Chapter 10
He what? Bec stared at me in disbelief. Oh, Grace.
In the background, the replay of the Rapids’ win in Hobart the previous night played.
People watched and cheered or jeered as though the game was live and they didnt already know the outcome.
Waves was practically Rapids territory. I should have known better than to come. Why had I? Because it was a post game ritual. Either we came here right after the game, or we came the following night if they played out of town.
A few members of the team were already here. Others would filter in later. Some would still be nursing sore heads from the previous night, or injuries from the game, but most wouldnt miss turning up at least for an hour or two.
I dreaded seeing Bam most of all.
Because Bam didnt show up, you got fired? Becs eyes were wide with sympathy. Thats terrible.
It sounds like shit to me, Ashley said bluntly. Thats so unfair.
Yeah, I said into my second glass of wine. Because I didnt ask about a prior engagement. I didnt tell them what it was.
Bam and his privacy could go to hell, but they didnt need to know about the hospital. Bec and Ashley wouldnt blab, but things had a way of getting out. If it did, it wouldnt come from me. More likely, it would come from Carson Thomas.
Whatever, it wasnt my problem now.
Bec tilted her head at me. Youre amazing, but Im pretty sure you dont have mind reading on your resume.
Its not on my list of talents, no, I said. But I should have asked.
Or he could have told you, Ashley said firmly. What is it with some guys?
Most guys, I grumbled.
Bec and Ashley exchanged glances.
Im not saying they dont all have their moments, Bec said ruefully. Hawk refuses to separate his collectable figurines by their franchises. He has Mr Spock next to Iron Man.
Now thats unreasonable, Ashley said. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
I snorted. It was hardly the same thing, but I appreciated the attempt to cheer me up.
Right? Bec playfully rolled her eyes and grinned. I bet Chase has similar bad habits.
He does put the toilet paper roll on backwards, Ashley said. I keep telling him, it goes over the top. She shook her head sadly.
I choked back a laugh. Next youll say they put pineapple on pizza, I said.
Dont get me started. Bec laughed.
The message here is stay away from men, I said. I got that one loud and clear. Right now I need to focus on finding another job.
I had no idea how I was going to do that, with a big mark against me now. Maybe Ill volunteer at the cat shelter for a while.
That will end well, Bec said dryly. Youll want to take them all home.
I wanted to deny it, but I couldnt Thats true. There are worse things to take home.
At that moment, Bam strutted into the bar. The woman with him resembled him so closely she could only be his sister. The one he was happy to blame for the fight that started all of this in the first place. Did she know he threw her under the team bus? Either she didnt or she didnt mind.
Hey. He greeted some of his teammates with a grin and a wave. He didnt even glance in my direction.
Shame, I had a middle finger charged and ready to flip. I may have saved up a few good swear words too. Honestly though, theyd be wasted on him. He probably didnt think hed done anything wrong. He certainly didnt look sorry.
Asshat.
I need another drink. I stood and grabbed Bec and my glasses—Ashleys was still half full—and headed over the bar.
Same again? Hallie, the bar attendant, asked. She had more piercings and tattoos than anyone I ever met, but she was always sweet and ready with a smile.
Yes, please. I placed the glasses down and rested my arm on the edge of the bar while I waited.
Hey, a new voice greeted me.
I turned to see Bams sister, empty glass in hand, smiling at me.
Hi, I said. I managed a smile. It wasnt her fault she was related to him.
Wife or girlfriend? she asked.
I blinked. What?
She looked apologetic. Sorry, I mean are you with one of the guys on the team? You dont look like any of them, so I was guessing youre not a sister. I guess you could be a stepsister.
I shook my head slightly. Im just a friend. Well, friend of girlfriends. I suppose you could call me a well-wisher.
She grinned. We can never have too many of those. She stuck out her hand. Im Chantel.
I shook it. Grace.
Her smile faded. Oh. That Grace?
My eyebrows shot up. That depends on what youve heard.
Oh. She said again. I heard my brother screwed up and got you fired. She turned her head to the side slightly. Unless I have the wrong Grace.
No, thats me, I admitted. We both made mistakes. Why was I still defending him? He deserved exactly none of it.
Chantel snorted. Thats not what he said. According to Bam, he fucked up royally and he fells shitty about it. Between you and me, I agree with him. She gave me a warm smile. My brother is a long way from being perfect, but his heart is in the right place, most of the time.
Ill have to take your word for that, I said as politely as I could.
I get it, she said. Youre mad at him. Im mad at him a lot of the time too. It comes with being brother and sister.
I have two brothers, I said, I can attest to that. We drove each other crazy, but we still loved each other.
