Chapter 7
What you got, butter on your hands? I shouted.
Chase flipped me the finger and scooped the ball up off the turf. Youre supposed to throw it to me, not over my head, dumbass.
I was aiming right at you, dumbass, I retorted. Not my fault you cant catch for nuts.
He grinned and snapped the ball at me as hard as he could.
I caught it and snapped it back just as hard.
Youre going to have to get up earlier to get the Bam-man off guard. This late in the season, I was on top of my game. We all were, but where would be the fun in not giving my teammates hell every practice?
Hows things with Grace? Chase asked just as he threw again.
Shit. I fumbled the ball and almost dropped it.
Chase laughed. That early enough for you?
I gave him a dirty look and focused on throwing as Coach Quinn walked by.
The coach looked pissed, but he always did. He was probably born with a cranky expression on his face. He looked even angrier when he was watching Hawk. For some reason none of us managed to figure out, he didnt seem to like the quarterback. Maybe because Hawk was so much cooler and better looking than him.
On the other hand, hed really hate me if that was the case. When it came to cool and good looks, I left the other guys in the dust.
Except maybe Ollie. What? I have an ego, but a guy has to be realist once in a while.
Its way too early to talk about her, I said once the coach was safely past.
Things didnt go well last night then? Chase asked.
I shrugged and pressed my lips together. I didnt want to talk about last night. Or Grace. Or anything to do with this rehab they decided my career needed. I doubt anyone even missed me at the event. I made a big donation, so they couldnt say I hadnt helped out. I did my bit. Just not exactly how they wanted me to. If they didnt like it?—
I caught sight of Coach Quinn on his phone, his scowl turned toward me. He said a few things to the person on the other end and his eyes narrowed. He looked even more pissed than usual. Who knew that was even possible? Hell, you learn something every day.
Looks like youre gonna have to talk about it. Chase grinned like a brother who wanted to say, Oooh, youre in trouble, and stick out his tongue where Mum couldnt see it.
I curled my lip at him. Just cause hes looking this way doesnt mean its about me. He could be talkin bout you. You get a speeding ticket this time?
Ive seen Chases driving and motorcycle riding, when the police werent looking. Leadfoot McKinney, that was him.
Shit no, he replied. Im the perfect rider on the roads. He was more than a bit obsessed with his motorbike. He had it almost as hard for the machine as he did for Ashley.
Youre full of crap, I said cheerfully. I kept half an eye on Coach, who put his phone away and stalked toward us.
Ill leave you and Coach to it, I said when he got close enough. I took a step away, but Coach Quinn fixed his angry eyes on me.
Carson Thomas wants to speak to you after practice, he said. Hes flying back from the Whitsundays as we speak. You better hope he calms down on the way, or your ass is toast.
In the corner of my eye I saw Chase pull a face. For once, he wasnt laughing. He actually looked worried about me. Me. As if I couldnt take care of myself.
Sure, Coach. Ill smooth things over. No stress. I gave him my best smile.
He responded with a sceptical look, but nodded and turned away.
That didnt sound good. Hawk finished his practice with the quarterback coach and jogged over to us.
Nothin I cant handle. I didnt feel that confident on the inside, but I wasnt going to show any fear. Just like on the field during a game. You had to ooze confidence. Show youre rattled and theyll be all over you like a cheap pair of socks or a bad tie. Who was I kidding, all ties are bad. Whose idea was it to have people strangle themselves just for style? High heeled shoes I got. They made womens legs look?—
Practice isnt over, Hawk reminded me. Maybe we should work on a few tackles. You dont want to take any aggression into the meeting with the boss.
How did you— I frowned at him.
I heard from across the field, Hawk said. I think most of us did.
I swore under my breath a few times. Wasnt this bad enough without everyone knowing my business?
I drew myself up. Its not a big deal. Come on, lets get back to work.
Carson Thomas is cutting a holiday short and its no big deal? Chase asked. Sounds like a big deal to me. Right Hawk?
A bit of a big deal, yeah. Hawk looked worried now. If I got booted off the team, it might cause a disruption for a while. I had to make sure that didnt happen. If anyone could sweet talk Carson, it would be me. I just had to turn on all my charm, and remind him the team was better with me on it.
Stop stressing, I said. We should be focusing on the game this weekend, not on me.
Yeah, we should, Hawk agreed.
I almost got the impression he was annoyed at me for some reason. It wasnt like I was the one causing distractions and drama. I was just living my life the best way I could. Was that a crime? It was starting to feel like they thought it was.
Throw the ball, Chase, I snapped, my good mood gone.
He glanced at Hawk, then stepped back and threw.
