“Fuck I love you,” I declared before taking her lips in a bruising kiss.
By the time I pulled back we were both panting desperately with swollen lips, and I’m sure the lust and longing in Claire’s eyes rivalled my own.
“I love you too, Seth. And I don’t know if I said it last night or not, but thank you.”
“Thank you?”
“Thank you for making sure I was okay. It cost you everything, and I think in the back of your brain you knew this would happen but you did it anyway. You put my safety before everything. So, thank you.”
“You didn’t cost me everything, Claire. You are everything.”
Epilogue
Claire
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
I’d just noticed the time. I was late. Very, very late. Seth was going to kick my arse. But it wasn’t my fault. Gloria was a chatty one. Chatty, but she always made sure she told Lachie how much she loved having me do her hair and how nice I was. Even though her words embarrassed me, I had to embrace it. The more people that said nice things about me, the more reasons Lachie had not to fire me when I begged him to take off early on a Saturday afternoon to make it to Seth’s games.
“Someone’s going to be in trouble,” Lachie sing songed.
Flipping him the bird, I shrugged into my jacket and wound my scarf around my neck. “Bite me,” I threw back.
“Our boy’s on fire lately.”
“Yeah. He’s going really well, and he’s pretty happy about it.”
“And so he should be.”
I’d been working with Lachie for six weeks now, and he’d become such a big part of my life. At first, I’d been nervous. Terrified of stuffing up. I probably told him way more information about my life than he ever wanted to know, but the last thing I wanted was for misunderstandings to come between us. Confessing I’d been fired was hard, but Lachie just snorted. Especially when I told him it was because I was busy dragging Seth from the surf when he’d almost drowned.
“Are you sure you’re right to clean up?” I checked for the millionth time. I couldn’t shake the guilt. It felt all sorts of wrong to be leaving your boss to clean up the mess so I could go to the football.
“Of course. This isn’t my first time…” Lachie assured me, grabbing the broom and starting to sweep.
“You don’t even want to hear about his first time. Let me assure you. Poor guy cried when…”
“Stop right there!” I cut off Jax as he breezed through the door.
“Thanks, Lachie. I owe you one.” I bounced up on my toes and kissed his cheek before hurrying towards the door.
“I’ll cash in later,” Lachie called as I ducked out the door and ran to the car.
Twenty minutes later, I was circling the car park at the stadium trying to find a spot. This is why I shouldn’t be late. I knew this was going to be an issue, but Seth wouldn’t listen. Instead, he tossed me the keys and told me to take it. It was all his fault. At least, that was my story and I’m sticking to it.
Eventually, I bounced up the gutter and parked under a tree. I’d probably get a ticket, but at least I’d see the game. Grabbing my bag, I ran towards the gate, pulling my pass from my purse and draping it around my neck.
When Seth had finally gotten onto the field, he’d made it his own. He dominated. Opposition had no idea what he was going to do next, and half the time I was convinced he wasn’t entirely sure either, but everything he touched seemed to come off. His teammates loved him, and he owned the jersey he’d fought so desperately for. It was hot as hell to see him doing so well.
Even better than that though, was celebrating with him at home. He’d come home to our apartment, the one he’d moved me into three weeks ago without asking. One day I’d finished work and Seth had picked me up, and when we got back to his place, all my shit was there, and he handed me a key. But there was nowhere else I wanted to be. Especially after a win. A win where he’d played his arse off. When he made it home full of adrenaline, damn did we have a good time working it off. Even thinking about it now, looking forward to it, had me rubbing my thighs together as I found my seat.
Life was good.
Work was amazing.
I had incredible friends.
Seth had charmed the pants off my parents after their surprise visit last week.
And Seth loved playing again.
Even living together was proving to be amazing, well, except for the fact Seth had a bad habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the bathroom floor, but I guess we had to have something to argue over. If we weren’t fighting, we couldn’t have makeup sex, and everyone knows makeup sex was the best.
The hardest part was the nights all alone in the apartment while Seth was in a hotel room somewhere around the country for a game. But thanks to technology, we’d even found the fun in that.
Epilogue
Seth
“Hurry your sexy arse up or I’m leaving without you!” I reminded Claire.
Woman was doing my head in. She’d known for weeks we were going away and now, when the Uber was only ten minutes away, she still hadn’t finished packing.
“Help me!” she wined.
Leaving my suitcase by the door, I slid my glasses on the top of my head and headed into the bedroom.
I couldn’t stop laughing as I stepped through the door.
“It’s not funny.” Claire pouted dramatically.
“From where I’m standing…”
“Finish that sentence, and you’re going by yourself.”
“You think that’s a threat? I’m sure I could find a cute redhead…”
“And what?”
Knowing I’d pushed enough, I backed down, swallowing all the smart-arse comments on the tip of my tongue. “And I’d politely turn her down and wait for you. As long as you make me.”
“Suck up.”
“You know it. Now, what’s your problem and how can I help?” I focused on the task at hand. Time was against us.
“I don’t know what to pack!”
I eyed the open, overflowing suitcase in the centre of the bed. It looked like someone had just upended her drawers into the suitcase and walked away.
“That’s easy. Nothing.”
“Nothing! Seth! That’s not helpful!”
“What? How isn’t it? You’ll be naked the whole time anyway? Why do you think I got the private villa?” I couldn’t help but smirk.
