Game On (Game On 1)

“Thank you,” she beamed, looking up at Michael with the kind of adoration that had made me nauseous before I met Miguel.

“It's good to see you,” Michael said, kissing me on the cheek.

He was about to say more when he caught sight of Radleigh.

“Holy crap,” he said, his eyes widening. “It’s Rebel!”

I was used to seeing this reaction from women, not men. I introduced them and Michael said, “Leah, I thought you were dating one of the team coaches.”

“I am but he’s not fit to travel at the moment,” I told him, throwing a pointed glare at Radleigh.

“So Radleigh McCoy was your last minute substitution?” Michael joked, and an alcohol induced hysterical giggle slipped out of my mouth.

“Actually, I had no idea he was coming.”

“But … you’re wearing matching outfits.”

“Purely coincidental.”

“Nah, we’re just showing our unity by wearing the team colours,” Radleigh laughed, putting his arm around me.

The feeling of his fingers pressing lightly against my waist filled me with a sudden heat I hadn't been expecting.

Wow, you really are pissed.

“Let's go and get a drink, shall we?” I suggested brightly, though I knew I couldn’t let another drop of alcohol pass my lips.

“Sure,” Radleigh said. “What's everyone having?”

Billy and Stacey told us what they wanted and we made our way to the busy bar.

“You're going to do everything you can to embarrass me, aren't you?” I hissed.

“Of course not,” he replied, but I caught a devilish flash in his eyes. “By the way, you really do look all kinds of hot tonight.”

“Shut it, McCoy.”

He laughed, and we waited to get close enough to help ourselves to drinks. An open bar was a novelty for me. In the UK, open bars at weddings were highly unusual. I always thought that was a good thing. Free alcohol plus over-emotional family members equalled drunken fights and tears. Nobody wants their big day ruined that way.

I looked around the room while we were waiting, at all the people who had arrived for the party. I could see why they had hired out such a big place – both Alison and Michael seemed to have huge families and a lot of friends so the space was definitely needed. Everyone was talking animatedly, hugging, catching up and there were the obligatory children skidding up and down the dance floor, as seemed to be tradition at most parties.

“Leah, what do you want to drink?” Radleigh asked. Engrossed in people watching, I hadn’t noticed we’d reached the bar.

“A coke, thanks.”

“A coke? With…?”

“Nothing. Just a plain coke.”

“I thought you were planning on having fun?”

“Well that plan was ruined when you showed up. Besides, I’ve already had way too much to drink. I need to slow down.”

I was actually hoping the caffeine would help sober me up.

“Okay,” McCoy said with a shrug. “Coke it is.”

We joined Stacey and Billy at a four-seated candle-lit table, and McCoy and I sat down and handed out the drinks.