Page 17 of Unwritten Rules
Yeah, I’m totally screwed.
“How’dyou enjoy the game, Tate?”
I blink at Dad, my mind lost at sea. “Oh, yeah. It was a good win for the Wolves.”
After the final siren blared through the stadium, I stood on the sideline and waited for my dad to join the team on the field. Despite being new to the club and staffing team, I enjoyedwatching everyone interact with each other after an exceptional 22-8 win over the Dolphins.
Once the players shook hands with the opposing team, they rushed to the fence surrounding the field to speak with family members who drove down for the away game. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched each player laugh and joke around with their family. After a big win, I’m sure it would’ve been nice for them to know their loved ones were watching on in support.
Despite telling myself I wouldn’t, I watched Sinnett linger among his teammates. He was called over to the fence by some young fans asking for his signature on their jerseys. Each one of them smiled as if they had met their hero, giddy with excitement. I tried not to watch when Sinnett smiled for selfies with girls not much younger than me, but like a bad car accident, I couldn’t look away. His smile looked forced and didn’t quite reach his eyes. Not like they did when I made him laugh a week ago.
“The guys played well,” Dad says, breaking me from my thoughts. “Of course, there are areas they can improve on, but for now, I’m letting them enjoy the win.”
The Dolphins are on the opposite side of the field interacting with their own fans while the Wolves players left for the sheds a couple of minutes ago, leaving only the staff members lingering on the sidelines.
“Did you see anything out of the ordinary when you were watching the team?”
I blink at Dad. Shit. I forgot I was supposed to be observing the players and not stealing glances of a certain someone. “They all looked in good shape to me. But I’ll know for sure when I’m doing recovery with them.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it.”
Dad’s face lights up at something behind me. Every hair on the back of my arms stand on edge when I turn around and seeSinnett approaching us. His hands are shoved in the front pocket of his hoodie, and within a few long strides he joins my father and I.
Oh, God…
“Sin,” Dad cheers with a warm smile. “How are you feeling?”
Sinnett shrugs. “Okay, I guess.”
Dad’s face falls with what I’m sure is empathy. “I know it sucks watching from the sidelines, but you know it’s for your own good. I can’t have you going out there before you’re ready.”
Sinnett scratches the back of his head, unable to look me in the eye. “I understand. I’m doing everything I can in my recovery to ensure I’m fit enough to get back on the field soon.”
“Oh!” Dad snaps his eyes to me, as if realising I’m still standing with them. “Speaking of recovery, this is Tatum. She’s the club's new physio.”
Sinnett sweeps his ocean eyes to me, offering a sharp nod. “Yeah, we met earlier.”
“Good,” Dad says with a nod, folding his arms over his chest. “Since you’ll be working closely with each other, I expect you to treat my daughter with respect.”
It is at this moment Sinnett’s jaw hits the floor and his eyes nearly bulge out of his head.
Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, but he does snap his wide eyes to me, as if unable to believe what just came out of my father’s mouth.
“Daughter?” Sinnett rasps out. “Tatum is your daughter?”
“She is,” Dad says, features sharpening. “And no funny business, okay? She’s off-limits, and that goes for the rest of the team, too.”
Sinnett hisses a breath and runs his hand through his hair, leaving some of the inky strands standing on end. He draws his eyes back to my father, jaw ticking.
I may as well not be here for this conversation since Sinnett and my father would prefer to talk about me rather than directly to me. But what can I say?Hey, Dad, funny story actually, I’ve already hooked up with Sinnett.I would be a dead woman.
All I can do is keep my mouth shut and pray Sinnett does the same.
Sinnett’s throat ripples with a deep swallow as he turns his intense eyes to mine again. I suck in a sharp breath, trying to ignore the heat pulsing through my veins. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something—anything—but I’m at a loss for words.
My father has forbidden me from dating any player on the team, yet he doesn’t realise he’s looking at the rule I’ve already broken directly in the eye.
“Of course, Coach,” Sinnett finally says, his eyes not straying from mine. “I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
