Chapter 2
2
Ryan
Ryan Fields followed his cousin into the bar. Hearing the raucous laughter and conversations of people finding old friends and rivals ramped up the anticipation in his veins. We're late; I'm always bloody late with Sam. Now, will she be here tonight? God, I love this festival, so many possibilities.
He could tell when Sam spotted Grace. He bounded straight up to her as Ryan held back. Sam threw his arms around Grace, lifting her from the ground and kissing her cheek. Ryan often wondered if his own infatuation with Alice was the reason Grace had always intrigued Sam.
Ryan smiled when Sam noticed the disapproving look on Jake's face. Maybe I should have broken the news that Grace was taken now. A cough and a scowl from Jake soon told Sam he needed to rethink. His smile slipped for a brief moment until he grinned widely and repeated the hug with the whole group, first Lucy and Jasmine, then super tall Ethan. Finally, Sam wrapped his arms around Alice and lifted her into the air, whispering into her ear. "Is he still watching me?" That made Alice laugh, and the happy sound sent a tingle straight through Ryan.
Convincing himself it would help Sam, Ryan joined in and gave everyone the same over-the-top embrace, starting with Grace and ending with Alice. He couldn't help clinging to Alice even longer than Sam did.
Alice's body relaxed in his arms. The way she held on to him made his heart skip at the possibilities.
"Are you OK?" he breathed into her neck. Her lime scent filled his head.
"I will be."
Lowering Alice gently back to the ground, he left his arm casually across her shoulders. Around them, the group continued the catch-up and chat, everyone except Alice, who stood silently next to him. No one had mentioned Tom. Ryan finally spotted him standing across the bar with Christa Marx, of all people. When Tom's acidic stare bore into him, he slipped his arm from Alice on a reflex. Alice's body reacted with a heavy sigh.
Tom must be mad. Who would swap an angel like Alice for Christa? Christa is a complete bitch; I should know. No wonder Alice is so on edge. Ryan reached over and took her hand. "Need me to stop?" he whispered. Alice silently shook her head.
"That's good then." His thumb slowly stroked her knuckles. Ryan didn't move when Sam went off to explore the crowd. If she didn't want him to let go, he would stay right there. He couldn't begin to understand how she felt. He only knew he had a compelling urge to defend her.
The noise in the bar grew louder as more people arrived and jostled for space to stand. It became harder to listen to the conversations across the whole group. Ryan could only hear Ethan on one side of him and Alice on the other. She listened more than she spoke. Ryan held firmly onto her hand as Ethan continued the banter.
The two teams' intense rivalry meant the outcome could never be certain. Tom hated to lose to the Sharks. The thought made Ryan glance towards him. He felt Alice stiffen as she too, looked across the room at her old boyfriend. Ryan swallowed. Alice might be single now, but she looked so dejected.
The bar called last orders, prompting Ryan to look for his cousin.
"Has anyone seen Sam?"
"He left with that new girl that Nottingham Knights signed last month. I don't think you'll see him before tomorrow," Ethan scoffed.
"I’ll find him, don’t worry. First, I’m going to escort Alice back to wherever she is sleeping.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he realised his mistake.