He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (23 page)

Michael says hello politely, but Alex watches Jeff intently, a slightly puzzled look on his face. Ethan plays with his silverware, ignoring Jeff.

“So, Libby, I see you’re making a bit of a name for yourself. I never thought you’d be one for the limelight, all things considering. What is it? Business not doing so well, and you need the money?”

What the hell?
I feel my blood boiling, the anger building. What a bastard. Ethan is trying so hard not to look at Jeff that he’s dropped his silverware. Finally he looks at me for permission to fire back at Jeff, which I won’t give. I won’t stoop to Jeff’s level.

“Jeff, was it?” Alex stands, taking my hand before continuing. “I understand now why you are the
ex
-boyfriend, not current. I’m going to say this as politely as I can, and I’m only going to say it once. Don’t make me repeat myself. Now you and I both know that’s no way to speak to a lady. Apologise…now.” Alex moves his hand from mine and puts it round my waist, pulling me in tighter to him.

“Sorry, Elizabeth. I was out of order,” Jeff mutters.

“Thank you. And now that you’ve apologised, please leave our table without looking back. And if you ever speak to Libby like that again, that will be the last time you speak at all until you see a good dental surgeon. Do you understand?” The whole time he speaks, Alex keeps his voice level and low.

“Yes, I understand,” Jeff mutters, looking down at his feet.

“
Leave
.” Alex’s voice is forceful.

I sink into my chair as Jeff walks away from our table, moving as quickly as he can without running. Running sounds like something I should be doing. That might ease some of the tension I feel.
No wonder I dumped him. He’s a controlling weasel
.

“You okay, Libby?” It’s Ethan’s voice that brings me back to now.

“Libby.” Alex takes my hand, gently stroking the side, sending shock waves through my body. I can’t believe he told Jeff that he was my current boyfriend. He’s really full of surprises today.

“Oh, sorry, guys. Yeah, I am fine. He just took me by surprise. I’ve never seen him so cold and callous. Insensitive, maybe, but never so spiteful.”

“What happened with Jeff?” Michael asks the question that I know Alex wants answered.

“Our relationship just…ran its course.”

“Libby, if you won’t tell them, I will,” Ethan says. He raises his eyebrows at me.

“Oh, for god’s sake. Okay. I dumped him four months ago when Ethan’s wife, Lindsay, was killed and his daughter, Lucy, was born.”

“Because?” Alex asks.

“He asked me to choose between Ethan and Lucy and him.” Ethan leans across the table and takes my
free hand, urging and supporting me to continue. “Ethan and I have a connection; it will always be there. He had just lost his beautiful wife, my dear friend, who he’d thought would be there to share all the steps of their lives together—the biggest being raising their gorgeous baby girl together. How could I abandon my brother, especially then? My choice was simple. Ethan and Lucy needed me. Jeff was meant to be his friend too, but he was so cold towards him.” I sip my water to give myself a moment. Everyone’s looking at me. “And, well, if truth be told, he was also kind of boring.”

That breaks the tension, there is no need to go into all the details.

“You’re not getting all soppy are you,” Ethan says with a wink of his eye and a smile.

“Me? Never. You should know me well enough by now.”

“I don’t know what to say to all that,” Alex says with a hint of sadness in his voice. “I can’t believe he put you in that position. If he was any sort of a man, he would have given you space and support. That tells me a lot about him. He’s weak.”

“I couldn’t understand that at the time, but I do now.” I sigh.

Ashley approaches our table with hot rolls filled with square sausage and back bacon, strutting over with a wide smile on her face. And let’s just say she’s
not smiling at me. For the love of god, this really is going to be a long day.

I thank Ashley because Alex refuses to look at her, and my brother and Michael seem to have lost the ability to speak. They are both too busy focusing on her cleavage.
Please, boys, close your mouths
. Their eyes follow her away from the table. Her outfit really leaves very little to the imagination, and I could swear she’s undone another button of her blouse since her first visit to the table. I admit, though, it’s good to see Ethan showing some life. That’s a step in any direction, although I won’t be pointing it out to him in case he takes it the wrong way. I know he will never truly get over Lindsay, but it would be good to see his life move forward and maybe through time he will find a special someone.