“You’re no helping! I can’t spend a week in Fiji naked!”
“Why not?” If I had my way she absolutely could, and I’d be doing my damnedest to make my dream a reality.
“Seth!”
Exasperated Claire was cute. Actually, Claire was cute pretty much all the time and with everything she did. And she’d become even sexier, I’m still not sure how that was even possible, after she started working with Lachie. Every day she came home so excited to tell me what he’d said or what she’d done. Seeing her so freaking happy was the best feeling. Well, almost the best. I could think of a few that were better.
“Fine! Fine! Pack a bikini then.”
“You’re not help!”
“Hey! I’m trying!”
“Get out. Let me get this done.”
“Well, you’ve got five minutes. Close your bag and let’s go. If you don’t have it when we get there, you can just buy it.” That caught her attention.
“Fine!” She dragged the zipper up, and she stood up, picking her leggings out of her arse, my eyes tracking her every move.
“Let me get that,” I offered, grabbing her bag. For someone who didn’t know what to pack, it’d weighed a damn tonne.
Two hours, three cocktails, and a fortune spent on snacks at the overpriced airport store, we were finally settled into our seats on the plane ready to go. Damn, I needed this holiday. This year had been the best of my life. I’d got everything I’d ever hoped for and so much more. Together with my teammates, who’d become so much more than that, we’d owned the competition
and made it our bitch, winning the grand final in a four-nil flogging. I’d won the golden boot award averaging two goals a game, something that hadn’t been done in Australia in over twenty years. I’d also taken out the Harry Kewell Award. An award voted on for outstanding performance for someone under twenty-three. I could barely believe it. Claire and I had only shown up at the fancy pants awards dinner on the promise of free food and an open bar. It was more than a surprise to be walking out with an arm full of awards.
All of that success, all of those accolades didn’t mean anything compared with the woman sitting beside me, staring out the window her leg bouncing with excitement. After the chaos of the season and Claire working double time trying to finish her apprenticeship as quick as she could, we needed a week full of rest and relaxation. Or if I had my way, a week full of sun, surfing, massages, and a hell of a lot of naked fun was exactly what the doctor ordered.
THE END
Can’t get enough?
Well not to worry, the team won’t let you down. Angus Barrett is waiting to meet you in…
Angus Barrett was just trying to get on with his life.
After a messy divorce from his witch of a wife, Angus and his six-year-old son are focused on what’s next. Playing the game they both love and rebuilding their life.
Tess James was focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
Widowed while she was pregnant, Tess isn’t looking for more. She has everything she needs. A son she adores, a business she’s built and a quiet life.
When they’re constantly drawn together with the help of their boys, something’s brewing that neither can deny.
Is a second chance on the cards for Angus and Tess? Or will the ex-wife win this round?
Also by Rebecca
Standalones
Fallen
Broken Promises
Shattered Dreams
Broken Dreams Boxset
Playing Games Series
Marked
Played
Benched
Playing Games Series
Playing the Field Series
Overtime
Rookie
Offside
Playing The Field Series
Finding Your Place Series
Coming Home
Running Away
Believing Again
Finding Your Place Boxset
Meet the McIntyres Series
Taking Charge
Picturing Perfect
Fighting Back
Breaking Free
Finding Forever
A Merry McIntyre Christmas
Meet the McIntyres Boxset
Thank you so much for reading Rookie.
I was barely a teenager, so a million years ago, when I started scribbling notes on every piece of paper, I could get my hands on. I started collecting pretty notebooks dreaming of a life where I could write for a living. While I’m not there yet, you taking a chance on me to read what I wrote, something that was dreamt up, is part of making my dreams come true.
But I wouldn’t be here without the team who have my back. These are the women who pick me up when I stumble and encourage me to keep going. Kathryn, Marnie and Margaret – I couldn’t do this without your unique brand of crazy. Your love and support had made us family and I wouldn’t trade you for all the chocolate in the world. Dana – you’ve become one of the most important people in my life and I’m sorry if you don’t know it. I’m sure when you wake to see a message from me that starts with the words ‘random question’ you roll your eyes.
For my family, thank you for having my back and helping me put one foot in front of the other. No matter how hard life got, or how shit the hand is I’ve been dealt, sticking together has got us this far and together we can survive just about anything.
And I guess I better mention Robert. I know this is the only page you’re going to read and you go looking for you name. So rooster, thanks for carrying the heavy boxes of books, for hanging out in the shed and giving me peace and quiet to finish edits and for being the stubborn pain in the butt you are and not letting me give up in the moments I’m questioning the world.
Til next time…
Rebecca
xoxo
About the Author
Rebecca is a clumsy, introverted, bubble bath loving, chocoholic who'd rather read a book than go shopping. And don't even mention shoe shopping!
Rebecca is a lucky girl - one of four kids to schoolteacher parents. Wife to a football obsessed husband. Aunt to the most crazy/adorable little girls. And sister to two very determined sisters and one easy going brother.
Rebecca lives in Canberra Australia and spends way too many hours a day working the day job.
She is a book whore who can easily (and happily) read a book from start to finish in one sitting and spends her spare time writing.
Stay Connected with Rebecca
Website:
www.rebeccabarberauthor.com
Facebook Page:
Barber’s Bellas
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Rookie (Playing The Field Book 2) Page 24