by Cd Brennan
“Just let me know when everyone is here. Any extra passengers note at the bottom.”
Without an affirmation from Dave, Shaun skipped down the steps and was gone out the door. Okay then.
He lurched out of his seat and made his way down the aisle to the back, working around bodies and gear bags. Some feet were propped up on beer cases like foot rests.
He leaned around Mitch organizing his stuff in the middle of the aisle and checked off those already on the bus.
Jake, inside center, in the way back, headphones already on, a bit of a scowl on his face. Check.
TJ, openside flanker, and his girlfriend. Check.
Young Jimmy, tighthead prop. Check.
Champ, the Blues number 8, and his wife. Check.
Kevin, nickname of Keys, fly-half. Check.
Then a large group of Lady Blues: Brittany, Claire, Jordyn, Hillary. Lots of checks.
Gill and Junette. Double check.
Rory and Grace. Double check.
Shano was gone with Irish to the Eagles. New guy Bryce. Check.
Austin with another gaggle of Lady Blues. Then a few more with their husbands. Check.
He marked Mitch down with his girlfriend as he retraced his steps back to the front and then plopped down in the first seat behind the driver to wait for the rest. A half dozen more came on board, which Dave noted carefully. Then Damian, or Mouth as everyone called him, came on board with his usual noise and exuberance. “Blues, Blues, Blues,” he chanted, his fist up in the air.
Some responded back, but then when he swore at Mitch in his way and knocked him upside the head, it stopped the comraderie dead in its tracks. What at asshole. But he was only Asshole #2, the second of the Blues’ wings. Dick was Asshole #1, and with Mouth on board, that meant Dick would be coming any moment now…
Yep, the alpha asshole took the bus steps two at a time and then stood at the front of the bus, arms raised, and roared like a berserker. Man, that guy had issues. Always seeking attention, always getting into trouble and fights, making fun of others as if he was a bully at school.
Dick did some sort of grind dance, humping some imaginary chick while swatting her ass. Class. Dave shook his head and ticked them both off the list. That only left the captain, Del, they were waiting on, most likely having a last-minute chat with the coaches.
Except, who was this?
A beautiful woman stepped up behind Dick and gave him a shove so he stumbled as he twerked. Dave chuckled before setting eyes back on the woman. Dick righted himself but didn’t move on. She rolled her eyes and waited.
Holy shit. How did Dick get someone like that?
Platinum hair in a bob with a severe angle down to her chin. Bright red lipstick but very little black on her eyes. She was striking. And looked about as natural in the Blues bus of athletes as a wolverine in the desert. Yeah, that’s what she reminded him of—feisty. Like she could take down Dick with a look. But, it still didn’t answer the question—what the hell was she doing with him?
She stood there, a bored expression on her face as Dick gyrated up the aisle to the sound of some twangy chorus. She had on a snug, tan leather jacket with a furred hood, black skinny jeans and black boots. The fringe of her coat hit the curve of her bottom. And what an ass it was. Hoo. Dave took a deep breath and glanced away to gain his composure before he stepped up behind her. “Excuse me?”
She didn’t turn around as she waited behind Dick to settle his backpack under his seat, taking ages longer than it should because he was too busy making jokes and acting the bollocks for the other lads.
“Excuse me,” Dave said again.
But still she didn’t turn around. He tapped her on the shoulder. This time, when she did turn, her brows were furrowed over her bright blue eyes, almost a gray. “You’re not on the list,” he said to her.
She curled her lip. “What do you want, big fella?”
“I—” He wanted her. That was what. Everything from her posture to her attitude, from her unnatural color of hair to the red of her lips, everything in her design was what he’d been looking for. He just hadn’t known it until now. He opened his mouth, but there were no words since he was so struck dumb by the immediate infatuation with a woman he’d seen for a minute.
When he didn’t finish his reply, she pointed with her finger. “I’m with Dick.”
Dave held in a laugh so it sprung out his nose like a snort. Confirmed were his fears. Someone so beautiful…so striking with the Dickmeister? Incomprehensible, but it must be the case. “That’s cool. I just need to include your name on the travel roster so we can keep track of everyone traveling with the club.”
At that, she turned to face him and hitched her elbows out to the sides to rest them on the seat backs. “No one needs to keep track of me. I’m an adult.”
Right. “I can see that. I just need a name.” He looked past her to Dick for some help but he was already gabbing with Mouth in the seat behind him.
“We ready to go?” the bus driver yelled.
“One minute,” Dave shouted back.
She tapped his clipboard. “You can call me Cherry.” She puckered and blew him a kiss and then turned back around.
Damn. Straight up spicy hellion. What the hell did she see in Dick? When she got to the Blues’ wing, she nudged him, and without a word to her, still talking a mile a minute to Mouth, Dick let her through to sit by the window.
She set her oversize leather bag on her lap and stared outside. Dave followed her gaze, but there wasn’t much there. It was early evening in the parking lot of Meijers on a Thursday. Cars and people coming in and out. Strange she didn’t engage with the rest of the chatter and excitement.
Dave marked a +1 next to Dick’s name with Cherry in parentheses. He wouldn’t forget her when he took attendance when they stopped.
There was a buzz of anticipation building in the bus as they got closer to leaving. They would travel through the night, stopping only once for a late dinner. Cherry girl didn’t seem excited at all.
Just then, the bus lurched and Del stepped inside. Dave let him pass, and he walked to the third row back and stopped right next to Dick. Strategic that was. Del was a smart man.
“Listen up,” Del roared over the noise.
Dave tapped Joe on the shoulder and asked him to turn down the music a minute. As the noise settled, Del continued, “We have a big tournament day tomorrow so no drinking tonight. And what is my general rule?” He didn’t let them answer. “No sex before a game.” A collective moan went up. Del raised his hand. “That is for the men’s team. I can’t speak for Rory and the Lady Blues.”
“Same,” Rory stated. Didn’t even raise his voice, but by that time Del had commanded everyone’s attention, just like he always did. The charismatic New Zealand captain of the Blues had something about him that made folk want to listen. And listen good. Even Dickmeister was now staring up at Del with more than admiration in his eyes. A bit of jealousy there.
Dave stole a glance at Cherry girl, who was looking right at him. Dave jerked his head away back to Del, heat moving up his neck into his face. He had a ruddy complexion so it was noticeable when he became embarrassed or angry, which was rare. He heard her chuckle but didn’t dare look again. She probably was thinking—what was a big oaf like him looking at a woman like her?
Meet the Author
Having traveled and lived all over the world, Cd Brennan now enjoys reliving her glory days by writing about them. Feisty heroines with wanderlust or sexy rugby heroes who breathe passion for more than just the sport.
Aussie/Yankee twined, Cd is now settled in Michigan with a rugby player of her own and two wee sons who are still adapting to the snow. A full-time editor and mum, she and her hubby still dream of starting a hobby farm—a few cows or buffalo, maybe some chickens and pigs, too. She loves rugby, traveling, anything outdoors, and all things from the 80s.
But she especially loves to hear from readers! Find her at your favorite places.
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www.twitter.com/CdBrennanauthor
www.goodreads.com/CdBrennan
www.pinterest.com/cdbrennan2012
Instagram @cdbrennan_author
Contents
Cover Copy
Books by Cd Brennan
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Author’s Foreword
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
New Release Newsletter Sign-Up
Ruck Me Sneak Peek
Chapter 1
Meet the Author
Contents
