Riley
Present
Arriving at the gate, I give my name as a guest just like Ian instructed me to. The security guard checks his tablet, calls someone on his walkie talkie and after a few minutes, another man in uniform joins us.
“Ms. Murray?” he asks me.
I nod.
“Please follow me.”
I do as instructed, and I can hear Ray snickering behind me. “We’re VIPs,” he says mockingly, earning himself an elbow to the ribs.
The man leads us to an area, indicating our seats with his hand. We take our places and thank him as Ray starts looking around, just waiting to find someone up to his standards.
“Your life is more interesting than I imagined.”
“I’m starting to regret asking you to come with me.”
“You invited me because you knew you’d have fun with me – and you know my weakness.”
I laugh, shaking my head.
“I’m going to get something to drink. Be back soon.”
Ray walks off and I try to relax in my uncomfortable seat, looking across the field at the perfectly cut grass, ready to welcome a bunch of huge guys who are all arms and legs and who don’t know how to do anything except constantly show off their muscles.
I’ve never been a big fan of rugby, even though Jamie’s been playing his whole life. I’ve always supported him from a distance. It never felt like my world or my place, and I didn’t want to interfere with his life.
I love my brother and I love what he does, I’m proud of him, but seeing him on the field being beaten up in public doesn’t help me. It reminds me of ugly things I’d rather to forget and it just brings me down.
I understand that it’s different for him. In his eyes, it’s a chance to show himself that he’s strong now, almost invincible and that no one scares him anymore. I admire him for that, but I don’t want to be a part of it.
Ray comes back with two beers just as the two teams are making their way onto the field. He gets to his feet, all worked up and I stay right where I am, in calm silence, listening to the crazy beat of my heart. It seems to be drumming out an unknown rhythm, making me shiver.
“Which number?” Ray shouts into my ear.
I scrutinize the teams while they prepare for kick-off, scanning every face, when I see him standing tall and proud in his blue kit. I think my heart could just fall all the way down the stairs and plop out onto the field.
Good Lord.
Ian is breathtaking. He’s tall and muscular like the rest of them, but there’s a pride in his eyes, in the way he stands and a concentration on his face that makes him dangerous and damn sexy.
I take a few sips of beer and Ray urges, “Well?”
“Number 11,” I mutter without pulling myself away from the glass.
“Holy shit!” Ray exclaims, coming to his feet again. “That’s your friend? Ian O’Connor?” He raises his voice to the point of embarrassing me. “The one from the club? How did I not recognise him? Well, all dressed as he is…”
I try to disappear into my chair.
“Oh, Riley, you hide too much from me. We need a little chat.”
Ray sits down with his eyes still wide.
“You realise, of course, that he’s one of the sexiest rugby players on the face of the Earth? Next to your brother, obviously.”
Are you serious?
