by Leesa Bow
That’s for sure.
The game was a nailbiter and I was enjoying every minute. The only problem was I wanted to argue with the umpire despite my lack of understanding of the rules, especially if it involved Hunter.
My heart lodged in my throat as I watched him play. Hunter was amazingly strong and fearless, which caused me to hold my breath when he contested the ball. The crowd adored him. I couldn’t help feeling awestruck, mesmerised just by watching. After every goal, Hunter jumped and punched at the air, mouth open and screaming. Pride filled me, but it was all for nothing.
Large screens provided the crowd with close-up images of the game, which showed replays of goals or good tackles. It was also beneficial as I got to see Hunter larger than life. The camera followed him and showed his reaction after the umpire waved two white flags, capturing his big smile and those eyes.
‘Come on, Hunter.’ I crossed my fingers when he lined up in front of the goal.
‘He never misses at this angle,’ Maddy said proudly.
The camera followed Hunter as he ran towards the goal posts. I looked at the screen and inhaled sharply, watching muscles in his arms and legs contract with movement.
He didn’t miss. Hunter kicked the ball straight through the centre of the posts just as the siren sounded, signalling the end of the third quarter. Hunter’s goal gave his team a ten-point lead. The crowd jumped to their feet. Oversized flags waved through the air along with small banners that read, ‘Shine like a Diamond’ and ‘Rock Solid #8’. A rhythmic clap echoed from the stands on the other side of the oval, the noise deafening.
I stood like other supporters and clapped as the players huddled on the ground. I exhaled loudly. Football was exhausting.
‘Stone is unstoppable. If Quinn doesn’t lift his game he’ll be taken off the field the way Stone is marking over him. He’s not even contesting,’ said a suited man standing in front of me.
‘Yeah, and Miller is working hard in the pack to get the clearances so the runners can deliver the ball to Stone,’ a tall man next to him replied.
‘Stone is the gun player. Too fast and too strong, marking everything that comes his way.’
Hearing the men talk, I realised why Hunter had attracted attention at dinner the other night. He was not only my idol, he belonged to the fans.
The siren sounded for the commencement of the last quarter. Maddy placed one earphone in her ear. She preferred to listen to the radio for commentary so she didn’t miss anything. The players moved to the middle of the ground, waiting for the centre bounce.
‘Oh, shit,’ Maddy said. ‘Look at the screen. The radio announcer is talking about Rhett.’
I glanced at the screen at the southern end and gasped at a super-large image of Rhett, Maddy, and me. Maddy fiddled with her long ponytail sitting on her shoulder and I touched the scarf around my neck. Lame.
‘Shit. Look at Hunter,’ Maddy said, so only I could hear.
My gaze followed hers to the field. Hunter stood in the centre of the ground with hands on his hips staring at the screen. Then he turned and looked up to the crowd, searching.
The camera flashed back to the centre of the ground, ready for the ball to be bounced. The angle close was enough for me to see that Hunter didn’t look happy. Perhaps it was his game face. Hunter clashed with his opponent, and the ball bounced away from the players, who were pushing and shoving each other.
‘He’s firing up,’ Maddy said, her voice excited and worried at the same time.
The game played on; my eyes remained on Hunter. I guessed his opponent had said something to upset him. They were bumping off one another and words were being exchanged. Suddenly, the ball was kicked back in their direction. Hunter leaped for a mark and his opponent pushed him in the back. The umpire blew his whistle and awarded Hunter a free kick.
My stomach churned. Something wasn’t right with him. I was good at interpreting body language after years of reading opponents at basketball and Hunter reeked of ‘totally pissed off.
‘What are they saying?’ Maddy asked in a tone more to herself. She put her hand over her ear to concentrate on what the announcer was declaring on the radio. ‘They reckon Hunter isn’t playing for the ball. They don’t know what they’re talking about. He only has eyes for the ball. Dickheads.’
I turned to her and smiled. ‘You’re cute when you get all protective over Hunter.’
‘Cute.’ Rhett laughed. ‘More like an angry leprechaun.’
Maddy elbowed Rhett and at the same time the crowd gasped. The three of us turned to the field, to an all-in brawl.
