Page 4 of Friends Rucked Up

Chapter Two

Alfie

Idon’t miss the obvious ache in Saylor’s heart for her brother’s return, and I’d do anything to takeaway her pain. Like Harlan, she’s easily persuaded for a good time. I was already predicting a drop in her mood after getting so excited for her chat with her brother.

It’s in my nature to look after her in any way I can, and that’s why I picked up the beer from the shop. She’s more than Harlan’s sister and the sole reason I don’t date—she makes me want things I can’t have. It’s both bliss and torture to spend time with her. Even though I’d never admit it, I’ve had a crush on her for as long as I can remember, but there are so many reasons why it’s wrong.

Saylor is tall and slim with the most beautiful chocolate eyes. Her energy fills up most spaces and it’s hard not to smile when she’s around.

For years she probably thought of me as just a boy, rather than a man, but I’ve filled out. I’ve seen her staring at me on more than one occasion even if she wouldn’t admit it.

The problem is Harlan would kill me if he knew who gets me hot under the collar. Then there’s our crazy work schedules. Rugby takes me all over the country and I train hard every day. I don’t have the kind of time I’d want to devote to a girlfriend.

Plus, Saylor is one of the kindest people I know. She’s invested in making people’s lives better and loves working with the people in the nursing home. She deserves someone who fell from the same branch of goodness. The last good thing I did was swerve to avoid hitting a squirrel; hardly the work of an angel.

She accepts the drink, and I hide my smile by tipping my glass to my lips.

“I’ll just have one. Won’t your coach lay into you if he knows you’ve tasted the devil’s juice?” She tries to be funny, but I see the uncertainty on her face.

I’m a stickler for rules but tonight I’m making an exception. She takes a sip of the beer without breaking eye contact.

“Our definition of Satan’s forbidden liquid are two different things. One small beer won’t even touch the sides of my stomach. It’s not like I’ve cracked open a bottle of neat whiskey.” I playfully roll my eyes.

Yes, it’s best to watch everything I put in my mouth for my career, but I don’t want it to completely rule my life, especially when it comes to spending time with Saylor. A few drinks or chocolates won’t make that much difference. It’s not like I’m getting drunk every night.

“I’m still scarred from your twenty-first birthday celebration when your coach called me up on the phone after seeing a picture of us dancing on the table in the local pub. I will not take any responsibility for your actions.” She’s both laughing and shaking her head at the memory.

Already I feel her mood lift, which is exactly what I wanted. I chuckle, unable to hide from the flashback that statement brings.

Saylor was supposed to be the designated driver, or so I told Coach. He held her responsible for not getting me home at a reasonable hour. Training was brutal the next day which was only made worse by the pictures I was tagged in on social media. Knowing she was Harlan’s big sister, Coach felt it was appropriate to call her up while the team howled with laughter. He made sure she didn’t let me party on a work night ever again when I was due on the field the next day.

“I told Coach you’re not my keeper, mother, or girlfriend, so he won’t call you again.”

In honesty, I was mortified he’d call her up. Especially when he was mine and Harlan’s high school coach before he joined the Scarabs. He knew Saylor from our younger days.

“I’m not falling for that. If he thinks he can rein you in, he’d do anything to make it happen.”

Coach never taught the girls physical education class in school, but thanks to me and Harlan, Saylor knows him well enough.

“Yeah. You’re probably right, however there’s nobody to take pictures when it’s just the two of us.”

It’s not like either of us will be flaunting our night together. This is just an evening between two friends. It’s platonic with zero drama and no need for anyone else to be involved.

“I guess.” She takes another drink from her glass while we both get settled back on the sofa.

One beer easily leads to four. Before I know it, we’re sat scrolling through Harlan’s social media and enjoying ourselves.

“He always seems to find the strangest shops in every country. Why would anyone want to buy clothes for their pets?” I say, laughing at the picture outside the Pooch Boutique in Paris.

“Someone obviously buys the outfits, or the boutique wouldn’t have a business.” Saylor smiles but doesn’t quite find it as amusing as I do.

“I think it’s an illegitimate money laundering scam.” I give a smirk like I’ve uncovered a truth only I can see.

“No. Some people just love their pets that much and have an eye for fashion.”

She zooms in on the dog in a rave outfit. He has neon green leggings and a pink tutu. I’m pretty sure Harlan was more interested in the petite, blonde shop owner than the fashion, but I don’t comment on that.

“If you say so. Do you ever think about going travelling?” I ask, although her answer could send me into a tailspin. It’s bad enough my best friend is gone; I’d hate to lose Saylor too.

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