Winning the Player

by Leesa Bow

  ‘Hunter, what the —’

  ‘What the fuck is going on!’ Hunter’s voice boomed over Connor’s from ten metres away. ‘And I’m talking to her.’

  My eyes widened at the way he said her. Maddy’s words of warning about Hunter’s temper flashed into my head. I opened my mouth yet I couldn’t speak.

  Connor looked over his shoulder at me. ‘Shit. Is that what you were going to tell me?’

  I nodded, still incapable of words.

  ‘Let me explain,’ Connor said to Hunter in a calm voice, while raising his hands in a gesture that indicated he didn’t want to fight.

  Hunter kept his gaze fixed on me. He stopped a few metres away, pulled his phone from his leather jacket pocket and held it up so I could see the screen. ‘Explain this,’ he yelled.

  Everything was happening too quickly and my brain struggled to catch up. My eyes pricked and I blinked to focus. I could make out a photo of Connor and me, mouths full of popcorn. ‘So you two are so close that you advertise your friendship on Twitter,’ he snarled at Connor, answering my question of how.

  ‘We’re only friends.’ Connor maintained his cool, speaking in a low voice.

  ‘Get the hell outta here, Connor. I think you’ve done enough. I want to speak with Aubree alone,’ Hunter said through clenched teeth, his blue eyes searing me.

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Connor turn to me then back at Hunter. I was afraid to move. Connor stepped towards me and touched my arm. ‘Call me if you need me.’ I didn’t move or respond.

  ‘Don’t touch her!’ Hunter threatened in a deafening voice. I’d never seen him so angry, never anticipated him being this mad. My thoughts whirled.

  ‘Do you want me to stay?’ Connor whispered. My peripheral vision worked at maximum capacity. I watched Connor defiantly put his hands on his hips and turn his attention to me. It was a brave action, but I felt like a kangaroo blinded by the light, only the light was Hunter and for the life of me I couldn’t move my legs or shift my gaze from him.

  I managed to shake my head. ‘Go.’

  Hunter stepped closer, eyes on me as though I were prey. His nostrils flared with every breath.

  His gaze moved over my shoulder and I assumed he was waiting for Connor to be out of sight. When he was gone I had a moment to take in my surroundings. It only took a second to realise Hunter’s car and mine were the only two in the car park.

  ‘Thinking of running, Aubree?’

  My gaze shot back to him and I stiffened at his acid tone. ‘No,’ I whispered. Even if I wanted to run I was incapable of moving. My legs trembled and my bones turned to jelly. I was sure my knees would give way at any moment. ‘I want you to hear my —’

  ‘I’m not interested,’ he said coldly. ‘You had your chance to defend any friendships. Just like you questioned me. To think you tried to make me feel guilty about Sabrina when you’ve been seeing my brother behind my back.’ His voice was filled with hate.

  Tears streamed down my cheeks but I forced myself to push through my shock. ‘No, it’s not like that. He —’

  ‘You’re no better than the others.’ Before I could reply he turned back to the Audi and seconds later he slammed the car into gear, the wheels spinning out as the car sped away.

  No longer able to hold it together, I burst into tears. I forced my legs to move. I drove home, sobbing, my hands trembling on the steering wheel in reaction.

  By the time I arrived home my body hummed with a dull numbness. Like a zombie, I walked inside to a dark house. I didn’t bother to turn on my bedroom light. Instead, I climbed under the covers fully clothed.

  The darkness offered an eerie, calm, familiar feeling. I remembered why. Three years ago, I’d injured my knee and my world had come crashing down around me. My hard work was all for nothing. Every night when I’d thought about the future, I’d felt nothing but pain.

  Emptiness.

  Darkness.

  And the dark had found me again.

  The following evening I sat at the table toying with a plate of vegetables. It had been the longest day of my life and I’d spent every minute wishing I’d said no to Connor.

  I had gone to work and went about my duties like a ghost. I had a constant burn in my throat of acid rising from my stomach, and although I hadn’t eaten all day, food was the last thing I wanted.

  ‘Aubree, you need to eat.’

  My gaze went to my mother, forehead wrinkled. I placed my fork on the table. I hadn’t been paying attention to her jabbering on about something to do with the news.

