I was in the emergency room last night due to an allergic reaction to some cold n flu tablets (was not fun, so itchy and sore) but one good thing came out of lying in the hospital; new ideas for the story. Plus, I get the next two days off work so hopefully I can get some writing done!

Cover by: laz3jay - thank you so much!

The tension is thick in the locker room as we all listen to Coach drone on and on about team work and exploiting our opponent's weakness. I tune in and out as I stretch out my legs, my mind on other things. I feel Jake's eyes on me every now and then but I don't bother to acknowledge him. I'm over the up and down, back and forth with him. It's exhausting.

We're finally released and I take a gulp of the fresh night air. There's a strong bite to the wind tonight but I know I'll be hot and sweaty as soon as I'm out on the field. We gather by the bench and continue to do warm ups. When Guy begins to talk smack about the other team, I walk to my own spot away from any of my team members. I like the game, but I can only tolerate half the team, and that's still only in small doses.

I take a moment to check out the other team. They're all doing much the same as us, stretching and talking amongst themselves. I notice a guy who has also distanced himself from his team. My cheeks flare when I notice he's watching me watching him. I was checking him out and wasn't really subtle about it. Great.

Instead of the reaction I thought I'd get, the boy gives me a smile, his eyes dipping over me. Wait. He's now checking me out? I don't know how this gay thing works. How do you just know, if it's not obvious? Maybe it starts like this.

The boy wanders over to me. I make a mental note to remember his number: nine.

"Hey," he says and I glance back to my team briefly. It's unheard of to be talking to the opposing team before a game.

"Hey," I reply.

"I'm Rhett," he blurts out, looking nervous.

He's cute. He has dark skin, dark eyes and long, black lashes. His lips are big and full, with a sharp jawline. Actually, I'll upgrade him from cute to hot.

"Hi Rhett," I smile. "I've never heard of that name before."

"Yeah, it's an unusual name."

"I'm Callum. Bit less unique."

He half-shrugs. "Probably better than having to spell it out and get strange looks."

"Fair."

"You going out tonight after the game?" he asks.

"Yeah, a guy on the team is having a party at his house."

Rhett nods, looking down at his boots. "Oh, cool."

Inviting him would be a thing. Especially if they beat us. It could cause a lot of drama. Do I care? Nope.

"You should come," I say.

"Yeah?" he looks up, a bit of his hair falling across his forehead.

I shrug. "Sure. If you want."

"Yeah, cool. I'll give you my number after the game and you can text me the address."

I attempt to keep casual as I nod, looking out at the field, thinking surely, it can't be this easy.

"Sure."

"Well, have a good game," he says after a few moments.

"Thanks, you too."

I'm barely back in talking-distance to my team, when Jake glares at me.

"You right there? Just chatting to the other team?"

"Yep."

"Yep?" he mocks.

"What? I know him," I lie, just to avoid more drama.

"Who even cares?" Grant interjects. "Let's just keep focused, yeah?"

"Agreed," I say with a pointed stare at Jake, who looks extremely pissed.

The buzzer goes off and we all run in a line out to the field. I feel the adrenaline surging through my veins as soon as my feet starting hitting the grass.

Within a few seconds of the play starting, the ball is in my hands. I run forward, swerving between attackers. Number nine – Rhett – comes barrelling towards me. He wraps his arms around me and tackles me the ground, but it's a soft, half-hearted one. It doesn't even hurt he lands on me. He rolls of quickly, not holding me down, like most of the players would have to slow the game down.

He grins at me when I leap to my feet.

"Oh, it's on," I grin back.

Rhett and I end up lining up. We must tackle each other three or four times each, but all the tackles are held back.

Grant catches the big throw from Kyle and he charges forward. I shoot up the side, running with him. We've done this before, Grant powers it through and just before he's slammed to the ground, he throws it to me. I don't bother to call that I'm free, he knows. Just as one of the big guys on the other team is about to tackle him, he launches it to me. I hit the ground running. Once I get going, I have a fair amount of speed. I take off, narrowly missing an attacker.

I dive over the line and slid across my stomach, scoring. Cheers erupt from the crowds. First try of the match.

It's not my first try of the season but I'm glad that I've had another one. At the end of the season, if you haven't scored one, you're expected to do a nudie run at the end of year party.

Grant helps me to my feet and throws his arm around me. "Good one, champ. Knew you wouldn't let me down."

"All you, brother," I reply, clapping my hand onto his back.

"Nice one," Rhett smiles at me as he walks past.

Grant side eyes me. "Let's talk about that later."

I roll my eyes and pick up a jog. When half-time comes, we've scored another and their team having scored one.

"Trying to make me jealous? Really?" Jake grunts at me as he drops down beside me, stretching out his calves.

"Believe it or not, Jake, not everything is about you," I reply sharply, before getting to my feet and walking away from him.

Half-time is over quickly and we're back out there within a few minutes. The game has picked up now, the other team getting desperate to score another try. After about ten minutes, Rhett catches the ball and shoots forward. I'm on the opposite side, but I still run up the side anyway, hoping someone catches him. Jake comes flying in from the side and I can see what's going to happen before it goes. He slams into his side with immense power, knocking Rhett straight off his feet. There's a thud as his back hits the hard ground.

Guy let's out a whoop, which makes me even more angry. I rush over to them and yank Jake up by his shirt.

"Get off him," I snap, before dropping to my knees.

"Argh," Rhett groans. "Ow."

"You right, mate?" I ask.

"Pain," he splutters, pointing to his chest. "Can't breathe."

By that time, the medic has run out, carrying his first aid kit.

"He's winded, I think," I explain, as a few other members of his team circle around us.

I get to my feet and give him space as the medic does his thing. I look up to Jake, he shrugs, looking unfazed.

"Bit unnecessary, don't you think?"

"It's a game, Cal. Relax."

"For fuck sake, Callum, when did you become such a prissy bitch?" Guy spits at me.

"I'm sick of you all being a bunch of assholes," I growl back.

"Cool it, boys," the ref says, narrowing his eyes. "Don't make me card any of you."

"Can you get up?" I tune back in to the medic, who helps Rhett to his feet.

He's subbed out with one of their reserve players. I shake my head at Jake, before running back to my side of the field.

Much to my annoyance, Jake scores a try before the game ends. I wish it had been someone else, so that the victory doesn't go to his head. His head doesn't need to get any bigger.

"How are you feeling?" I ask when I'm off the field.

"Fine, just knocked the wind out of me," Rhett replies. "So, about that party..."

As he has been off for a while, he's since gone and retrieved his phone. I give him my digits.

"I'll text you now so you have my number," he says. "Is it cool if I bring some mates?"

"Sure, as long as they don't want to cause any trouble."

He shakes his head. "I'll invite inner circle only."

"Cool. I'll see you later, then?"

"See you."

When we're inside the locker room, the room erupts with our victory song. The boys bang their hands on the lockers and their feet onto the cement as we cheer.

After we shower, Grant walks out with me to his car.

"So, what's happening with you and number nine?" he asks.

"He's coming to Kyle's party tonight."

"Oh?" he raises his eyebrows. "Cute."

"Shut up."

We reach his car and I swing my back into the back seat. As I'm sliding into the passenger seat, I see Jake head towards his truck. He glowers at me.

I sigh. I'm guessing I'm not going to get away with this and shit is about to go down.

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