Chapter 5
5
Alice
“Hi Ryan, what’s up?” her mouth dried as her fingers played with the zip. He looked troubled, but the sparkle in his eyes remained.
“I realise this looks bad. I can’t find bloody Sam, and I don’t know where else to go. He’s driven off in my car and just left my bag and my sleeping bag lying where I parked it. Right now, I want to kill him.” Ryan shuffled his feet. “I was wondering …”
Alice swallowed, and before she could think too long, she heard herself inviting him in.
“Yes, it’s OK, Ryan. There’s enough room in here.” Alice slid back inside the tent, and Ryan followed her, pulling in his things.
“I’ll be out of here first thing in the morning. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me coming out,” he mumbled.
“Oh!” When she wanted to say, ‘ouch’. It hurt that Ryan would be so worried about being seen with her. Her face must have given her away because Ryan started back peddling, the words tumbling out of his mouth.
“No! I meant for your reputation. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me coming out because I wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation, not that I wouldn’t want anyone to see me coming out for me because I’d be embarrassed, like … oh Alice. I’ll shut up now.”
“Right now, Ryan, it might be nice if some people thought there was something between us.”
“By some people, do you mean Tom?” His eyes narrowed.
“Yes, I guess I do mean him.”
Ryan settled down on his side, propping his head on his hand. Alice felt unnerved by this close attention.
“What happened with you guys?”
“I wish I knew.”
“Has he been seeing her for long?”
“God, you know how to ask questions.” Alice closed her eyes, then opened them again as she searched for the words to explain. “Christa? I’m trying to tell myself they weren’t seeing each other before we split up. Although she works at the same place … so … I can’t help worrying that something might have been going on.”
“Do you need to know the details now he’s gone?”
Looking directly at Ryan, her brows pulled together. “I haven’t been able to work out why he’s been such an idiot recently.”
“Oh, maybe he tried to get you to finish with him so it wouldn’t be his fault?”
“Do guys do that?”
Ryan shrugged. “Anything is possible with Tom.” His eyebrows knitted together. “I’m more puzzled about Christa. I’m surprised she’d have anything to do with him.”
“Do you know her?”
“Oh, I know her,” he laughed. “My Dad’s done a lot of building work for her parents. It’s been good for his business. Christa has always given me the impression that she’ll step on anyone to get where she wants to be. She has aspirations, you might say.” Ryan laid back and closed his eyes.
“Oh. Poor Tom.”
Ryan frowned. “I’ve left my watch at home. Do you know the time?”
Alice reached for her phone. “It’s nearly one o’clock. I guess we should get some sleep.”
“What time is the first match?
“Ten o’clock, but the showers and things get packed. It’s best to be up early.”
“Sleep then. Goodnight, Alice.” Ryan rolled over.
His back to Alice left her feeling locked out again. She’d been cold in the tent before, and now having Ryan next to her seemed to warm up the small space. She rolled to face away from Ryan, her back towards his, still lying as near to him as she dared. Alice edged closer, trying to pick up some heat from his body, noticing how comforting he smelt, a curious mix of citrus, mint, and the yeasty smell of beer.
She must have dropped off eventually and woke again when the cold filtered through. She scooted closer to Ryan’s rugged, warm body. The soft sounds of his steady breathing and the heat emanating from him eased her back to sleep. In her dreams, she curled into his side, safe in his comforting arms.
The first rays of sunlight creeping over the horizon woke Alice early. Guilty thoughts flushed her cheeks as she lay frozen in the confined space next to Ryan. It’s a dream, you didn’t … Is that the problem? Having his powerful body take up most of the space should have been annoying. Instead, Alice relaxed with him so close. Listening to him breathe as she watched his rib cage rise and fall, she had to fight the urge to lay her face down on the soft, worn T-shirt covering his broad chest and be comforted by what she imagined to be the steady beat of his heart. That was Ryan, steady and comforting.
Her eyes found the signs of all the training he’d done over the years. Despite being tall for a setter, Ryan's skill had earned his place in the Sharks, one of the top teams in the country. I hope I can get to watch him play this weekend.
Alice silently slipped out into the morning and headed for a shower. She reluctantly left Ryan and his soft breathing to sleep on.
Her eyes watered in the early morning sun as she made her way back. The smell of cooking bacon diverted her towards the food vans filling the stomachs of the players emerging from the tents. Before she could join the queue, Tom walked over, juggling two pots of porridge.
“Good morning, Alice.” His crisp tone confused her, and she forced a smile, determined to hide her unease.
“Hello, Tom. No bacon?” She attempted to push the smile wider.
“No, Christa doesn’t eat meat.” Alice swallowed the laugh that rose naturally at that thought, especially as the cold realisation hit that in three years, Tom never fetched her breakfast.
“I didn’t think you would be here.” His top lip curled, and Alice stepped back.
“I haven’t missed one in years, so why? Or are you trying to say you wouldn’t have brought Christa if you thought I’d be here?”
“I mean, you knew Grace would be with Jake, and that leaves you …”. Tom didn’t get to finish because, at that moment, Ryan arrived and passed her a breakfast roll and kissed her softly on the cheek. His now familiar smell came as a comfort.
“Red for you and brown for me.” His broad smile beaming down at her made Alice melt just a little more … something else Tom would never have done with her.
“I must get back to Christa.”
Alone with Ryan in a field full of people, Alice could only smile at this man who hadn’t only produced this fabulous breakfast but also added that delicious kiss to seriously piss off Tom.
“He didn’t look pleased,” Ryan grinned, taking a massive bite of his breakfast.
“He did look jealous. Do you think it was the kiss or the bacon?”
“I wouldn’t like to say, what about you?”
“The bacon sandwich is lovely.” Alice teased as Ryan’s eyebrow lifted. “The kiss was a beautiful touch. Is it awful that I like the fact it pissed Tom off?”
“I think it’s terrible he made you feel that way. I understand now why Sam and the gang call him Tom Tit.” Alice’s eyes widened as Ryan grinned. “And if you meant what you said, then I’m in.”
“What I said?”
“Last night, you suggested it might be nice if people thought we were together, or was that the drink talking?” Alice blushed. What do I say now?
“I don’t think it was the drink, but you must have better things to do this weekend than …”
“Than being your pretend boyfriend? You know, I’d love that, and if it wipes that smug smile off Tom’s face, I’ll enjoy it more.” He chuckled. “Now you said you liked the bacon sandwich; what about the kiss?”
“Well, it was fine, but I’m not sure if we'll fool anyone with a kiss like that.”