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Chapter 145
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I spent half the match in the stands and half the time on the sidelines. I remembered Charlie's words about the Stelson brothers leaving blood behind during matches. Many players did. I saw scraped knees, bloody noses, and scratched faces. I heard the grunts and groans and saw players jump up and continue playing when I thought they would leave on a stretcher. All up close and personal from the sidelines.Maybe too personal.My eyes strayed to Van; I couldn't help myself. He was a different man on that field. He wasn't a glory hound like I expected. He passed the ball, assisted other players in tries, along with scoring two tries himself. Yes, tries, rugby's term for scoring points when you ground the ball on the try line. It was a foreign language that I was finally getting the knack for.I also saw the respect Joel had explained to me. Rugby was nothing like what little I knew of football. The plays didn't stop unless there was a penalty called. There were no separate defensive or
Completion Chapter 147
The fans were rowdy and the beer overflowing at the tavern. Charlie and Stub kept me close, and I had no chance to slip away before the team arrived. Charlie handed me a beer and I downed it quickly. It felt good to drown my sorrows. Going back on my word to never drink again was like thinking I could cast away my self-doubt because of the thrill over a ball game.The shouts suddenly grew louder and people began cheering. The team had arrived. Fans passed beer hand to hand over heads until the players were guzzling their first glass. This went for both teams. Everyone just seemed- happy. Everyone but me. I downed the second half of my third beer like it was a shot of whiskey.Charlie and Stub started a serious conversation with Ron and I saw my chance to get away. I turned and ran straight into Joel's chest. God, he smelled goodclean with no dirt anywhere in sight.He leaned in, his breath hot across my ear, "You okay?"How could I answer that honestly? I couldn't speak, just shook
Completion Chapter 148
While I was trying not to check out his body, he didn't have the same problem. He gazed at my breasts a few seconds longer than he'd ever done before. I had my babies tucked in tight with no cleavage showing, so I wasn't sure why he stared so long."Do friends stare like that?" I couldn't help asking because heat was traveling to my cheeks."This friend does. You look nice." He gave me a crooked grin.Nice. That was good, right? So why stare at my boobs? I didn't get it. His eyes were now on mine and I appreciated his baby blues again."Do you need to grab your bag?""Yes, I never go anywhere without it." I walked over to collect it off the dresser. "Do you mind if I ask where you're taking me.""The lake."Um, no. "As in swimming?""If you like, but it's not exactly what I had planned." He continued with the same grin and his eyes twinkled just a bit."I didn't pack a swimsuit and I'd rather not buy one. It tends to be a major ordeal finding something that fits." I was kinda
Completion Chapter 149
"Come on, sleepyhead. We're here." Joel stroked my cheek.I opened my eyes and we were inches apart. It was so unfair. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him and forget his brother. Stupid me. "Where's here?"He leaned back a bit, allowing me to breathe comfortably. "We've been driving for over an hour. You'll enjoy the food; it's locally grown vegetables with locally raised meat and fish. They also have a good draft beer.""No beer for me. I'm swearing off alcohol."Snarly Joel came back. "You know I owe my brother a black eye for that, right? He knew damn good and well what he was doing when he gave you too much alcohol. Hell, I might punch out a few of his teeth." His hands held the steering wheel in a death grip, causing his forearm muscles to bulge.I placed my fingers on one of Joel's fists. "I'm a big girl. The last thing I want is the two of you fighting. Absolutely no black eyes or missing teeth. You will no longer be my friend if you do either. You got me?"He didn't sm
Completion Chapter 150
I don't remember having a better day in my entire life. After our embrace, we walked along the beach holding hands, splashing water, and acting silly. For such a big serious guy, Joel had a soft and fun side too. I appreciated the fact that I didn't catch him staring at my chest again. I don't think I was quite so respectful. I suffered from a serious muscle fetish.I awoke well rested on Monday. I called Charlie, who'd sent me a text the day before reminding me to visit the newspaper. It was a quick drive and I was there by nine. The building was larger than I expected, and a small thrill passed through me at the thought of owning a newspaper. The front had floor-to-ceiling glass windows with a large desk just inside. There was a bell, which I didn't ring because I got caught up in the photography on the walls. Most were rugby players and holy hell there were a lot.They were eight-by-ten autographed collectibles like Charlie told me. I recognized many of the playersaction shots, st
Completion Chapter 151
Charlie walked me out to my car half an hour later. "Sorry about Tina," he said before I climbed in."I'm afraid to ask what the problem is.""You guessed it then. She has a thing for Van."My laugh was anything but happy. "She has nothing to worry about. He dumped me first thing the morning after. If she hasn't slept with him yet, he's available for a night." I could hear the anger in my words and felt bad that I'd said anything. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for.""Don't worry about it. I saw that killer spark in your personality the first time I met you. It'll get you far in this business."There was no way he saw a spark in me, but he was so sweet to say so. "Thanks, Charlie. I'll see you Thursday."I drove away and headed to The Slam Tavern for lunch. I planned to leave my car in the Inn's parking lot and as I turned in my cell rang.Joel and I switched numbers the day before and I smiled when his named popped up on the screen. "Cami here.""What are you doing for lunch?"
Completion Chapter 152
I wrote the outline for the next installment of my series. This one concentrated more on the crazy fans. I called Stub and she was happy to email me files of costumed antics complete with names and contact information so I could get permission to use their pictures.I emailed Skylar to see how she was feeling. It was nice of her to offer assistance and I might need it.Hi Skylar,How is the mother to be? I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I hate that your incapacitation is my big break. You should know that a gig in a third world country with an infected water supply would be more to my liking. I'm not a sports fan, and even though I find myself enthralled with rugby, I'm more attracted to the man candy. And, oh God, I shouldn't say that. It's quite unprofessional of me, but I don't understand how you do it. I hope you get a laugh out of this. We leave Friday for my first away game and I'll be trapped on a bus with more testosterone than I'm comfortable with, poor me.Cam
Completion Chapter 153
I worked for hours outlining the next two articles I wanted to writeone being the family man's perspective. Currently, there wasn't a lot of money in rugby and somehow you had to juggle a full-time job, practice, matches, and family. I wanted a wife's input too. I'd decided on Mean Mike, a huge guy who worked, played rugby, and was father to four young children. His wife would be the key ingredient, so I needed to interview her.The knock on the door startled me because I had no idea it was dinner time. Barefoot, I walked over and opened it. Joel stood holding a bag of food with a tired smile. I moved back so he could enter."How was practice?" I asked as he set the food on the dresser. I started clearing the small table of my laptop, recorder, and notes so we had a place to eat."Long and I missed you." His voice came from directly behind me.I turned and his hands went around my waist. "What are you doing, Joel?""Eliminating the problem that kept me awake last night." His lips
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