Chapter 11
11
Alice
Back at the field, Alice’s heart pounded in her chest when she saw Ryan sitting on the tailgate of a shiny red truck, wearing a crazy pair of sunglasses. He looked as if he was waiting for someone. Surely not her after the words they’d exchanged.
“Hey, is that Ryan? Why isn’t he out with Sam and the rest of his team?”
Jake sounded as shocked as she felt. Grace turned around to look at Alice.
“Don’t say it, Grace; I understand what you’re thinking.”
“Just be careful. Is this really the time for something new, especially with someone like him?”
Alice rolled her eyes at her friend. Deep inside, she knew Grace had the best intentions and was probably right about the timing, but in her heart, she hoped Grace was wrong about Ryan. Or that’s what Alice thought before everything she’d heard that afternoon. She didn’t say another word as she climbed out of Lucy’s mini.
She wouldn’t rush, and yet she couldn’t resist moving towards him. The gravel crunching under her feet echoed in her ears. Getting closer, she smoothed down the blue dress she had chosen with such care during the week. Her stomach tumbled, and she clenched her muscles in an insane attempt to stop the churning. When Ryan’s smile broke into a wide grin, she struggled to stay calm. Just listen to what he has to say. He’s probably after somewhere to sleep. Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t have any trouble finding a bed.
“Nice sunglasses.”
“I have a pair for you,” Ryan said, passing her the plastic glasses. “I thought you liked cats,” he shrugged. “Did you have fun tonight?”
“Thanks.” She looked at the cats on the sunglasses, tried them on and took them straight off again. Laughing, she spoke softly. “The food was amazing. What about you? I’m surprised to see you back.”
“I just had another of those sandwiches.”
“You didn’t go out with the team?”
“I had other plans, but they didn’t work out.” His smile was soft now as he reached out to trace her jaw with one perfect finger. His searching eyes made her want to look away. “Can we talk? I have your favourite chocolate.”
“I don’t know, Ryan.” Is this where I get hurt again?
“Well, maybe you would listen?” When she couldn’t reply, he tried again. “Whatever you heard, it made you mad at me, Alice, and that nob has hurt you enough. I wanted to explain before, but I didn’t know if you were ready.”
“And I am now?”
“If I don’t take this chance, I might never get another. I need to try.”
Alice looked back at her friends, waved, and then moved closer to Ryan as he jumped down from the truck, taking off his sunglasses to look at her properly. Alice felt the intensity of his stare.
Ryan thrust his hands into his pockets. “About what Sam was saying.”
“What about it?” Alison snapped and then regretted it.
“I guess it depends on what you heard,” he shrugged.
“Oh, I see; you’re hoping you only have to explain so much?”
“Alice, please, this isn’t easy. Damn! Where do I start?”
God, he looks so lost. I need to let him explain. Is Christa right?
“Shall we try a walk down to the lake?” She suggested.
Ryan held out his hand to Alice, and her body fizzed, desperate for that connection. Too afraid of the hurt that might follow, she walked on without taking it, and he fell into step at her side. Once they were a few yards away from anyone else, Ryan let out an enormous sigh and looked down at Alice.
“Sam’s worried about me. He might not look like anything ever bothers him, but most of that is a cover. His dad … well, let’s say he wasn’t the best; he stayed away most of the time. When he was there, it was even worse. My mum’s had me looking after Sam since I was five.”
“I don’t see what this has to do with us?”
“Us? So, there could still be an Us?”
Alice shrugged and looked away, walking on.
“OK. I guess Sam was trying to look out for me.”
“For you?”
“I hate to say this … you’ve recently broken up with Tom, and Sam thought when Christa dumped him … trust me, she has already left.”
Alice stopped and turned to stare at Ryan. Whatever next?
“I mean it, Alice. I have no doubt she’ll step on him. A weekend like this would never suit her, however fancy the motor home Tom hired.”
“He hired a motor home?” Alice shook her head. “Ryan, are you doing this to get back at Christa?”
“No way! If he hadn’t mistreated you, I’d feel sorry for Tom. No, I should be grateful to Christa for letting you see his true colours.”
“I’ve learnt so much since he left.”
They stopped talking when they reached the shore of the lake. Alice edged up to the shoreline, her toes tantalisingly close to the lapping water. Ryan kicked at the pebbles, selecting one to skim across the rippled surface. Each pebble he threw bounced further, and when he had six bounces, Alice picked up a stone to join in.
“I still don’t see why Sam is worried about you.”
“When Christa dumps Tom Tit, he’ll come back to you. You were hurt when he left. What will you do?”
Alice focused on skimming the pebbles.
“Sam’s worried you’ll let him move back in. He’s worried I’ll get hurt.”
Alice threw one last stone into the water and dropped the rest. Wiping her hands together, she looked up at Ryan.
“Tom would be welcome to do that.” Ryan’s shoulders slumped as he turned away and threw a pebble high into the sky and into the lake. “He can have the flat because I’m moving out!”
Ryan’s gaze fixed on Alice. She couldn’t read his mind.
“Coming home to find that note came as a blow. To discover he’d left, all his stuff, everything gone. He must have been planning it, and yet I’d no idea. So, I’m shocked. I’m hurt. My ego’s hurt. But now I can see that whatever else happens, I’m not staying in that flat, and I most certainly don’t want to be with Tom.” Alice picked up a handful of pebbles and went back to skimming. “Something still doesn’t make sense. We were only pretending so …” Ryan looked over the lake, his hands deep in his jeans pockets as he rocked on his heels. “Ryan, we were only playing, weren’t we?”
“Alice, I care enough about you to do whatever you want. I’m sure I said that.” When Alice didn’t speak, Ryan tried again. “Alice, I want to help, not make things harder for you.”
“But Sam’s worried because he thinks you aren’t pretending?” Alice said softly.
“Alice … I …” his hand reached out for hers. She took his hand, stepping closer.
“Ryan, I like you, and today has been wonderful. I guess we should have talked this through before we got started.” Her voice faded to a whisper. Ryan pulled Alice into his arms, holding her safe. His hand cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheek.
“Is it too late to talk?” he asked tentatively. Alice shook her head.
“No, it’s not too late.”
“Come on, I left that chocolate in the truck, and it's not the only thing I bought.”