Tangled Up in Love by Carolyn Miller

Author:Carolyn Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carolyn Miller

Jasper glanced behind him as Ellie’s laughter floated across the field. His gut tensed, his fingers clenched. He returned his attention to what his captain was saying. Thank goodness his regular basketball games meant he had the fitness to play, especially with all the running and leaping this sport required. It felt like a long time since he’d played in any football game, Aussie rules or otherwise.

But still he couldn’t concentrate. Could only think about what the Euro-god was saying that made Ellie laugh. Was he treating her right? Being a gentleman? His fingers clenched tighter as he fought to squash mental images of them kissing. But she probably loved kissing Sebastian. How could she not, when Sebastian was her choice, and Jasper wasn’t? His heart ached.

“So that’s clear?” his captain asked.

Clear as mud. But it probably didn’t matter. It wasn’t like today’s game meant anything beyond modest bragging rights for another year.

He’d been glad for the extra practices this week. He’d needed something to distract him from the pain that threatened to swallow him whole. Having a week devoted to training and trying to get his muscles to remember how to play had proved effective distraction, exhausting him so much he’d crashed into bed each night and gone straight to sleep.

But even in the midst of sleep Ellie begged for his attention, stealing into his dreams, teasing him with her smiles and laughter before morphing into that woman of last week whose flashing eyes and scorn shriveled his every pore.

He trudged behind Logan Wylde and the others. He was supposed to be standing—guarding—his man, Joel Manning, from the ball.

“Who is Ellie’s new dude?” Joel asked.

“A guy from France.”

“Ooh la la.” Joel curled an imaginary mustache.

Jasper shrugged, eyes on the play as Peter Franklin, today’s referee, bounced the ball. Then a ruckman tapped it out, and there was a scramble of arms and legs as the opposing players tried to punch the ball clear.

“You jealous?” Joel asked.

“Of what?”

“Well, the dude’s not exactly ugly, is he? And that accent?” He winked. “You might need to keep an eye on her.”

“She’s a big girl. She can manage.” And she’d made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him, avoiding him at church last week, at the museum today, not even meeting his gaze. He’d broken things completely. “Besides, Jackson’s around. She’s his sister.”

“I always thought you two were—”

“Nope.”

“But don’t you want to—?”

“Nope.”

Never had he ever been so glad to see a ball flying toward them which necessitated his running into position, dodging Joel as he hurried close, before grabbing it to take a solid mark on his chest. Then he had a free run to line up the tall white goal sticks, take aim, and kick.

Yes. He fist-pumped as it sailed through the center two of the four poles, accepting the congratulations of his teammates, before glancing back to where Ellie had stood before. But there was no smile that lifted his soul, or cheering, or applause. He swallowed. She’d already gone.

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