  ‘I’m not hungry.’

  ‘I’ve spoken to Maddy,’ she said, surprising me. She tilted her head to the side and gave me the same look she gave me when I’d injured my knee.

  Pity.

  Another piece of my heart crumbled. I didn’t want anyone’s pity. The word made me more pathetic than I already felt. I pushed the plate of food away and stood from the table.

  ‘Aubree, please talk to me,’ Mum pleaded.

  Headlights shone through the kitchen as a car pulled into our drive. Mum and I turned and waited to see who would be visiting at seven o’clock on a Friday night.

  ‘Are you expecting anyone?’ I asked, annoyed.

  ‘No, are you?’ Her gaze never left the window.

  The headlights dulled and Connor emerged from a black sedan.

  I sighed. Although I blamed him, my conscience argued I was solely at fault. I should have been honest with Hunter.

  Mum looked at me and raised her eyebrows.

  What the hell would I to say to him? Hope sparked at the thought of Connor resolving matters with Hunter. Then I remembered that even before last night’s argument the two were very distant, and the hope dimmed. Yet I’d grown up wishing for a sister, someone I could share my secrets and burdens with, and the good times. So why did these two brothers hate each other so intensely? It had to be more than squabbling over a girl.

  Before I opened the door I remembered something about last night. Anger hadn’t oozed from Connor, it had gushed out of Hunter.

  ‘Hi, Connor.’

  Connor’s lips pressed into a flat line. ‘No better, eh?’

  I shook my head. ‘Come in.’

  I led him to the lounge. Mum miraculously disappeared.

  ‘Can I get you anything?’ My voice sounded flat despite my effort to show enthusiasm.

  ‘Water would be good.’ He sat on the couch and waited.

  When I handed him a glass he grabbed my hand, turned it and inspected my chewed nails. ‘What are you doing to yourself, Aubs?’

  I shrugged one shoulder. ‘Besides torturing myself, you mean? Not much.’ I pulled my hand from his. ‘What brings you here, Connor?’

  ‘You. I wanted to make sure you were okay —’ he hesitated— ‘and to say goodbye.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Remember I told you I was heading to Greece? A better offer came up, still on one of the islands, but I’m leaving in a couple of days. Mum wants me to spend time with her.’ He shrugged. ‘Not that my brother cares.’

  ‘I’m really sorry, Connor. I’ve ruined everything.’

  He pulled me into his chest. ‘You haven’t ruined a damn thing. There’s always been something between me and my brother, even when I was at boarding school in another damn state. This time I hoped he’d be more mature. I was wrong. Both Maddy and I have tried to talk to him.’ Connor shook his head. ‘He’s so goddamn stubborn.’

  My head dropped. Connor placed his finger under my chin and lifted it until I met his gaze. ‘You’re too good for him.’ Tears welled in my eyes. I shook my head. ‘Trust me. He’ll realise it soon enough and he’ll calm down. Hunter just needs time. He always needs time.’

  I tried to find some part of me to believe him. But Hunter, in my eyes, stood on a pedestal, despite his womanising ways. My mental toughness during my years of basketball had helped me to block him out, to remind myself of what I wanted in a man and what I deserved. I had tried to convi
nce myself that I didn’t want him, that he wasn’t my type, yet after one sweet taste I craved more.

  ‘Don’t tear yourself apart trying to work out any of this.’ He stared into my eyes, waiting for me to make some sort of promise. I blinked slowly. How could I not tear myself apart when I’d destroyed something magical? Hunter was the best thing that had happened to me. And I’d blown it. Utterly and completely ruined everything. Hunter not only didn’t trust me, he hated me.

  As though he’d read my mind, Connor tightened his arms around my back. ‘You have to fight those feelings, Aubs. They’ll destroy you.’

  Too late.

  ‘Do you want me to stay a while?’ I wanted to say yes, but then I read his expression. I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me.

  A bitter taste rose to the back of my mouth. ‘Mum’s here, somewhere. I should probably go talk to her.’

  Connor grabbed my shoulders. ‘Yeah, you should. I have to go, but I’ll call before I leave. We can keep in contact at least.’

