“I’m not. Okay, maybe I am a bit. Just promise that when you come to the next match you’ll look at me too.”
“Maybe…”
Jamie exhales deeply before leaning over and whispering in my ear. “You okay?”
I nod.
“Stay calm, it’s just one night. And as long as you stay with Ian, everything’ll be fine. Alright? Enjoy this moment.” He pulls away from me and takes my hands. “You really can’t imagine how amazing it is for me to finally see you here.”
I feel the emotion closing my throat but try to keep it cool.
“I’m about to make a comeback,” Jamie says. “The doctor gave me the green light.”
“Oh Jamie, that’s fantastic!” I hug him tightly.
“I couldn’t stand sitting on the bench any more without kicking their arses.”
“Cut it out, okay?” Ian interrupts.
Jamie smiles again, truly happy.
“Come on, let’s go,” he says to Ian. It’s time for the group photo. I’ll have him back to you in just a few minutes, Riley.”
“No problem, Ian, I’ll take care of her,” Nick puts a hand on my back, inviting me to follow him.
“I’d rather she went with Ryan,” Ian says, glaring at him, coldly.
“Don’t be an idiot, Ian.”
“I’m not. How about you?”
They look at each other a few seconds before Ryan grabs my hand. “Come on Riley, let’s go find a seat.”
I follow him as Ian nods in the direction of a round table with ten people at it. Ryan pulls out the chair for me and helps me to sit down. I look at the table and pick up the little notecard resting next to my glass.
Riley Murray.
It’s my name. I smile spontaneously.
Ryan leans in to my ear. “They’re going to announce the teams soon.”
“W-what?”
“The official draft.”
“I don’t get it.”
“The national team, Riley. Ian got called up to represent Six Nations.”
I sit there with my mouth gaping open, completely incredulous as Ryan grins at me.
“Didn’t he tell you?”
I shake my head.
“He’s an O’Connor,” he says, sipping at the champagne that has just been served. Then he looks at me seriously. “Don’t hurt him, Riley. Okay? Just…don’t do it.”
I open my mouth to reply but someone grabs a microphone, setting the evening off and announcing one by one the names of the players on the team. I sit there with my eyes on the stage waiting to make eye contact with him. I’m short of breath and straining my eyes.
When he sets foot on stage, he looks out towards the banquet hall and I feel a sense of pride together with something else. Something that maybe shouldn’t be there, but is.
Ian stands proudly in his perfectly-fitted tuxedo with a look in his eye, a sexy smile firmly planted on his face that’s enough to make my legs quiver.
And when his eyes find mine, burning me with their warmth, I understand that for the first time in my life I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
