Page 47 of Hard Ruck

“Atlas isn’t some random guy,” Frost argued. “He’s our teammate. You agreed to give him a chance, you need to do that.”

“Or else what?” Storm’s jaw worked harder than ever. “Are you going to run off with him? I haven’t forgotten he fucking touched you too.” His face was pink with frustration. All the way up to the tips of his ears. Any other time, it would have been adorable. Right then, he was a firecracker waiting for an open flame.

“Itouchedhim,” Frost reminded him. “I’m not going to run off with anyone except you two, but if you keep pushing people away, you might find yourself alone.” He turned his back on Storm.

Storm glared at him for a few moments, before stomping away to his locker.

“I’m sorry. He can be intense. I think, deep down he’s scared of losing us,” Frost whispered.

“I don’t think it’s that deep down,” I said.

I remembered what Storm told me about his family. He lost people he cared about before. He was terrified it would happen again. That fear manifested itself in anger. Getting angry with the wrong people in Dusk Bay could get you killed. We’d have to find a way to make him feel secure before the shit hit the fan.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

Swallowed hard.

“I need to go.”

Chapter Nineteen

Chelsea

Nerves fluttering in my chest,I approached the general manager’s office. His personal assistant sat at the desk in front of his doorway.

“Mr Fergus asked to see me,” I said.

“Of course.” She smiled warmly. I bet she did to everyone. Even those about to be fired. “Go right on in, he’s expecting you.” She jerked her head in the direction of the ajar door.

“Thank you.” I stepped over and knocked before placing my palm on the door and pushing it open further.

The GM sat beside his desk, his phone to his ear. He waved for me to come inside and sit in the seat opposite him.

“I totally agree,” he said to whoever he was talking to. “That wasn’t something we expected… I realise that, but we’ll be better prepared the next time.” He was silent for a moment before chuckling. “There’s always a next time. None of us are in any doubt… Exactly.” He chuckled again. “Okay, I have to go. Tell Bob to pull his head in. Yeah, you too.”

He ended the call and placed the phone down on his desk.

“You wanted to see me?” I said, trying like hell to keep my nerves from showing.

Bruce Fergus was in his fifties, his hair streaked with grey, particularly around his temples. He was an undeniably attractive man who used to play rugby himself. As far as I could tell, he seemed committed to the sport in general, and the Smashers in particular. The guys respected him, which might be the only thing they all had in common.

“Yes, I did,” he said. He leaned forward, his elbows on the top of the desk. “Doctor Stuart speaks highly of you. It’s his opinion that I owe you an interview for a position with the team.”

“I’m sure you don’t owe me anything,” I said carefully. “But I’d appreciate the opportunity.”

He sat back and crossed his arms. “That’s true, I don’t, but I respect the opinion of Doctor Stuart. What do you think you can bring to the team that another doctor can’t, Doctor Miller?”

Apparently we were going straight into interview mode. I would have liked time to prepare, but this was my chance to demonstrate my ability to think on my feet.

“Commitment,” I said firmly. “I understand the ins and outs of the team and what the job entails. I’m ready to be on call all day, every day, and all night. I’m ready to undertake any and all training to increase my knowledge and qualifications.”

“Hmmm, that’s a very ‘interview candidate’ answer,” Bruce said. “What do you, as a person, hope to give to the team?”

“If you don’t mind me being honest, sir, I love the Smashers. I love everything about them. I love the game, I love their commitment to it. I love Dusk Bay. The first time I ever saw a game of rugby, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. This is it. Working with this team.”

“And if you don’t get that opportunity?” His expression gave away nothing.

“Then I’ll work somewhere else and wait for another position to open up,” I said. “And I’ll apply again and again until you hire me.”

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