Final Score

by Michelle Betham

  ‘Close your eyes,’ Jim said quietly.

  She did as she was told, a tiny groan escaping as he slowly pulled her knickers down, sliding them off. ‘I really, really hate it when you do this.’

  ‘But you love it, when I do this.’ He pressed his hand between her legs, leaning over to run his tongue lightly up and over her neck.

  Amber groaned again, louder this time, arching her back as his hand pressed harder against her, his thumb touching her right where she needed to be touched, sending a beautiful shockwave coursing right through her. ‘Oh, baby,’ she laughed, squirming underneath him, her fingers buried in his hair as his tongue reached her ear, tickling her slightly, her stomach contracting in the most incredible way as he laughed his low-down-dirty laugh that got her every time.

  ‘You still tired?’ He smiled, running a hand over her leg as she pulled it up around him.

  ‘Hazard a guess, handsome. But let’s try and keep the noise down, okay? I’d like that little man up there to stay asleep.’

  ‘I can do quiet,’ he whispered, gently pushing her legs further apart.

  ‘You can do quiet?’

  ‘Oh, I can do quiet, baby. Because my mouth will be otherwise occupied.’

  ‘I knew I loved you for a reason,’ she moaned, arching her back again as his hand stroked her slowly, his thumb pressing gently, circling that part of her that sent those tingles coursing through her body once more with a speed that took her breath away. He pressed harder, responding to her moans, her tiny sighs turning him on so much he almost pulled his hand away so he could dive into her properly, but he wanted to do things this way first. He wanted to touch her and watch her as he did that; he wanted to watch as he brought her to a climax that would send him over the edge, but he didn’t care. Because he’d do it again, he’d come inside her and he’d do it all over again, and he had to close his eyes briefly to gain some kind of control, his erection now verging on the painful.

  She opened her legs wider, pulling her knees back slightly as she felt that pressure start to build, her whole body beginning to burn up with the anticipation and she gasped quietly as he carefully slipped his fingers inside her, his thumb still rotating slowly, pushing and pressing until it all came crashing over her like the most beautiful tidal wave, washing over every inch of her as her body bucked underneath him, his fingers still inside her, and she could feel him touching her deep inside. It was the most incredible feeling.

  He watched as she closed her eyes, a slight smile on her beautiful face, her hands clasped together above her head, accentuating those breasts of hers that he could look at all day, and he knew he couldn’t wait any longer. The pain was physical now, the ache too much to bear.

  He kept his eyes on her face as he slowly pulled his fingers out of her, watching as she bit down on her lip, her back arching even further. ‘Baby, open your eyes.’

  They flickered open, fixing on his and staying there as his hand held hers; as he pushed into her gently, her legs wrapping around him as he fell deeper.

  ‘Don’t close them’ he whispered, noticing her eyes begin to shut. ‘Please. I want to look at you.’

  She stared up at him, her fingers tightening around his as their hips moved together in that same sensual rhythm, gradually picking up pace, becoming faster, his thrusts becoming harder and more frequent as that pressure built again, hitting them both within seconds of each other. And as Amber stared deep into his eyes she felt a pain so intense, so raw and so real she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face. It was almost as if panic had risen out of nowhere, hitting her head-on, and even though he was there, he was with her, Jesus, he was inside her; she knew she couldn’t lose him again. She couldn’t. No matter what Ryan tried to do or say she couldn’t lose this man, because this time she’d fall apart and she’d never be able to keep it together, or carry on, not this time. She wouldn’t be able to do that.

  ‘I’m okay,’ she whispered as he looked at her, his expression one of concern, his fingers gently wiping away her tears.

  ‘Am I always gonna make you cry?’ He’d said that with a smile, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

  ‘I really need those promises from you now, Jim. And I need them because things have changed and I need to know that we’re really okay now, that we’re really here and we’re doing this and… and I just need those promises now. I need you to promise me you will never, ever leave me, do you understand? I need to hear you say that because I can’t lose you again, I can’t do that. So I need those promises now.’

  His eyes bored into hers, their fingers still entwined, her breathing heavy and fast as she stared up at him.

