Rivals In Love (Wild Creek Ranch Book 5)

Chapter Nine

Their classes were about to start, and Ryan and Georgia had to vacate the classroom where they were and go on their own. Although Ryan sat with Andrew and Carl, his attention was on Georgia. The way her eyes glanced at him every now and then, the way she looked away with a blush on seeing him staring back at her, excited him. He couldn't look away from her even when Carl stamped his foot and nudged him to bring him back to earth. He was a goner!

She disappeared after the classes were over and Ryan ran around the corridors looking for her like a madman. He wanted to remind her of their date, er... of their farm visit, but he couldn't find her anywhere. Then he remembered he had her phone number. He simply messaged her.

Ryan- Where are you?

A few minutes later, her reply beeped back, making Ryan's heart leap with excitement. He quickly checked with a shit-eating grin on his face. Coach Harrison hadn't arrived yet, and they lay sprawled lazily on the football field.

Georgia- At work in the library. Arranging books!

Ryan - So boring!

Georgia- I know!

Ryan - Wait for me after you get off. I wanna talk to you.

Georgia - Sure.

Ryan couldn't wipe the silly smile off his face. Ryder glanced at him inquisitively, but he just ignored him. Finally, their warm-up started, followed by a practice match with their defense team from the University Of Providence, Great Falls for their big game, next week. It was the most tiring day of all, and Ryan simply dragged on, waiting for the match to end and coach Harrison to dismiss them already.

Suddenly, Ryder nudged him, gesturing towards the bleachers where the girls sat, watching them play. Most of them were either waiting for their boyfriends or maybe crushing on the boys busy playing. Even Ryan's fans were all over the place, but Ryan hardly glanced at them. Today most of the bleachers were full as the students watched their favorites play the defense team.

Looking disinterested, Ryan's eyes popped out at seeing Georgia sitting at the far end, watching him, waiting for him. His face broke out into a grin, which caused all his female fans to look at Georgia with jealousy.

Ryder, who was their team QB, threw the ball at him. Ryan, in a desperate attempt to show off to Georgia, retained the ball until he was in field goal range. Then he drop-kicked through the uprights and over the crossbars of the defense's goalposts to score a superb field goal. They were three points ahead with that! The crowd went crazy and Ryan pointed at Georgia to let her know that the goal was meant for her. Georgia blushed and grinned at him.

They scored a very astounding touchdown, followed by another point after touchdown or PAT. After a glorious victory over their opponents, Ryder and his team jogged out of the field, followed by their coach. Ryan stopped to talk to Georgia with everyone's eyes glued to them.

"Did you like watching the game?" His heart skipped a beat at seeing the admiration in her eyes. She nodded.

"Yes, you play well. Congrats for your win." They walked together towards the dressing room. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

Ryan couldn't take his eyes off her. Without making any effort, she seemed to stand out amongst every single girl on the campus. "Umm, I just wanted you to get your laptop tomorrow, if possible. And don't be late," he added. He actually had nothing to tell her. He just wanted to see her.

"Okay. I have to go, Ryan. Mom needs me," she breathed, and Ryan nodded.

"Bye," he whispered. Georgia smiled and walked away towards the parking area. Ryan watched her hot butt look hotter in a pair of jeans that hugged her figure tightly. The short blue top showed off her small waist and full, rounded breasts, making him long to crush her in his arms. He stared mesmerized at the tantalizing sway of her hips until she disappeared totally.

"She's gone, dude. Are you f*ckin' daydreamin' or what?" asked Caleb, one of their teammates. Ryan shoved him with a grin and went inside to change.

"Ryan, I envy you, man," said Mike, another teammate. Ryder looked at him with curiosity while Ryan avoided them all. Later, when they drove home, Ryder nabbed him. He knew it was impossible to avoid Ryder now.

"Spill! What's going on between you and Allen McLean's daughter, Ryan?" he asked impatiently.

"She's my project partner, Ryde. What else should go on between us?" asked Ryan innocently, but Ryder wasn't the one to be fooled so easily.

"I don't think you need to show off that way to your project partner. Why the f*ck did you risk that field goal yourself? You could have screwed it, man. You should have passed it to Matt. He's our reliable placekicker," said Ryder, looking disappointed.

"C'mon Ryde. This was just a practice match. I scored, didn't I?" said Ryan, defending himself.

"You were showing off, Ryan. Don't deny it," said Ryder as he drove them home.

"Okay, I accept I was showing off. There's no harm in it. You too show off all the time when there are chicks watching you," defended Ryan.

"But you never do. So how was it any different today?" prodded Ryder. He wasn't letting it go so easily. He needed to know the truth, which was that Ryan was whipped by their rival's daughter.

"Was it because Georgia came to see you play?" asked Ryder impatiently when Ryan didn't answer him. Ryan shrugged.

"Maybe. I know what you're getting at Ryde. I admit it, I like Georgia, anyone would. She's a gorgeous girl with a beautiful and kind heart. I'm not pursuing her or something. I just like her, that's all," shrugged Ryan.

"Have you thought about the consequences of your liking, Ryan? Her family would try to destroy us," warned Ryder.

"I know. I just like her enough to complete a project together. Later she can go her way and I'll go mine. We're not sticking together forever. So how will it affect her family or ours?" asked Ryan, looking pissed off.

"It's not so easy, dude. If you talk nicely to such innocent types of girls, they'll surely fall for you. Just ensure that none of you fall for each other. That's where the complications would set in and the family would get involved," warned Ryder. Ryan sighed and stared out of the window. He knew he was on the verge of falling for her. He had to be stronger. Falling in love with Georgia wasn't an option available to him. He couldn't risk the complications involved.

"Don't worry. She doesn't like me much and we can never fall for one another," shrugged Ryan, but he didn't feel so confident deep inside. Ryder noticed his dilemma but didn't say a word to him further.

Georgia lay on her bed, thinking about Ryan, the way he played, the way he dedicated a score to her, the way he tucked away her hair, the way he looked at her. He was the heartthrob of the college with so many girls crushing on him, yet he made her feel so special. Why? Did he like her as much as she liked him? Georgia couldn't control the rapid beating of her heart whenever she thought about him. She was very excited about meeting him tomorrow at the Alpine Dairy Farm. She could hardly wait for it.

After completing her mom's work, she sat down with the project. She didn't want to disappoint him. It was late and last night's lack of sleep was taking a toll on her body. Unable to continue any longer, she dozed off to sleep.

The next morning was very hectic for her. She made breakfast for herself and her mom, fed her, bathed her, and administered her medicines to her. Later, when Hannah, one of their trusted workers at the dairy farm, promised to drop in, Georgia quickly got ready to go.

"Where are you off to today? It's Saturday. I thought colleges are all closed on weekends," growled Brian. Georgia stopped mid-stride.

"She must be going on a date," came Greg's saucy reply.

"No, I'm going to a farm nearby to do research work for my project. Dad has already given his permission, so just leave me alone, you two," she threw back at them, stomping off towards her mom's car. How she hated her brothers! She purposely didn't tell them the name of the farm that she was going to. With their crooked minds, they would surely reach there to check up on her!

Georgia drove towards the Alpine farm, her heart beating faster and faster as she neared it. She was, in fact, fifteen minutes early. Had Ryan already reached there? Excitement coursed through her veins at the sight of Ryan, leaning against his truck and waiting for her just outside the farm.