I Think I Love You (Australian Sports Star Series Book 3) (9 page)

Then she came closer and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m scared, though.”

“Of liking it?”

She pinched him with her long nails.

“Ouch.”

“What if I don’t like it?”

“You cross that bridge when you get there.”

“Aren’t you scared of liking Sydney too much? Leaving us all behind?”

He thought of that. He’d thought of that constantly and no matter how he looked at the situation, there was no straight or correct answer. He didn’t want to leave Melbourne. He’d spent a few years overseas and didn’t like it. The idea, though, of commentating soccer games, not only local ones, but the Asian Cup and hopefully the World Cup in a few years, was tempting. And after all, Sydney was only an hour’s flight away. He could come home most weekends, or vice versa, be in Melbourne during the week and in Sydney for the weekend. God knew, most of the games he’d be commentating for could be in Melbourne for all he knew. All he knew was, he wanted to give it a try. The opportunity was too good to worry about a thousand kilometres between cities.

“I’d hoped for you to be in Sydney as well,” he said.

She stilled and after a few seconds said, “I’ve never thought about that.”

Markus laughed. “I’m heading over Friday morning. We can do a sightseeing tour together.”

“Oh, I’d love that.”

“Oh, I thought so,” he replied with a laugh.

She slapped him on his chest, stepped back, and with hands on hips asked, “Okay, Casanova, what’s the update on Sarah?”

And suddenly his good mood had gone down the drain. He checked his watch. “Let’s pack up, so we can head home tomorrow. I’ll give Mike a call and get some details off him about the hotel and the itinerary.”

“And then you’ll call Sarah.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mum.”

And before she was able to slap him again, he headed to his room to make some phone calls. The idea, that Annie might move to Sydney as well, actually pleased him more and more.

Markus’ phone rang half an hour later. He’d just hung up with Mike.

“How are you, Saz?”

“Hi, Marky. I’m good. Are you still at the beach?”

“Heading home tomorrow.”

“Coming to Oliver’s on Saturday?”

His brows shot up. “What did I miss?”

“He got engaged, Marky.”

“I know, but what’s on Saturday?”

“Ty’s coming home on Friday. We’re having a little celebration for Oliver.”

Damn. He completely forgot about that. Raking his hand through his hair, he said, “I’m heading over to Sydney on Friday.”

Silence.

“Baby?”

“What’s in Sydney?”

The last thing he wanted to do was discuss his job interview with Sarah on the phone.

“Wanna come over tomorrow night for dinner?”

“What’s in Sydney?” she asked again, her voice hesitant and quiet.

“How about we’ll talk about it—”

“I’ve gotta go, Marky.”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me again!” Markus took a deep breath and said quietly, “I miss you, babe. This crap needs to be sorted. This thing between us, whatever it is, is giving me the shits.”

There was no reply, but at least she hadn’t hung up on him.

“I’ve got a job interview in Sydney.” He paused. The line was still open and he heard her breathing on the other line. “I’d really, really like you to come over tomorrow so we can talk about it.”

“Why?”

“’Cause I always discuss things with you when I’m not a hundred percent sure about what to do.”

“Why aren’t you sure?” Her voice was fragile and near a whisper.

He closed his eyes, sat down on his bed, and took another deep breath before he said, “Because the whole
no regrets
crap was bullshit.”

Silence again.

“Baby? I need to know where I stand. When you came over the other day, I was taken aback by what you said. Surprised.”

He heard her taking in a long breath. “I can’t believe that I did say that, but I was so confused and then I saw Melanie…I snapped.”

He nodded to himself, feeling the pieces of the puzzle come together. “I’m ready to give us a try,” he finally said.

“Why did you leave that afternoon, though?”

“Pardon?”

“I get that me coming over and giving you, as you call it
no regrets
crap, but why did you leave after…after—”

“I slept with you,” he finished for her.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Wasn’t that the ten million dollar question? He didn’t have the answer either. At the time, he thought he’d ruined a good friendship. Little had he known that staying and talking about it would’ve been the better and certainly the easier option.

“I freaked,” he murmured and, when Sarah didn’t reply, he said, “Look, Saz. In hindsight, I know it was the wrong move. As I said, I freaked, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about it since. I’m serious about what I’ve said.”

A heavy silence hung between them.

“I heard the message you left with Oliver. That you
fucked up.
”

“I fucked up by hurting you,” he replied straight away. It was all he’d been thinking about after his brilliant exit that day. “God, Saz, all I thought about was how much I hurt you by sleeping with you, by leaving you, by risking our friendship…friggin’ hell, Saz. I was so confused.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“I needed to have someone’s opinion. When Annie told me she always thought we were meant to be, I did call you.”

“Yes, you did. Even stalked me in my house,” she whispered with a chuckle.

“Saz?”

“There’s just so much going on at the moment, Marky. I’m scared.”

“Timmy?”

Sarah hesitated for a moment. “What? No way.”

Surprised, but relieved, he coaxed, “Tell me.”

She hesitated, but finally said, “Rachel moved in. I wanna help her get her feet back on the ground.”

“I can help.”

There was a long pause.

“See, I’m not sure whether you understand, but you’ve always helped. You’ve always been there for me. I’m at a point where I’m scared that when you help we’ll inevitably go back to being friends without noticing.”

Markus heard her sighing and wasn’t sure whether to reply or wait. He patiently waited.

“This with Rachel is really important to me, Marky.”

He nodded, even though he knew she wasn’t able to see him.

“I’m…I don’t—”

Annie knocked at the door and stuck her head in. “Do you—” She didn’t finish her sentence and Markus saw a big grin spread across her face. “Sarah?”