‘What happened?’ Rhett asked a guy sitting next to him.
‘Hunter hit Percy Quinn going up for the mark. Didn’t look good.’
My eyes flashed to the screen, waiting for a replay. The ball was kicked towards Hunter and Percy. As the ball fell from the sky Percy stepped in front. Hunter leaped and punched at the ball to stop Percy from marking it. He missed and collected Percy’s face with his fist. Watching the slow-motion replay, Hunter appeared to be going for the ball. However, the punch intensified when he realised he’d misjudged it. Was it deliberate or a spur-of-the-moment reaction in frustration?
I searched the pack, looking for the number eight. Please don’t be on the bottom.
The umpire’s whistle blew and players separated, still pushing and shoving in an overload of testosterone-fuelled behaviour. The umpire blew his whistle louder, demanding players comply.
‘He’s hurt,’ Maddy said, listening to the radio. Hunter appeared with blood streaming from a cut above his eye. ‘He has to go off. Blood rule.’ I nodded at Maddy in understanding.
‘Shit, look at Percy. Announcers reckon he has a broken nose.’ My eyes found Percy, his face covered in blood. He, too, was escorted from the field.
‘Bloody hell, Hunter. You’ll get reported for this,’ Maddy said, annoyed She looked at me. ‘He was in contention for the medal. He’s actually had a great season. If he gets reported and found guilty, not only will he earn suspension into next year’s games, he’ll be disqualified from winning the medal.’ Maddy shook her head. ‘What the hell got into him? He never loses his cool on the field.’
I looked back at the screen and watched as the camera followed Hunter to the boundary line and into the dugout. He pulled out his mouthguard and threw it at the ground. I inhaled, knowing what it felt like to be on the receiving end of Hunter’s temper. He walked up to the bench and kicked a water bottle. A trainer took him by the arm and guided him towards the tunnel. Hunter disappeared to receive treatment for his eye.
Maddy pulled out her earphone with exaggerated force. ‘I’m not listening to that shit,’ she exclaimed. ‘Bloody announcers know nothing about Hunter.’
‘Losing Stone could cost the Blackbirds the game. He’s a game changer,’ the man in front announced.
I sat quietly until the final siren sounded. The Blackbirds hung on to win, although it wasn’t the same watching without Hunter playing. Loud applause echoed across the field and the club song boomed through the speakers. He had finished the season in a bad way, maybe with a suspension, which could affect his chance at a Best and Fairest medal. Also, I had a nagging feeling that I was the reason why Hunter had lost his cool. I blamed myself even though he was the one who’d given Maddy the tickets.
‘I’m going down to the rooms,’ Maddy said quickly. ‘I want to check on him, make sure he’s okay.’
I nodded. ‘I’ll wait here.’
She gave me a quick nod as though it was best I didn’t go with her, before scooting off. I could tell she was worried. Rhett had already disappeared to join his teammates in the change room. I headed for the restrooms rather than sit alone in the stands.
The crowd thinned as supporters poured out of the gates towards the club rooms to celebrate. Thankfully, only a few females occupied the restroom. I washed my hands in the basin and just as I lifted gloss to my lips I saw her. Sabrina’s eyes met mine in the mirror.
&n
bsp; ‘You have a cheek showing your face here.’ My back stiffened. ‘I told you Hunter would tire of you, come running back to me with his tail between his legs.’ She let out a short cackle. ‘I just didn’t anticipate it would happen so quickly.’
I glared at her.
‘Oh, sweetie, don’t give me that look. It was inevitable. Hunter never stays with anyone.’
‘I’m not your sweetie,’ I said in a low voice, my heart racing. I wanted to rip out her beady little eyes.
‘No. You’re not. But I’d like to thank you for upsetting him. Makeup sex is the best.’ She grinned wickedly before strutting away in stiletto boots. My breath hitched when I saw STONE across her back. I held onto the basin. My head whirled.
Breathe.
With a few deep breaths I summoned inner strength, just as I would on the basketball court. My fingers tightened around the basin as I repressed the urge to scream and rip the basin from the wall to throw it at her. After several deep breaths I calmed my heart, although my hands trembled. When I walked out Maddy was pacing in the distance. I called out to her.
