Rules of her Game: A Contemporary Sports Romance

by Karley Campbell

  Trisha shrugged, leaving Dani and Cooper to thrash out the terms of tenancy.

  ◆◆◆

  They were still there when Andrew returned from a run, sweaty with the paper under his arm which he dumped on the table. Trisha had cooked breakfast and Cooper was the first to notice the headline. He stopped eating to say, “Holy Hell.”

  “What now?” Dani groaned.

  “Mike Michaels has broken his silence. He no longer wants to be married. Claims he had no idea what Michelle was up to and that they had drifted apart for years. And to top it off, you know that pretty weather girl who has just left her husband.” Dani and Trisha nodded, “Apparently she’s having Mike’s baby.”

  “Hell.” Dani agreed. “What does Michelle say?”

  “Unavailable for comment.”

  Trisha spoke, “See, there’s much worse things than you two living in sin.”

  Jacob grumbled, “Like fuck they are.”

  “Dad, we’re flatting. I even have my own room.”

  “Do you think I’m stupid? Your almost thirty.”

  “You’re right, I won’t be in the spare room.”

  As Jacob puffed up to roar the house down, Andrew added, “Is this a good time to mention that I’ve been kicked out of my place?”

  Jacob gasped from one of his children to the other, his face turning interesting shades. Cooper stood and bravely said, “We’ll come back and get her stuff later. I’ve got to get to practice.”

  “Don’t bother!” Jacob yelled as Cooper opened the front door, “You’re fired!”

  The door closeed and Cooper sagged.

  “That went well.” Dani laughed.

  “Your father loves me really.”

  “He didn’t try to hit you.” Dani agreed.

  ◆◆◆

  Birgetta pointed the gun and shot. It was a direct hit and she watched with no emotion as the big man curled over and slowly crumpled to the sidewalk. She contemplated shooting the girl but the complete desolation on her pretty face was so satisfying that Birgetta simply rolled up the window and drove away.

  At a traffic light she pulled a packet of chocolate biscuits from the glove box and methodically shoved them in her mouth, chewing and swallowing, lifting the huge bottle of fizzy drink and guzzling noisily.

  Unrecognizable now, Birgetta had been living in her car, eating, making up for all the years of sacrifice and starvation. Her usually immaculate blonde locks now showed a line of color at her hairline, the grey a welcome surprise. She checked her phone obsessively, waiting for the moment the pictures of her daughter were released online, her poor baby’s life ruined for one stupid mistake, her sparkling career flushed away.

  Pulling over, she continued chewing as she rummaged in her handbag for the box of stolen bullets. The drug dealer Michelle had introduced her to was always gloating about his guns and ammo. She had turned up unannounced at his house as Michelle’s gun only contained two bullets, not enough for what Birgetta had planned. She told his worthless flat mates that she was his mother and just took what she needed including this heavy box of bullets and a large wad of cash.

  Police cars were speeding by with lights and sirens blasting. Birgetta watched on with interest, opening a chocolate bar and groaning at the amount of sugar tingling her tongue. She wondered if the others knew she would hunt them down one by one.

  She thought about that safe in Michelle’s office and her personal assistant, that bitch Penny. Michelle was busy right now fighting with everyone in the media, perhaps she was too busy to put anything online. Raging that she had not thought of this earlier, that she had stupidly trusted Michelle at her word, that if she did a few jobs she would get those disgusting fucking photographs back. Birgetta could have just gone to Penny and demanded them, but she hadn’t had a gun before. Now she did which meant she had more power than Penny, more power than Marcus Gold, more power than Dani Maxwell and Cooper Graves. And she had more power than Michelle fucking Brink.

  It might have been a waste of a perfectly good bullet, but that last one had been satisfying, he deserved to die first. He knew what had been going on the whole time and did nothing. Filthy pig.

  ◆◆◆

  “Did you hear?” Marcus yelled.

  “Hear what?” Dani replied, puffing like she was running a marathon, her phone clamped to her ear, her heart hammering. "Is Stacey alright?"

