Sean watched as Kelsey made her through the travel lodge lobby, her coat draping over arm haphazardly causing one of the arms to drag along the floor. Seeing her disappear behind the door, he released the air in his lungs, sighing into the night. Walking round to the drivers side of the car, he checked once more looking through the glass doors to be certain Kelsey had actually headed in the direction to her room.

Sitting alone in the car, he turned the key. The past few hours playing on repeat in his mind. The day had certainly taken a turn and Sean felt weird to admit it was a turn for the better. Seeing a face from the past in this town had been something he was actively avoiding whilst being back here. But seeing Kelsey, even in the drunken state she was, made him feel a tad bit warmer to be back. These past four years had treated her well, Sean acknowledged her confidence and self assurance, a far cry from the shy, quiet girl that used to be around those years back.

  Pulling out of the car park Sean mentally went over their conversations. 'You know he's been messaging me on and off these past four years, right?' Those words causing a shock to travel down his spine, he kept regular contact with his brother but not once had Jake mentioned anything about Kelsey. '...some of it was harmless. Most of it felt pretty degrading.' Sean swallowed hard some of the bile that was creeping up at the thought of his brother sending any form of harassment to anyone, let alone a women who had been such a huge part to his life, someone who practically became family.

Sean didn't want to press further as to what it was Jake had said to Kelsey over these years, she was already in a pretty vulnerable state. Also what was it she had said to him? She had called him the other brother insinuating that he never cared back then about her relationship with Jake so why would he take an interest now? Sean's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, the skin pulled taught against his knuckles. He was aware that Jake and Kelsey had their troubles when they were dating but maybe now the revelation is they were having much more trouble then he had realised. He should've said something back then, all the times Kelsey was that bit quieter or the moments he saw her smile drop when she thought no one else wa s looking. He should've asked her if she was ok.
One of his biggest regrets for not speaking out Kelsey had mentioned tonight. The Grovesend FC dinner.

'Me and Jake were arguing and he asked you to take me home, you seemed pretty pissed about it...'

Sean remembered that night vividly, his neck hot with anger even now. He was pissed about it but not for the reason Kelsey seemed to think.

................................................................................................................................

    The function room was buzzing with electricity. Voices rang out above the music, interjecting with the clinking of glasses and laughter. A lopsided sign reading 'Congratulations Grovesend FC' ran the length of the back wall, the windows beneath showing a glimpse to the outside, the seafront stretched beyond and you could just about make out the crashing waves in the far distance. Everything was in a hue of dark blue as the sun disappeared under the horizon, a stark contrast to the warm yellow lights of the rooms interior.

Sean sat down at one of the back tables, a cold pint of 0% lager half drunk in front of him. His blazer open and the top button of his shirt was undone as he slouched back taking in his surroundings. His mate Kyle was up at the bar chatting with the coach of the women's team, Sean scoffed a laugh as he raised his glass to his lips. Kyle had a thing for older women and he was shooting his shot. The few shots of tequila fuelling his confidence to do so.
Looking across the room, past the crowds of people huddled on the dance floor the spotlights flashing bright colours across smiling, laughing faces, his eyes fell on another sat alone at a table.

Kelsey sat leant forward, face in hand as she fiddled with the straw in her empty glass. Her auburn hair pulled back off her face in a twist, a few loose tendrils falling down by her temples kissing the corners of her red stained lips. Her eyes were staring forward, following Jake as he carried a tray of shots towards a group of young women. People that Sean could work out as the mid fielder and defence of the women's football team. Jake's right hand men walked a step behind him chanting something that was being drowned out by the bass of the music thumping through the speakers. He watched Kelsey take her phone out of her bag and appear to read something before tapping away, sighing as she placed her phone back in her bag she stood up from the table. A black slip dress hugged her frame, stopping midway on her calves, strapped black heeled shoes carried her way over to the bar. Sean watched as she glanced back over to his brother, who was now linking arms with one of the women as they took their shot in unison. She looked away, her strides to the bar hastening.

    Jake cheered with everyone as he slammed his empty shot glass down, throwing his arms up in triumph. Sean rolled his eyes at the performance his brother was putting on, his jaw tightening as the brunette next to him laughed and playfully hit Jake's arm dragging her hand down flirtatiously. Jake took her hand and twirled her under his arm dancing to the music, his wide smile faltering as he turned to see that Kelsey was stood at the bar talking with one of his teammates.

Sean watched the whole thing unfold before him, Jake dancing, Kelsey ordering her drink and laughing at some joke that Kyle must've said. Her eyes sparkling with genuine joy as Kyle continued to tell her his humorous story, the women's football coach now no where to be seen. Sean witnessed Jake walk up with a confidence and a stern look plastered on his face, his arm protectively wrapping around Kelsey's waist as he interrupted their conversation. Kelsey's cheeks flashing a bright red as some words that Sean couldn't make out left his brothers mouth. Kyle lifted his hands and took a step back from Kelsey, an apology leaving his lips.