‘There you are.’ She sounded worried.
‘How’s Hunter?’
‘He’s okay. Only a few stitches to his brow.’ I nodded, sensed there was more to her story. ‘He went to your house last night, Aubs,’ she blurted out. ‘He saw you with Connor. He’s so bloody angry. Percy was lucky he didn’t kill him.’
‘Shit.’
‘Yeah. When your image flashed up on the screen it sent him into a rage. We won’t be going to the club for a drink.’
My eyes burned and I pushed back tears. Goddam it. If only Connor hadn’t . . . Stop. At least Connor had had the decency to check on me, and to say goodbye.
‘You know Connor is leaving for Greece in a few days,’ I added.
‘Yeah, he talked to me. I know you’re only friends,’ she said, like she could read my mind. ‘It’s Hunter we need to convince.’
‘He doesn’t believe me.’ My voice sounded defeated.
‘What the hell did you do to upset him so much?’
I shot her a look. ‘It’s all about Connor. It’s time you tell me what happened between them.’
Her lips pressed to a thin line. ‘I’ll talk to Mum.’
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘If Hunter turns up, I’m leaving,’ I said to Maddy, as we entered the Towers nightclub in the city. I acknowledged I’d be the last person Hunter would want to see and I didn’t want to chance running into him.
Donning six-inch heels and wearing an LBD, I looked deceivingly ready to party. Maddy being Maddy believed an alcohol-fuelled night on the town was a perfect solution to pep me up.
‘As I said before,’ she said impatiently, ‘the players remain at the footy club, all night.’
‘Well, I’m just saying’cause I’m freaking out.’
‘Trust me.’ She pulled some money from her purse and headed directly to the bar. Discussion over.
It was a different crowd compared to the last time I was here. Many of the guys were dressed metro style, an attractive look, except it appeared they spent more time than me styling their hair.
Maddy and I danced the night away. But whether we were on the dance floor or at the bar, my eyes periodically would search the room like a surveillance camera, certifying Hunter was not inside the building.
With every drink I loosened up a little more, and started to believe Maddy. When I thought of Hunter I became edgy with adrenaline, preparing for ‘fight or flight’. When it came to Hunter I’d run, for sure.
After another round of shots I breathed a sigh of relief for not having to worry about him. It was two in the morning and the bar would soon close. Stupidly, I imagined what he would be doing at this particular time, then I cursed myself when an image of Sabrina wrapped in his arms flashed through my mind.
‘Let’s dance.’ Maddy grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the dance floor. ‘I love this song,’ she screamed.
Maddy and I delivered our best hip-hop moves and two guys appeared, one dancing next to me, and the other close to Maddy. I wanted to let loose, feel uninhibited, so I danced, as Maddy would, by grinding my hips close to him. The guys were strangers and after tonight I’d probably never see them again. Alcohol pumped through my veins, and at this point in time I really didn’t give a shit what anyone thought about me.
It was almost closing time, so I followed Maddy to the bar to get another round of shots. ‘When the bar closes we can walk to Hindley Street to a club that’s open till six,’ she suggested.
I nodded. At least the alcohol had helped take my mind off Hunter. The two guys from the dance floor joined us at the bar and I froze when the blond snaked his arm around my waist.
It was a chance to act more carefree and not be a prude. I didn’t know this guy and he knew nothing of me. A chance to have a one-night stand—no strings attached, no emotion, no connection, completely risk-free of having my heart broken. I looked into his eyes and he smirked. He didn’t have perfect teeth like Hunter, nor did he jump-start my heart, but I could do this. My gaze raked his body and I imagined him naked alongside me. Me naked . . .
Who the hell was I trying to fool? Hell would freeze over before I’d sleep with this guy. I breathed in and downed my drink faster than I should have.
‘We’re heading to Hindley Street if you want to come,’ Maddy yelled over the music. I made a face, indicating count me out when her gaze moved over my shoulder. Her eyes lit up for a second then her face dropped. Before I got a chance to ask if she’d seen a ghost, I sensed him. I didn’t have to look, I just knew.
‘Didn’t take you long,’ Hunter snarled in my ear.
