Chapter 17
The Rapids win!
The words echoed through the stadium, competing with cheering, screams of joy and shouts of disappointment.
The rush of blood through my ears warred with all of it. Adrenaline burned through my body like fire. Later, Id crash back to Earth. For now, I was riding a high bigger than a pro surfing tour.
The scores in the second half of the game were as close as the first. We were matched point for point most of the way, but I wasnt playing like a fumble fisted kid. The coach gave me the chance to get back in the game, and I hadnt let him down.
Knowing Rubie was watching and that we sorted things out, I wanted to play the best game of my life. She was a hard woman to impress, but I wanted to impress her.
Hot diggety fuck! Bam shouted. Every single one of yall kicked butt like the mighty gods you are.
I chuckled. He only believed in one God, so to call us that, he must be more excited than usual.
Chase bowed to him. When the crowd went wild, he started to bow to the crowd, hand on his flat stomach, grin on his face.
Youre such a clown, Pinky said. For once he didnt sound like he was trying to insult any of us. In fact, he was almost smiling.
Hell yeah, Chase said. And proud of it.
Pinky shook his head, but Fridge clapped him on the back. They walked towards the locker room with a roar of the crowd following them.
That was a better second half. Hawk came to walk beside me. You got things sorted out?
I couldnt keep the smile off my face. Yeah, we did. And then we kicked some ass.
Yes we did, Hawk said. But it was a close call. They could just as easily have whipped our asses and called it ice cream.
My ass is way better than ice cream, Bam declared. Its more like one of those expensive cakes with gold leaf on top.
And chips of diamond? Chase said.
Yeah, with those. Bam nodded as though he was being serious. Maybe a few black pearls too, for shits and giggles.
So what youre saying is you have a really lumpy ass? Chase said.
Lucky for you Im in a good mood, Bam said lightly.
And if you werent? Chase asked.
We paused for a last wave to the crowd before heading into the locker room.
Then you should expect to find glitter in your shoes, Bam said lightly. He eyed one of the coaches as we walked past. But not until the off-season.
The coach narrowed his eyes, but turned away. He knew better than to listen to our banter, especially after winning such a big game.
Of course, now we all knew someone was going to find glitter in their shoes sooner or later. Hopefully that someone wasnt me.
I stripped off, grabbed a towel and headed for the showers. I was lucky enough to grab the last vacant one, so I didnt have to wait around, nagging some other guy to hurry up.
Knowing sooner or later Id be nagged, I showered in about a minute flat and wound the towel around my waist. After all the years of sharing the locker room with a bunch of other guys, I wasnt shy about my body.
On the other hand, if Rubie were to walk back in, they didnt need to see my reaction to her. Thinking about her made my cock want to rise to the occasion.
I hurried over to my locker and dressed in about two seconds, thinking unsexy thoughts the whole time.
Its party time, boys and girls, Bam said loudly.
After we talk to the press, Hawk said.
And there, ladies and gentlemen, is Mr Conrad Hawk Florence, Bam used air quotes, with his bucket of cold water.
Hawk grinned. Just think of it as your chance to brag.
Oh, Imma brag all right. Were all gonna brag. Bam turned to face the locker room, arms spread out to either side, palms facing outward, fingers spread. We just made the motherfucking Down Under Bowl!
The cheer that broke out was almost as loud as the one from the crowd in the stadium. The unity of a victorious team made pride swell in my chest. These guys were my brothers, friends, fellow warriors. Football gods, ready to take on the enemy, having slayed the last one.
You gonna cry, Octopus? Pinky asked. The guy was dressed in jeans, a dark blue T-shirt and had a bright purple towel around his hair.
Where usually his taunting would have annoyed me, this time just made me smile. Nice towel. I grinned.
Thats the best you got? he asked.
I shrugged. I have better things to do than shit on your parade.
He gave me a level look, then turned away. Apparently he realised that wasnt going to get a rise out of me. I was in too good a mood to let him get to me.
Besides, it was hard to pick on a guy with a purple towel wound around his head.
By the time we arrived at the press conference, Carson Thomas was already raving about our performance. His smile was as broad as ours.
They overcame a tough competition, fought every step of the way, and triumphed! His expression was so proud, he could have been our father, or favourite uncle. In two weeks, you are going to see why the Rapids are the best of the best.
He spotted us and waved Hawk over to address the reporters. He gave me a quick glance and a raised eyebrow but turned away.
He is in his element, Rubie said.
I hadnt seen her until she came to stand beside me and wind her arm through mine. I looked down at her and smiled. He seems happy.
She laughed softly. If he was any happier, his face would crack. Hes ecstatic.
I leaned down to whisper in her ear. And what about you? Are you ecstatic too?
She smiled up at me. Not yet, but the night is young.
