Page 10 of Friends Rucked Up

“Saylor’s staying with me for a few days,” I begrudgingly confess.

“Harlan’s big sister?” He raises an eyebrow.

I’ve never told anyone about the feelings I have for her. Even innocently scratching the surface with Lance is making me uncomfortable.

“Yes. Last night there was a fire in her block of flats and the fire service said it wasn’t safe for her to go back there.” I try to keep my expression neutral so I don’t give away more than necessary.

“So, what’s the problem?” He studies me through the mirror for a second. “Let me guess, did she catch you wanking in the shower? Or was your morning wood poking her in the ass when she woke up?” He chuckles to himself, unashamed of his amusement in my misery.

I take a gulp of my water from my plastic bottle. “Nothing like that. I just like my own space.”

“Give it a rest, man.” He gives me a serious stare that I don’t understand.

“What?” I feel like he’s staring into my mind and it’s making me sweat for a whole new reason.

“Everyone on this team knows you’re thirsty for Saylor.”

My eyes widen in shock. His comment is cutthroat; all I can do is deny it. “No, they don’t.” I’ve been so careful when I brought up her name.

Another of my teammates, Benji, turns towards us. “Dude.” He gives me a pointed look like he can smell the lie on my tongue.

I raise my arms in a shrug, unsure what else I should do. Am I really that transparent? All this time I’ve been thinking no one knows my secret. My game face must be off when it comes to Saylor. Are my feelingsthateasy to read?

“Why else would you live in that shithole when the rest of us at least own a two-bedroom house on the nice side of town?” Benji says like that’s the only explanation to end all explanations.

Harlan asked me to watch over his sister when he chose to travel, but I can admit to myself there’s at least a bit of truth to his statement.A lot of truth, more like.

Shaking my head, I try to shrug off their accusation. I’m not ready to tell them how I truly feel. “I don’t see the need to waste money on somewhere bigger when it’s just me.”

Most of the guys share their homes with either friends or their partners. I’m saving money for the future. Rugby isn’t a job for life, and I want to have the freedom to live life to the fullest when it’s over.

“I’m not buying it,” Lance says, shaking his head.

“Neither am I,” Benji adds.

I’m not admitting to anything, so they can get off my back. “I’m hitting the showers.” I leave them laughing as I walk away.

Am I really that obvious? The rent on my apartment is cheap and further away from the rugby club than most of the lads. Granted, when Saylor said she was moving to that part of town I did my research on the area. While looking around I came across my apartment and it seemed like a good place to rent. Was her presence part of the appeal? Maybe.Definitely.But I’m not going to admit that to anyone.

It's not long before the locker room is full of my teammates getting cleaned up. Our next match isn’t for a few days, so I’ll be home before Saylor. I’m in two frames of mind. I want her flat to be ready for her to go home so I can get back to my regular schedule, but the other half of me is hoping she’s already in my space when I get home.

***

After the limits I pushed today, I should be exhausted. Instead, the air is humming with energy before I even get in the front door. The hairs stand on the back of my neck in anticipation for what I’m going to find inside.

Visions of her using my space as if it’s her own sends my blood running south and I need to remind myself to calm down. Dropping my training bag onto the side, I take off my shoes before heading into the living room. All seems quiet and disappointment washes over me. She’s not here.

Entering the bedroom, I find the t-shirt she wore for bed screwed up on the floor. Picking it up I bring it up to my nose, breathing her scent in deeply. My dick twitches as I saviour the smell. Fuck, she’s addictive, and I have a problem.

Laying on the quilt, I bury my head in her pillow while keeping the shirt close. After just one night she’s already lingering in the fabric of my sheets, and I love it. Fuck, I need to get a grip before I lose control of myself.

There’s a noise in the distance and the sound of someone entering my apartment. A few minutes later Saylor is stood in front of me.

“What are you doing?” she asks as I stare back at her.

Clearing my throat I say, “Just having a rest. I didn’t sleep so good last night.”

“I’m sorry about that,” she says with a frown.

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