Every muscle in my neck stiffened. I didn’t know what to do, so I just stared at Maddy and measured her expression on how to respond. Bewilderment crossed her face, so I did nothing, pretended I didn’t hear him.
‘Hunter, these are our friends,’ Maddy emphasised.
‘Fuck off,’ he yelled.
Both guys scattered and Hunter stepped next to me, stood over me. I still couldn’t look at him, yet I could see him out of the corner of my eye. His arms were folded across his chest, his stance wide, and he was looking down at me.
My brain scrambled for a coherent thought. Then Maddy intervened. She pushed him, although it was like pushing a wall because he didn’t budge. She slapped his arm. ‘You’re drunk.’
‘And so are you,’ he said in a voice sounding like a growl.
‘But you don’t drink. You’re being a dick. Go home,’ she yelled.
I prayed he’d listen to her. I turned my head slightly so I could get a good look at him. When his eyes narrowed I stepped towards Maddy. He reached out and grabbed my arm.
‘Let her go,’ Maddy bellowed, and slapped his hand.
He didn’t flinch. His eyes seared mine in a piercing glare. ‘Just who do you think you are, you stuck-up bitch? You’ve got some nerve —’
‘Hunter, that’s enough,’ Maddy said.
He leaned in so his lips brushed my ear. ‘To think I trusted you —’ Maddy pushed herself between us, forcing him to release my arm.
My heart pounded in my throat. He looked even scarier with two stitches slicing his brow. Deep down I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, knew it was him that was hurting, but I couldn’t allow him to treat me this way.
‘Fuck both of you,’ he yelled, before storming off.
I swiped tears from my eyes. Maddy put her arm around me. ‘Don’t worry about him, he’s drunk and doesn’t know what he’s doing.’ I didn’t believe her because the look on her face mirrored how I was feeling. ‘But I do intend to remind him tomorrow,’ she threatened. ‘I’ll be paying Hunter a visit. Come on, let’s catch a taxi home.’
‘You have to tell me what happened between him and Connor,’ I begged.
She waited until we were outside to speak. ‘I don’t know a hell of a lot. There was a girl, Samantha Hampton. Hunter was in love with her when he was ninet
een,’ she hesitated. ‘To cut a long story short, Connor slept with her. That’s how she and Hunter broke up. To make matters worse, Hunter intended on proposing to her. Connor admitted he didn’t even like Sam. Things got out of hand and words were exchanged. Like my mum says “You can’t take back the hurt of what you say after the words leave your mouth.” She’s right.’ Maddy shrugged. ‘Connor had tried to defend himself by saying he was proving a point that Hunter was too young to marry. That’s bullshit. Everyone knew Connor was jealous of Hunter’s football achievements. It turns out that Connor has matured and moved on, but Hunter’s never forgiven him.’
Maddy didn’t have to explain any more. The discovery of my association with Connor behind Hunter’s back was enough for him to relive the dark moment and believe me to be untrustworthy. I understood now that I disappointed him, but if he had any feelings for me surely he would have listened to my side of the story? He owed me that. Or was everything that Sabrina told me true? Maybe Hunter couldn’t stay with a girl for any length of time before he felt the need to push her away. Was there a chance that Hunter didn’t want to be healed because when the hurt goes he mightn’t have a memory of love at all?
After rising mid-morning on Sunday, I strolled into the kitchen, turned on the kettle and searched the cupboard for paracetamol. After swallowing two tablets to ease the constant gnawing at my brain, I glanced out the window. Mum was on all fours working in the front garden, preparing the flowerbed for spring.
I wanted to go outside and talk to her, but I didn’t want a lecture on alcohol. When I’d arrived home after three I’d made a conscious effort not to wake her. Knowing Mum, she would have been listening, waiting for me to come home.
My shoulders slouched when I remembered the last time I’d spoken to her. I knew she was worried yet I’d avoided her since. I poured myself a cup of tea and sat down at the table.
After scrolling through my phone, I noticed a text message from BJ. He’d arrived safe in Idaho and was enjoying the warmer weather. My heart plummeted, feeling like a lousy friend. I didn’t even get a chance to wish him a proper goodbye. I pressed the reply button.
