Page 2 of Unwrapped

It seemed as if he was attuned to my gaze because he glanced over, his lips tipping up into a hesitant smile as his eyes found mine. My stomach flipped. He was so gorgeous.

Raising my glass to him, I returned his smile with an equally hesitant one. Swallowing hard, I gathered my courage and pushed my way through the crowds towards him.

“Can’t believe this is the last time we’ll all be together,” I said, aiming for casual. I had to lean into him to be heard over the sound of the live band, and I did my best to ignore the way he smelled—a fresh, woodsy fragrance that made me want to lean in even farther, to taste it on his skin.

I leaned back instead.

“Yeah. What are your plans?” His voice was just as casual, and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was inside. Probably not. I doubted he even gave any thought to something that had happened a decade ago.

“Uh. Uni. I’m leaving tomorrow, actually. What about you?”

“I applied for a few sports science courses through clearing. I’m still waiting to hear from them, but my results were good, so I’m hopeful. Manchester’s my top choice, but it depends if they have any spaces.”

“Good luck. Not that you’ll need it.”

“Thanks.” Glancing at someone over my shoulder, he dipped his head in acknowledgement, and I knew I needed to get a move on with the real reason for my being here.

“Ryan? Can I talk to you for a minute? It’s…it’s important.”

His brows rose, but after a moment, he nodded.

“Thanks. Uh…outside? It’s a bit loud in here.”

“Alright.”

Pushing open the heavy doors, I stepped outside into the night, weaving my way through the people congregating around the outdoor heaters. I made my way to the bottom of the beer garden and took a seat on top of one of the wooden bench tables that were spaced out across the grassy area. Leaning back on my elbows, I stared up at the night sky, my hearing slowly returning to normal after the assault on my ears from the band’s speaker system.

“Sam?”

Turning my head, I met Ryan’s hazel eyes, bright in the glow from the string of lights that ran down the side of the fence bordering the beer garden. He hopped up on the table next to me, resting his feet on the bench seat.

Fuck. He was so close. His thigh pressed against mine, our hands almost touching as we leaned back on the wooden surface. Lately, every time he was near me with no one else around, the urge to lean into him, to touch him, became almost too strong to deny. I clenched my fists, pressing them against the wood to ground myself.

“Alright?” I gave him a nod, playing it cool.

He stared straight ahead, his face pensive. After a long moment, he sighed. “What did you want to talk about, Sam?”

Sitting up straight, I clasped my suddenly shaking hands. He mimicked my pose, straightening up, although he remained facing ahead.

It was now or never. “I wanted to say…” Clearing my throat, I tried again. My heart was pounding, and the words came out all in a rush. “I’m sorry. For the broken arm. For not trying harder to get our friendship back. For everything. Fuck. I should’ve done this years ago. I’m sorry.”

His head turned to mine, and his voice turned low and hoarse. “Why now? Why not back then?” Before I could reply, he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have blamed you back then. I know it was an accident. But it turned out okay in the end, didn’t it? You had your friends, and I had mine. We’re not… We’re alright now, aren’t we? I don’t hold a grudge, at least.”

It turned out okay in the end. The sudden lump in my throat made it difficult to speak. “No,” I croaked out. “No, I don’t hold a grudge.”

“Good. Then we can put it behind us. You’re sorry, I’m sorry. It’s all good.” His gaze flicked to the pub doorway, and he shifted towards the edge of the table. “Is that everything, or?—”

He was going to leave. This could be my one and only chance. Without even thinking it through, I lunged forwards and slammed my mouth down on his.

Less than half a second later, I realised what a mistake I’d made.

“What thefuck!” He shoved me away from him, and I lost my balance, tumbling off the table and onto the floor. As I fell, I glimpsed the shock written all over his face.

Why had I tried to kiss him?

Why?

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