Page 23 of Twisted Ruck

"That it is," Doctor Stuart said lightly. "A mix of skills and abilities. I'm sure we have a lot to learn from each other."

Skinner looked at him like he didn't think he'd have much to learn from Doctor Stuart, but he nodded once, slowly. "I'm sure."

"Doctor Stuart was saying you have an interest in aqua therapy," I said.

"That's correct," Skinner said simply.

"I look forward to finding out more from you," I said. I felt as though I was babbling to fill the awkward silence.

"Good," was Skinner's response. Once again, his expression revealed nothing but a hint of annoyance. Was that aimed at me, or something else? I couldn't tell.

My lips moved, but no more words came out. What could I say to that anyway?

Hopefully, he wouldn't prove difficult to work with, but if he was, I'd roll with it.

Whatever his problem was, I wouldn't make it mine.

I made a quick mental note to insist my guys not kill him if he was cold to me, or to them. At this rate, I'd need to make a list for them. And for my brother. He'd probably enjoy having Skinner down in his workroom, chained to the ceiling. If only to see what it would take to get a response from him.

I sighed softly and turned to the field as the game began.

Chapter Nine

Dallas

There was barelytime to pat each other on the back following our win, before we were herded onto a plane back to Australia.

Chelsea sat with Doctor Stuart and Otis Skinner, leaving me to sit in the rear of the plane with the other players. Storm and Frost sat together. Atlas sat behind them with a barefoot Jay, and I sat across the aisle next to Ferris Ramsey.

"Good game." I fastened my seatbelt and adjusted the strap.

"Yep," he said.

He was a man of few words, but he was an excellent hooker. The rugby position, not the other kind, as far as I knew.

"We should have won by more than two points," I added.

"We would have if the referee was paying attention," Storm growled. "He totally missed that knock-on by Franklin."

"We still would have won," Frost pointed out.

Storm's jaw worked back and forth. "They wouldn't have got that last try if the ref pulled them up."

"Yeah, but they did," Atlas said, pressing his face in the gap between the sets in front of him.

Storm swivelled around. "Don't try to bullshit me and say you're okay with it. We both saw. I know you were pissed off too."

"Didn't say I wasn't." Atlas leaned back. "It was a bad call."

"Did you two just agree on something?" Frost asked.

"Nope." Storm crossed his arms over his chest and looked straight ahead.

"Yeah, you did," I said. "We all agree it was a bad call, right Goat?" I turned back to Ramsey, who was looking out the window.

"Right," he said simply.

I nodded and swivelled back to the others, point proven. Or not disproven.

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