Chapter 13
I felt nothing but numb. I made my way to the table the other guys were sitting around and slipped into an empty chair. I sat there probably looking like Id been hit across the face with a wet fish.
Ollie, dude, Chase said. You good? You look like you saw a ghost.
I blinked a couple of times. Yeah, Im kinda… No, I just….
Thats clear, Hawk said dryly. You want to try that again?
I focused on him and frowned. Shes here.
Yeah, Bam said. We figured it was about a woman. Come on, spill it. He gestured with his hand.
Who is here? Bec asked gently.
Rubie. Rubie is here. I said.
They all looked confused.
Rubie Thomas? Grace asked. Im surprised her father got her to come. Shes not usually into these things. Not when the team is involved anyway.
That would explain why Id never seen her at one of these events.
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie. Bam clapped a hand to his forehead. Dont tell us Rubie Thomas is the girl youve been sleeping with?
I stared down at the table. I could feel all of their eyes on me.
She had no idea youre a Rapid, did she? Bec asked.
I forced my eyes up, to look at her. She didnt tell me who she was either, I replied more defensively than I intended.
Hey, Bec, isnt this your favourite song? Hawk asked. He gave her a meaningful look.
I dont know about her, but it is mine, Grace said. Lets go and dance. She stood up and gestured at the two other women. Well leave you boys to your boy problems.
I barely registered them leaving.
Let me guess, Hawk said, Rubie is pissed off at you.
That was gonna be my guess too, Bam said.
It was either that or someone kicked Ollies puppy, Chase said. And since he doesnt have a puppy, that I know of…
Yeah, shes pissed off at me. I knew I should have taken the time to explain things to her. But I hadnt, and that came back to bite me on the ass.
I was going to tell her, I just… Got caught up in the taste of her mouth, and the feel of her body under my hands.
Didnt, Chase finished for me.
I looked down at the table again. Yeah. I exhaled out my nose in frustration.
What did you tell her you did for a living? Bam asked.
I hesitated for a moment. I might have let her think I work for Laceys. She assumed that and I didnt correct her.
After a beat or two I added, She also assumed I was a Rapids fan. She had plenty of time to tell me her father owned the team.
A surge of anger burned through me. Yeah, I did the wrong thing, but so did she. She hid something important from me. Did she think it would change how I felt about her? Did she think she would scare me off? Or worse, did she think Id only stick around for her money?
Does Carson know? Hawk asked. I assume he doesnt because you seem to have your balls intact. He looked down towards my lap.
He was right there when she found out who I am, I said. It would be unfair if he blamed me for everything.
She is his kid, Bam pointed out. Youre cute, but you arent getting a free pass if she complains about you to her daddy.
I leaned forward, propped my elbow on the table and covered my forehead with my hand. I think she hates me. Even though what she did was as bad as what I had done, I got the sinking feeling I was completely fucked.
Chase leaned over and patted me on the shoulder. Who could hate you? Youre adorable. And mostly harmless.
Only mostly? Bam asked.
Ive seen him smash the shit out of guys bigger than him, Chase said. Hes not completely harmless.
Fair point. Bam nodded.
Regardless of whatever happened with Rubie, Hawk said slowly, Carson Thomas is not gonna kick Ollie off the team this close to the Down Under Bowl.
What about after that? I asked past the bottom of my hand. He could probably make it so no other team will touch me.
Would he do that? The idea bothered me, but I found it didnt bother me as much as the thought of never seeing Rubie again. Id give up everything for her. Even the one thing I worked my whole life for.
Football had seemed like everything for so long, but now it seemed like nothing more than a drop of water in Storm Valley. Nothing compared to her.
Well make sure that doesnt happen, Hawk said. Youre a good guy even if you did forget to tell her something really important.
Like, really, really important, Chase said.
I grimaced at him. Thanks, I said sarcastically. I feel so much better now.
He grinned. Any time.
So what are you going to do? Bam asked.
What do you mean? I frowned at him.
Youre not gonna take this sitting down are you? Bam picked up his beer and took a long pull. If you want her that badly, you have to fight for her.
Did I mention she hates me? I asked. And she lied to me too. Maybe we just werent meant to be.
Thats the biggest load of bullshit Ive ever heard, Bam said. And I hang out with these clowns. He waved toward Hawk and Chase.
Thanks buddy, Hawk drawled. Love you too.
Bam grinned. Of course you do. I am awesomesauce.
Hawk rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, but smiled. I hate to say it, but Bam is right.
Theres a first time for everything, Chase quipped.
Ha ha, smartass, Bam said. What am I right about? Apart from, you know, everything.
