Chapter 11 #2
I blinked, unable to believe it was just hit after hit.
“This is…” I tried to find the right word to describe the organized chaos on the field.
“Beautiful,” Sarah said.
I laughed. “That isn’t what I was thinking.”
“How could you not? Look at them.” She gestured toward the field.
Watching more closely, I started to notice how several of the guys’ jerseys stretched over their shoulders as their backs flexed. Arms locked together, bodies slammed into turf, and muscles were on full display.
“Oh,” I said, seeing this game in a new light. It was a beautiful display of the male form.
I tried to focus on Adan since I was there for him. To me, he looked good out there. He was wicked fast, and he had great control of his body. He seemed to get the ball frequently.
“Do you know what position Adan plays?” I asked.
“I think scrum-half.”
I nodded like I knew what that was. He was constantly shouting orders, as if orchestrating everything.
He’d cut through a defender as if it were nothing.
I tried to only watch him. I really did.
But my eyes kept drifting to Rowan, who hung in the back, the team’s last line of defense.
He didn’t move as much as the others, but when he did, it was decisive.
Predatory. He tracked the play with unsettling focus, shoulders loose, thighs thick and powerful beneath his shorts.
Someone broke through the line, heading right toward Rowan. The guy tried to step around him, but Rowan twisted and grabbed the guy, wrapping his arms around him as he drove the guy to the ground as if he weighed nothing. I heard their bodies smack from where I was seated. It was brutal.
I held my breath, hoping Rowan wasn’t injured. He released the guy and sprang to his feet. His opponent didn’t move for a few seconds. When he finally did, he rolled over and crawled to one of his teammates who had to help him up.
Rowan swung his arms, as if loosening them up, getting ready for the next play.
I felt my face warm from seeing a sliver of Rowan’s stomach. This was ridiculous. I was here for Adan, not Rowan.
When it was halftime, the teams jogged off the field. I waved to Adan, who smiled and saluted me. Then my eyes drifted to Rowan, who was looking right at me, his expression unreadable. But it felt like he’d flung a hook into my heart and was pulling me toward him.
“Laney?” Sarah said. “Are you okay?”
I looked away from Rowan, able to breathe again.
“What was that?” she asked.
“What?” I said, playing stupid. There was no way I could admit my overwhelming physical attraction to the guy.
“Is something going on with you and Rowan?”
“No, nothing.” I clasped my hands together, trying to banish all thoughts of Rowan Ward from my brain.
Sarah hit my arm. “Is that why you’re not into Adan? Because you’re crushing on Rowan?”
“Shh,” I hissed, not wanting anyone nearby to overhear.
“Then spill, girl.”
I scooted closer to Sarah. “Fine. I think the guy is hot.” Not only was he built, but he was smart and had eyes I could get lost in for days. If I had to picture the perfect guy for me, he would look like Rowan.
But I had to face it. The stadium was filled with girls from school.
Most of them seemed to be cheering for Rowan.
As word got out that he was single, he’d have his pick of women.
I wasn’t delusional to think he’d choose me.
And even if he did, I wasn’t sure I wanted him that way.
While I suspected he might be interested in me, I was fairly sure it was only because of the strange physical connection between us.
That didn’t mean it would translate to an actual relationship that worked.
“That’s because he is hot,” Sarah said. “That’s a fact.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. “I heard he and Emily broke up,” she whispered.
“They did,” I replied. “But like I said, there’s nothing going on between us.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
“I will.”
The second half was even more intense than the first. The guys played as if their bodies were expendable, as if they didn’t feel pain. They moved as one, not hesitating, trusting each other implicitly.
I kept reminding myself to watch Adan, but my eyes kept going to Rowan.
The way he ran was calculated and focused.
It made me shiver. His muscles flexed beneath his jersey, shifting as he hit his opponent.
When he took someone down, it wasn’t a simple tackle but rather, an elimination of a threat.
Even though he was controlled and methodical, there was a recklessness to him that hinted at something powerful beneath the surface.
They won. As the guys ran off the field, I could breathe normally again.
“What do you think about rugby now?” Sarah asked.