  ‘I need those promises, Jim.’

  His mouth lowered down onto hers, resting lightly against it as he spoke. ‘I promise you, baby, I am going nowhere. I promise you.’

  She could finally close her eyes now, her breathing slowing down as he kissed her, pulling her deeper and deeper into his world but she didn’t care any more. She was giving in, waving that white flag and letting Jim Allen take her, completely, totally. Everything she had was his, he could have it all – her heart, her soul; she was tired of fighting it.

  ‘We’re gonna be so good together, Amber, you and me. Finally. We’re gonna be so good together.’

  ‘I know,’ she whispered, reaching up to run her fingers lightly over his rough chin, resting them on his slightly open mouth. ‘I know… oh, hang on. Listen, he’s awake.’ She couldn’t help laughing. At least the little guy’s timing was good.

  Jim sat up, pushing a hand through his hair, watching as she pulled on her knickers and grabbed his shirt. ‘Do you want me to see to him?’

  She leaned over to kiss him, lingering for just a few seconds, enjoying the feel of his mouth against hers, his hand resting on her hip. ‘No. I’ll get him. You go fix us some drinks.’

  ‘Okay… Amber?’

  She turned to look at him, leaning against the doorpost, and he felt his heart shudder in his chest, she looked beautiful. So, so beautiful. ‘It really is gonna be alright this time. I’ll make sure of that.’

  She smiled, before running upstairs. It really was going to be alright. It was. There was no other option.

  *

  ‘Are you trying to avoid me?’

  ‘No, Ellen, I am not trying to avoid you,’ Ryan sighed, tucking the phone between his chin and shoulder as he sat down at the dining table in the kitchen of his rented home. If he was in London indefinitely, he wanted somewhere he could bring Rico back to. A hotel room just wasn’t going to cut it.

  ‘Really? Because it feels as though you are.’

  Ryan ran a hand over the back of his neck, closing his eyes briefly as he tried to work out when this relationship between himself and Ellen had actually begun. Again. Because, for the life of him, he really couldn’t remember.

  ‘I’m down here seeing my son, Ellen, okay? I’m spending some time with my baby son. I wasn’t aware I needed to ask your permission first before doing that.’

  ‘Don’t get smart, Ryan. Of course you don’t have to ask my permission, that’s not what I meant. I just wish you’d told me before you left, that’s all. I was hoping… I was hoping we might be able to spend some time together too, seeing as you…’ She stopped mid-sentence, and Ryan sat back in his chair, exhaling deeply.

  ‘Seeing as I’m suspended?’

  Ellen said nothing for a beat or two, obviously trying to gauge his mood. ‘Are you okay?’

  He leaned forward, resting his forehead in his hand, staring down at the table. ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘Do you want some company?’ She really needed to see him. There were so many reasons that she needed to see him.

  ‘I’ve got all the company…’ He closed his eyes again, taking a deep breath, holding the phone away from his ear for a second or two. What the hell? It wasn’t like Amber was going to come running any time soon. ‘If you want to come down here, Ellen…’

  It wasn’t exactl
y the most enthusiastic of invitations, but then it wasn’t as if he was head-over-heels in love with this girl. He felt something for her, sure. He just wasn’t sure what that was or where it was going. And just what kind of mess it was all going to cause.

  ‘I’ve got a couple of free days coming up, so you won’t mind if I come down and see you?’

  ‘No. I won’t mind. Look, Ellen…’ He sat back, pushing a hand through his messed-up dark hair.

  ‘Yes?’

  He let out another heavy sigh, throwing his head back. Over the phone wasn’t really the right place to tell her he had no intention of taking this relationship anywhere further than the bedroom. Because of their history he really needed her to understand that. But over the phone wasn’t the right place. ‘Nothing. It doesn’t matter.’

  ‘Oh… okay. Well, I’ll see you sometime tomorrow, then. I’d better go book that train ticket.’

  ‘Yeah. See you tomorrow. Call me when you get into London.’

  He put the phone down and threw his head back again. What the hell was he doing? Was his need for some kind of distraction really this desperate?

