Page 11 of Filthy Ruck

Chelsea

“Remindme again why I wanted to work with the Smashers.” I poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Sadie Cross, my longtime friend and housemate. There wasn't much she didn't know about me. I trusted her with all my deepest, darkest secrets. She trusted me with hers.

She took the glass and nodded her thanks before taking a sip. “Because you love rugby union? Something about rugby players’ thighs?”

I sat down beside her and pulled my legs up onto the couch until my knees were almost touching my chest. “I'm not that shallow. I also like their chests.”

She laughed. “I'm sure there's something about their personalities that draws you in, too. That whole rugged exterior, ready to throw all of themselves into the game, regardless of the cost to life, limb and brain cells.”

We both sighed.

“Okay, that might be it. But Storm Keller is something else.” The way he looked at me like he might eat me alive sent shivers of anticipation up and down my spine. I should be used to that look from guys by now, but he took it to another level. Possessive in a way I hadn't seen before.

“What about the rest of them?” Sadie asked.

“I haven't met any others yet.” I sipped my wine, letting the fruity flavours sit in my mouth before I swallowed. “After Doctor Stuart was finished with the paperwork, he gave me a look around. Smashers Stadium is something else too.”

“What is Doctor Stuart like?” Sadie gave me a sly look.

I snorted. “About seventy years old. Old enough not to take shit from players or people like me. But he's highly experienced. I'm going to learn so much from him.”

“And from Storm Keller?” She adjusted her position on the couch, crossing her legs and leaning back against the cushions.

“I'm pretty sure he could learn a thing or two from me,” I said.

Sadie smiled. “You heard it here first, folks. Chelsea Miller is going to educate the Dusk Bay Smashers fullback in the art of luuurve.”

I reached over to swat her on the arm. “Who said anything about love? You of all people should know I don't have time for things like that, even if I was interested in him or anyone else.” Tonight was a rare night off from study or working at Flirts.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Fine. In the art of fucking then. You're not involved with anyone. As long as he's not involved with anyone, then I say go for it.”

“What makes you think I'm interested in him? Or anyone else for that matter?” I asked.

“Because you have that expression on your face.” She squinted at me. “The one that says your panties are about to melt right off. If he was here right now, you'd be jumping his bones.”

“I would not,” I protested. I sucked in a breath and shook my head. “He has a big enough ego without me throwing myself at him.”

What about the rest of it? I couldn't deny the physical attraction between me and him was off the charts.

She hummed her disbelief. “What are you going to do then?”

“I'm going to go to work tomorrow and be a professional,” I said. “I'm going to work my ass off to make sure I get a permanent spot as a team doctor. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardise that. And I'm not going to let him, or anyone else, ruin this opportunity for me. I've worked too hard for too long to let it slip through my fingers now.”

“The team would be crazy not to hire you permanently,” Sadie said firmly. “Although, I'm surprised the Demons weren't knocking down your door to give you a placement.”

“Who says they weren't?” I asked, giving her a cagey look.

“They'd be out of their minds if they didn't,” she said. “But I'm glad you got the one you wanted. I've seen how hard you work. No one deserves it more.”

I reached over again, but this time to pat her hand. “That's sweet of you to say. You deserve all the good things too.”

She shrugged. “Maybe. I'm happy just tending bar at Flirts and fucking around with whoever I feel like. Give me a low pressure lifestyle any day.”

Sometimes I envied her. The ability to enjoy each day as it came. I could do that if I wanted to. Give up medicine and stick to getting naked for money.

On the other hand, dancing in heels was hard on a person's body after a while. I only had so many more years of wearing stilettos left in me. Medicine wasn't easy, but it was easier, if only when it came to footwear. And it involved a lot less giving of blowjobs to strangers.

“Your family must be very proud of you,” she said. “Another doctor in the family. My mother would say your parents must have done something right with you and your brother.”

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