Play On (Game On 4)

In spite of Bryce’s concerns, I knew better. I knew Radleigh when he’d been in a serious relationship before Leah. He’d pretended not to be as crazy about Jen as he was, but he was so hurt when she cheated on him with Westberg’s goalkeeper at the time. He turned into a one-night-only guy until he met Leah. As much as he’d loved Jen, it didn’t compare to how he was with my best friend. Don’t misunderstand me; I was never his biggest fan. He could be such a jerk sometimes, but he’d softened. I’d hated the idea of him being with Leah until I realised how alike they were in some ways; how broken they were when they were apart. Whatever was happening, I couldn’t imagine Radleigh letting Leah push him away.

“Do you think…?” I paused to decide whether or not to finish the sentence. What I considered doing was something I’d never done before. It wouldn’t have even crossed my mind before. Leah was my friend; Radleigh was her boyfriend. My loyalty and all listening duties should have been directed towards her. Something in the way Radleigh sat, with his back straight and his shoulders tense… I didn’t like the idea of him sitting alone, stewing over whatever had happened.

“Go for it,” Bryce said. “But be careful you don’t end up in between the two of them. Radleigh’s my best buddy, and you know I think the world of Leah. Being in the middle is rough.”

“She talks to you?” I thought Bryce mostly hung out with Radleigh when he was at their house. When did Leah and Bryce get time to talk?

He smiled. “Don’t look at me that way. You’re not losing your place as the best friend, Freya, I swear. Once or twice I’ve been caught up in fights while I’ve been there, that’s all. Sometimes Radleigh walks out, sometimes Leah walks out. I listen to whoever’s left. It doesn’t happen often, but there’s definitely tension.”

“Okay. I’ll give it a try.”

Bryce gave an encouraging smile before I battled my way to the bar. What the hell am I thinking here? He’s never going to appreciate me interfering in whatever’s happening with him and Leah. Except I wasn’t interfering. I was concerned for Leah; for both of them. And deep down inside, a bubble of guilt powered this move because I should have known. I should have been there for her sooner.

“Hey, Radleigh.”

He slowly swivelled around on his stool, now halfway through his second beer and no sign of his stress easing.

“Freya. You need a drink?”

I shook my head. “I wanted to… I thought…” Sheesh, where had my words gone? I’d worked with him for more than four years but I still found him a little intimidating, especially when he was angry. Skating the fine line between concern and triggering his temper put me on edge, but if I could help, I had to try. After all, he had allowed me to take up residence in one of his spare rooms for a lot of the last few months. It was only fair I tried to repay the favour.

“Spit it out, Freya.”

“Do you wanna talk? I mean… I… I heard you and Leah fighting last night, and now you’re here without her and-”

He glared. “She’s pregnant. I won’t let her go to clubs while she’s got my baby inside her.”

Wow. Dick mode engaged. Perhaps I shouldn’t have wasted my time. With a nod, I turned away.

“Wait. I’m sorry.”

The word was so alien coming from his lips I almost lost my footing as I spun back around. I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. “White wine spritzer?”

“Sure.”

He ordered my drink and I nudged my way in between Radleigh and yet another woman who gave him the eye. Jesus. The amount of attention this guy got had to put him on par with Chris Hemsworth and Nick Bateman. It was no surprise Leah felt insecure sometimes. He was ogled whether out alone or with her; some women truly have no shame.

Radleigh handed me my drink, and after thanking him, I said, “You wanna tell me what happened?”

Blowing out a breath, he shook his head. “I don’t understand her right now. It’s like some kind of monster has taken over her and she can’t hear anything I say.”

“What’s the problem? I overheard her saying something about being lonely.”

“Right. And it’s crazy. I know she misses me when I’m away, but it’s never for longer than a couple of days, and she knows where I am. I call her. All the time. When I land wherever we’re going, when I get to the hotel. I call her before I go to sleep, and first thing i

n the morning. I always have. Nothing’s changed, but the past few weeks it’s like nothing is enough. Every time I leave the house she wants to know where I’m going and how long I’ll be. If I’m late, she freaks out, and I can’t… I don’t know what to do.”

I never thought I’d see the day when I felt bad for Radleigh McCoy. Perhaps this was karma for all the women he’d pumped and dumped over the years.

“You’re not… thinking of leaving her, right?”

Truly, I didn’t think he would but he looked so dejected.

His head snapped up, shock in his eyes. “Of course not. But she keeps making stupid comments about how there are so many women I meet when I’m on the road, and how none of them are frumpy and overweight like she is. Sometimes she baits me and other times she’s quiet about it, but it’s always the same thing. She thinks she doesn’t look good and that I’ll find someone else. I don’t want anyone else. Why would I?”

“Why do you think she feels this way?”

“Damned if I know. My mom says it’s hormonal. Some crap about how she wants to keep her family close right now and I should be patient. I’m trying to be, but she keeps on pushing. It’s just so damn frustrating!” He growled, his fists clenched. “I can’t believe after everything she still doesn’t trust me.”