Pippa's Fantasy by Donna Gallagher

Cassie’s home.
    “I’ve made a huge mistake, Riley.” Pippa sobbed as she found herself once again explaining her deception and subsequent night with Rook.
    Pippa was reluctant to meet her childhood friend’s eye as she confessed her sins, didn’t want to see the condemnation on his face at her actions. But when she did finally find the courage to lift her head and face his wrath, all she found was a look of concern in Riley’s eyes.
    “I’m sorry, Pippa, I’m struggling with this. How did Rook not recognise you? Even with the change to your hair colour and length, I knew it was you straight away, and I didn’t get all up close and personal.” He added, still shaking his head in apparent disbelief, “Did it ever cross your mind that maybe Rook knew all along and was just going with it…playing along?”
    Pippa knew that hadn’t been the case. She had seen the look on Rook’s face as Brodie had introduced her at that initial meet-and-greet session.
    Rook had been dismayed at her deception. It was the only thing that could explain his continued animosity towards her.
    “You know, you could be right, gorgeous. Sexy and smart—it’s my lucky night,” Cassie chimed in. “I’ve been telling Pip to just let it go, but even I felt the tension between them tonight, Riley. I think Rook needs to get over himself. He’s not a saint, or at least his reputation doesn’t hold up to that idea. So they had a night—big deal.”
    Pippa was exhausted. She was sick of talking, sick of thinking, and it seemed that her two friends had struck up their own personal friendship. To be honest, Pippa did not even want to think about what was going on there. But it certainly looked cosy, what with Riley settling in, looking as if he was in no hurry to leave.
    After excusing herself, Pippa went to her room and crawled into bed, leaving Cassie and Riley alone in the kitchen to finish their tea, and more than likely dissect the night and its drama some more. And goodness knows what else, she thought, trying hard not to accidentally picture her two friends together, sexually.
    As she lay staring up at the ceiling, Pippa wondered if her heart would ever mend or the pain lessen. She had actually deluded herself, for just a moment, into thinking Rook was about to kiss her, as he’d held her on the dance-floor just before Riley had intervened. But that possibility had been quickly squashed by Rook’s silent, angry exit. She was thankful for small mercies that Rook and Riley had not fought—that would have been an uncomfortable conversation to have with Brodie and Caitlin, trying to explain why Brodie’s team captain and his brother-in-law had come to blows.

Chapter Fourteen
     
     
     
    A month passed quickly.
    Pippa had managed to tread carefully around Rook, making sure she was never alone with him. He had not requested any pre-training strapping or massage, so it had been relatively easy to keep a distance between them. The rest of the team had made her feel welcome, and had listened attentively to her advice with regards to the treatment of any injuries. The players had all become comfortable enough for her to massage and work on them.
    All except Rook.
    Gareth had proven to be quite an ally, and very easy to be around. Pippa found herself spending more and more time in his company. Gareth was interested in her Kinesio strapping methods and was trying them on his hamstrings, having torn tendons in both hamstrings at different times in past seasons.
    Country-born Gareth was finding life in the city difficult, complaining to Pippa that city girls were too forward for him, the streets too busy, and the life too fast. He loved playing rugby league—it was the only thing that was keeping him away from the open spaces of his hometown, Gunnedah, a rural town situated in the far north-west of New South Wales.
    Pippa felt sorry for Gareth, but could understand how the city women found it hard to resist him. The shy country boy was easy