Page 53 of Just Say (Hell) No
Nyree told herself,You can do this. You’re not seventeen anymore. Jump in anddoit.So when she reached her seat, she turned and focused on Kate. Brunette, short, and less than glamorous. Exactly like her. “Hi,” she said. “Nyree Morgan.”
“I remember,” Kate said, a smile lighting up her face. “Hi. Howareyou?” She told Jocelyn, “Nyree’s the photographer who was taking those pictures of Koti when I nearly drowned Maia. The one who found us our dog, too. Also known as the best dog in the world, since she’s the one whokeptMaia from drowning. Nyree’s living with Marko now.”
“Well, with Ella,” Nyree said, doing her best to keep her cool. “Marko’s cousin.”
“Right,” Kate said. “Hi, Ella. Nice to see you. This is Josie Pae Ata. Oh, and Jenna Douglas. We still let her sit with us even though Finn’s a coach now.”
Nyree introduced Marko’s mum and aunt. It was a bit surreal, like she actually was this kind of insider. Of course, she’d technically been that for years, but she’d never felt like it. Not even close. She’d always felt, in the rugby world, like she was standing on the other side of the windows, looking in at the ballroom where the couples were waltzing and the party was happening. Like a stepchild, you could say.
Remember that the common denominator in any situation is you.
They were just people. Yes, Jocelyn Pae Ata had been named New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Woman last year, and was one of the country’s biggest TV stars. Also an international model. She was also married to the captain of the Blues, who happened to be a star All Black, but…
All right. Maybe that one didn’t work so well. Still, Kate seemed normal. She’d focus on her. “You didn’t drown Maia. She ran off before you could catch her, which is something that could happen to anybody, and the dog and Koti were both right there.”
“Easy for you to say,” Kate said. “Koti said it took ten years off his life, watching her go under like that. She’s a daddy’s girl. Has him wrapped around her finger, too. Geez. Kids. One way or another, they’ll kill you.”
Jenna, a redhead who, like Kate, also looked relatively normal, glanced at Josie, who was watching the players below and looking distant. Bored, probably. Jenna said, “Really? You found Kate and Koti their dog? My son Harry is dying for a dog. We’ve been waiting until the babies are a little older, but I don’t think I can hold him off much longer.”
A girl of eleven or twelve, sitting next to her, said, “He’s totally obnoxious about it, you mean. We’ve been making lists, but he keeps changing his mind.”
“My daughter Sophie,” Jenna said. “Harry’s not obnoxious. He’s just persistent. But hedoeshave pictures pinned all over his room. Are you involved in the… the dog world, or whatever, Nyree?”
“Not exactly,” Nyree said. “I don’t know much about show dogs or whatever you’re thinking. I do some volunteer photography for the SPCA, that’s all, and I know dogs and cats a bit. That’s what Marko and Koti were posing for.”
“That’s how she met Marko,” Kate said. “Which, according to Koti, was a pretty fireworks-worthy occasion.”
Jenna said, “But that’s perfect! Harry says our dog can’t be from a breeder. It has to be from a shelter. That’s one reason I’ve been hesitating. I’d like to rescue a dog, of course, but I’ve never had one and don’t know much about training them, and like I said—babies. Finn’s had dogs—”
“And is Command Central,” Kate said, “so what are you worried about? If Finn can’t train a dog, I’ll be mightily surprised. Koti says he just about kills them in the gym. He says he’s thinking of joining the army just to have somebody go easy on him, because between Finn and me, not to mention Maia…”
“Except that I’m the one at home,” Jenna said, “so you know that’s going to be me. And Idohave four kids. It’d be better to lower the challenge level.”
“You andHarry,”Sophie said. “He’s going to think he knowsexactlywhat to do. He’s going to besobossy about it.” She sighed and looked martyred. Ah, sisters.
Nyree said, “I can certainly keep an eye out for a good candidate, if you like. An older dog, maybe? Gentle, and with some manners already? Bigger could actually be better for you. Temperament is more important than size, especially with babies.”
“Perfect.” Jenna pulled out her phone. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you mine. I’d appreciate it.”
Josie stood up and said, “Drinks. Who’d like a beer, or a fizz? We’ve got time. Nyree?”
“Oh,” she said. “No, thanks. I’m driving.”
“I’ll take another beer,” Olivia said. “I need to get mellow to watch Marko. Too nervous otherwise.”
Josie took orders, but when she came to Ella, the girl said, “Not for me, thanks. I’m pregnant. If I drink anything, I’ll miss the whole match for running to the toilets.” She added hurriedly, “But it would be awesome to go with you to help carry them. I loved you inCourtney Place, and I can’t wait for your new show. Are you still going to be, like, evil?”
Josie smiled, which was, of course, pure perfection, and said, “The show’s still in development. But I’m very excited myself. I hope you’ll watch. Congratulations on your pregnancy. And thanks, but I’ve got it.” She turned to Kate, said, “Excuse me,” made her graceful way across the row like a royal working a reception line, and was gone.
“Huh,” Ella said. “I guess that happens to her all the time. I probably shouldn’t have said that about the show.”
“It does happen,” Jenna said with a smile. “But you didn’t say anything wrong. You’re Marko’s cousin? He’s from the South Island, Finn says. Which he approves of, of course. He’d love it if he could poach all the southern boys. I think he secretly believes farm boys are tougher. Where in the South Island, exactly?”
Ella answered, the conversation resumed, and the moment passed. So. Jocelyn Pae Atawasbeautiful, and that seemed to be where it stopped. But then, TV stars didn’t have the “humble Kiwi” bit drummed into them the way rugby players did. Nobody was handing them a broom at the end of the shoot and telling them it was their turn to sweep the changing room floor. Different game, different rules. And she was here to watch this one.
Afterwards, she could only remember a few things about that match. The music blaring over the loudspeakers. The sight of Marko, his hands on his hips, staring straight ahead and doing hamstring stretches as if he were alone on the field, getting into the zone. The teams jogging off the field and back into the tunnel after their warmup. The gouts of fire spouting from torches as the announcer’s voice swelled and the team returned, and how she felt the warmth all the way from the stands.
Other than that, though? What she remembered was how different it felt from every other rugby game she’d been to. What she remembered was Marko.
