Fearless

Chapter 31

Skylar's POV

My Dad gets protective. Especially regarding Carter, Mom and I, but I'm grateful, because hopefully Jake will now leave my friends and I alone.

I was relieved to have the boys looking out for me. It's nice to know that they have my back...particularly Lucas.

However, the pain was still fresh and I was embarrassed to have caused this situation. I just wanted to celebrate the boys' win with everyone, but the atmosphere had now completely changed.

"Now that that's been dealt with. Lets go home and celebrate your win." Dad said, cracking a smile towards Carter as if he hadn't just scared the life out of my ex-boyfriend.

I quickly got into my brothers car, not wanting to talk to my parents about what just happened.

"You okay, kid?" Carter asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, lying slightly. "Are you okay?"

"What do you mean? I just captained a winning team, I'm doing great!"

"I saw Laura trying to talk to you on the field."

"Oh...that. She was just trying to beg me to take her back, but it was no big deal." he sighed.

"As long as you're alright." I said.

"Why wouldn't I be?" he said taking a deep breath as he flashed me a forced smile.

Carter would usually be partying with all of his friends right now, and I felt bad that he was stuck celebrating with us. I knew it was secretly bothering him, knowing that all of his friends were out without him but I decided not to mention it.

Knowing my brother, he wouldn't want to talk about it. He likes to keep his emotions bottled up...much like Dad.

~

The car journey was quiet, and by the time we got home everyone had already arrived before us.

We made our way through the house and were met with everyone gathered outside on the garden patio.

Fortunately for me, everyone had already seemed to have forgotten about the scene Jake created back at school, but I still felt a little embarrassed.

"Carter, catch!" Ryan yelled from the other side of the patio, throwing a beer my brothers way as he caught it and walked over to sit with the boys.

"Well done today boys, you were all great out there." Blade said.

I looked at the table in front of me where everyone was sat. My mom and dad were sat at one end cuddled up grossly together, beside Blade, who had his arm around Ivy. Ryan, Jamie and Carter were all sat together laughing and drinking and Hailey was sat on the other side of the table beside Nick, who had his arm over Leanne's shoulder.

"You coming to sit down?"

I turned around to see Lucas stood behind me, having just been in the kitchen to grab a drink.

He shut the door and opened the can in his hand before taking a sip and stepping closer to me.

"Yeah, I...Thank you for today." I stammered. "And the other day. You seem to have developed a habit of having to come to my rescue." I smiled weakly.

"I don't have to...I want to." he smiled, taking yet another step closer to me.

Everyone at the table was too distracted to hear or see us, but my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest.

Lucas has been having that effect on me recently, and I don't know where it's come from.

"Well, I wouldn't want you getting hurt because of me..."