  The doorbell cut through his thoughts, saving him from sinking into some kind of self-pitying analysis of how fucked-up his life was becoming again. He stood up, kicking his chair back before heading out into the hall, checking his watch as he went.

  ‘Do you know what time it is?’ he asked, swinging the front door open and finding Max on the doorstep.

  ‘I’m very much aware of the time, Ryan. My watch cost the best part of three grand so it’s extremely accurate. Can I come in?’

  Ryan stood aside to let him through. ‘Something wrong?’

  ‘No. Just the opposite, as it happens. You going to offer me a drink?’

  ‘What did your last slave frigging die of?’

  ‘Exhaustion. Whiskey on the rocks, please. Slice of lemon on the side.’

  Ryan threw him a look.

  ‘Okay. Hold the lemon. Anyway…’ He sat down on the arm of the sofa, clasping his hands together in his lap as he waited for Ryan to fix his drink. ‘I’ve just had word back from the police. There won’t be any charges brought against you.’

  Ryan swung around, almost spilling Max’s drink in the process. ‘Really?’

  ‘Really. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any repercussions from the F.A. or Newcastle Red Star.’

  ‘Can I get back to playing?’

  ‘Well, I’ve had a word with Dave French and he’s meeting with the Red Star board tomorrow, but he can’t see a problem with you returning to the squad.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘I don’t know, Ryan. I’ll let you know when I hear something from the club. But, listen, kiddo. Mud sticks, I’m sure you know that.’

  ‘I didn’t do anything, Max.’

  ‘You almost did. You were this close, and you know that. Now, it’s possible it will all blow over and soon you’ll be nothing more than yesterday’s news. But, on the other hand, as I said before, there may be repercussions.’

  ‘Like what?’ Ryan asked, handing Max his drink, but resisting the urge to get one of his own. Something told him he was going to need a clear head now.

  ‘Like the captaincy being taken from you.’

  ‘Jesus…’ Ryan sighed, leaning back against the sideboard. ‘They’d really do that?’

  Max arched an eyebrow as he took a sip of whiskey. ‘They can do what the hell they like, kiddo. And, to be quite honest with you, that’s the lenient end of the spectrum.’

  ‘Is that what they’re gonna do?’

  ‘Dave mentioned it, yes. It may only be temporary, I don’t know. But if I were you I’d just shut up and take it.’

  Ryan shoved his hands in his pockets, staring down at the floor. ‘And what about my transfer request?’

  ‘I’d forget that for now.’

  ‘And what if I don’t want to forget it, Max?’

  ‘Listen, don’t rock the boat any more than it already has been, okay? I know you want to move down here because you want to be with your baby, but right now is not the time to go demanding anything from a club that has given you more second chances than it’s humanly possible to give. You hear me?’

  ‘That’s bullshit, Max.’

  ‘It’s the way it’s gonna be, Ryan. You’re coming out of this relatively unscathed and for that you should be incredibly relieved. So you keep your head down, you behave yourself, and you say thank you to Newcastle Red Star by becoming that model player you were well on your way to becoming before all this hit the fan.’

  ‘Jesus, Max, I can’t be up there while Rico’s down here.’

  ‘Well, you’re just gonna have to get used to it. You’re not the first father to be separated from their child for a job, and some people have got it a hell of a lot harder than you have. With your money you can afford to be coming down here whenever you’ve got a spare afternoon.’

  ‘It’s not the frigging same, though, is it?’

  Max finished his drink, fixing Ryan with another of his stern, no-nonsense looks. ‘I’ll keep you posted on any more developments. In the meantime, you just behave yourself, alright? Nothing stupid.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘I don’t know, Ryan. You’ve done plenty of stupid things in the past. Pick one.’

  ‘I fucking hate you sometimes.’

  ‘Yeah. The feeling’s mutual.’ Max walked over to him, quickly squeezing his shoulder, allowing the tiniest of smiles to appear. ‘I’ll see myself out.’

  ‘Hang on a second, Max.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Is there any… does anyone know how all this started? Who leaked it all to the press, I mean? Because somebody must have done.’

