Snap: A football romance (Storm Valley Rapids Book 4)

Chapter 1

My father frowned at me. Yeah, what was new? The question wasnt really why was he frowning, but why was he frowning now?

Rubie, he said slowly, the Down Under Bowl is the most important time of the year. You know that.

I smiled wryly. Im well aware. You havent talked about anything else for the last month. That wasn’t entirely accurate. It was at least two months. Carton Thomas, owner of the Storm Valley Rapids was nothing if not passionate.

I thought he might snarl at me. Instead, he sat back in his chair and rubbed his forehead.

If I’m single-minded, it’s just because?—

Because the Down Under Bowl is the be all and end all, and if the Rapids make it, they’ll be heroes until the end of time, I finished for him. Sorry, super heroes. Football gods.

I could do without the sarcasm, he snapped.

I raised one eyebrow. That was a skill Id mastered at around the age of three. My father hated it.

Honestly, if he didnt want me to use it, he shouldnt have taught me how. Okay, so he didnt do it on purpose, but we were a lot alike. Basically everything I did that pissed him off, I learned from him.

Sarcasm? What sarcasm? I cocked my head at him. Thats what you think, isnt it? If the Rapids win the Down Under Bowl youll be a legend until the end of time?

Would I? He pressed his lips together. Youre the face of the Rapids ownership.

I looked at him in surprise. Me? Why would why would I be the face of an AGL football team?

He waved a hand towards my phone. Because you spend your life on that, sharing every minute detail of your life with the world. That makes you accessible to a whole lot of people.

It doesnt mean Im the face of the Rapids, I argued, mildly horrified. Im just—me. The online version people saw barely mirrored reality. Every photo, every post, was carefully curated, filtered and all that shit. Nothing about it was real. I know, its surprising to learn that something on the Internet would be fake. It seems like such an honest place.

Not.

Hawk Florence is the face of the Rapids, I said finally. Or Chase McKinney. Or Pinky Innocenti. Or even Bam, when he’s not getting into trouble.

My father scowled.

I was walking on dangerous ground here. Abraham ‘Bam’ Clinton caused him trouble in the past. Apparently he wasn’t forgiven quite yet.

They are the faces of the team, Carson said, his voice tight. But the public likes to know about the people behind the team. The owners.

I held back a groan. Not this again. I forced myself to smile. You mean they want to know about the lifestyles of the rich.

And famous, he added. You made yourself that when you became an influencer.

I didn’t plan on any of that, I said with a hint of bitterness. It just happened.

I posted photos and videos of whatever I felt like posting at the time. I was as surprised as anyone when they went viral. Who knew people would care what some spoiled rich kid did?

Apparently eleven million people and counting.

Yeah, well, that’s what happened, he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him. This is about divorce number four, isn’t it?

His expression hardened. Yeah, I figured as much. Nail, meet head.

You want me to take attention off you until it’s done and you’re safely married to what’s her name?

Skye, he said curtly. You should get to know her. You two would get along.

Because she’s my age? I asked sweetly. I leaned back in my chair and placed my bare feet on the edge of the desk.

He flinched. She’s older than you. His eyes didn’t meet mine.

By how much? I challenged.

He muttered something.

Two years? I asked.

Three, he snapped.

Let me guess. She’s mature beyond her years. If I rolled my eyes as hard as I wanted to, Id hurt my brain.

Very much so, he agreed. She studied business at university. She wants to do her Masters.

I wasn’t impressed, not yet. She can’t be that smart if she’s hanging around with you. I grinned.

He snorted. That’s what I keep telling myself. Why would a girl— he cleared his throat. Woman like her be interested in an old bastard like me?

I choked back a laugh. Oh, I could take a guess at that. It started with him being loaded and ended with… him being loaded. Oh, and him having an awesome daughter.

She’s not after me for my money, he argued.

Right, I drew out the word. How was that trip to the Whitsundays?

Cut short by Bam Clinton, Dad growled.

Oh yeah. Dad and future wife number five flew back early because Dad was sure the team would implode after Bam missed some charity event. Well, I’m sure that didn’t hurt. Until you had to explain to Lauren where you went.

My father wasn’t beyond acting first and thinking about the consequences later. I got that from him too.

She already moved out and filed for divorce by then, he said.

My jaw dropped slightly. I didn’t think he could say anything that would truly shock me. I was wrong. I thought that came after your little vacation.

Nope. He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk in front of him, one hand over the opposite wrist, chunky Rolex uppermost. Do you really think Id take off with another woman unless my marriage was over? He raised an eyebrow.

