The Timberwolves' stadium was smaller, but the excitement matched that at The Slam's home field. Red shirts were scattered here and there with a few larger groups standing out among the sea of gray. I proudly wore my red shirt, which was a bit too tight after washing it and wearing a normal bra. From the heated look Joel gave me before we left our room, he didn't seem to mind. My feeling of discomfort had lessened slightly, but as I walked around the stadium I couldn't help but notice men looking directly at my chest. Women actually paid for breasts the size of mine, which was mind-boggling. Another fracture occurred in my shield taking away the desire to hide my breasts. I straightened my shoulders and walked with my head up.I took the borrowed camera into the locker room and caught a few players in their undershorts. At least Joel told me that was the correct word for the skin-tight material that left nothing to the imagination. If the guys wore these when they played rugby, the sp
After a few pictures of beat-up but happy players, I left the locker room and waited for Joel outside so he and the rest of the team could shower. He walked out wearing shorts that showed his scraped up legs, a red t-shirt molded to his chest, and his bag slung over his shoulder. I wanted to thread my fingers through his wet hair. He gave me a relieved smile when he saw me waiting outside the locker room.Sitting his bag down, he planted his arms against the wall behind me, caging me in. "Thanks for waiting." His head dipped and he kissed me with an intensity that had my pulse soaring."Get a room," was shouted from one of his teammates as a group of them left the locker room. They all laughed.I blushed, but Joel didn't look their way or acknowledge them at all. "We'll be drinking heavily tonight. Are you ready?""Ready?""You didn't stick around last week. I want you with me tonight. I just need to warn you that it gets rowdy.""I can handle rowdy." His teammates forgotten, I w
At my stricken look, Van stood up. "Stay here and eat. I'll go talk to him," he said with what sounded like frustration.I was too upset to answer. I should be the one going after Joel. What could I say? Nothing. I'd told Van the truth. It didn't take away from my feelings for Joel, but there was no way to explain it. I knew both brothers intimately now. There was no comparison between the two. Joel was it for me and I'd completely fucked it up.My food arrived. My stomach was too upset to take more than a few bites. I was afraid I wouldn't keep even that down. I paid the bill and walked across the street. I didn't see Joel or Van, so I went to our room. Joel's things were gone and the door between us was locked on his side. I knocked, but he didn't answer. I had no idea if he was in there. I had fifteen minutes until the bus left. I packed my things and went downstairs.I could hear the shouts from outside before I got to the large lobby doors. Players were trying to hold both brot
My heart thudded against my chest until I thought it would burst. Then I reminded myself a broken heart couldn't suffer additional damage. Ted was unlucky enough to be the first person I saw when I walked onto the second floor."Cami." He sounded surprised. His eyes slowly scrutinized my body from head to toe and returned to my chest. "We weren't expecting you back for another week or so." From his expression, he wanted to bury his face between my boobs."Are you speaking to me or my breasts?" You would think his head would snap up, but he just continued looking at my chest for at least another minute.His voice went hoarse. "Cami, I missed you.""Since you had the balls to tell everyone we were sleeping together, I'm sure you did. Since I know that's a lie, I can truthfully admit I didn't miss you at all." His face went red, which only gave me additional courage. "Please refrain from retrieving my personal phone number from HR as you threatened in your email. I would hate to have
My assignment came on Thursday. I reported directly to Miller now and was one of three journalists working non-profit organization news. It was a huge step up, though not exactly my dream. On my own time, Miller said I could research stories that crumbled your heart and made you stand up and cheer. Through non-profit I had a greater chance of finding them. And I had a small office on the third floor.The new Cami charged forward and made friends with my two co-workers immediately. Trett and Julianne, who told me to call her JJ, were eager to get me into the fold. Saturday night I was attending a black tie dinner for the local hospital reporting on the guest speakers and fashion. Not exactly my cup of tea, but Trett was accompanying me to teach me the ropes. After work Friday, JJ accompanied me to an upscale secondhand shop for a dress.The third one I tried on was a charm. It displayed entirely too much boob, but JJ thought it was perfect."I would give anything to have your chest.
Miller called me into his office on Wednesday."Charles Woodrow from The Colt Sentinel has requested to run your series in his local paper. We have a set price for requests like this and you'll receive compensation too. I wanted to let you know before you left for the championship."Charlie. And probably Stub. I felt bad they had to pay for my work, but also thrilled it would run in Colt. I'd promised Estella a copy of the articles and now she would have them through the local paper. I left Miller's office and went by the second floor to see if Kathy was ready for lunch. I alternated lunch between Kathy's click and Trett and JJ. I no longer buried my face in a book during my breaks. Every now and then shyness pushed its ugly head up, but I shook it off and each day became easier. Sad that I was twenty-three before I was able to do it.My plane flew out on Friday morning. I took a cab to the hotel, ordered room service, and took a nap after I ate. I had notes and recordings to go thr
I made it through the crowd at the stadium and found my seat. Green shirts surrounded me, but a few rows back red covered a larger section. I was glad I didn't recognize anyone. Van made coming here easier, but I knew the gossip spread about me was nothing good. The excitement today was at a higher level than the previous matches. Television crews were here. Van mentioned ESPN was televising the match on one of their many stations. For U.S. Rugby League, this was the main event.I jumped up and down at the first kick when Van caught the ball and started the attack down field. After their fifth tackle, The Slam ended up with a one-point drop goal. Seattle's team, The Tide, came back with a try and successful conversion totaling six points.No one in the stadium stayed in their seats for long. The intensity of the match was brutal. Van didn't get up for several minutes after a particularly nasty hit, but Joel finally helped him gain his feet and they resumed play. At the half, The Slam
By Monday, I was pissed off. Joel hadn't wanted to listen to me. He wasn't worth the shit feelings I was carrying around. Lunch with my girlfriends was out of the question. I couldn't speak about what happened over the weekend. Van was sending me text messages left and right. I didn't read them past the first line that showed up on my phone. Delete was my friend. Stub's message was quick and to the point.Stub: Just tell me which brother to killI didn't reply. I couldn't. She didn't contact me again. I walked to a corner café on Monday and buried my face in a book. Tuesday, I wore an old uncomfortable sports bra and my loose clothes that made me look dumpy. Trett and JJ tried to get me to open up, but I politely told them I was fine.Fine, that was me. Modest, non-sexy, fine Cami. I could live with it.I was at my desk on Friday, finishing a piece on the need for donors at the local blood bank when I heard a noise behind me. I turned and Charlie stood at the door to my office.Ch