A week later, Jack was making his way Paul's football club to watch a game and meet some of the guys. He wasn't going to go, despite being in Australia for a year he had never got into the national sport of afl and stuck with things he knew like cricket, rugby and football or soccer as the majority of people called it. While he doubted it, he was hoping Emily would be there too. She hadn't mentioned it and it was most likely a guy thing and heading towards the club the team were just coming out of the change rooms in their uniforms.

"Hey mate!" Paul greeted, stopping to adjust his shoe laces.

"Hey" Jack noticed the curious looks some of the guys were sending his way and spotted another familiar face. "Joshua?"

"Hi Mr Davies, didn't expect to see you here!" Joshua kept it formal with his boss, almost nervous at seeing him.

"You can call me Jack, Joshua" Jack relaxed as the team formed around them and nodding Joshua stood a little closer, slapping him on the back as the formalities of the workplace were forgotten.

"Guys this is Emily's friend, Jack. Thinking of getting him down to training on Wednesday, see if he's worth signing up for next season" Paul told the crowd and a few other guys introduced themselves as the mention of being Emily's friend seemed to be his ticket in. "The girls are by the trees if you wanted to watch. It's the last game of the season before we switch to cricket as we didn't make the finals. Get Carla to explain the rules to ya bud" The team headed out to where the other team was already running around, warming up. Following behind families and friends lined the curve of the oval and sure enough in the shade of the trees Emily and Carla sat with a few other women and an older man.

By chance Emily looked in his direction, and seeing him, it took a second before recognition had her jumping up and running over. They had seen each other every night this week; she was whipping him back into shape with the long runs. Working out in the gym wasn't the same as the marathon treks and he was still slightly sore from using muscles that been forgotten about. Despite their new weekly routine which then involved hanging out at her place and having dinner they didn't do it on Friday due to a work dinner her had to attend and he was missing her already.

"Hey Jack!" She hugged him in greeting and a whiff of vanilla and coconut drifted over him from her hair.

"Hi, mind if I sit with you guys?" He asked glancing over her shoulder all eyes were on them but she didn't seem to notice.

"Where else would sit? Come on. Dad this is Jack, you know Carla, Anna and Helen" Looking over at the younger looking girls they both smiled offered smiles, "And that's Hayley and Gemma. They're girlfriends of a couple of the guys" A hello was passed around the group before the horn sounded, making them all jump.

It was half time before they knew it and there was a one goal lead to Paul's team which had the small group screaming for them. Jack had tried to keep up with the information being thrown his way as Emily's Dad and Carla took him under their wing to explain the rules but in the end it came down to what most sports did, getting the ball to the goals for six points. Emily got up and disappeared with Gemma as he Dad gave him a quick test on everything he had just been told and amazingly he passed but soon drifted off as he spied Emily passing around trays of cupcakes.

The cupcakes had been decorated in the home team colours and offering them to the other supporters it was a chance for them all to catch up. It was only local footy, all the guys on both teams were friends off the field and while it was taken seriously, it was still just for fun. Most of the watchers were regulars and quickly paid there $1 for one of her cupcakes, it was another way the club fundraised and even some of the players ran over to make sure they got one.

"Hey Em, make sure you save one for me" Blair was a tall and lanky guy, a good midfielder and only nineteen and Gemma's boyfriend. "What you up to later?"

"Not much, I think some of the girls were going to head into town" It was the usual Saturday night talk and it worked out well Anna had been born on their weekend off.

"Come out with us, we can all meet at Vinnys Bar for dinner" He offered as Gemma came up to hug her boyfriend, her tray now empty they were already $100 richer.

"Sure. Do you mind if I bring Jack? He needs to get out and meet some people and you lot will do" Joshua appeared then and pinched one of the cakes from her tray. "Hey, you gonna to pay for that Josh?" Emily demanded, all she got was a nod and a cheeky grin and passing the tray to Gemma she sprinted after him as he took off. She was one of the guys here and would even train with them if she felt like it. It had been her brothers club too and like Paula and Carla, everyone felt responsible for her in his absence.

