Page 44 of Sparks Fly

“We’ve gotta do something before it gets even worse.” Dave looks at me and grimaces. “Look, man. I know you and Jasper… We never said anything about you guys because you didn’t let it affect the game. But Palmer’s a loose cannon. Now we’ve got these random drug tests. It’s our last season. Our futures of getting drafted are on the line.”

I run my hand over my face. I haven’t told anyone I’m not going for the draft. Well–except Ellie. The guys are right. Rupert’s reckless behaviour is putting everyone else’s careers in jeopardy. I can’t sit back and let that happen. He may not have learnt from Jasper’s mistakes, but I sure as fuck have.

“I’ve got to shower,” I tell them. “Give me twenty and we’ll go to this party and try to talk some sense into him.”

* * *

BY THE TIME we pull up at Rupert’s, the party is in full swing. I’m glad Dave and Kodi have my back, but I tell them to play it cool for now. I’m not doing anything without Ellie’s tickets in my hands.

Rupert’s in the spa with his arms around two girls wearing the skimpiest bikinis I’ve ever laid eyes on. “El Capitano!” His glazed eyes land on the three of us. I inwardly groan. Dude’s high as a kite already. “I didn’t actually think you boys would show.”

“Motherfucker,” Steiger mutters under his breath.

“Keep your cool,” I warn. I plaster on a fake smile as a few of the boys come over for some back slaps and fist bumps. “’Sup boys.” I accept a beer from Adrian Becker and twist the top. I’m going to need a couple of these to actually be able to get through this.

There’s a table where some of the guys are playing a game of Chase the Ace, and the three of us find a few empty chairs. One of the first-year players, Zac, deals us in.

The majority of our teammates are good guys. They’re happy to party it up in the off-season but know when it’s time to straighten up. Everything that went down with Jasper was a wake-up call. If I want to prove myself to my dad, I need to set a good example. That starts with convincing my teammates to steer clear of the party drugs.

After a couple of beers and a few rounds of Chase the Ace, Rupert finally drags himself away from the two girls and I catch up with him at the bar. He’s in a heated conversation with another teammate–Becker–and I overhear Becker mention something about a missing payment, but they shut up when they notice me standing there.

“Problem fellas?” I ask, helping myself to another beer from the fridge.

Becker shoots Rupert a panicked look, but our host is the picture of calm–or inebriation. “All good here, El Capitano. Not a worry in the world.”

“Good to hear it.” I twist the lid off my beer and swallow down a mouthful before speaking again. “I was hoping to grab those tickets off you before I forget.”

“Yeah sure, they’re on my kitchen bench in a blue envelope. Help yourself.”

“Cheers.” I tip my beer in acknowledgement and head inside, Dave trailing behind me.

He leans against the bench indicating the backyard. “What was all that about?”

“Lover’s tiff?” I offer as a bit of humour.

“Wouldn’t surprise me. Palmer would try anything once.”

I find the envelope Rupert mentioned. Inside are ten tickets with VIP passes for the Byron Bay Festival. Dave’s eyes widen. “Fuck man, how’d you know they were there?” He glances over his shoulder as if we’re about to get caught.

“Relax. They’re mine. He got them from his cousin for my sister and her mates.”

He lets out a whistle. “That was generous of him.”

I wince. “It came at a cost.”

“Do I want to know?”

“An owed favour.”

“Risky.”

“I know.” I rub a hand over my face as Steiger walks in, asking what all the fuss is about.

Dave jerks his thumb in my direction. “This idiot promised Palmer a favour in exchange for VIP passes to the Byron Bay Music Fest.”

“What the hell were you thinking?” The look on Steiger’s face would be hilarious if I wasn’t currently asking myself the same thing.

“Whatever,” I mutter. “It’s done now.”

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