Page 9 of Hot Rucking Canadian

Why did Badarse leave my bed?

Why did I fall asleep so soon after sex?

That wasn’t normal for me. Had I been nervous about today’s game? That should’ve meant I’d stay up worrying instead of falling asleep so quickly, right?

I’d awoken to my alarm at seven with Mamba curled against me and no sign I’d had a visitor the night before.

Oh, except for the used condom in the trashcan.

Johnnie squeezed my arm.

Shit.

No one else was looking at me, though, so clearly I wasn’t missing anything critical.

You need to get your head in the game.

Not just because of not wanting to let my team down. No, because inattention on the field could lead to a devastating injury. We didn’t wear gear. No padding. Nothing but bodies colliding in bone-crunching ways.

And I’d never been happier.

I’m living my best life.

“Who’s going to win?” Lawrence eyed us all.

“Team Orcas,” we all shouted in response.

And headed for the field.

Chapter Five

Travis

“You look like your puppy died.” Joe handed me another beer.

My third.

I’d taken a bus to my favorite bar on Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver. At night, this place was always alive with animated patrons and great music. During the day, it had a couple of televisions going with sports playing.

“Never had a puppy.”

“That’s too bad.” He pointed to my empty plate of nachos, clearly asking if I wanted a refill.

I shook my head. Not now, anyway. If I stayed a few more hours, I just might. I eyed the downpour outside the window. Yeah, no rush to head home.

“I had a dog when I was growing up.”

“Yesterday?”

Joe had a young face. What some might call a baby face. He hadn’t yet, to my mind, matured enough to even be manning the bar.

He pointed. “Good one. I turned thirty last month.”

I blinked.

“Yeah, I know. You should see my great-grandfather. Doesn’t look a day over sixty and yet he’s ninety-three. Good genes.”

I couldn’t fathom living to sixty, let alone ninety-three. I spent too much time punishing myself at a very physical job where injuries were rare, but vicious. “That’s great news for you. Long life.”

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