BILLIE-HALES & ZEALOUS

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Okay, get this presentation done, and then take that bloody camera off her. Pull her away from every fucker! It's my turn to have her now. So once I had a group photo with the lads and we'd all got our trophies it was time for the last awards which had gone to me.
They'd awarded me Man-of-the-match and player-of-the-year. Best day ever. Well, aside from knocking my Angel out with that ball, but this is close. I'd say a close fourth, maybe? I mean, one is when I'd made love to my angel for the first time. Two is when she'd told me she loves me, and third, was winning my last game. Fourth, it's got to be her, fried chicken. It's so fucking good. So yeah, this is like my fifth-best day ever it's, right up there with the best.
Anyway, after Carson had announced my name I'd made my way to the stage's microphone where I take in a deep breath. I'm shitting myself here readying myself to tell them all. I just hope that they don't hate me. You know, the lads.
"Wow. Well, what can I say? I wasn't expecting this. No, that's a lie. I was, only because I'm awesome."
This makes them laugh, but then one lad calls out, calling me, a pussy-whipped-tart.
"Excuse me? Wash your mouth out, young man, or I'll do it for you. That's my grandson you're talking about so shut it and allow him to speak." Aha gotta love my Nan.
"Go on Nan you get them told." As I tell her this, she lifts her hand silently telling me she's got my back.
"No, but in all seriousness, I really didn't expect this or to score those tries. I guess having my dad watching over me and having the best coaches."
I turn my head to look at the only coach I hold dear to me.
As well as Tench, you've taught me, all I know. So for that I'm truly grateful to you not kicking my arse when I'd messed up."
He smiled, and he wiped a tear from his eye. Oh, I'm going to bring that one up someday too. Aha.
"I think we all know that I look to the skies when I say a little prayer to my dad. I tell him I'll win it for him, but really I know it's a team effort we all play that game. We're all in it together so this award goes to them too. I love all you guys and we've made this team what it is we won it we won that cup.
Anyway, I'd like to thank my mum she'd begged me not to come up here. You know, to Newcastle, only because she'd miss me. Yet she knew this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to follow in my old man's footsteps. I hope I've made both of them proud as well, like the rest of my family too. I love you all."
I'm looking at them again taking them all in.
Fuck, I've missed them so much.
After a few moments, I look back at everyone. Yet with the spotlight, in my eyes, I'm finding it hard to see their faces. Well, after taking in another deep breath I tell them.
"Thanks so much for this. It's been an honour, but. Well, I have some news some amazing news actually. I've just been dying to tell you all when I'd been, asked just a few days ago. Well, I wanted to tell you all together on this night "
"Spit it oout, man." I hear Garret call out which makes me nervously grin.
"Well, I've been, offered a place, one in my dad's old team, back in London. England wants me to play division one next season."
As the words pass my lips all I hear is nothing silence hits the room. Just when I think I'll get lynched, they cheer. Hearing it allows me to breathe again. Holy shit! That was scary.
As everyone runs towards me, I'm swamped with hugs and whacks on my poor back from the lads, but they're congratulating me. My parents, family, and friends give me their blessings. Yet one person, the only one I want with me right now isn't. So I pull away from everyone just needing to make my way back to the mic. After tapping the mic I tell them I have one more thing to say. So once they'd all settled down I'd searched for her, but I still can't see her.
"Where's my Angel at? Okay, where are my angel watchers when I need them?"
They're all laughing and I'm grinning, but I'm worried now. However, I relax because I know I know she wouldn't go far.
"I think she's at the Loos son, don't worry I'll record this for you."
My mum calls out and I thank her, but I'd rather her be here. You know, to hear it too. Only everyone is waiting and I don't want to keep them waiting so I carry on.
"Okay, well hopefully, she'll hear it. Well, you know how I make every try for my dad? Well, my first try was for my Angel. As you all know, she's my Lumpy girl. I don't mean that in, a sexist way or anything. No, I mean the day the ball, hit her head. Well, she'd ended up with, a huge lump on her head. So since that day, everyone knew her as my lumpy. Yet, after being with her and spending time, getting to know her, well I've fallen in love with her my angel. Yes, we had a rocky start, but who doesn't? I guess it's all about learning, and getting to know each other.
Anyway, I won't keep you. I just wanted to tell you all that. Well, tell my angel that I love her. I thank the heavens that they'd sent her to me. I love you Billie-Hales and I hope to god that you'll join me in our new adventure.
Well, that's it I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the night. I'm off to dance with my woman now.
So Carson, she's clocking out now it's my turn."