers at him teasingly. “I do not.”
“Oh, it’s so romantic.” She cooed. “Two single fathers, too busy because of their jobs to find partners, connecting through their kids bullying each other! How dreamy.”
“Fuck off, Allison.” He muttered into his coffee. Then he slammed it onto the table. “No, no. I’ve never been attracted to guys, I’ve never been attracted to anyone, period. I’m too busy, Robin needs me, I - no!” He lowered his voice even further. “He’s probably, like, 35!”
“You’re in denial, boy.” She sung. “He’s only 25.”
“How the fuck do you know that?”
“Because I’ve researched the shit out of him?” Allison said, with the tone of duh? as she twirled hair around her finger. “You’ve both got tragic pasts, with young kids, obsessed with your careers; you’re the perfect age and height for each other - I’m floored you haven’t already got with the man yet, Neil. Honestly.”
“This conversation is over.” Neil demanded
Allison simply put her sunglasses on, despite being inside. “Whatever. You’ll thank me for enlightening you soon enough.”
Unknown Number: Your pestering friend has taken up all Renee’s time.
Neil frowned at his phone. Sorry, who is this?
Andrew.
N: ah. right. hello.
A: What’s the blond solicitor’s name? Annie?
N: allison. how do you know renee?
A: Kevin is friends with Bee and Abby.
N: for a moment there I thought you had managed a social life outside of your child. shame.
A: Fuck off.
A: Also, you can’t talk.
N: ik, ik
N: thank u for enlightening me about this. they met at the show-your-parent-around-school evening. i didn’t think anything would come of it and allison’s a sneaky lil bitch for hiding it from me.
A: Renee likewise.
A: Might as well take advantage of it, shouldn’t we?
N: hm?
A: Do you want to grab dinner sometime, yes or no.
N: sure. might catch them whilst they think they’re clever :D
A: If you make me regret this, you’re paying. I’ll get you at 7 o’clock, Friday evening.
N: i’ll be on my best behaviour
I KNOW THIS WAS SHORT BUT i promise i will make up for it
:)
also yes i will try upload a more cohesive version of this for ao3. this is all just drafting (for when i get the time)