We eat our rolls and drink tea and coffee. I had expected the guys would order beer, but it’s still early. We finish eating just as Andrew returns to our table to show us to our seats outside. On our way out, Andrew introduces Alex to a few people, most of whom Ethan seems to know. They all say near enough the same thing to my brother:
Good to see you out and about
.

I am sitting between Ethan and Alex. Good. I don’t think I could have been beside Michael. I think I might struggle with Michael for the rest of their visit. As I look about the stadium, I don’t see many empty seats, yet I haven’t kept up, and I have no idea
if this is a big game or not. The seats in front of us have yet to be taken.

“I thought it would be better if you didn’t sit next to Michael,” Alex whispers into my ear. I shiver. “Are you cold?” he asks, putting his hand round my waist.

“No, not cold,” I answer. I smile and hold his gaze.

“Oh, I see. So was it my voice or my touch?” His voice is soft and low. His hand moves ever so slightly on my waist. I slide my hand down on top of his. My eyes plead with him to stop, but his eyes are telling me there’s no chance of that happening.
Don’t do this to me here!
I suddenly feel nervous. Aware of my surroundings.

“Please,” I beg.

“Please what?”

“I thought you were here to watch football, not turn me on.”

“So I turn you on?” He’s smirking at me. “How much?” he asks, moving his hand from my waist down to my ass.

“Alex…”

“Yes, Libby?”

“Please remember where you are,” I say. “There are cameras
everywhere
.”

“Okay, baby. But I’m just as frustrated as you are.” He leans down and places a soft and quick kiss on my lips. Far too quick for my liking.

“Well, someone shouldn’t have let me sleep so long then. And that same someone shouldn’t have
had an extra guest in my room for breakfast.” My voice is low and seductive.

“Ah, baby, excellent points. I’ll remember that next time.” The smile on his face is infectious.

“Who says there will be a next time?” I reply with a straight face, but I can’t keep it like that for long before I laugh.

“Elizabeth, don’t tease. Especially when I know you want a next time just as much as I do.”

“Well, at least we both agree on that.” I bring my hand up to his chin. His eyes are ablaze with passion. Our lips meet, and this time the kiss is lingering. I am the first to pull away, remembering where we are. Maybe today won’t be so bad after all.

“Maybe you two should get a room,” Michael says.

“Seriously?” My voice comes out a little louder than I expect. I can’t believe this.

“What? Libby, I am only saying what everyone else is thinking.” Michael laughs.

“No, I wasn’t meaning you,” I answer sharply. I’m looking at the seats in front of us. I’ve not seen him in months, and now I am stuck with him, within touching distance: Jeff.

“Libby?” Alex looks at me, and then he realises what the problem is. “Shit. Do you want to change seats?”

“No, it’s fine. I can handle it.” I hope. Jeff turns round with a big smile on his face. He’s sitting with
his boss, Simon, who is the manager of my bank. The other two men I don’t recognise.

“Libby, it’s good to see you! Ethan,” Simon says, shaking our hands. “You both look well.”

“Simon,” Ethan replies.

“Thanks, Simon. You’re looking well too,” I say. “How is your lovely wife and baby? It was a boy she had?”

“Yes, Libby. Calum. They’re both doing great. He’s a bit of a handful already. I’m sure Ethan will agree with me,” he says, patting Ethan’s knee sympathetically. “I don’t usually see you at the matches anymore. Where’s your father today?”

“We’re here with Dad’s client,” I say. I suppose I should introduce them. “Alex, this is Simon MacRae, our bank manager and friend.”

“Yes, we’ve already met,” Simon says.

“We met at your father’s office yesterday.”
God, that was quick
. “We could very well be doing some business together if everything works out for me, although I’ve encountered an unexpected problem that will have to be taken care of first.” He glares at Jeff.
Ah, the unexpected problem
.

Suddenly the stadium reverberates with excitement. The players are on the pitch. Ethan gives me a nudge; I’m the only one still seated. I stand and applaud. As soon as the play starts, I sit back in my seat and try to concentrate on the game before
me—challenging, since I’m so conscious of Alex’s arm round my shoulders.

Focus
. It’s only a few minutes into the game when half the stadium erupts. Motherwell has scored first. Ethan is cursing to my right, and Alex is just enjoying the game on my left. The game continues. Celtic are awarded a penalty—for what I honestly couldn’t say—but the Motherwell keeper saves it. Motherwell seems to be having more chances.