Seeing Emily take off after Joshua, Carla only laughed as her Dad shook his head sadly but he was smiling too. "I thought we had been given a little girl, but instead we got that"

Emily managed to tackle Joshua down, the man trying to be careful and push her away as she began to tickle him until the umpire interfered and broke them up. Minutes later, Joshua reluctantly handed over a $5 note to cover his cupcake and a triumphant Emily received a round of applause as she headed back into the little canteen with Gemma. Coming back to the group her hair was a mess, the hair tie that held back her hair was half fallen out and her cheeks were flushed from the activity.

"Someone has to keep them in line right Em?" Hayley teased and taking a seat by her Dad, he looked at her fondly.

"He wasn't going to pay" She shrugged as the horn sounded for the third quarter. Looking at Jack he seemed perplexed at the whole thing and she had to laugh. He was so out of his comfort zone and she hoped he would be able to his place amongst them all. By the last five minutes of the game the guys were kicking goal for goal and the whole crowd was up and screaming for their side. A nasty tackle had Joshua once again sprawled onto the grass and the crowd was silent as he took a second to try and get up.

"Get up Josh, you're killing the grass!" Emily screamed at him, earning a few laughs from around them before his hand came up flipping her off and he got up, stretching his arm hesitantly, he had fallen pretty hard on his shoulder. One of the umpires ran over to check on him. Signalling to his teams goals, the umpire had just given them a free kick and the crowd erupted into applause. Josh had a good kick and this could win them the game and it did.

"So you wanna give it a go?" Emily asked Jack as the packed up the picnic blanket and esky, helping her father carry it all to the car.

"With support like yours, how could I not want to get out there?" He mocked, as Joshua came over with his arm in a sling.

"You ok?" Emily dropped her handle of the esky and went to her friend's side, carefully touching his arm, he winced slightly.

"Yeah, you've served me worse" He muttered, and Jack was sure there was more to that comment too. "A cupcake would make it better" Rolling her eyes Emily went and pulled out a small box with four cakes in and handed them over.

"Still good for tonight?" She asked, and he nodded smiling as Gemma joined him, ready to drive home.

"What are you up to tonight Emily?" Her Dad asked as they got to his car. Jack tried not to be listening, but he really hoped he would be involved.

"Just going out for a few drinks Dad and don't worry, I won't drive" she kissed his cheek and moved aside as her Dad shook Jacks hand.

"Nice meeting you Jackson, hope to see you out there one day" The pair were quiet as they watched him head home and he hated the fact he was now facing a weekend without her but as if reading his mind she nudged him playfully as they started walking towards his car.

"Why so glum? You're coming too" The paused to wave at Carla and Paul as they passed. "Can I get a lift home?" Jack had already guessed as much and didn't answer.

"I am?" He unlocked the car and she climbed in.

"Well I figured you'd want to and you can get to know the team better too" But it wasn't the team that he was interested in that night and by the time the taxi arrived to take him to Emily's to pick her up he was actually nervous. As the driver beeped she appeared out of the house in a black strapless dress. The green emerald of her necklace that covered the blank space above her chest matched her eyes and her heels where higher than anything he'd seen her wear before and the makeup she had applied only enhanced how could she looked rather than take anything away from the natural beauty she had.

"Wow you look great" Jack couldn't help but stare as she sat beside him.

"Not too much black?" She asked nervously, smoothing the short skirt around her thighs after she had her belt done up.

"No, it's perfect" She met his gaze and blushed slightly, causing him to cough as he prayed she really couldn't read his mind. Arriving at the bar, Emily looped her arm in his and dragged him inside, finding her friends the girls all hugged and kissed cheeks and a few of the guys shook hands. They all accepted Jack instantly and making small talk with Joshua was the easiest as they already had some kind of history with work.

Satisfied he wasn't being left out, Emily grabbed her girlfriends and the four of them headed to the tiny dance floor of the bar. She loved nothing more than just letting go and moving with the music, it was like therapy and nothing mattered for the few minutes.

"Jack's cute Em, how did you find him?" Hayley asked curiously, flicking her blonde hair back her relationship was on the out and the cute English guy was taking her fancy.

"I helped him at the airport" Gemma took her hand and twirled her around as they messed around, ignoring the looks from the more 'involved' dancers that surrounded them,

grinding against their guys.