  “Mike Michaels is dead, shot in the street.”

  “Have they caught who did it?”

  “No, that’s what I’m concerned about.”

  Dani held her chest, “Who did it?” She closed her eyes, already certain of the answer.

  “It was a drive by, the car matched Birgetta’s.”

  “Maybe it was Michelle driving Birgetta’s car.”

  “No, Michelle’s been with the police all day discussing her methods of talking people onto her shows.”

  “Do you think Cooper and I are in danger?”

  “I wouldn’t count it out. Keep a low profile.”

  “The games tonight, we’re all going to be there.”

  “Then stay together if you can’t get out of it.”

  “We can’t stay together. Cooper’s working and I’m meeting some people.”

  “Who?”

  “None of your business.” She snapped. “Do you really think Birgetta would turn up to a game with 82,000 people and start shooting? They have security.”

  “Who are more interested in smuggled booze than weapons. Be extra vigilant, especially leaving and going home.”

  “Same goes for you. You’re a pain in the ass but be careful. You ripped this thing wide open.”

  “Rumor has it you and Cooper have been busy, like, getting busy. Not coming up for air busy.”

  “None of your business.”

  “I also hear you’ve already moved in together.”

  Exasperated, Dani asked, “How do you find out?”

  “Same way I know you could be the first female coach of Central Girls Grammar.”

  “You’re good.” Dani conceded.

  “Women’s rugby is going places.” He enthused. “I’ll be at the game too, any problems come up to the media box, we can discuss a tell all interview.”

  “I’ll pass. Thanks for the heads up about Birgetta.”

  She threw her phone aside and gazed down at Cooper who was flat on his back, hands behind his head, still buried inside her. “I guess it was important?”

  “Birgetta shot Mike Michaels.”

  “Fuck, is he alright?”

  “No, he’s dead.”

  “I guess we better be careful until she’s caught.”

  “We'll talk later. She’s ruining the mood.”

  “Fine by me.” Cooper then performed one of his many tricks of strength and speed by flipping her onto her back and pinning her to the bed. “Do you mind if I go on top for a while?” He grinned, completely at ease.

  Gazing around, stunned at the sudden change of position, she replied, “I’m happy if you’re happy.”

  Not taking Birgetta seriously they forgot about her, quietly certain she was someone else’s problem.

  ◆◆◆

  Cooper was heading to the gym to join the team, then the rest of the day would involve media commitments and talking the players into game mood. The team would be under tight security, it would be virtually impossible for anyone outside the inner circle to get close. Before he left, Cooper kissed Dani for a long time at the door.

  Marcus would be locked inside the media booth for the game and he had decided to head in early to be well behind the security shield before the public were allowed into the stadium. His bosses were taking no risks with their star reporter.

  Trisha was being collected by another wife and taken by bus to the stadium then straight to the secure wives and girlfriend’s area just before the game.

  Only Dani would be vulnerable and no matter what Cooper said she refused to be intimidated. “You can’t outrun a bullet, Dani.” Co
oper had growled.

  “And I won’t live in fear of one either.” She staunchly replied. “Worrying about some crazy old bat won’t get me that job but them knowing about her will guarantee I don’t get it. I’m going alone and you won’t change my mind.”

  Cooper laughed, “You have refused to go to a match and now I can’t keep you away? If only you’d watch a game for me.”

  “I will, I promise but right now this is for me.”

  He tried one more time as they parted, “Please, just do your interview then come to me in the booth. Jacob would be much happier if you were with us too.”

  “You need to focus on the game.”

  “You think I can do that if I’m worried about you?”

  Just then her phone rung and she looked at the readout in confusion, it was Marcus again. “What’s wrong?” She snapped.

  “Ding dong the witch is dead.”

  “Which witch?”

  “Michelle’s personal assistant was confronted by Birgetta a couple of hours ago. She gave her a file which she thinks had information to blackmail Birgetta. But the file was empty and after trashing Michelle’s office Birgetta left. Less than an hour later Michelle was run down by a car, killed instantly.”

