Page 2 of Shes my 1 Try

“Fuck you, pretty boy. Keep your smart mouth and eyes to yourself.” He doesn’t disappoint. The only thing stopping him from losing his cool is Kennedy’s hand on his chest.

“Don’t worry, Billy. I won’t kick your ass in front of your way-out-of-your-league girlfriend.” Grabbing my towel, I head toward the door, murmurs following me all the way.

I know my reputation and that getting away from my previous club was the only way I would be able to salvage what I wanted from my career.

“Asher. Asher, wait,” Kai calls out, jogging up to me as I’m half out the door.

“Look, I get it. First impressions mean something. I’ll apologise to Billy later.” My mouth has always gotten me in trouble, in more ways than one, and so has the pretty boy looks Billy labelled me with. Maybe, just maybe, half my issue is not being taken seriously for my talent. I had hoped this deal would silence all that.

“Good, I think a man who can admit he’s wrong and apologise is a great asset to the team. It wasn’t what I was going to say, though.” The rest of the team stands in a huddle, Billy watching Kai and me, and I shift my gaze from them and back to Kai.

“No?”

“No, what I wanted to say was welcome to the team.”

“Is that it?” I was half expecting some reprimand and the attitude in my voice isn’t received well with the man who is my captain.

“Listen, Asher, we’ve all heard the rumours and gossip about why The Rays opted not to renew your contract. Personally, I don’t give a shit what you do in your personal life as long as it stays there and doesn’t come on the field or into our training sessions.” I’d always heard Kai Martin was a hardass, but I respect his honesty.

“It won’t,” I assure him with a nod.

“It better not. We’ve put a lot on the line to get this club off the ground. Making all the naysayers eat their words last year was just the beginning. I won’t have you come in and piss all that hard work up the wall because you can’t keep your ego in check.”

“Fair enough. Consider me pulled into line, cap.” Kai scrutinises my face, sighing, before holding his hand out for me to shake.

Taking it, I shake, but I can see the look he gives Billy over his shoulder. We all know our egos are gonna take a while to acclimatise.

“Let’s go get you familiar with our plays, yeah?” He drags me back into the gym as the rest of the team head out the other door that leads to the lush grounds outside.

“Hey,” I pull back, hesitating. “I…I didn’t do what they’re saying I did.”

Kai gives me a look, the type that says he’s proud of me. The one I never got from my father and I never thought I’d be the kind of man that needs that type of validation. Yet, here I am, a fucking warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest.

“This is a new start, Asher. Whatever did or didn’t happen is in the past. If anyone here decides they’re gonna make an issue out of it, they’ll have to deal with me. But don’t think your big-time contract makes you impervious to those same rules. If you fuck up, you’ll find your ass on the bench quicker than you can blink.

“This could be your home, Asher. Your family. If you let it. Don’t let the best opportunity you’ve ever had slip away because you can’t stop yourself from being a smartass. Clear?”

“Crystal,” I say after a moment, taking in what he’s offering me.

“Okay, now that’s settled, let’s see if you’re worth all that bloody money.”

“I’m worth it and then some,” I say, following beside him as we head outside. “And that’s not me being a smartass.”

“Now’s your chance to prove it.” He holds the door open, stepping out behind me.

“C’mon, pretty boy,” Billy calls up to us from down on the ground. “Let’s make a footy player out of you.”

TWO

Asher

I was the one who wanted to start as soon as my contract was signed. The Dingoes won’t be complacent about their outstanding debut year in the competition. I didn’t, however, realise how bloody hard they’d push. In the middle of January. During a damn heatwave.

Sweat pours down my back, my training singlet clinging to my skin as Kai makes us line up and do another series of sprints.

“Doin’ okay there, pretty boy?” Billy lines up next to me, shaking his hands out at his side.

“Peachy,” I mutter out the side of my mouth, rolling my shoulders. As annoying as the man is, he knows his shit. Still doesn’t stop me from wanting to show him up whenever I can.

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