  Max shrugged, digging his hands in his pockets. ‘No idea. Does it matter?’

  ‘Yeah. It matters to me. Because I think I know who’s behind it.’

  Max narrowed his eyes. ‘I’m not sure I want to hear this.’

  ‘I think… Jim Allen. I think he’s behind this, Max, I really do…’

  Max put a hand up to stop Ryan from saying any more. ‘Okay, I’ve heard enough. Forget it, Ryan. Don’t even go there.’

  ‘Seriously, Max. I really think he’s the one who started all this.’

  ‘And why would he do that, huh? Why?’

  ‘People keep asking me that…’

  ‘People? Who the hell else have you been talking to?’

  ‘I might have said something to Debbie – Debbie Hogan. Gary Blandford’s wife, Amber’s friend.’

  ‘Yes, thank you, Ryan. I’m well aware who Debbie Hogan is. Why were you talking to her?’

  ‘Because she was there, Max. She was there, and I needed to talk to someone because I just had this hunch…’

  ‘You had a hunch? You’re telling me you think Jim Allen is behind all this because you had a hunch?’

  ‘Isn’t it obvious?’

  ‘No, not really. Look, Ryan, just leave it, okay? I know you and Jim Allen have never had the best of relationships, but do you really think he’d do something like this?’

  ‘Yeah, I do. Look, I know there doesn’t seem to be any kind of logical reason why, now. I mean, he’s won, hasn’t he? He’s got Amber back, he’s a god over at Endleigh so he’s sorted there. Jesus, he’s even got my son! But I just have a feeling…’

  ‘Well, I’m sorry, kiddo, but you can’t go throwing accusations around just because you’ve got a “feeling.” It doesn’t work like that. So if I were you I’d just be grateful that you’ve come out of this fairly well and stop over-analysing everything.’ Max kept his eyes on Ryan for a second or two, watching his expression change. ‘It’s all in your head, Ryan. All this venom you’ve still got for your old boss, it’s all in your head.’

  ‘You think?’

  ‘She married him.’

  ‘I know that, Max. And I’m not…’

  ‘You need to forget whatever feelings you still have for her and get on with your life. And
I know that’s hard now because of Rico, but for your own sanity, Ryan, just try and get it together, okay?’

  Ryan said nothing; what could he say? That somewhere in the back of his mind he wasn’t hoping Amber would come back to him? He’d be lying. He was always going to hope Amber would come back to him. Always.

  ‘I’ll call you tomorrow,’ Max said with a kind smile, before leaving Ryan alone. With his thoughts. With his hopes. With his dreams that may or may not come true.

  Chapter Nineteen

  ‘You sound a bit odd, Debbie. Everything alright? There’s nothing wrong with Jodi, is there?’

  ‘No. Jodi’s fine, everyone’s fine. I’m just tired, that’s all.’

  ‘Yeah. That’s the excuse I always use whenever I’m trying to avoid talking about something.’

  ‘I’m not trying to avoid… okay, I am.’

  Amber sat bolt upright in Jim’s office chair, her attention suddenly piqued. ‘Come on, then. Spill.’

  ‘I don’t know if I… he made me promise not to say anything.’

  ‘Who made you promise not to say anything? Come on, Debbie. You’re gonna have to tell me now.’

  Amber heard Debbie sigh heavily down the line.

  ‘Ryan.’

  ‘Ryan made you promise not to say anything? About what?’

  Another sigh.

  ‘Debbie!’

  ‘He’s still in love with you, Amber.’

  Amber threw herself back against the huge, black-leather chair, briefly closing her eyes. ‘I kind of know that already, Debbie. He told me so himself only the other day.’

  ‘He did? Did he also…?’

  Amber sat upright again, resting her chin in her hand. ‘Did he also, what? Jesus, Debbie, this is like pulling teeth. I’ve had easier conversations with Rico.’

  ‘It’s nothing, chick. Just me being stupid.’

  ‘Did he also, what, Debbie? You’re not getting out of it that easily. When did you speak to him anyway?’

  ‘Just before he left for London. He came to see me because he needed to talk about… about something.’