He nodded and waved her off.

“Are you talking and sorting things out?”

Markus excused himself for a moment from Sarah and said through gritted teeth, “I’m trying. Now would you mind?”

“Marky?”

“Hang on a second, Saz.”

“Marky, darling. I really have to go. Pinky swear. But I’ll come over tomorrow night after work.”

At that moment, those words meant the world to him. A rush of excitement went through him at the idea of seeing her the next day.

She’d had him stumped for a long moment when the question about him leaving that afternoon came up. He rubbed his forehead with his fingers, letting out a long breath. It’d been such a stupid thing to do, but he’d been walking on unfamiliar ground and he hadn’t lied when he told Sarah he’d freaked. That was exactly what he had done. He had to get his act together when she came around the next day.

“Babe, I can’t wait,” he finally said.

Markus disconnected the call and glared at his sister. “Honestly, sometimes I would love to throttle you.”

With a big grin plastered across her face, Annie held up her hands and said, “Okay, okay, I’m leaving.”

“Too late,” he replied, but grinned as well. He wasn’t able to hide his glee. The weight on his shoulders was lifted and the thought that he’d see her the next day brought on a rush of excitement. Finally, they’d be able to sort things out.

***

Sarah felt giddy. Her insides tingled from top to toe, yet she wasn’t sure whether it was the relief she’d finally opened up to Markus, the anticipation of seeing him again, or apprehension about their decision of a future together, which way ever that might be.

Grabbing her sneakers, she walked past the room Rachel was currently sleeping in and said, “I’ll be heading out for a run. I need to clear my head.”

“Are you okay?”

Sarah nodded. “All’s good. Need to get rid of the third chocolate bar I ate this afternoon.”

Her sister laughed. “Yeah, right. I heard you talking.”

“Anyway, I’ll be back for the movie tonight. You know, the one you wanted me to watch with you.”

Rachel stood and came closer. “Sarah? Does running help? You know, like me and my mashed potatoes?”

She let out a shaky laugh. “I noticed dinner was a variation of the usual plain mashed potatoes, today baked in little swirls.”

Tugging a strand of hair behind her ear, her sister replied, “The mashing for frustration. The swirling for thinking things through.”

“With Mum here?”

Rachel lifted her shoulder in a hesitant shrug. “I’m okay.” She looked away, though. “One night and a bit of delving into family history doesn’t change things, but…” Looking back at Sarah, she said, “It explains a lot. Don’t you think?”

“It’s nice not only to have names for Grandma and Grandpa, but also to have stories about them. To know we’re part of a bigger family.”

Rachel nodded. “I agree.”

“I never wanted to have children, Sarah. I never wanted to be like Mum. Does that make me a bad person?”

Feeling the tears welling up in her eyes, Sarah said, “No, no it doesn’t. And just because we had our ups and downs with Mum doesn’t make her a bad mum. The circumstances were against us.”

“Ever the arbitrator.” Rachel chuckled.

“No, I’m not. I think just because Mum was adopted isn’t a reason for her to blame others for her mistakes. One has nothing to do with the other. She blames her parents for giving her away. Blames Grandma and Pa for not showing her more love, but it seems she never stood back, took a look at herself and said,
I’ll do it differently.
It’ll be something she’ll always have, but at least she promised to be more aware of it.”

Her sister nodded absentmindedly.

“And who knows, one day we might be the one who will help her to have some luck in her life.”

“Sarah?” she whispered. “Thank you.” Then she leaned in and placed a kiss on her sister’s cheek. “Honestly, thanks. I know you have this stuff with Markus in the back of your mind as well. It’s kinda hard to say how much I wanna thank you.”

Sarah smiled. “Having you here and having
a sister
after all these years is thanks enough.”

“Oh, and please be safe.” Rachel pointed to her sister’s shoes.

“I’ll be all right. Don’t worry. I’ll take my walkie talkie with if you like.”

“Yes, please. And your phone. And a torch.”

“Rach? Don’t worry!”

Sarah walked to the front of the house, put on her sneakers, and jogged down the street and towards the small park. It was late in the evening, but the sun was still a long way from setting. She ran to clear her mind, to free her thoughts of the day, all cluttering her head—work, Rachel, Oliver’s engagement present. She wanted to have only one thought and that was Markus. What could she expect the next day? Would they be okay? Have a repeat of the previous week?

She stopped,
leaned
forward,
placing
her hands on her knees
, and tried to catch her breath.

Would she sleep with him again?

She walked back home, that single question stuck in her mind. The pros and cons spinning around her head like a whirlwind kicking up dust on the outback. She’d thought of that day they’d made love. It hadn’t been just sex. She remembered his touch, his kisses, and his mouth on hers. It still gave her a shiver down her spine. But she also knew she’d still recovered from a hangover and the fact that her latest boyfriend had cheated on her. Was it as simple as thinking Markus had been the rebound? Shaking her head, she stood, pushed the button for the pedestrian crossing, and waited. If he’d been the rebound, why did everyone tell her they’d seen it a long time coming? Had Timmy been the distraction?

She admitted Timmy was good looking, with his dark hair, icy blue eyes, and a body with no fat in sight. He’d been caring, helping, loving, and…cheating. At least once. The thought popped into her head whether there’d been more than one other girl. No, she wouldn’t go there.

The pinging noise of the lights hauled her back from the thoughts, and she crossed the road, heading up the streets. Subconsciously, she ran her hand through the bushes as she walked along, enjoying the sight of the colourful gardens. A chuckle escaped her lips as she thought about Markus’ garden. Messy and in desperate need for some clean-up.