Page 98 of Just Say Yes

I shook my head. “No, sir. I just need to get my head in the game. Recenter. I’ll be fine.”

“Distractions happen to the best of us.” Seemingly satisfied, Coach leaned back in his chair. “Be certain your head and heart are in it. If you get called up to the Sevens, they’ll need you to be ready. This is no joke, Brown,” Coach said, his gaze hard. “If your head’s not in it, they’ll find someone else. This is your chance to remind everyone who you are. Finally put those retirement rumors to rest—don’t waste it.”

His words resonated, a heavy reminder that rugby wasn’t just a game.

It was everything.

I nodded, and he waved a hand toward the door. “That’ll be all. Enjoy your evening.”

I turned on my heels and left his office.

Called up? Was that even a possibility the head coaches were tossing around?

* * *

Despite my promise toCoach that I’d get my head back in the game, I ditched my teammates and drove the two hours back to Outtatowner.

MJ made me feel strong and at ease—exactly what I needed if I was going to release the pent-up frustrations I’d been carrying around. I felt bad for using my grandfather as an excuse to not review game film, but I knew my teammates wouldn’t understand.

Hell, I wasn’t even certainIunderstood why lately I seemed to be able to relax only in MJ’s presence.

She had sent me the address to her sister’s farm and I enjoyed the quiet ride, listening to music and recalling how MJ’s hair fell across the pillow. The bustle of the city eventually gave way to rambling fields and densely forested land.

From its mount on my dash, the phone flashed with a text message.

Trent

Call me. Don’t let a piece of ass get between us.

Piece of ass?

My knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. Trent had a way of reducing everything to the lowest denominator, and right now it made me want to drive to his place and remind him why I broke his nose last time. I ground my teeth together and ignored him completely.

Eventually, GPS brought me to a long path that led to the entrance of Sullivan Farms. Beyond the small berm that acted as a wind barrier, a beautiful farmhouse came into view. The path veered to the left and led to what appeared to be housing for migrant workers.

I spotted MJ’s car, but as I headed in that direction, a hound dog shot out from the bushes.

“Shit.” My foot slammed on the brakes, and my wheels skidded across the gravel.

When the dog barked again from the side of my truck, I sighed in relief. The dog continued to bark and circle my car. I realized he was missing a leg, and waddling behind him was a—Was that a fucking duck?

“Ed! Get your ass back here!” From the porch, Duke Sullivan appeared. He hollered at the dog again and stomped down the front steps. He waved me forward. “Just drive over his dumb ass.”

I stared, frozen.

He gestured again. “Come on. He’ll move out of the way once you start rolling again.”

Hoping I could trust him, I inched forward. The dog and duck duo continued circling the truck, but thankfully they gave me a wide berth.

After I parked my truck next to MJ’s car and climbed out, Ed seemed to lose interest. He ran off toward the large red barn in the distance, the duck waddling behind.

Duke met me with his hand out. “Sorry about that. Three-Legged Ed came by his name honestly, but I swear that hound doesn’t want to learn.”

I placed my hand in his and gave it a firm shake. “I’m just glad I didn’t rename him Two-Legged Ed.”

Duke smirked, and I assumed that was as close to a warm greeting as I would get.

“MJ is inside with Sylvie and Gus.”

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