Chapter 19
I stood still while the makeup artist checked my hair and brushed a bit of it back into place.
The downside to making it to the biggest game of the year, was a constant round of media interviews, photo opportunities and all of that crap. If we thought we were being followed around before, that was nothing to now. I felt like I had a camera in my face half the day. Even at training, we were watched, filmed, photographed. Every now and again theyd want us to stop so they could ask us a question.
The coach already had a short temper. After a couple of days, he was about ready to snap. Same with some of the players.
Guys like Bam, they loved all the attention. He thrived on it.
He could have all of mine. Every time any reporter asked about Madisin, the woman at the gala, one of the Rapids staff would divert the conversation, or tell them I was too busy.
Thankfully, Madisin hadnt come out to tell her side of the story to the world. Presumably because it hadnt gone well for her.
Okay, youll do. Brianna, the makeup artist, dabbed little powder on my nose, then stepped back. She looked at me like I was a painting and she wasnt sure if I was finished.
I raised my eyebrows at her. Are you sure? I teased.
Well, you could do with a haircut, she said.
Thats what my mum says. I grinned. It was refreshing to have someone criticise my looks, rather than being ridiculous like usual.
Always listen to your mum. She waggled a finger at me. Not enough guys do that.
Some of us around here are actually adults, Bam said.
Brianna turned her face toward him. I hope you’re not referring to yourself, she said jokingly.
Oh, hell no. Bam grinned. I dont intend to grow up anytime soon. Wheres the fun in that?
Brianna shook her head and moved on to another one of the guys. I suspected hed get a lecture about his hair too. I was definitely going to file that in the not my problem basket.
So, hows things with you and Rubie? Bam asked. Neither of you came back to the celebration the other night. I assume you snuck off to get it on.
She didnt go back? I hadn’t known that. I assumed she went and had a great time without my sulky ass.
He frowned at me. You didnt know? Werent you two together?
No. We had a… Couldnt quite call it an argument. Disagreement. I shrugged one shoulder.
What are you fighting about now? Bam asked.
We are not— I might as well give up that line of conversation. It didnt really matter what he called it. She bet against us.
Huh? He frowned at me. What on Gods green Earth are you talking about?
The Down Under Bowl, I said, she bet that wed lose.
Shes gonna lose that bet, Chase said. Judging by his tidy hair, Brianna attacked him too. Who are we talking about?
Rubie Thomas, Bam said.
Chase looked puzzled. Why would she bet that wed lose? She of all people knows how badass we are.
Its not that she thought we would lose, I said. I sucked in a breath before I added, Its because she wanted us to.
Come again? Bam asked. Well, not with her I guess. He smiled wryly.
I must be missing something, Chase said. Because I dont understand why she would want us to lose.
I let out my breath and explained. When I was finished, I expected them to be angry. Instead, they both laughed.
I mean, thats a pretty weird thing to bet, especially when theres no way she could win it, Chase said.
Bam chuckled and spoke at the same time. I cant say I blame her, who would want to own our asses?
I gave them both funny looks. I thought they would be furious. Apparently they both thought it was hilarious.
Youre not even a little bit pissed off that someone close to the team wants to be, I dont know, not close to the team?
Maybe shes worried that dating you will be seen as, what do you call it, nepotism, Chase pointed out. Other people might assume you get special treatment. Not me of course, I wouldnt think that about you.
I wasnt sure if he was joking or not. He had a point though.
I dont know, I said slowly. If she was worried about something like that, wouldnt she have said so?
You tell us, Bam said, shes your girlfriend.
Was she? I wasnt so sure about that. I suppose she might have thought shed scare me away.
Exactly. Chase peered into a nearby mirror and ran a hand over his hair.
It doesnt matter what you do, Bam told him, youre never gonna be as good-looking as me. He grinned.
I dont need to be, Chase said over his shoulder. I have brains and personality instead.
Bam laughed. Okay, dude. You keep telling yourself that.
Oh, I will, Chase said. Ashley likes what she sees. And no, she doesnt need glasses, he added before Bam could say another word.
Theres no accounting for taste, I teased.
Hey, what is this? Everyone pile on Chase day? He straightened up and pretended to look offended.
No, thats every day. Bam chuckled.
He and I fist bumped.
Assholes, Chase said playfully.
Thats us, Bam said. Were bad to the bone, arent we Ollie?
Yeah, one hundred percent. Here I was, wearing the outfit my mother chose for me this morning. I couldnt be badder.
Okay guys, time for your beauty shots, Coach called out.
