Gold Rush

Ryan

Sophie let her body relax and bowed her head so their foreheads stickily pressed together, hot breaths gradually quietened and slowed down.

'Wow', Jack exhaled as he wiped away the collection of sweat that had formed on the bow of his top lip. Sophie climbed from his lap and located her clothes from the clinic room floor.

'Ey how's about ya take those obs and see what my blood pressure is like now' followed by a deep chuckle.

Before she could stop it, her eyebrow arched as she looked over at him.. 'Same time tomorrow then Grealish?'.

Before he had time to respond a loud, urgent knock on the door interrupted them, the handle shuddered as whoever it was tried to open it.

'One minute!!!' Sophie shouted

Her eyes met Jack's and she waved towards the adjoining bathroom, he understood, scooped up his clothes and hurried into the room, leaving the door open half an inch. Quickly glancing around the room she opened a window and pulled some fresh blue roll along the clinic bed.

When Sophie unlocked the door, she was met with a flustered Rowan from reception.

'Ohhh my god I'm so sorry, Once I realised who it was I ran down to you as fast as I could, He was so convincing, made me think you guys were still together, I said I'd call you first but he said you was expecting him an-' Rowan had tears in her eyes, Sophie held onto her shoulders 'Rowan, calm down, Who came in? Who are you talking about?'

She caught sight of him in her peripheral vision. Ryan.
What the fuck was he doing here?
He roughly pushed Rowan away from the doorway and barged into the clinic room, backing Sophie in there before she even had chance to react.

'Ryan? What are you doing here' she tried to remain as calm as she could.

'I just want to talk.. you've been ignoring my messages... blocked my calls...' he passive aggressively sniggered and stepped towards her, making Sophie take a step back to maintain the space between them.

'Ryan I told you, we are done. You need to leave. This is my place of work.'

'But I love you? Does that count for nothing? Why are you doing this to me?'

He took another step towards her.
She stepped back again until her back was pressed against the wall.

Sophie caught sight of Jack watching it all unfolding through the slit in the door. She felt weighted to the floor, like cement blocks encased her feet. She focused on the floor, blocking out Ryan until she felt his palm rest on her sternum and move slowly up to her throat, his meaty fingers tensed around her tender neck. She was frozen to that exact spot.

In the corner of her eye the bathroom door swung open, and out walked Jack. Ryan dropped his hand almost immediately and the colour drained from his face. He confidently walked across the room until he was inches away from Ryan's shocked face.

'Is there a problem Soph?' Jack glanced between them.

Ryan held his hands up in surrender, 'hey no problem here pal, I was just leaving, came to speak to my girl'

A sarcastic grin spread across Jack's face, but his eyes remained inflamed with anger. He simply pointed one finger on Ryan's chest, which was puffed out in an attempt to dominate the situation.

'I ain't your pal, and she ain't your girl. So, I suggest ya leave. Before I make ya leave.' Jack said loudly through gritted teeth

This was like holding a red rag to a bull, Ryan seconds from lunging at him.

The clinic door swung open.  
2 burly security guards stormed in, followed by 2 police officers, Sophie could make out Rowan just outside the room stood with John Stones, of all people.

Within seconds Ryan's body and face were pushed onto the floor and he was restrained.

Sophie found herself still cemented to the ground, back still against the wall, tears bubbling just beneath the surface. Jack ran over to her, she could see his mouth moving but she couldn't hear a sound. Just that piercing ringing. He gripped her arms firmly and Sophie slowly slid down the wall until she was met with the cold floor. Jack seemed to move with her, holding her as she went down.

The tears fell.

*

The dense fog in Sophie's head started to clear, aware she was no longer crouched to the floor, but supine on what felt like a couch. She opened her eyes and took in her surroundings, finding herself in the relaxation room, where they usually have the team's yoga and mindfulness sessions.

What the hell happened.

'Y'alright boss?' A thick Barnsley accent addressed her, she watched as John Stones walked over from across the room. He handed her a bottle of water as she nodded and slowly sat herself up.

'Yer ex is a massive wanker'
Sophie smiled at his blunt observation
'Understatement of the century, Stones'

He sat himself down on the couch next to her.

'They've taken him away, the police.. Pep is fuckin furious, security is gonna be ramped up massively, we've been saying for ages anyone can walk in. Scary really.'

Sophie took it all in, memories and moments trickling into the forefront of her mind.

'Why were you even around, your medical was hours before Jack's?' She queried

'Aye I know, I went straight home after our appointment, but left my phone in my locker! Can't be without it you know! So I nipped back fer it,
but noticed Grealo's bits of clothes and stuff still on the bench outside his locker. Thought it was odd he was still around cos my medical didn't take long at all...'

Sophie felt her stomach backflip aggressively, remembering Jacks mouth on hers. John was still talking.

'... so I went to see if I could find him, instead I find Rowan off her nut running around shouting for bloody help... and well, you know what happened next. They cuffed him, then me and Jack carried you into here to let you come round. He's just giving the police his statement.'

As if on cue, Jack quietly walked in. He looked stressed. His gorgeous face and lines contorted by whatever was on his mind. A male police officer followed closely behind him, 'Miss Rhodes, do you feel up to giving us a statement of events?'.

Sophie sighed, 'Well, I've got to get it over with I suppose'.
She didn't even want to think about Ryan.
He didn't deserve an ounce of her brain space.
Not anymore.

She stood up and crossed paths with Jack, he glanced at her for a second but quickly focused on the opposite side of the room. Like he didn't know her. A cold look she'd not witnessed before.

*

It was gone midnight by the time she'd got home, she'd told the police about it all.. the calls, the messages, everything leading up to Ryan turning up at work.

She showered and quickly sunk half a glass of wine to take the edge off, to make the edges ever so slightly fuzzy.

What a day. A sigh escaped her lungs as she threw herself clumsily into bed. Her eyes drooped lazily and thoughts of Jack rushed through her mind.
What must he think? He'd barely acknowledged Sophie's presence earlier.
Embarrassment cascaded over her.. it was over before it had even begun.

She'd have to face Jack again tomorrow for City's home game with West Ham. She'd deal with that in the morning, But right now, her eyes barely able to stay open, she gave in to the torturous need to sleep.