  “Birgetta again.”

  “Police found her car near the airport. They think she’s flown home to America.”

  “Then it’s all over?”

  “For you it’s over, I’ve got years of digging over this story. But you don’t have to worry about tonight.”

  “Thanks, Marcus.”

  She looked to Cooper as she slipped her phone into a pocket, “Birgetta ran Michelle down. She’s dead and Birgetta’s gone back to America.”

  “Wow, what a mess. I should say I’m sad but I’m not. How about you?”

  Dani shrugged, “I don’t really feel anything.” She hugged Cooper. “Have a great day and good luck for tonight. Are you going out with the team afterward?”

  “No, my days of after-match escapades are well and truly over. You?”

  “Long gone.”

  “We can have our own little celebration.” Cooper nuzzled her neck, “Leave a light on since you’ll be home before me. I’ll have my phone so call for anything. And that offer is open to come up. I’d love to see you.”

  She pushed him away, giggling. “I love you too.” They both froze then Dani stepped back and slammed the door in his face at the reality of what she had admitted. When she peeked outside Cooper was grinning madly before he walked away.

  “Good one, Dani.” She told herself, “That was your last card.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Dani hadn’t been to a big match for so long she decided to go early for the whole experience. It felt cathartic to do it alone. Cooper had begun the healing by being the right person to listen to her feelings about Paul but returning to rugby was something she had to face alone.

  After stepping from the bus, the dazzling lights of Twickenham drew her like a moth and Dani was soon surrounded by throngs of supporters on this holy pilgrimage to the shrine of their religion. It was a slow-moving sea of white jerseys with dots of black from the opposition supporters. People were high with good humor and anticipation of a good game. New Zealand supporters, dressed in the daunting black, chatted with their English counterparts or cheerfully jeered them. Several groups began chants and songs and others either joined in or chanted for their own team. It was fully dark now and the bright lights of the stadium were an enticing beacon for even the most jaded traveler. Helicopters hovered in the dark overhead with flashing lights. Police kept the swarm moving and the crowd good-naturedly ribbed them too. If only it would stay this way but games sometimes ended riotously, in a bad way.

  The crowd slowed as it reached the gates and Dani was squeezed between big men and children, old ladies and teenagers, everyone here to be entertained.

  Each gate was guarded by security staff and Dani was looked over by a bored woman who left her grateful that Birgetta was gone. Any idiot could have breached that defence. After scanning her ticket through the machine Dani was released into the heady world of international test rugby. She could smell the excitement and took time to walk around, reacquainting herself with the feel of it all. It felt exactly like coming home.

  She found her seat, glad the two surrounding her were vacant, she had plenty of time. She gazed at the stadium, orienting herself. Up to the media booth where Marcus was probably already seated and she wondered if he could find her in the crowd. Should she text him her seat number? She didn’t bother, enjoying this anonymity, surrounded by so many strangers all here for the same reason.

  Tiny children were playing a demonstration match on the field and the crowd cheered them on. Dani watched their delighted little faces on the big screen, smiling and clapping along.

  Huge blow up men billowed in the breeze at either end of the uprights and as soon as the kids rolled off the field they were replaced by a band.

  She realized Cooper and her father would soon be directly above her. When the teams emerged through the player’s tunnel the coaches would be racing for their seats to study the match through the eyes of a professional coach. She wondered how Cooper was feeling right now. Was he grateful to be here coaching or would he rather be on the field? Was he anxious? It was the players responsibility now to manage the techniques he had drilled into them until they hated him. Knowing Cooper he would be worried about Dani, scanning the crowd, determined not to call her.

  She had meant what she said, she may not have known Cooper for long but she did love him. He was the first man outside her family that she would do anything for. The truly spectacular part was that she thought he might feel the same way.

  As fireworks lit up the stadium her potential employers arrived and Dani put aside her nerves to concentrate on talking rugby with the two people who held her future in their hands. They all stood to cheer as the teams ran on and Dani smiled as her brother’s face filled the big screen and he waved at the fans. Jacob would be furious, Andrew should be in the zone and unaware of the crowd around him.

