Chapter 3
LIVY
Juniper and I wait on the cobblestone walkway that leads from the gated rugby field back into the main campus.
The game is over, and I couldn't be more glad about that. I thought from the way Kalen spoke earlier that number nine would be the biggest crashout on the field, but it was number eight who got into a really intense fight. I locked eyes with him, and I couldn’t look away.
He’s handsome, really tall and muscular with black messy hair, but that wasn’t the reason I was drawn to him.
Everyone on that field is conventionally attractive, big and strong, but something about him looked familiar.
Not really familiar, I think that’s the wrong word. I feel like I know him, have some kind of connection with him, but that’s impossible. I don’t have connections with anyone, let alone a rugby player in Ireland.
I don’t know anything about rugby, but Juniper and Miranda told me random facts throughout the game.
Well, Miranda told me all the personal dating histories of each player she had info on, and Juniper pointed out when a player did something wrong and the refs missed it.
If that doesn’t describe them in a nutshell, I don’t know what does.
Miranda lets out a squeal as she flirts with two guys on the team as they file out of the building that I can only assume is where they shower. Their hair is wet, and there’s not a speck of mud on their fresh clothes.
Juniper moves closer to me fiddling with her phone as we wait for Kalen who admonished us no less than three times before we left for the game that if we wandered off and didn’t wait for him he was, and I quote ‘going to be a problem.’ I realize why she’s being so quiet a little too late.
Ronan, a guy I recognize from the criminology class I share with Juniper is headed right for us.
Judging by the exasperated look on her face, she’s not in the mood for whatever he’s about to say.
He’s always nice to me, but he can be sort of insistent when he invites us places and we decline.
Juniper has exactly zero patience for pushy guys, but she must not think he’s dangerous because she hasn’t sent Kalen after him.
“Ladies, did you enjoy the game?” Ronan is tall, thin, and blond. I think he said he’s on the rowing team, but I honestly have no idea what that even is.
Juniper huffs, but Ronan doesn’t seem to notice. “It was pretty intense,” I say, because it feels awkward that he’s clearly waiting for her to talk to him.
“I texted you to see where you all were sitting, but I didn’t hear back,” he says, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something feels icky about the way he’s approaching this.
It’s a veiled accusation that she didn't reply, which I’m not sure why he thinks she would.
Everyone knows she doesn’t date, despite the fact that she has more unwanted attention from guys than anyone I know.
And I’ve had someone break into my foster home and try to kill me before.
I lean back against the wrought-iron fence, tucking my hands into the sleeves of my sweater.
When I glance down at my phone, I notice I have a text, but it’s not from a saved number.
When I open it, the only thing that’s there is a question mark.
My stomach sinks, but I tell myself not to panic.
It’s a new phone number that I’ve only had since I moved here.
It could be someone trying to reach the person who had the number before me.
I can’t let myself get too far in my head about this.
I’ll never live a normal life if I don’t let the past go.
Even though I’m trying to reason with myself, I know full well that I’m going to toss and turn tonight wondering if someone with ill intentions is just letting me know they have my location again.
I don’t get to spiral too far down the rabbit hole of my past because Ronan is speaking to me now. “Do you know him?”
“Who?” I glance around fully expecting to see the man who killed my parents. As if I’d even recognize him a decade later. I look so different than I did back then, and he must too.
But Ronan doesn’t need to point anyone out, because I see number eight immediately.
My breath catches just like it did when he was staring at me from the rugby field.
I know him. I’m absolutely certain of that. I’ve looked into his eyes before, and it’s almost like I can feel him hugging me, but I know that’s not possible.
But the way he’s staring at me so intensely, so deliberately, it feels like he knows something I don’t.
I’ve got full body tingles, and we haven’t spoken. I’ve never felt like this before. I need to get out of here and away from his direct line of vision before I make a fool of myself.
Because I didn’t answer him, Ronan pats me on the shoulder, letting his hand flutter down my back.
I’m slower to react than I normally would be because I feel like I can’t tear my eyes away from the rugby player.
Something dark flashes in his green eyes for the briefest second as his gaze flickers over to Ronan.
But just as quickly, they narrow again, focused entirely on me.
“N…no. I don’t,” I say to Ronan, rocking two steps away from him, trying not to make it look like I’m pulling away from his touch. I don’t know him that well, and he seems nice, but also like he could become agitated when he doesn’t get his way.
My eyes flash up to number eight one more time, and he’s completely still, gripping what looks like a clean jersey in one of his hands. His thick black hair is damp and clinging messily to his forehead. His shoulders jerk and I realize that his fists are clenched.
His eyes are the darkest shade of green I’ve ever seen and framed with thick lashes that make them look even more striking. His full lips are pulled tight like he’s trying very hard not to stomp over here and say something to me. Or maybe Ronan? Did he not like him touching me?
I can’t tell if the tension in his face is anger or something else. I don’t even know what I’m watching him so unabashedly. Juniper and Ronan are looking at me, I can see them in my peripherals. I realize that I’m making a fool out of myself, but I can’t…or don’t want to look away from him.
“Livingston? Are you okay?” Juniper’s hand touches my arm, and I blink and turn toward her. I can feel the blush creeping up my neck that I’ve been caught looking at this literal stranger.
I turn my body completely toward Juniper so my back faces the rugby players and I can still feel his eyes on me.
A look of confusion crosses Juniper’s face as she glances over my shoulder toward him, then back at me.
“I’ll meet you guys at the pub. I forgot I left something back at our place,” I say finally, pushing away from the fence.
I brush past her before she can argue, the strange tightness in my chest growing stronger with every minute that passes.