“How’s it going?”
“Fine,” I reply dryly.
“I’m Jake,” he sticks out his hand, introducing himself and flashing a smile that looks like an invitation to a knuckle sandwich.
“I know,” she replies. “You made a move on me at the party a few nights ago.”
“I…er…”
Jamie bursts out laughing.
“Forget about it, mate, you don’t have a chance. My sister is too much for you. She’s really too much for anyone,” he says smiling, but inside, I know he’s right.
Jake acts like her rebuff is no big deal, shrugging it off like nothing happened, but also shooting her a glance that lasts a little too long.
“I brought Riley to see the centre. I wanted to show her where we train.”
“He practically forced me,” she interrupts.
“That’s true.” Jamie says looking at her. “She’s never shown any interest in rugby, doesn’t even come to the stadium. I’m not even sure she actually watches the games on TV like she claims she does.”
“You’ll never know for sure,” she jokes.
“It’s just because you’re my sister that my charm doesn’t work on you.”
“Leave it to me,” Jake tries again shamelessly.
“No one can convince her. She hates rugby, and most of all, she hates the players.”
“Except you,” she adds affectionately.
“You just haven’t met the right player yet,” Jake persists.
I have to hand it to him, the guy never gives up.
“Maybe you’re right…Who knows, I might change my mind for the right player,” she says smiling before laying her eyes on me, invoking a fit in my chest that crawls down my left arm.
Here it is, my first heart attack at thirty years old.
The end of my career.
“We’d better get out of here before she starts taking Jake seriously. Another pass at my sister in front of me or behind my back, and I’ll skin you, is that clear?” Jamie isn’t joking around. “I promised Riley a full tour including the gym, pool and field. And if I can convince her, she’ll stick around for practice today.”
“Can’t wait,” she says sarcastically.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Jamie concludes, before heading back to the gym, Riley waving at us.
I watch them walk out and something in me stirs, something strong and dangerous. Something that could lead me to give up what I believe in, just for one smile that could knock me out and two eyes that I have memorized in my mind; ever since that night that I let her slide into my thoughts, flipping my heart, that I thought I had thrown to the bottom of the ocean, and that has now found a way to free itself and take in a breath of oxygen, stealing it from me.