  I stood and walked him to the front door, turned on the porch light and followed him to his car. ‘Promise me.’ I half smiled at him. ‘You’re a good friend and I don’t want to lose you, too.’

  Connor’s arms circled my waist. The sound of a car engine speeding off down the street caught my attention. Connor stepped back. ‘You can always come visit. Maddy and you should come for a holiday. You’ll have free accommodation.’

  I glanced over his shoulder at the car that had taken off down the street and realised why it tugged at my memory. The sound reminded me of the Audi when Hunter had sped off in the car park. I tried to make out the car, but it was too dark, and now it was too far away. I dismissed it, thinking no one in my street could afford an Audi R8.

  I looked back at Connor. ‘You know I loved the Greek Islands, so a holiday sounds perfect.’

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  My phone vibrated on the bedside table. Who the hell was calling me so early on Saturday morning?

  Squeezing one eye open, I swiped the phone after reading Maddy calling on the screen. I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything ‘Good morning’ sounded into my ear.

  Rain danced on the tin roof. Rain in August meant cold wind and grey skies. How the hell was it a good morning?

  ‘Morning, Maddy.’ As much as I tried my voice remained lifeless.

  ‘You ready for some football?’ She sounded too bloody happy.

  Then I comprehended her words. ‘What?’ I sat up, my heart beating faster than it should. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Football, Aubs. It’s Saturday, remember?’

  Hunter had asked Maddy and I to the game to watch him play—before. There was no way I could go now. ‘What are you talking about? I can’t go.’

  Maddy sighed into the phone. ‘Aubree, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘I know he said he doesn’t want you there, but he’d also want you to go.’

  ‘That doesn’t make sense. Wait. He said he doesn’t want me there. When?’

  ‘Last night when I talked to him. But he also said he’d wished you’d seen him play.’

  My brain thickened like pea soup. ‘How many times have you talked to him?’

  ‘Twice. Last night I tried to convince him to go see you. He wouldn’t. He’s so stubborn, but at least he was calmer and he listened.’

  Whoa. ‘Are you sure he didn’t come here?’

  ‘No, he was busy, so he said. Anyway, there are two tickets so . . .’

  My heart plummeted. ‘No, Maddy, that doesn’t mean anything. I really don’t think I should —’ I hesitated. ‘I don’t want to make things worse than they already are.’

  ‘Aubree. I’m getting you out of the house and we are going to the football. It’s the last home game of the year. You are coming.’

  ‘Haven’t you noticed it’s raining?’

  ‘It’s football season, you idiot. It always rains, that’s half the fun. We get to see men, wet and dirty, fight for a piece of pigskin. It’s so primal and sexy, you’ll love it.’

  I envisioned men sloshing about in mud, people yelling abuse, all while I stood in the rain. ‘You’re gonna have to do better than that.’

  ‘You’ll see Hunter in shorts and a guernsey.’

  My stomach tightened. ‘That’s low, Maddy.’

  ‘So you’ll come?’

  ‘I really don’t think he wants me there.’

  ‘In time, when he hears that you went, he’ll appreciate it.’ The way Maddy said appreciate convinced me.

  ‘What time are we leaving?’

  ‘Good girl. I’ll pick you up at after lunch.’

  ‘I’ve never been to a game with this many people before.’ My eyes widened in amazement at the crowd outside the oval.

  ‘Oh, you’ve so much to learn. Everyone loves football.’

  ‘Not everyone,’ I muttered. I squeezed past groups of men, women, teenagers and children. Even grandmas and grandpas strode along with blankets and seat cushions.

  At home, Maddy had wrapped a Blackbirds scarf around my neck. I thought she was taking it too far, until now. I was clearly underdressed in the team’s colours. Ninety per cent of the crowd wore blue. Not to mention the dozens of people I’d seen with STONE across their back.

  ‘How is it you’ve never been to a game? I mean really, are you even Australian?’ Maddy laughed.

  ‘Shut up. I guess with training and games every weekend I never really got time. Then when I injured my knee, football was the last place I’d want to be with an ugly cast and crutches,’ I scoffed. ‘I was also depressed and almost failing school.’