If Ollie cares about Rubie like he seems to, Hawk said, then he should fight for her.
And what if we find out that she really just hates my guts? I asked. Or that she was playing a game of some kind? What then?
I didnt want to admit to myself that either of those were possible. She was better than that. Wasnt she?
Then you find that out, Hawk said reasonably. You move on. Things werent always easy between Bec and I, but we both wanted to be together, so we fought for it. Even now we still have our ups and downs. He sighed deeply. She doesnt understand why I need to put my collectible figurines in the order I bought them. She seems to think they should be separated by their fandom.
Women, Bam said, sometimes they just do stuff we will never understand. He shook his head sadly.
Right? Hawk said. She keeps rearranging them and I keep putting them back where they were. Its a never-ending battle.
I feel your pain, my friend, Bam said. Would you like me to have Grace talk to her on your behalf?
I shook my head at them. They were trying to get my mind off everything. I appreciated that. It was working, kinda.
Mostly, though, I felt like shit. I deserved to. I was kicking myself for not making the time to sit Rubie down and explain everything to her.
Hawk was right though, I should at least try to fight for her.
If she hated my guts, so be it, but I couldnt leave things hanging the way they were.
The big question was, would she even listen to me?
Excuse me, a new voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up to see a woman looking at me. Young, blonde, bright blue eyes, a dress that plunged so far between her breasts, it almost reached her navel.
Um. Hi. I forced a smile. Can I help you?
She flashed me a brilliant smile. I was at the meet and greet.
Right. Shed stood at the front of the line, her eyes on me the whole time. Id barely even noticed. She was attractive, I couldnt deny that, but she wasnt Rubie.
I was wondering if youd like to get a drink with me? she asked. Maybe at my place? She dipped her chest towards me.
How did her breasts stay inside her dress?
I forced my eyes up to her face. Um. Thank you?—
Madisin, she replied, emphasising the second syllable.
I repeated her name. Im very flattered, but I really have to say no.
Before I could say any more, she plopped herself down on my lap and started to grind her rear against my groin.
I looked over at the guys with wide eyes.
Hawk was shaking his head. Chase and Bam were cracking up with laughter.
I wanted to flip them the bird, but I managed to roll my eyes.
I placed my hands on her shoulders to push off. I really cant?—
She grabbed one of my hands and shoved it straight down the front of her dress.
I let out a squeak and stood up so fast she tumbled off my lap and onto the floor. My wrist got caught on the strap of her dress, and it ripped. The front of her dress fell, revealing one breast to the entire room.
She cried out, grabbed the fabric of her dress and pulled it up over her chest. At the same time, she stood and bolted for the door.
All three of the guys almost fell out of their chairs laughing.
I shook my head at them. You all suck, I said darkly.
Between gales of laughter, Bam said, You could have gotten sucked.
Yes, I probably could have, but not by the person I want to be sucked by.
I flopped back down in my chair and covered my face with my hands. If Rubie saw that display, she d definitely never talk to me again.
Chase patted me on the back. Just another day in the life of Gods Gift.
Fuck off, I told him.
What in the world did you do? Grace asked, pushing her way through the crowds. Bec and Ashley were close behind. Some girl just ran through the party, crying and saying something about you ripping her dress.
I looked at her in horror. That was not what happened! I hesitated. Well it was, but not.
Hawk managed to compose himself long enough to explain.
The girls looked at me in sympathy.
Im sorry that happened, Bec said. Its not okay to do that to a man or a woman.
I shrugged. I could live with it. Stuff like that happened often enough. What worried me was that Rubie would hear about this sooner or later and probably get the wrong end of the stick, like Grace assumed.
If I thought she was pissed off at me now— There was still room for things to get worse.
I had to see her, to explain things before word of this got out.
Oh God, Bec said.
I looked at her questioningly. Followed her gaze.
Harvey Danbury stood with his phone in his hand. He looked from the screen to me and smiled.
Fuck, I said under my breath. Please tell me that doesnt mean what I think it does.
Judging by the look on his face, it does, Bec said.
Do you want us to tackle his ass and grab the phone? Bam asked.
I shook my head. That would only make things worse. If the situation could possibly get any worse. I really shouldnt think that. The universe might not be done fucking with me.
Could I hide in the corner for the next decade or two?
Hey, Ollie, Bam said, as though building up for a joke. I know a good publicist if Carson Thomas thinks your reputation needs to be rebuilt. He gave Grace a sly smile.
I shook my head. I doubted Carson Thomas would waste money on me if he thought I was trying to screw over his daughter.
Hed probably make sure the door hit me on the way out.