Page 12 of Friends Rucked Up

Could Gordon be on to something with the idea of him liking me? I visibly shake my head. No, that can’t be it. Maybe it’s weird sharing an apartment with his best friend’s sister, like he said. Pushing my negative thoughts, away I pull my ponytail tighter ready to work my magic. I’ll make him so comfortable he’ll never want me to leave.

I find Alfie in the kitchen area preparing some chicken with a large sharp knife.

“What can I do to help?” I ask brightly.

“I’ve got this under control, go put your feet up.” He doesn’t look up from the wooden chopping board.

“No, I want to help.” I roll up my sleeves to show I mean business.

He studies me for a second before pulling out a bag of carrots and a peeler. I find a bowl in the cupboard and get to work preparing the vegetables. We cook together, only muttering pleasantries. I put the carrots into some boiling water and he fry’s the chicken. Once we’re done making the food, we take it into the living room, and I grab the remote for the TV.

“What shall we watch?” I ask.

“The rugby will be starting over on the sports channel soon.” I nod, pretending I didn’t already know that and hadn’t just forgotten.

He watches all the games throughout the season. It’s part of his ritual. He gestures to the remote and I let him take it from my hand so he can find the correct channel. It isn’t long until we’re both invested in the game and shouting abuse at the TV.

I clear the plates once we’re done with the food and wash the dishes so I can linger in the kitchen for a few more minutes.

“You’ll easily take the Reading Racoons down. They haven’t been playing their best since Mike Forby retired.” I sit back down on the sofa.

He doesn’t take his eyes off the game. “He might’ve been old in rugby years, but experience can make or break a game. I didn’t realise you were such a fan.”

A blush creeps up my face. “I catch the odd game,” I say, trying to sound casual even though I’m aware I’ve blown my cover.

It only took one game for me to accidently say too much. Mike Forby is a legend, but expressing my love for him doesn’t help me sound disinterested in rugby.

“You don’t come to see me play,” he says, and I swear his bottom lip pouts into a sulk.

When Harlan was home, I tried to attend as many of his home games as I could. Once my brother started travelling, I felt uncomfortable going to the matches on my own. I made out the only reason I’d ever attended was because my brother wanted a companion. Thinking back, that was pretty stupid because I love rugby.

“You never ask me to.”

That’s only part of the reason I don’t go and show my support. I don’t want people to think I’m one of his groupies, besides none of my friends are into sports. Gordon was a keen darts player, but I doubt Alfie thinks throwing a few arrows is the same physical exhilaration.

“Come to the next one.”

He’s been blowing hot and cold since yesterday, so I’m not sure if his words are sincere or he’s being polite. “Is this you asking, or just saying it to be nice?”

His eyes leave the TV screen. “I’m asking because I want you there.”

A warm fuzzy feeling travels up from my toes as my face heats. I like the idea of him wanting me. Stupid Gordon has my mind playing weird games. I don’t usually blush around Alfie.

“Great. I’ll totally come,” I say to be polite, but I’m unsure if it’s the truth.

“Great.”

Our conversation stays light-hearted for the rest of the game. When it finishes with Reading losing 24 to 50, I fake a yawn hoping I can read on my phone in bed. We’re having a fairly good night together, but I have a feeling now the rugby is over it might get awkward again. I make my excuses before heading to his room.

I’ve been enjoying my book for a good few hours before Alfie finally joins me. I try not to stare as he strips out of his t-shirt leaving his boxers in place.

“I thought you were tired,” he says, slipping beneath the duvet.

“I was, but you know how it is, sometimes you get into bed and it’s like you get a new source of energy. I’ve been reading a book anyway. At least I didn’t forget my phone when I came over the other night.”

“Are you reading anything good?”

There’s no way I’m going to tell him I’m enjoying a sinful reverse harem romance where the girl doesn’t have to choose. Instead, I shrug.

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