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Chapter 164
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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
Completion Chapter 166
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
Completion Chapter 167
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
Completion Chapter 168
Charlie loaned me his Jeep for the ride to Joel's home. He also gave me directions in case I got lost. I'd been there once, but it was semi-dark and I remembered lots of winding turns while sitting on the back of Van's bike.I found the house. There were a few lights on, so I hoped he was home. With shaking hands and legs that didn't want to support me, I knocked on the door. Van answered wearing nothing but a low-riding pair of jeans. His chest was yummy, but not the one I most wanted to see.Van was staring at me in shock. "Is Joel here?" I asked with more confidence than I actually felt now that match time actually arrived."Come in. Joel you have company," he yelled over his shoulder before whispering to me, "Good for you."Joel came out of the kitchen with a dishtowel in his hand. He stopped dead in his tracks."I think I'll go up to my room." Van headed for the stairs.Here it goes, "No, Van. You need to be here." I walked closer to Joel, who still hadn't moved. "Charlie sh
Completion Chapter 169
The next two weeks were a whirlwind. The Journal agreed I could finish my work and take my last week as vacation. Joel flew in to help me pack. I met his father, who I ended up liking more than I thought I would. The next day, we drove Carmen, my old faithful car, on a long grueling drive across the state to my parents' house so they could meet Joel. I introduced him as my boyfriend because he hadn't proposed yet. My mom whispered to me the following morning that Joel asked my father for my hand in marriage. So old-fashioned and so perfect for my father. They loved him.Joel slept in the guest room and never snuck into my bedroom, which drove me crazy, though I admired his respect for my parents. I left Carmen, behind at their house because Joel insisted I would be driving something reliable into town each day when I went to work. My father drove us to the airport. My mother wouldn't come because she said she would do nothing but cry the entire way there and back. Saying goodbye was h
Completion Chapter 170
PART FIVEIF TRUE LOVE HAPPENS only once in a lifetime, I'm fucked. My fists hit the heavy bag, and pain lances through my ungloved knuckles. Sweat trails down my body and I still can't let go of whatever it is that's eating me alive. The bag might be taking a pounding, but hitting it does little to stop my restlessness. The Slam's season ended three months ago, and my life has been completely in the dumps since. We won the damn championship and I shouldn't feel this way. What the hell is wrong with me?It all goes back to Cami and my brother, Joel. He got the girl I had no idea I actually wanted, until it was too late. Cami is a great sister-in-law, but what if I hadn't been such an asshole and had made a stand-up decision for once? What then?I always blamed my sad fucking life for my stupid choices, which is a joke. Yes, I lost my mom when I was sixteen and it's something that changed me. Unfortunately, it didn't change me into someone she'd be proud of. I'm a womanizing dick. Fo
Completion Chapter 171
Ninety minutes later, I'm standing in my brother's entryway with Cami, completely ignoring the peevish look on her face."When are you going to stop buying her boy clothes?" she huffs, after peeking inside the small bag I brought with me.Cami's beautiful. I know she doesn't realize just how beautiful, which is one of the things that's so special about her. Her medium blonde hair curls softly around her face and shoulders, and accents her large green eyes. She's put on a little weight since having my niece, and it looks good on her. Her boobs look even better, which I can't help but notice, and I need to get my mind out of the gutter."When you take her out of girlie shit and teach her to eat a little dirt," I reply as she hands the bag back. "Where's my brother so I can have some backup, since you seem to be in a mood?"Her eyes take on a harder glint. "We were up all night with the princess, so don't expect him to help you out. He's in the garage, working on the boat."Another t
Completion Chapter 172
MY BROTHER IS IN his heated garage working on the upholstery of his 1969, 350-horsepower, Lyman Sleeper that he picked up for ten grand last spring. It's made for speed and family fun. He and I took her out on a test run after he bought her and we ripped it up on the lake. It's been his ongoing project since the season ended and she's looking good. Tally is now written in bold black script on the side. Tally was our mom, and the boat couldn't have a more fitting name."Dadadadada," Lilly alerts her father we're near. Joel's head comes up."Hey, bro, what's up?" I nod to the two front seats that are now reupholstered and looking sharp. Joel is currently working on one of the bench seats.He runs his hand lovingly over the boat rail. "The hull needs a few more coats of varnish. I won't put those on until the weather heats up in the spring and I can open the big door so I don't asphyxiate myself. I should have the seats finished in a few weeks. As soon as she's ready, and it's warmer,
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