“It’s an interesting sport,” I replied. “I’m glad I came.” It was amazing to see the team move as a single unit, passes going from one set of hands to another, and the plays unfolding like choreography. By comparison, the other team had looked frantic, sloppy, and like amateurs.
As we exited the stadium, I sent Adan a text.
Laney
Glad you invited me to your game. That was fun to watch. Are all your limbs intact?
Adan
Thanks for coming. I seem to have two arms and two legs. I’m good.
Laney
Seriously, can you walk? I had no idea you purposefully did that to your body twice a week. That was insane to watch.
Adan
I am going to need to ice a few places but I’m fine.
You’re not leaving yet are you? I was hoping to see you.
Laney
I have a ton of schoolwork to catch up on.
Adan
Glad you’re feeling better. I’ll loan you all the genetics notes and fill you in on the lab you missed.
Laney
Thanks.
Adan
You gonna be in your room?
Laney
Probably the library. I need a break from my room.
Adan
Catch you later.
I slid my phone into my pocket, smiling.
“Rowan?” Sarah asked, nudging my side.
“No.” He didn’t even have my number. “I’m going to head to the library. Do you want to come with me?”
“I can’t. I’m meeting Danielle, and we’re going shopping. She has an event to attend and nothing to wear.”
After parting ways, I grabbed my backpack and headed to the third floor of the library where I found my favorite booth in the back corner. There weren’t many people here today, which suited me just fine since I didn’t want any distractions. I got to work.
A couple of hours later, someone slid a burrito in front of me. I looked up and found Adan standing there with a wide smile across his face.
“I thought you might be hungry,” he said.
He’d just played a rough game and had to be exhausted. Yet, he’d managed to get a burrito for me. “Thank you.” I peered around him before whispering, “But we’re not allowed to have food in here.” I slid the burrito to my side where no one would be able to see it.
Adan sat across from me. “If you’re diabetic, you can eat here. Didn’t you know that?”
I hadn’t. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day. Thank you for this.” I patted my burrito. “Do you want some?”
“I already ate.” He pulled out his phone. “I’m sharing my notes with you. Let me know if you have any questions. In our genetics lab on Friday, I’ll get you caught up on the one you missed.”
“Thanks. How was the exam?”
“Harder than I expected. I got an eighty-seven.”
And that was after the two of us had studied together. I thought he had the information down cold. Which meant the exam had to be challenging if he’d gotten a B. I was going to have to study all over again if I wanted an A.
“You okay?” Adan asked, concern etching his face.
I nodded, a thought occurring to me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Ask away.”
“Will you promise to answer truthfully?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I think so?”
At least he was honest. “Before I got sick, it seemed like at least one rugby player was always around. Kind of like Rowan, Danny, or Jacob were watching me.” I knew I sounded like a crazy person, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.
“So what are you asking?”
“Is there something going on? Are you guys watching me for some reason?”
He released a deep breath and leaned forward on the table, reaching his hand for mine. “I’m going to be honest because you asked.”
I nodded, half afraid of what he’d say, since he didn’t seem at all surprised by my question.
“We’ve been keeping an eye on you,” he revealed. “But only because of the dog attack. We just wanted to make sure you were okay. You are, so we won’t be bothering you any more. I promise.”
I slid my hand out of his, grateful for his honesty and the answer, but still a little off-kilter hearing him say it out loud.
“Listen, I need to go,” Adan said. “I just came here to make sure you were fed and to see if you needed anything else.”
“I’m good. Thanks again for the food.”
He stood and tucked his phone into his pocket. “I didn’t tell you about the watching thing before because I didn’t want to freak you out. Now I’m afraid I’ve done just that.”
I shook my head. “I’m good. Promise.”
“When I have more time, we can talk about it.”
“No need,” I said. “I understand why you did it.” Sort of. Now I just wanted to be alone to process everything.
“See you later, Lake.” He winked.
“Right back at you, Rivers.”
My genetics professor arranged for me to take the make-up test on Wednesday during Rowan’s evening study session.
I didn’t particularly want to be around him knowing how my body reacted when he was near, but at least I wouldn’t be the only one there.
I assumed he’d be running the study session while I sat off to the side, taking the test. In theory, it shouldn’t be awkward, and I should be able to avoid him for the most part. I could totally do this.