“Miss Stewart?” I turn to see Andrew standing at the end of the row.

“Yes?”

“I believe Ashley forgot to take your half time drinks order.”

“Three bottles of Peroni.” I look at the guys, and they all nod that beer’s fine for them. “Can I have a large glass of chardonnay please?”

“Yes. Your drinks will be ready when you come back inside.”

“A
large
wine?” Ethan asks.

“Yes, I have a feeling I am going to need it.” He just shakes his head at me and mutters as he goes back to watching the game.

The game. I really should be watching it, but there are two people unsettling me in very different ways. Alex is stroking my arm, which is distracting at the best of times. And then there’s Jeff, who every now and then glances back at me. It’s nearly half time when I hear the crowd erupt again as Motherwell
scores what I think is their second, but it turns out it’s a third. I really need to pay more attention. Oh well, not a good day for Celtic fans. Then a few minutes later, the stadium erupts again. This time it’s a Celtic goal. Half time score: Motherwell 3, Celtic 1.

We head inside on the stroke of half time for our drinks and snacks. I had forgotten that’s all you do at football games—eat and drink. There is no way I can sit down to a full meal after the game and then have a BBQ at my parents’ house. I mention as much to the others, and Alex suggests that we don’t bother with a meal here. We settle for finger sandwiches—honey-roast gammon, roast turkey, and creamy tuna, mayo, and cucumber, and I insist the guys try the scotch pies. The scotch pie is the traditional half time snack at every football stadium in the country. Perfect. I send my dad a quick text to let him know we will be over at theirs earlier than originally planned, which Dad replies is fine.

Ten minutes into the second half, the stadium surges to life again, including my party; the game is back on at 3–2. It looks tight from what I can tell. It is. Ten minutes from time, and Celtic scores again to tie the game at 3–3. But no, Motherwell scores again to make it 4–3. Surely that’s it, game over, but the Celtic fans get behind the team one last time, urging them on, and with one last corner kick into the box, they score. Final score: 4–4. For all the neutral supporters, a great result. I’m just relieved it’s over. We are that
much closer to getting away from the stadium and the gauntlet of media.

We head back inside. Andrew’s waiting to take us to meet the players. This I could really do without, but I know the guys are keen to go.

“Guys, why don’t I wait here while you all go ahead? My ears are ringing, and I really just want to sit here for a bit.” I’m not in the mood for a meet and greet, having to smile at the right times and be polite.

“Libby, is everything okay?”

“Yes, Alex, everything is fine. Relax. Take your time. I’ll still be here when you’re all finished. I’ll order a drink or something.”

The guys hesitate, but I assure them I’m fine. Ethan’s look is sceptical, but I send them all packing. Ashley comes over to the table looking extremely disappointed that it’s only me she’ll be serving for now, and she looks downright angry when I tell her that we won’t be staying for a meal. I suppose she’ll have to find someone else to shamelessly flirt with. I order another large white wine.

There is a steady stream of visitors to my table, so I don’t get a moment to myself. That’s unfortunate, since peace and quiet is rather what I’m wanting right now. Just when I think I’ve finally got a few moments alone, the voice I’ve come to despise today is there again. This time it sounds as though he’s had a good bit to drink.

“So, ’lizbeth, he’s left you already!” Jeff leans over my shoulder. “I’ll just join you then. Looks like you could do with some company.”

“I’d really rather you didn’t, Jeff.” I look him square in the eyes, and there is an old, familiar look in his bloodshot eyes. “You’ve been drinking.”

“I may’ve had a few,” he says. This is the first time in years I have seen him this drunk. This could be an interesting conversation. “Where’s the boyfriend?”

“He and Ethan are off meeting the players, if you’re so interested.” I answer drily.

I wish he would leave. I feel his arm on the back of my chair, then all too quickly, I feel his fingers on the back of my neck.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”

“Yes. Thank you.” If I keep it short, he might go away. Wishful thinking on my part.

“Well, it’s true, shweetie. I’ve really mished you,” he says. I can smell the beer with every slurred syllable. His fingers brush against my face. This feels wrong. So wrong.