Page 21 of Friends Rucked Up

“You might be onto something.” She winks at me.

Even though there’s no ice to melt inside my heart her reaction ignites a need to see more of her playful side. All we need is more time.

Chapter Nine

Saylor

The echo of my footsteps against the cold, laminated floor is deafening. I’ve been home for two days, and each second I miss Alfie’s company more and more. I had a feeling I’d regret leaving his place, and I was right.

He hasn’t texted or called, but neither have I. We see each other in passing when I’m leaving for work and he’s going for a run. That was how it was before I slept over, and now I realise it isn’t enough.

In three hours, he’ll be on the field playing Readings Racoons. His focus will be on the game, and it needs to be. A win means Selby Scarabs will be fourth on the table. When we talked about the match, I could tell how hungry he was for them to score big.

He asked me to go to watch him, and I’d agreed, but now the time has come to get ready to go to the grounds, I’m not sure I can go. We’ve been living in a bubble while I was at his. Going to the game feels like I’d be stepping out of that safe space.

Padding into the bathroom, I turn on the shower and get washed. Once in my bedroom, I can’t help putting on his boxersunderneath my jeans and oversized jumper. I open up the chat between us on my phone wondering if I should message him about tonight. Speech bubbles appear on the screen, and I wait to see if a message is going to come through. They come and go multiple times.

Is this a glitch or is he thinking of me, too?

I think I’m staring too hard because when there’s a knock at the door, my phone slips out of my hand and onto the floor. I quickly pick it up before going to see who’s calling on me. I’m too busy looking at the screen when I open the door to take in who it is.

“Alfie?” I say, as his bulky figure comes into view.

My eyes go wide with surprise. I thought he was typing a message to me, not making his way over to my place.

“Hey, are you ready?” he asks, flicking his damp hair back away from his face. He must’ve showered before he came over.

I blink a few times feeling like my brains misfiring. “What?”

“I thought we could travel to the game together, if you’re ready?” He holds out my ticket for the game and I take it.

I guess that’s settled then. He’s gone out of his way to get me a seat, and it would be rude to turn it down.

“Yes. Let me get my coat.” I spin on my toes away from him, so I can let my mind catch up.

I would’ve worn something more flattering if I’d been thinking clearly. It’s too late to start messing around now.

“I was going to text, but we’d sort of already arranged you to come to my game.” He’s waffling; is he nervous?

“I was about to text you,” I lie.

I’ve been thinking about reaching out for a couple of days, but I’ve been too chicken shit to actually do it. Grabbing my things, I push him out of the door onto the corridor so I can lock up.

“I booked you a seat in the family box.”

“Thanks. That’s better than being a loner in the main crowd.”

The family box is for the people closest to the players. I’m not sure that is a better seat for me, but I say what I think he wants to hear. Damn. I should’ve prepared for this, rather than ignoring the possibility of him keeping his word. This is Alfie—of course he’d do what he intended from the start.

“You’ll get the VIP treatment with easy access to the bar in case you get bored.” It’s an attempt at lightening the mood between us and I latch onto it.

“I’m kinda insulted you think that. Eighty minutes of watching you run the field is totally going to hold my attention, especially when you’re in those tight lilac shorts.” I let out a low whistle.

“Come on, before I change my mind,” he says, with an eye roll, misunderstanding how serious I am.

I can appreciate a fine man in a figure-hugging uniform.

Once my initial surprise wears off, I can’t stop smiling. I’m impressed he came to pick me up.

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