He is definitely talking to me, Bam said. He adjusted the hem of his shirt and strutted over to the waiting press.
I dont know how he fits through the door with that ego of his. Chase shook his head and smiled.
I think the rest of us would give him a run for his money, I remarked.
Looks like the boss is joining us. Chase nodded ahead of him.
My heart skipped a beat. For a moment I thought he was talking about Rubie. Then I saw Carson Thomas wearing a tailored, dark grey suit and looking approximately a billion dollars.
I was somewhere between disappointed and relieved, but then Rubie stepped into the room. I forgot to think at all. She wore tailored black jeans and the green shirt she bought when we met. If any woman ever fit the description sex on legs, she did. Her hair hung down past her shoulders in soft, red waves. I wanted to tangle my fingers in it and bring her mouth to mine.
She caught sight of me and offered me a wary smile.
I offered her one in return.
Okay, the photographer called out. If you can stand over here. He waved to an empty section of wall.
The players moved in a bunch. Everyone looked as awkward as I felt.
Except Bam. He strutted around like he owned the Rapids.
Okay. Can you move there? And you move there. The photographer waved us in this direction and that, arranging us in two lines. You guys will have to kneel.
He waved me to a spot.
I found myself standing next to Rubie. I gave her a tentative smile. Hey.
Hey, yourself. The back of her hand brushed against mine.
A jolt of electricity passed right through my body. It threatened to invade my groin. The last thing I needed in my life was a photo of me with a boner.
I stood behind one of the kneeling guys, using him as a shield, while thinking unsexy thoughts as hard as I could.
Isnt this fun? Rubie whispered sarcastically.
You dont like photoshoots? I whispered back, genuinely curious.
Not when theyre a fuss like this. Her gaze followed her father as he moved to stand on the other side of the team. She looked furious.
He dragged you into this? I guessed.
She shook her head just slightly. No, I volunteered. I decided it would be safer not to let him out of my sight. I dont know what he might say next.
I thought she might be joking, but I wasnt sure. Im glad youre not here against your will.
Definitely not, she said firmly. This is just part of the job, for both of us. She gave me a sly smile. If I was to ever bet again, Id bet you dont enjoy these kinds of things either.
Id rather be at Waves having a burger and a beer, I said. But if we lost the other night, I might be there drowning my sorrows. I guess I should count my blessings.
We both should, she agreed. Her fingers brushed against mine. Her gaze locked on my face. I really am sorry.
I know, I said. Me too. I might have overreacted.
No, you didnt. She wound a couple of her fingers in mine. Okay, maybe a little.
I smiled. Thanks. I think.
She laughed, low and deep in the back of her throat. That did not help my cock to stay under control.
Youre welcome. I fully expect you to call me out if I am a brat.
I gave her a mock scared face. Not sure if Id dare. You have some pretty sharp fingernails.
I smiled but swallowed it down. If we keep talking like this, Im getting into big, hard trouble.
I casually dropped one of my hands in front of my groin.
She leaned forward and glanced down speculatively. Sorry, not sorry.
Would you two get a room? Hawk said from the other side of me.
Good idea, I said. Im sure no one will notice if I leave. They absolutely would and Id be in a world of trouble. Rubies absence wouldnt go unnoticed as well. No, wed have to wait.
What are you doing after this? I asked.
Are you asking me out? She raised one of her cute, red eyebrows at me.
It would seem like it, I agreed. That depends if you plan to say yes or not.
I might say yes, but you have to ask me first. The sides of her mouth turned up in a sly smile.
Rubie, will you?—
Okay, everyone look this way, the photographer called out in a sign-song voice that suggested he spent a lot of time photographing school children. Young ones.
I sighed, but did as I was told. The longer we took to settle down and pay attention, the longer this photo session would take. Not even Bam would drag it on any longer than it needed to be.
The flash went off several times. The photographer moved back and forth, capturing different angles and all that stuff I wouldnt pretend to understand. If he noticed anything untoward about the front of my pants, or Rubie’s and my entwined fingers, he gave no sign. He didnt seem to zoom in on us in any way.
I couldnt rule out the possibility he was told not to give either of us special attention. Carson Thomas, or the Rapids’ staff, might have made it a condition of the photo session taking place.
The thought made me uncomfortable, but I appreciated it. The last thing I wanted was to have my relationship put under the microscope. There was plenty of time for that later. It was inevitable, we both knew that, but for now we just want to enjoy what we had. And hope we didnt, somehow, screw it up.
Again.