Page 19 of Provoking the Punter

His life was fucking amazing.

Except for the personal side of it.

He wasn’t exactly special in that department. Plenty of guys had nothing more than a string of hookups who they met at a bar or a club. The only difference was they spent the night with a woman, and that was somehow more acceptable.

He pushed himself through the rest of the routine. Alternately chiding himself for giving in, vowing once again to push desire aside to focus on football, all the while wondering if there was a chance it could happen again.

This was why some of the other guys enjoyed going to nightclubs and being recognized. Because the girls looked at them and wanted them, and it was a rush.

He was never going to find that at the bottom of a bowl of cardboard.

Working with Hulme was the only time his mind was clear. As soon as they were done and walking off the field, all the turmoil roiled back.

It was easy on the grass. He knew what he needed to do. He could focus on it and tune everything else out.

“You alright?” Hulme gave him a nudge.

“Yeah, yeah. Just thinking.”

“About?” Hulme tossed him the ball.

Nothing he wanted to talk about with a new teammate, so he lied. “Whether to stay at the hotel or start looking for somewhere else.”

He’d given himself a month to feel out the situation with the Troopers. He didn’t want to burn through a stack of money living in the hotel, despite the cheaper long-term rate. Plus, he was used to a bit more space.

“It shouldn’t be too hard to find somewhere else. There’re some real estate agents the team uses.”

“I’ve got the list, but I don’t wanna get too settled too soon.” He tossed the ball back.

“Ah.” Hulme nodded. “Did you see how many people were here today, even though it’s an off day?”

“Yeah.” It might be a supposed day off, but guys always turned up. Some to use the weights and sauna, some to get treatment, some train, some to watch film. At the Copperheads, he always turned up on Tuesday.

“James has never participated on a Tuesday since I’ve been here.”

“You turn up?”

“I like to do my weights. Though I prefer to do them in the afternoon, so I can sleep in. I’m more than happy to do this with you.”

Garrett snorted. “Bold of you to assume I’ll be dressing for a game.”

“You will. Coach wouldn’t have brought you in otherwise.”

Garrett stopped walking. “Is there something I should know about?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you were traded because you didn’t gel with your team. Which is bullshit, because I’ve been seeing the way you train. And you’re putting your best foot forward, and all that bullshit. We all do it. But us, in special teams, it’s a small world.”

Oh fuck, what were the Copperheads saying? “What are you trying to tell me?”

“I’m sure you’re aware Rafe isn’t happy you’re gone. But if James were to walk, I don’t think he’d be as missed as you are.”

“Why? He does a good job.” James had a solid reputation and a decade of experience. It’s why the Troopers had signed him when they started.

“He does good enough, but he seems to think he’s great enough that he can stroll in and stroll off.”

Garrett frowned. “Meaning?”

“Until you turned up, he was… let’s call it, extremely comfortable. With you here, now he’s moving like he’s dancing on firecrackers, and he’s not happy about it.”

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