Page 98 of Unwritten Rules
It’s been hard seeing her around this past week during training but not having the opportunity to get her alone. When we had multiple sessions together throughout the week, it made it easy to steal precious moments with her. In those times, we didn’t fear anyone catching us because everyone on the staff team, the coaches and the players knew I was booked in with her. But now that I’m back to my regular training schedule, I only see her when necessary.
God, is it fucking hard.
Whenever I’m not with her, I’m thinking about her. And when we are together, I’m still thinking about her. No matter what I’m doing, Tatum is on my mind, having carved out a space reserved only for her.
We’ve both been busy this week, so we haven’t had a chance to go for our late-night drive. But that changes today.
SIN: Are you free right now?
STRAWBERRY: I’m getting ready to leave for the day. Is everything okay?
SIN: It will be once I see you. Care to go for a drive?
STRAWBERRY: Right now?
SIN: Right now.
STRAWBERRY: Let me get changed first. You’ve seen me in my work uniform far too many times.
SIN: I happen to like the sexy polo look on you.
STRAWBERRY: If that’s the case, then maybe it’s the next shirt we try out.
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth, biting back a grin. I hadn’t intended on fucking her while she wore my jersey last weekend, but when she said she’s never worn a jersey for a sports team before, I couldn’t help myself. Besides, she looked fucking beautiful wearing my number. And Iwillmake sure it’s the only number she ever wears from now on.
SIN: Is it bad that I’m already thinking about you bent over the edge of my bed in nothing but said polo shirt?
STRAWBERRY: Not at all, stud. I’m thinking the same thing.
SIN: Too much, Tate. You’re too much.
STRAWBERRY: See you at your car in ten, stud ;)
My tongue rolls in my cheek as I slip my phone into my pocket. Glancing over my shoulder, I zone in on Nico and Khai still discussing where they should go for drinks, as if they’re not flushed with options—North Sydney has an array of bars they can go to. I have no doubt Khai will be on the prowl for someone to fulfil his jinx before the game tomorrow.
“What about The Scary Canary?” Khai asks, folding his arms over his chest. “The music is always banging and the drinks flow like a fountain.”
“Can’t we go someplace closer to home?” Nico whines, hands gripping the edges of the towel slung around his neck. “We have to be back here early to jump on the team bus, so the last thing I want to do tonight is go all the way into the city.”
“But the bars and clubs in the CBD are way better than what we have here,” Khai tries to reason. “Please, Nico? I’ll owe you one.”
Nico’s gaze sweeps to me as if looking for advice on what he should do, especially with Khai giving him puppy eyes like a fucking three-year-old. I simply shrug, not wanting to get involved in whatever it is their plans are.
Seeing no way out of this, Nico relents with a groan. “Fine, we can go to The Scary Canary. But we need to leave no later than midnight, okay?”
Khai throws his arms around Nico’s neck and forces him to bounce on the spot with him. “You’re the best!”
I chuckle and pat Khai on the shoulder as I pass by. “Well, you two have fun tonight. And don’t wake me up when you come stumbling through the front door, okay?”
Khai wraps his arm around Nico’s neck, pressing his side against him. “My lovely friend here will make sure I get into bed safely. Isn’t that right?”
Nico playfully rolls his eyes. “Yeah, I will.”
“Well don’t get too fucked up,” I remind them both with a pointed look. “Axel would normally be the one to tell you this, as our captain, but since he’s already gone home for the day, I guess the duty falls to me. We need to keep our heads, and Illawarra Sharks are sitting just below us on the table, so it’s going to be a tough game.”
“We’ve got this, Sin,” Khai says with confidence.A confidence I don’t have myself. “With you back on the field, we’re going straight to the finals.”
My lips part, ready to tell him that I can’t be the only one to carry the team, but then decide not to. I’ve carried the weight of expectation since joining the main roster, and while it can be hard at times to shoulder it, I don’t mind doing it if it means my teammates are filled with a confidence I don’t possess. The confidence they have in me is overwhelming, and I’m fucking terrified of letting them down, but if it helps them to know I have their backs heading into game day, then I don’t mind carrying that burden.
