Pride: an austen reimagined novel | 1

Chapter Twenty-Four: Austin

It poured with rain, which wasn't surprising really. It was winter and we had a football game to play, so of course it was going to rain.

We stood on the sidelines, drenched already. Even Lily stood, refusing the umbrellas her sisters and friends stood under, as she muttered with Coach, pointing around the pitch as they discussed play.

"Shite, if this doesn't ease up, visibility's going to be a problem," Williams said, standing next to me and blowing on his hands.

"At least it will affect everyone," I replied, scanning the pitch for Anders.

"Just try to not get carded today, yeah. I know he's an arse, man, but he's a clever arse and he won't fall for a cheap shot like he did last week. He'll let you take the card and leave us a man down."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, "I've been warned."

Williams barked a laugh. "She's amazing that one. I have never heard a girl insult you that much before, mate. I'd say you were whipped, but you'd tell me I know better."

My stomach clenched uncomfortably. "Indeed, you do."

"God, you're in a shit this morning."

"Of course I am, I have water running in my arse crack and my balls are frozen... But, you seem to lack the necessary equipment." I grinned at him.

"Oh, har di har, Mister Funny-man!" As though to prove me wrong, Williams rearranged himself. He indicated with his head. "Hoy hoy."

Anders appeared, jogging over to Lily, who was now with her friends, stamping her feet and rubbing her gloved hands together. I watched as Anders came up behind her and pulled her into a hug. She squealed and giggled as he swung her around.

"You're lucky I'm already wet!" Her laugh carried over to us.

He leant to her ear and said something which made her laugh harder and hit him.

"Go on, get back to your own team," she said, smiling.

"Not without your good luck kiss!" Kate squealed and launched herself at him.

He took the kiss on the cheek with grace while sharing a knowing smile with Lily.

"God, if it's not enough he had Lily fawning all over him, but that idiot as well!" I muttered.

"No, you're not whipped at all," I heard Williams say, but he'd moved out of reach when I turned to thump him.

The rain seemed to stop over my head abruptly, but I didn't look away from Lily as I saw Anders kiss her hand. I was forced to miss the rest of the encounter as my head was turned by someone else and I saw Fleur smiling at me. She was holding an umbrella over us.

"Fleur, hi," I said, trying to force a smile.

If there was anything I didn't need before a football game, it was Fleur in my face.

"I hear good luck kisses are all the rage." She smiled.

"I didn't peg you for the peer pressure kind of girl," I replied, wondering where Jax and Claudine were.

"Well, when it comes to you, Austin..." she said, her voice low and sultry.

I ran a hand through my hair as more droplets fell in my eyes.

She sighed. "I do wish you hadn't cut your hair. You've lost all your...mystery."

I laughed. "Mystery? Fleur, we've known each other for almost a decade, I doubt there could be any more mystery."

She forced me to look at her again and I saw she was pouting and batting her eyes.

The referee thankfully blew his whistle for us to get onto the pitch.