  After the national anthems and New Zealand’s quirky Haka the game began and Dani gave her impressions and thoughts on the match as it progressed, where she felt teenagers could benefit from professional tactics and advice. They were suitably impressed and Dani was enjoying herself, amazed that rugby still fell from her lips so naturally.

  England was set for a tight win with only five minutes until full time and even Dani was on the edge of her seat, remembering the thrill of the challenge, the ecstasy and agony of waiting and watching the clock. The English scrum was working well and she knew Cooper would be pleased. She wondered what it felt like for him to watch his old team. The All Blacks had been the team to beat for so long.

  Andrew had been a work horse. Even Jacob’s critics had to admit Andrew had made the team on his talent alone, not nepotism.

  The whistle blew for a forward pass and the crowd screamed with delight that England was perfectly placed for a penalty shot that would guarantee the win. In the silence the kicker lined up while the teams loitered, watching and waiting for the whistle that would signal their win or loss.

  A confusing crack split the air, disrupting the kickers concentration, the ball going wide causing groans from the crowd until the big screen zoomed in on Andrew who had fallen backward as if kicked in the stomach. People were leaving, assuming Andrew had cramp or an injury until the big screen zoomed in on his hands that came away covered in blood. His normally happy face clouded with pain.

  The exits were soon jammed tight as people ran. Others froze with eyes glued to the screens. The medical team raced for Andrew who was bellowing, something that made the players from both sides drop to the ground, crawling for the tunnel.

  The crowd began panicking in earnest as word spread. Andrew Maxwell had been shot. Terrorism had made its way to rugby. A stampede erupted that would cause hundreds of injuries but thankfully no deaths.

  Wit
hout thinking Dani began leaping over seats to get on the field and to her brother. She awkwardly negotiated the main guardrail and was on the grass when she felt a stab in her left thigh. It didn’t hurt, it felt hot but she knew what it was. She kept running, scared to stop. She made it to Andrew and dropped to her knees beside him, frantically rubbing a hand over his forehead. He was sitting up which Dani took as a good sign but the amount of blood was terrifying.

  They turned to a strange screaming from the west stand and there in the front row was a bedraggled witch that was hardly recognizable as Birgetta Growler. She was dirty, disheveled and clearly insane. If it wasn’t for the gun Dani doubted she would have known who it was. The crowd around Birgetta evaporated, the field empty except for Dani and Andrew. Security peeped from behind the guard rails, none of them paid enough to risk their lives.

  “I knew your little brother would drag you into the open!” Birgetta screamed. “How predictable!” She gazed around. “Where’s Graves!”

  Dani held her brother, noting the big screen had gone blank. She hoped Cooper wasn’t watching. She pushed aside worry for her parents and Marcus hoping the live feed had been cut and no one around the world was waiting for a death.

  “For a girl that doesn’t like the limelight, you sure pick a way to go.” Andrew gasped, tight with pain.

  “Beats letting cancer get me.”

  Andrew grinned and wrapped a big arm around her shoulders, “You’re a pretty good sister. I'll confess I was happy for you and Cooper. I couldn’t tell him that, do you know what a prick he’s been as a coach? He should be in the fucking army as the drill sergeant.”

  “You’re a pretty great brother too. Killer game by the way. I think I might have gotten that job. I still talk rugby like a boss.”

  Birgetta was incredulous but the siblings refused to give her any attention, even as she shrieked, “I hope you two are saying goodbye. Cooper . . .”

  Suddenly, thankfully, the crone went silent and it felt like life resumed in fast-forward as security, police and players raced for Dani and Andrew. Two of his teammates grabbed Andrew under the arms and ran while another threw Dani over his shoulder and followed, gasping for breath, not stopping until they were in the teams changing room beneath the massive stadium. Grateful to be safe, Dani sat quietly, pressing the towel she was handed tightly against her bleeding thigh, the pain beginning to intrude on her fear for Andrew as the doctor studied his wound.