"You're taken Hayley; I'm the only single one here. Think he'd be interested?" Rani looked back in the tables direction where Jack was laughing at something Joshua was saying. Emily thought her friends would be interested in him, he really seemed to be the whole package yet she couldn't bring herself to answer Rani as she let Gemma spin her again before the pair started to try and tango. Gemma had a few drinks before coming out and already her steps were slightly staggered and her balance was heading out the door. A look passed between Hayley and Rani, "Emmy?"

"Sorry what?" Emily stopped her dance and moved beside her friends knowing what they wanted to know.

"Is he single?" He was, he had told her about his last relationship in one of their runs. She had worked in an office the floor below him and after a couple of weeks of flirting in the elevator on the way up he had asked her out. It only lasted three weeks before they broke up when he had to go back to England. He hadn't seemed worried about it.

"He is" Two words that had just set the challenge between the friends and inside Emily felt sick at the thought of them being with him. But it wasn't her business and sticking with Gemma she let them head back to the table and headed up to the bar. This wasn't right, she shouldn't be feeling so, jealous? As the bartender poured the shots for them, she looked over to where Rani had her arm over Jacks shoulders, whispering in his ear.

"You ok?" Gemma followed Emily's gaze frowning. "Is there something I should know?"

"No" Emily answered quickly before changing the topic "How is Josh's arm?" As Gemma teased her boyfriend's injury which was really nothing more than a little bruise, Emily twirled the engagement ring on her finger. He wasn't hers and she had Greg so what did it matter? Two shots later they were back on the dance floor and more of the group joined them before heading to a nearby nightclub.

Standing around the small table by the dance floor Joshua watched Jack who seemed oblivious to Rani who stood at his side possessively and tried to make some kind of conversation. Giving up she finally went to join her friends and instantly Jack seemed to relax. She was nice enough, a little clingy maybe but she wasn't Emily and he hated himself for comparing them. Was this what it was going to be like now? Watching Emily dance she seemed so happy, a little drunk but happy.

"Dude, I know what you're thinking and don't go there ok?" Joshua's warning had Jack turning to face him as he tried to act like he didn't know what he was talking about.

"What are you on about?" Joshua looked at him doubtfully, rolling his eyes he pointed in Emily's direction.

"We've all had a crush on Scott's little sister at one time or another but Greg got a ring on it" Shaking his head he took a sip of his beer. Emily had a way of getting under all of their skin but in a good way. She was friends with everyone she met; she just drew them into her sunshine. It was the only way he could describe it and he had seen the look that Jack had on his face to many times to count. It wouldn't end well for him.

"She is a friend only Josh, I know that" Inside Jack was slapping himself. Was he really that obvious?

"Well Greg is back in a couple of days, let's see if you do" Josh got up and left him alone as he went to find Gemma who was drunk and dancing like a fool. It was time for them to leave before she drank too much and had to be carried out of there.

Emily soon took his place at the table, with a drink in hand she frowned seeing him alone. "Wanna come and dance?"

"I don't dance" Jack looked uncomfortable, and he wished again he was more like his brother. This scene wasn't one he usually got into and at the risk of making an idiot of himself he stayed away from it. The mischievous look in Emily's eyes had him standing up straighter at the table, rather than leaning against it as she finished her drink and came around to face him.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" She grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the dance floor and Rani soon appeared to help her as she saw what was going on. With him firmly in place in the centre of the dance floor the girls danced with each other, encouraging him to follow their own movements. The music made it hard to hear what they were saying and the heat from the mass of bodies around them was almost unbearable yet as Emily slipped in front of him and his hands found her waist as he had just seen her do with Rani, everyone else fell away. As someone pushed into them from behind it only bought him closer behind her and she spun around to face him, grinning as her hips swayed in time to  

the beat.

"See! You can dance!" Emily yelled encouraging, ignoring the goose bumps that broke out all over her as she shivered with his touch. He half smiled back to her and moving away she let Rani take her place and finding a couple of the other footy club guys moved to them leaving them alone. It had been the right thing to do, and she only looked back once as Rani boldly reached up to find his lips.