Yeah, I said slowly, you really don’t want an answer to that. That was exactly what I thought. For a smart guy, my Dad’s brain seemed to be in his pants quite often.

He sighed. I’m a better man than that. Silence hung for a few moments before he shook his head. When did this become about me? I need you to step up and spend some time in the spotlight. It’s Down Under Bowl season. We might only get one shot at this, potentially for years. This is our chance to make a mark. Your chance to be seen as the future of the team.

Aaannnddd we’d circled back to that.

Dad—

I’m not asking you to coach the team. He locked his eyes on mine in that way he did when he was determined Id do what he said. Just take an interest. This is your legacy. If you want it to be.

Which translated to, ‘Because I want it to be.’ It was all about his desires, not mine.

I make no promises, I said after a few moments. But I’ll try.

Id rather poke out my own eyeballs than take over ownership of a football team. Why couldn’t he have bought an ice cream parlour, or a troupe of strippers?

Something fun.

That’s all I ask, he said. It won’t be so bad. Mostly you just have to smile and look pretty.

Is that what you do? I teased. There was a lot more to it than that, but that was his choice. He didn’t have to take an active role in the team.

Absolutely. He put a hand under his chin and batted his eyelashes. I should start doing some influencing of my own. What’s the latest social media platform? MySpace?

I laughed. I’m pretty sure that went out of style before I was born. And before Skye was born.

His smile dimmed a fraction, but he waved a hand. Whatever. I bet I could get more fans than you.

They’re called followers, I told him. When did he get so out of touch? Oh yeah, only forever ago. You’re welcome to try. Care to make a bet on it? If he was focused on building a social media following, he might be too distracted to care what I was doing. Or not doing.

I would, he said slowly, but I had Mary set up accounts ages ago. One for me and one for the team. There’s even a social media manager running the accounts. He cocked his head. If I told you that sooner, you might have taken more of an interest.

I know you might find it hard to believe, but I know theres more to life than social media. Like pizza and fast cars.

Dad laughed. I wouldnt have believed you said that if I hadnt heard it myself.

I rolled my eyes but smiled. I know you like to think Im just a spoiled little daddys girl.

His expression turned serious. I know youre not that shallow. If anyone says otherwise theyll have me to deal with.

“Yeah? I toyed with my phone. What are you gonna do? Glare at them? A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

He chuckled. I could start with that, yeah. Then Ive got a whole AGL team I can put on their asses. If that doesnt scare them, nothing will.

I shook my head and grinned. We both know thats not going to happen. You wouldnt risk their reputation for my sake.

His brows knitted. Theres nothing I wouldnt do for you. You know that, right?

Yeah. Youre the one who wore a pink tutu when I was too scared to go to ballet class by myself. The memory of him and his hairy legs made me smile. Until I remembered why hed done that. Right, Mum just walked out on us.

On me, he said firmly. It was never about you. I was the one who screwed up.

I shrugged as though it wasnt still painful after all these years. I was just as left as you were. I blinked against the prickling in my eyes. I was not going to cry over something that happened a lifetime ago. I still saw her once in a while. Usually just long enough for her to express her disappointment in me.

I know, he said softly. If I could have saved you from that, I would have.

I know you would, I said.

Yeah. So its you and me against the world. He nodded. No matter what happens, no matter who comes along, its you and me. Okay?

I wanted to say, ‘And all your ex-wives,’ but for once I didnt. He was doing the best he could. He might not be the warmest, or most attentive father in the world, but he made an effort. A lot of my friends never saw their fathers. To be honest, a lot of them didnt want to. I had my share of days when I didnt want to speak to mine. And once in a while I wore him out.

I know, its hard to believe, but its true. Im not always a little ray of sunshine. Sometimes spoilt little daddys girl is the only way to describe me. At least I could admit it.

So the thing is, I said slowly, if you want me to take a bigger role in the team, I might need some new clothes. I smiled sweetly.

Dad smacked a hand to his forehead. I should have known that was where this was leading.

I grinned. Doesnt it always?

No, he said, sometimes you ask for a new car.

I snapped my fingers. I knew I should have led with that. After a beat I added, Hey, Dad, can I have a new car?

No, he said. Your newest car is three months old.

It has a speck of dust on it. I pouted playfully.

He snorted. Go and buy yourself some new clothes. And no, I dont want to know how much you spent.

However much it was, it would be a drop in the ocean compared to his bank account.

If I had to smile and pretend to care about the Storm Valley Rapids, I was going to look good doing it.