Receiving

Chapter 7

Thomas’s POV

I left Riley alone for the rest of the day. Luke went up at one point but came straight down saying that she was asleep. Hopefully she would be in a better mood tomorrow.

At school she got bombarded by the rest of the team. She was in a much better mood and I was happy about that.

‘She has just put a fake smile’ Luke whispered to me.

I looked at her. You couldn’t tell. She had a bright smile and she was laughing with Brent.

‘How do you know?’ I asked.

‘You can see her smile flicker occasionally’ Luke said and turned away.

We had training after school again. We have a key game this week, against another team that hasn’t lost yet either. I notice Riley talking to Coach. They are having an animated discussion. When I got closer I could here.

‘Are you ok to play?’ he asked.

‘Yeah. I just felt kind of bad and had the day off but I feel better today’ she said.

‘And your knee?’ he asked.

‘It is fine. I have another scar but I already have a few of those’ she laughed.

‘If you feel bad some straight off’ Coach ordered and Riley ran off to join Brent and Luke.

Training was brutal. We spent ages on sprints and endurance. Afterwards I collapsed on the ground. Riley kicked me lightly as she walked past and headed into the changing rooms. I got up after five minutes.

When I came out I saw Luke with his back pressed against my car. He was kissing some girl that I didn’t recognise. Neither of them had seen me yet. They pulled away and I walked over pretending that I hadn’t seen it.

‘Took your time’ Riley teased.

It took all my energy to not yell at the pair of them as we drove home. I can’t believe it. I trusted Riley not to date someone like Luke is a complete player and is just going to hurt her. Luke got out of the car and walked away.

‘Where is he going?’ I asked.

‘He is going to his parent’s house to get something’ she answered.

‘I saw something today’ I started once we were inside.

‘Yeah. So?’ she said uninterested.

‘I saw you and Luke kissing in the parking lot’