Jack wasn't expecting it; his eyes stared in shock as began to deepen the kiss and with his lack of response wrapped her arms around him. Rani was taller than Emily and with her heels she was standing in line with his chin so trying to pull away wasn't easy. Frowning Rani stared at him, unsure exactly of what was going on. If you did that to a guy in a nightclub it generally meant one thing. His eyes found Emily and she gave him a smile and thumbs up before turning away to her new dance partner, hoping he didn't see the sadness she was feeling. This was a good thing for both of them and spying Rani dragging Jack towards the exit, she ignored the pain in her gut knowing full well where Rani was taking him and guilt took over as she couldn't find it in herself to be happy for either of her friends.

Emily only stayed for one more song, getting out she was quick to flag down a taxi. It was only one o'clock but the party mood had left her. Hayley followed close behind and the pair shared a taxi to Emily's before taking Hayley home. After saying goodbye, Emily headed inside. Taking her shoes off by the door she tied up her hair and went to shower to get the makeup and sweatiness from dancing off and not ready for sleep, went into her kitchen and began to bake.

Knocking on the door woke her up and looking around, morning light was pouring into her kitchen and registering the fact someone was knocking got up stiffly from sleeping on the sofa. She didn't even remember sitting down last night and glancing into her kitchen, it was a mess and two slabs of brownie and an un-iced cake sat on the counter. Yawning she opened the door to find Carla, Paul and Anna, two of which frowned instantly at seeing her.

"What the hell happened? Did you get into a fight with a sack of flour?" Paul walked in holding his daughter as Carla followed cautiously. Entering the living room Paul sat the carrier down on the coffee table as Anna was still sound asleep and glanced into the kitchen.

"What's going on Emmy?" Carla asked, seeing the mess. Emily only baked like that when something was wrong. She was generally clean and organised, so the fact the dishes were undone and the mixer still had batter stuck to the beaters, not to mention the eggshells and spilt flour added to their theory.

"Nothing guys, I came home drunk and started cooking" She quickly went into the kitchen, annoyed at the mess and started to load the dishwasher.

"Anything else happen last night?" Paul pressed further, having a feeling something more must have happened than her simple explanation. Emily sighed, wiping down the bench and glancing at the clock it was nearly ten.

"No. Want some brownie?" She offered instead and finished with the bench got out some plates and started to cut it up as Carla got the coffee machine going. "So what brings you guys around so early?"

"We are having a naming ceremony for Anna and just wanting to check on Greg's schedule so he won't miss it" Carla got the milk out and finished up the coffees as they took a seat at the dining table.

"Oh when were you thinking? Once he finishes this trip he's back up North so it should be two and one" As they discussed the details Emily grabbed her phone, surprised to find a bunch of messages from Jack and a couple of missed calls.

Where are you?

Have you left?

Just got told you've gone with Hayley. Let me know you got home safe

If he knew she left, he hadn't gone anywhere with Rani and for the first time that morning she actually smiled and opening a message from Greg, he was leaving a day early so rather Tuesday pick up, she'd need to be there Monday morning instead.

"Good news?" Carla asked curiously, getting another piece of brownie.

"Greg is coming home a day early" Emily enthused.

"Oh great. Should we count you guys in for Friday night then?" Friday was the footy clubs last fundraised and the end of season awards night and she hadn't confirmed if they were going or not as his schedule had changed so many times in the lead up to it.

"Yes, maybe. I'll let you know tomorrow" Greg generally kept them away from social things on his week home unless he went off to play golf or go for a surf with some of his friends while she was at work.

"So did Jack go out last night?" Carla asked innocently, watching her friend closely her suspicions on the reasons for her baking storm were confirmed as her head snapped up and she looked almost panicked at having him mentioned.

"Yes, I think Rani has a thing for him" Emily was able to keep the bitterness from her tone and picked up her coffee.

"Don't think she is the only one" Paul muttered under his breath before getting up to check on Anna.

"What?" Emily asked, glaring at him slightly.

"That's good for Jack. The guys all seemed to like him, seems your mission of helping him worked out well" Carla watched Emily suspiciously and getting nothing carried on, "Speaking of working out well, Nancy is very much at home with Heidi!" And while the conversation carried on casually, Emily tried to focus on Greg coming home and not the fact Jack didn't go home with Rani.

___

So we will be meeting Greg next Chapter.....