  Maddy looked at me. ‘It was a rough year, Aubs.’ Then she turned her head quickly, minding her step not to bump into other supporters. ‘Look on the bright side,’ she added. ‘You get to sit in the members’ stand on your first experience. We’d get wet today for sure in the eastern stands.’

  ‘So all in all my bad luck ended up a positive.’

  Maddy grinned and guided me towards a wire gate. She was right. Coming to the football was a positive thing. My foggy head had cleared and I was feeling the buzz of just being here to watch a live game. Although I was a touch annoyed for having a sick desire to see Hunter, feeding a need to be with him. Admittedly, I wasn’t actually with him, but I was close enough.

  The long queue moved slowly and eventually we were permitted entry after being checked by security. We walked through the stadium entrance to a maze of stairs, through large tunnels lined with bars and television screens, and further along passing smaller kiosks selling hot food and drinks. Maddy pointed to an escalator. ‘It’s the VIP section. Wives, girlfriends, and the players’ families or sponsors sit there.’

  I nodded, assuming that was where Sabrina would be sitting. ‘I think we should avoid it.’

  ‘Agree. Let’s find ourselves some seats.’

  We headed through an opening to the concourse. Before me was a sea of heads, many decked with beanies in the Blackbirds colours. Conversations hummed in the air and I sensed the underlying excitement and anticipation.

  The grassed oval was bigger than I expected. It could have been the grandstands surrounding the barrier that made it appear larger, or the fact that I was used to a basketball stadium, I wasn’t sure. Still, I was overwhelmed and something stirred inside of me.

  ‘Maddy. Where have you been, girl?’

  I turned to see a tall guy embrace Maddy. ‘Around. How are you, Rhett? Why aren’t you playing?’

  ‘Shoulder injury. I’ve sat out two weeks.’ Rhett looked familiar, being blond and tanned, and I was sure I’d seen him out with Hunter.

  ‘Well at least you have a while for it to mend.’

  Rhett shrugged. ‘Would rather be playing, last game and all. Where’re you sitting?’

  ‘My friend Aubree and I were about to find seats.’ She pointed to me.

  Rhett put out his hand for me to shake. ‘Hey.’

  I smiled. M
an, he was tall.

  ‘Come sit with me,’ he offered. ‘I’m in a booth and some sponsors haven’t rocked up so there’re spare seats.’

  I grabbed Maddy’s arm and shook my head, quietly implying that I was uncomfortable with the idea. ‘Don’t worry,’ she said in a soft voice. ‘It’s a different section to where family and girlfriends sit.’

  I breathed a sigh of relief and trailed behind them. After climbing a dozen stairs, we entered a section with a small cement wall that separated it from other areas. Mostly men sat here and I assumed some were injured players.

  Rhett, Maddy and I sat in the back row. Moments later the crowd roared. I looked down to the cheer squad standing on the field raising a large banner that said, ‘Time to Hunt’. I glanced at Maddy. ‘Is that directed at Hunter?’

  She nodded. ‘Twofold. Him and the Blackbirds.’ She shrugged. ‘Here, Hunter has star quality, the biggest since Tony Modra.’ I followed her gaze to the oval. The banner turned, revealing the other side. ‘Win it today, build for tomorrow.’ The players ran onto the ground from an opening somewhere beneath us. Spectators chanted as the team burst through the banner, tearing it apart, before jogging to the centre of the oval. Everyone around me stood and applauded. The game hadn’t even started and yet the Blackbirds were being worshipped. No wonder these guys had overinflated egos. I pulled my emotions back a notch and concentrated on finding Hunter.

  ‘What number is Hunter?’

  ‘Eight,’ Maddy replied.

  A chuckle sounded from Rhett. ‘Did Aubree just ask what I think she did?’

  Maddy nodded. ‘Yeah, she has no clue so be ready for a barrage of questions.’

  ‘I think she just made my day.’ He laughed again.

  Halfway through the game my knowledge improved, although some rules still didn’t make sense to me. ‘He was over the line. Isn’t that out of bounds? I don’t understand.’

  ‘I told you. The ball wasn’t.’ Maddy rolled her eyes. ‘He held the ball inside the line. It’s not basketball, Aubree.’