Page 18 of Friends Rucked Up

My phone buzzes with a message alert. I reach into my pocket and pull it out.

Saylor: I’m going to need one more sleep in your bed.

She made it sound like a countdown to Christmas. Maybe she’s excited to go home, but I don’t share her enthusiasm. Having her here is bittersweet. It’s more like one more night of torment and hidden desires before I have to go back to reality. I’m not ready to give her up yet even if I’m all over the place emotionally.

Alfie: It’s available for as long as you need.

Saylor: I know I can count on you.

When I get home from training, I dump my bag before going through the sports highlights from last night’s games. Selby Scarabs are fifth on the super league table. The points are close and we’re in with a chance of moving up in our next game.

A key rattles in the lock before the handle twists and Saylor steps into my apartment. She takes her time putting her belongings and keys down. Eventually, she joins me on the sofa letting out a huge sigh.

“How was your shift?” I ask.

Messy strands of her hair hang loosely around her face. I have the urge to brush the front parting pieces back behind her ears. Instead, I push my fists under my thighs, grounding them into the sofa by my sides.

“Good. Although when Gordon has an idea in his head, he struggles to let it go. It’s enough to make a girl paranoid.” She rubs her brows like she’s trying to destress.

Gordon is her favourite resident, and she talks about him the most. Usually, it’s all good things, though.

“What’s on his mind?”

“Nothing important.” She shakes her head unwilling to elaborate. “How was your day?”

I’m curious what the problem is, but I let her change the subject. “Just the usual. Coach pushed us to the limit and Lance had to run laps for shooting off his mouth.” He might’ve got under my skin yesterday, but not on the field today. I was on fire with the tackles.

“I’m sure he deserved them. No pain, no gain and all that jazz.” She flexes her arms showing me her muscles. “My brother’s going to call again tonight. I didn’t mention our living arrangements, so I told him I’d come to yours for the usual time.”

It’s probably for the best that she didn’t tell him we were sleeping together in the literal sense. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be understanding of the situation.

“Cool. What are you going to tell him about your clothes?” I ask looking down at my joggers and t-shirt she must’ve worn for work. Her eyes trail in the same direction as mine did and she hops up off the sofa.

“I better change.” She disappears into the bedroom.

I finish up checking the sports highlights. There’s going to be a lot of pressure on us to win Saturday’s match to make it into the top four. It would put us in a good position. It’s not top of the board, but it’s one step closer.

Harlan calls twenty minutes later than expected and we’re already comfortable on the sofa again just like the last time he connected with us. The laptop is booted up on the coffee table and we both have a blackcurrant soft drink.

“Hey, my favourite Brits,” he says, making a show of positioning the camera towards the beach. The sun is beaming down showing clear waters for miles.

“Are you still in Singapore?” Saylor asks.

“Yes. There’s a problem with my visa and it looks like I’ll be heading back to the U.K sooner than I thought.” He frowns, letting us know he isn’t happy with the news he’s giving.

“It will be nice to see you, bud,” I say.

I feel his displeasure and want him to know at least we’ll be glad to see him. Although his timing isn’t great. Everything between Saylor and I is on edge. We need more time together.

“How long until you get on the flight?” Saylor asks, resting her elbows onto her knees so she can lean closer to the camera.

Her face remains expressionless, and I wish I knew what she was thinking. Is she wondering how much time we have alone before Harlan gets here, or is that just me?

He shrugs his shoulders letting me know he hasn’t committed to a seat on a plane. “A couple of days, maybe. The details aren’t completely cemented yet. I need to have a look at the prices and talk to a few friends first. Hey, Alfie, when I get to England, I’ll sort out my own ride from the airport, but is it okay if I come and invade your flat? You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course you can stay with me.”Although I prefer having the other Goodyear in my home.

I guess I should consider myself lucky. It means I’ll get to see her more as she’ll be hanging out with her brother.

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