Older or younger? Chantel asked.
One older and one younger, I said. Gauge and George. My parents have a thing about G names. I wrinkled my nose.
Better than Chantel. She grimaced. Are you guys close?
I suppose we are, I said. We look after each other. Gauge is the typical big brother. He thinks Im not old enough to live away from home. George is thirteen years younger, so hes just a kid. Id always think of him as one anyway.
That sounds like Bam and I, Chantel said. Hes always trying to keep me out of trouble, protect my virtue. She rolled her eyes. Like it needs protecting by anyone but me. I can stand up for myself. She paused for a moment before she added, You probably saw that video.
I grimaced. I cant forget it. If not for that, things might be very different now.
Yeah. He tried to keep me out of that bar, but I figured wed be fine. Then when that guy started with all his sexist shit, and calling me a slut… Bam got pissed off, yknow. Of course hes the one everyone blames, because hes a bigass football player and Im a girl. I bet no one even remembers the guy who started it.
Probably not, I agreed. That might not be a bad thing. When she gave me a questioning look, I said, If he wanted another fifteen minutes of fame, he would have gotten it. He could be the next contestant on Love Island: Some Tropical Place by now. Then no one would forget him or how he got famous.
Thats true, Chantel said. Meanwhile Bam gets painted as the big, bad wolf, all huffing and puffing and stuff.
I couldnt help but smile. She was as charming as her brother, but without the city-sized ego.
My smile faded quickly. He seems pretty good at blowing things down. Or blowing them up. Like my career, for one thing.
He certainly blew it for you, Chantel said. He feels terrible. Thats why he played so badly last night. She nodded toward the TV screen.
Tiny Bam, sweat across his face, ran across the screen. He caught the ball thrown by one of his teammates, but fumbled and almost dropped it. A member of the opposing team leaped forward and tackled him hard to the ground. The ball went flying and was scooped up by a huge guy in a yellow shirt with the number 13 on the back.
Like that, Chantel said. Almost cost us the game. Coach pulled him off after that. Tore him a new one, apparently. She grinned. It seemed her sympathy for her brother only went so far.
Id like to feel sorry for him, I said slowly. Buuuuut…
Chantel laughed. I get it. You got fired because of him. I promise, he feels bad. As soon as he sees youre here, hell come over, even if I have to drag him over.
Thats not necessary. I didnt want to talk to him ever again. At least not right now. On the screen, the guys went into a huddle. I knew the Rapids led from that point on. It was funny to see them on screen and in person at the same time. Once, I would have been in awe of them. Now, they were just a bunch of guys who also happened to be football gods.
Yeah it is, Chantel said. He needs to apologise and clear the air.
Because his career will suffer if he keeps playing badly? I tried not to sound bitter, but some of it creeped out.
That too, she said. But mostly because its the right thing to do. Hed kick my ass if I didnt do the right thing. Now the shoes on the other foot. She pretended to kick the air.
I snorted a laugh. Yeah, well, if he feels like it, he can, I guess. It wouldnt be very sincere if she made him talk to me.
He will, I swear. She paid for her drink, then said, Those are on me too. She nodded toward Bec’s and my wine. Its the least I can do for having a jerk as a brother.
I smiled. I hope you make him pay you back.
Yeah, he will. He just doesnt know it yet. She grinned.
I shook my head as she walked away. She certainly was an interesting woman. Headstrong too, I bet, like her brother.
I picked up the glasses and carried them back to the table.
What was that about? Bec asked.
I told them both what Chantel said, and that shed assured me Bam was actually sorry.
That sounds more like Bam, Ashley said. Decent guy, but only human, blah, blah.
Mmm, I replied. Well see. I didnt look around, in case he was looking this way. I didnt want him to think we were talking about him, even if we were. Especially because we were.
Bec patted my hand. Itll be okay, I promise. Well help you through this, just like you helped me when I quit my job, and everything.
I hope this ends as well for me as it did for you. I couldnt see how that was possible at this point.
I hope so too, Ashley said.
It will, Bec said firmly. Youll find an amazing new job and a whole new, epic life. Better than you ever dreamed. She was nothing if not an optimistic romantic.
That sounds perfect, I said. I could use some epicness in my life right about now.
Couldnt we all? Ashley agreed. Theres always room for more.
Speaking of rooms. I frowned toward Bec. Does Hawk really mix his movie and TV franchises that much?
Bec grinned. Yeah, but then I sneak in and move them around.
I laughed. Youre such geeks. It was one of the cutest things about the couple.
And proud of it, Bec said. She looked behind me and her eyes widened. Speaking of Bam…