The look in her eyes made my dick twitch. Yes, it is. I covered her hand with mine.
I blinked as a flash went off in my face. Once. Twice. Three times. I smiled as best I could. At least this time I was aware of having my photo taken.
I think we can slip away, Rubie said. Im sure youre excited to get the celebrations underway.
I grinned. You could say that. But I think we should go to the team party first.
She shoved her shoulder against me and laughed. That was exactly what I meant.
I wiggled my eyebrows at her. Of course it was, I said teasingly. If we dont hurry, Bam will drink all the beer before we get there.
She wrinkled her nose. Fine by me. As long as he leaves me some cola.
Can I ask Ollie Tucker a few questions? one of the journalists asked.
Id half expected the request, but hoped it wouldnt come. It didnt take a genius to figure out what she wanted to ask.
I think weve taken enough of the teams time, Carson Thomas said firmly. Im sure theyd all like to go out and celebrate their win.
He glanced towards me. His expression said it all. He wasnt doing this for me, he was doing it for Rubie.
I gave him a grateful smile anyway. Neither of us wanted Rubie dragged through the wringer. She was tough, probably tougher than me, but I wasnt going to let anything else get between us.
The journalist frowned and looked like she hoped Id contradict the team owners words. I gave her a faint smile and a shrug, like I had no say in the matter.
If I wanted to talk, Carson Thomas wouldnt have stopped me. The Rapids usually had an open relationship with the press.
In return for mostly good publicity, we talked to them when they wanted us to. Carsons decision to keep them away from me would raise some eyebrows. Fortunately, the Rapids had a publicity department to deal with this stuff. Theyd settle any gossip that arose, if they could.
If not… Id deal with that if it became a problem.
I turned and followed the other guys out the door, my hip brushing against Rubies every few steps. A few of the guys stared at us, but I ignored them. Most of them were quickly distracted by their wives and girlfriends who waited just outside to congratulate and celebrate with us.
Tonight, Im buying all the drinks, Carson declared.
A few of the guys cheered, but Stringer Davis asked, Dont you always? Hed drink his fill and disappear with the first woman who caught his eye. He was known for his ‘string’ of flings. Hence his nickname.
Carson smiled. Rubie was right, he really was in his element. The black-haired woman who moved to stand beside him looked overwhelmed. She wasnt much older than Rubie.
I wondered if the pair got along.
No, Carson replied, the way you guys drink, Id be a millionaire within a week.
Rubie snorted. Her hand tightened around mine. I followed her gaze. She was looking at the woman beside her father.
I guessed the answer was no. At least, not yet. If Rubies father was going to accept me in her life, then I suspected she was going to have to do the same with his choice of partner. I made a mental note not to get into the middle of it.
The bar wasnt far from the stadium. By the time we got there, a band was already playing, glasses were clinking and the mood was already high.
The crowd erupted in cheers, even though many were wearing the oppositions colours. They might have been responsible for a boo or two, but it was all good-natured and fun.
Carson pointed Rubie and I over to a table with a reserved sign sitting in the middle. She sat down beside him. I sat on the other side of her. The other woman, whom Carson introduced as Skye, sat on his other side. Several of the guys from the team sat with us, but the rest spread throughout the bar.
I noticed Bam looking at me. When I turned my face toward him he gave me two thumbs up and mouthed something that looked like, VIP table.
I smirked at him.
He grinned, put an arm around Graces shoulders and turned away.
Good game today, Carson said approvingly.
Yeah. I swallowed hard. About the first half?—
He waved away my words with a flick of his hand. Just dont play like that again and youll be fine.
No pressure.
Ill try not to, sir. I said.
Call me Carson, he said. So, whats this going on between you and my daughter?
My mouth went dry. I knew sooner or later hed ask, but did I have the answers?
I want to be with her, I replied evenly.
His expression was guarded, protective. Rubie filled me in on everything. The photo, the rumours about that woman. The fact you didnt tell her youre a Rapid.
She might be on the way to forgiving me, but I suspected I had more bridges to mend with him.
With all due respect, I said slowly, what happened is between Rubie and I. I apologised for not telling her everything. She accepted my apology.
Carson nodded. You can stick up for yourself. I like that, kid. If you dont do wrong by my daughter, then I wont need to worry about hiring someone to put you in a shallow grave.
I laughed right up until I realised he wasnt laughing with me.
You wont have any reason to do that, I assured him. Besides, if I do anything wrong, Rubie will do that herself.
Now Carson smiled.
Rubie grinned. Dont you forget it, she said.
Well, I wont now, I said. I smiled wryly.
Well, Carson said to Rubie, youll be wanting them to win the Down Under Bowl now, so you can lose our bet.
Rubie paled slightly.
Bet? I asked. What bet?