Anger crept up inside Sean, a burning sensation licking the back of his neck. He turned to look outside at the seafront, downing the rest of his drink he watched the rhythmic crash of waves against stones until his pulse quietened. He heard the sounds of the chair scraping next to him, turning back to see Kyle flopping down in it.

"Your bro's a fuckin' psycho." Kyle muttered, chugging from the bottled beer as they both watched Jake and Kelsey walk out into the corridor, the door swinging shut behind them. "I was just chatting with his bird whilst I waited for my drink. You'd think he'd caught us in the act by the way he acted."

"He's just drunk." Sean defended, placing his now empty glass amongst the empty plates and cutlery on the table.

"No, he's a fuckin' psycho." Kyle reiterated, downing more of his drink. Standing up Sean did up his blazer, smacking his hand down on one of Kyle's shoulders.

"You're also drunk." He said. "I'm going to bounce. Not really feeling it tonight."

"Alright, mate. I'll see you at training on Wednesday." Kyle said lifting his bottle in farewell as Sean turned to walk through the crowds of people. His hands pushed deep into his pockets he swerved past the groups of guys jumping and singing along with the tune playing.

Making it to the doors, Sean pushed through head down removing his car keys from his pocket. The silence deafening compared to the noise that had been contained in that room he'd just spent his evening reluctantly. His black dress shoes moved silently against the carpeted corridor, the exit within sight.
One of the doors opened exposing the outside world, Jake stood in the doorway, one arm propping the door open the other angrily raking through his hair.

"-how is that fair?" Kelsey's voice traveled into the corridor. Sean's steps slowed as he approached them. "Answer me, Jake. How is it fair that you can dance and flirt-"

"I wasn't flirting, Kels! Scarlett is just a friend!" Jake's voice reverberated against the walls. He looked back out the door, not yet having noticed his brother a few feet behind him. "You were the one thrusting your tits in Kyles face. I could see him undress you with his eyes across the room!" he spat, turning with venom in his eyes to see Sean in front of him. Jake's face changed.

"let's not argue, Jake. Let's go home, please." Kelsey's voice cried out broken, Sean could now see her over his brothers shoulders, her eyes red and puffy and her arms wrapped round her torso tight as she shivered in the cold night air.

"You leaving?" Jake asked directing the question at Sean, his voice cold.

"Yeah, I'm done with this evening." Sean answered, his eyes looking beyond Jake at Kelsey who was wiping tears from her cheeks.

"Good. Can you take Kelsey home." Jake requested more than asked, turning back to look at Kelsey. "I'm not done with my night yet."

Jake pushed past Sean before he could answer, heading straight back towards where the party was happening. Sean stood still for a second, catching the door from slamming shut. Kelsey turned away from him, her shoulders slumped and shaking from the tears that she was trying to hide. Sean felt that anger burning up inside of him, with his teeth gritted he controlled it. Looking once more at Kelsey, her small frame shaking, fingernails digging into her forearms. That heat blazed on the back of his neck, his brothers words and actions lighting an inferno of anger. Clenching his fists he stepped forward into the night air.

"I'm not parked far." He spoke, his voice cold as he concentrated on keeping his cool.

The car journey felt twice as long as it was, the only sound being the heater blasting warm air into the car and the faint sound of sniffling as Kelsey kept her gaze out the passenger window as she attempted to mask her crying. Silent tears pooling on her lap.
Sean stone faced stared at the road ahead of him, his hatred towards his brother for being the reason this poor woman sat crumpled in the seat next to him screamed out from the silence.

........................................................................................................................

   Sean sat staring at the exterior of his parents house, the engine still humming. That memory haunting him, the guilt that accompanied it eating away at him. Kelsey thought she was the reason he was pissed that night.

The hallway light was still on, the interior of the house seemingly cold and uninviting upon Sean's return. Slipping his shoes off he headed back into the kitchen, the plate still sat picked clean in the centre of the island.

"What a night." He whispered to himself, walking over to tidy up the little mess that was left behind. His foot striking something from under the chair Kelsey was sat at, confused Sean bent down to investigate. A sparkle caught his eyes, laying flush against the joining of the island to the floor tiles an emerald ring gleamed up at him. He'd recognised it as the one Kelsey constantly wore, Sean recalled her nervously playing with it earlier. She was too intoxicated to notice it was missing before they left, but this was a ring that Sean knew had great sentimental value. She'd mentioned it once when his mother complimented it, it had something to do with her grandma. Remembering that Kelsey said she was only here for one night Sean's mind began to race on how to return this to her before she left. Checking the time on his phone the numbers flashing up alerting him it was far too late to return back into town right now. But he needed to find a way to let her know he's got her ring before she left to head back home.

  Opening up his messages he scrolled till he found his last message chain to Jake. Clearly this guy still had means to get in contact with her, maybe he could assist. Typing a quick message Sean placed the ring with his car key on the key ring as to not misplace it, taking great care not to scratch it as he wound it round the loop. His phone laying flat on the counter top, the screen still lit up displaying his message to his younger brother.

  Can you give me Kelsey's number.