Page 255 of Well Played

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Ryan

Ryan woketo find himself tightly wrapped around Alice. He squeezed gently to intensify the feeling of keeping her safe. One eye opened and looked at him.

“Do we have to get up?”

“I’d rather stay like this, but your friends would come looking for you. You’re through to the knockouts, remember.”

“No, I want to stay here, thank you.” She shuffled down, pushing her head into his chest. Her breath brushed across his skin.

“You and me both, sweetheart. Sadly, that’ll have to wait for another day.”

“Do you think people will be able to tell?”

“If you mean what I think you mean,” he wiggled his eyebrows. “I, for one, will have it written all over my face.”

He dropped the tiniest of kisses on her nose. “I don't want to move, but I need to pee.”

“Me too.”

The move out of the tent to the toilet block and then down to the food area was filled with micro kisses, extended looks, and lingering touches. Keeping his hands to himself wasn’t going to be possible today. He finally felt that Alice was his. As they ate the last of their breakfast, a text bounced on his phone.

Sam: I've gone home. I had to take your truck. Sorry, it's mum.

Ryan: Is she alright?

Sam: Who knows?

Ryan: Can I help?

Sam: No, I've got this. Sorry about the truck.

His heart sank. He’d wanted to drive Alice home. How could he blame Sam?Let’s hope that whatever the crisis is, everyone is all right.

“It seems I don’t have a team today or a truck.”

“Sam?”

“Yeah,”

“I’m sorry, Ryan.”

“As long as everyone back home is OK. I better make some calls.”

Grace and the rest of Alice’s team joined them.

“Good morning. Everything OK?” Grace studied Ryan closely.

“Sam’s had a problem at home. He must have left last night and taken my truck. He’s got things to sort out.”

Jake stared at Ryan. “Damn, didn’t you only have six players here?”

“They did.” Alice looked at her friends as she squeezed his hand. “What time are we playing?”

“Ten o’clock if you are up for it. You look tired.”

“I’m ready.”

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