We went on like that, without a word, until the coach called us to jog the perimeter of the field and then do warm down stretches.
Are you okay? Ollie hurried a little to run beside me. You seem upset about something.
I shrugged. I guess I figured the guys had more faith in me. I was more steamed about that than anything else. They seemed to think this whole thing was some kind of fucking joke.
Okay, I treated it like that too, but that was who I was. I joke around, make fun of a whole lot of stuff. I took my job seriously though. They seemed to think I didnt. It was kind of stupid, really. There was no reason for Carson Thomas to fly home early.
It occurred to me he might have planned on coming back today anyway. Yeah, that must be it. He was going to drive by after the plane landed and say hi. With any luck, hed apologise for the whole Grace thing, and admit it was unnecessary.
I was one hundred and ten percent sure she had better things to do than plan my life. Like—I dont know, a hobby, or hanging out with her friends. Or making Ollie a superstar. Or having a long, hot, naked soak in a bath full of bubbles and…
I really needed to spend less time thinking about her. Even when I was doing other stuff, she popped into my dumb brain. No denying she was cute, but she made it clear she wasnt into me. She would be if I tried, of course. No doubt about it. That would only complicate our working relationship, if you could even call it that. Maybe once Carson called her off, Id see if she was up for a bit of fun. Nothing too serious, just a roll or two.
Ollie said something, but I hadnt heard, on account of the fact I wasnt listening.
Huh? I asked.
I said, Im sure itll all be okay, Ollie said again. We all know youre a good guy, most of the time. He smiled.
Most of the time? I glanced over to him. Boy, youve been hangin with Chase and Hawk for too long. Or Henry Pinky fucking Innocenti. If anyone would poison someone against me, itd be him. Asshole.
His smile widened to a grin. Damned kid had the best teeth on the team. No wonder women liked him.
Im pretty sure I learned that from you, he said.
I laughed. He was probably right. You learned well then, young grasshopper. Remind me to teach you a few swear words, just in case you need them.
He snorted. Im not that young. I know plenty.
Does your mother know that? I asked. As far as I knew, he still lived at home. Lucky him. I hated cooking and doing laundry. Some of the guys had cooks and cleaners to do that, but I could never bring myself to pay someone to come into my space and clean up my mess. I liked having my space to myself, unless Chantel popped in for a visit. She usually cleaned the house for me anyway, so why bother to hire anyone?
No, Ollie replied. Shed yell at me if I said anything more than damn.
I laughed out loud at that. You ever think about getting a place of your own?
Yeah, but then shed move in so she could take care of me. He made a face.
Those apron strings are tied really tight, I said. Careful they dont strangle you.
I like having family close, Ollie argued.
Me too, but theres close and theres close, if you get my drift?
He frowned. Yeah. I think so.
We slowed to a walk and went over to grab a drink of water before we started stretches.
Youre not taking life advice from Bam are you? Chase asked Ollie.
I think he meant it to be a tease, but it rubbed me all the wrong way.
Fuck off, I snapped.
Hey, Hawks tone held a warning. All right, settle down.
I will if he backs off, I grumbled.
Chase spread his hands out like he didnt know what was up. Chill out, man. Im just joking around.
Yeah, well, dont, I snapped. Im not in the mood.
Thats obvious, Chase said. He smirked at me.
I shot him a look. For someone I thought of as a friend, I wanted to wipe the smile off his face right now.
I said, settle down, Hawk growled. The last thing we need is to fight amongst ourselves.
Yeah, lets not all get fired, Chase said. He gave me a look before he turned away.
If it wasnt for Ollies hand on my arm, I might have launched myself at him.
I sucked in a hard breath through my nose and nodded. Thanks, Im okay.
Ollie nodded back and lowered his arm. At least he didnt put lemon juice in your water again.
If he did, hed be wearing it all over his head, I grumbled. I almost wished he had done that. Pouring it over him would be more fun than punching him, and would get us both in a lot less trouble.
Ollie grinned. Id pay to see that.
You would? I asked. Ill figure something out. I could use a few more dollars. I didnt go around splashing what I had, like some of the guys. I didnt want much more than the things I needed. Besides, I wanted money in the bank for my old age. That might be a long way off, but it was never too early to start planning.
Ill talk to Chase, Ollie said, his expression as mischievous as I ever saw on him. Hes been itching to prank someone for a while now.
I bet. I couldnt resist scowling at the back of Chases head. Wed make up, we always did. By tonight, this whole conversation would be forgotten. For now though, Id hold a grudge for a little while. It would give me more energy for stretching, and someone other than myself to be angry with.
If Carson Thomas really came back early, then the shit was about to hit the fan. I didnt want to be under it when it bounced off and spread all over the place.