Page 68 of Unwritten Rules
“I’m going to need you to keep an extra eye on our centre tonight, Tate,” Dad says, clutching at the clipboard under his arm. “Todd said Ryder was having some aches and pains during training this week, and while he’s been given the all-clear to play,just observe him throughout the game. If you see anything of concern, just let Todd know.”
Right. I have a job to do when I walk through the doors to the stadium. This is what I signed up for when I agreed to leave Barrenridge. I’ve been so distracted by Sinnett that I almost forgot that the well-being of everyone in this room relies heavily on me.
I swallow hard and nod. “Absolutely.”
Dad smiles and pats my shoulder. “Thank you, Tate. Have I mentioned you’re doing a great job?”
I chuckle. “Just every morning over breakfast.”
“Well, you better start believing it.” Dad takes two steps back and claps his hands. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
I nod and wave him off, watching as he walks across the room to where Todd and some of the other staff members are standing. Olive has her phone held up in front of Axel, no doubt asking him pre-game questions to put on social media.
My chest aches with the breath I’m holding on to. I’m annoyed at myself for being distracted by a man to the point where I had forgotten about my purpose here and why I moved to Sydney. Much like the team is now—warming up, listening to music and stretching—I need to get my head in the game andfocus.
No more distractions.
Refusing to look at where Sinnett sits beside Khai, who is stretching on the ground in his pre-game jersey, I walk over to where Ryder sits in front of his locker space. He lifts his head at the sound of my approach.
“Hey,” I greet with a warm smile. “Phil said you’re worried about some aches and pains. If you’re up for it, I’d like to have a chat before the game to make sure you’re okay.”
Ryder stands, his frame towering over me. Brown eyes narrow from behind wispy strands of blonde hair as he toucheshis right shoulder. “I’m worried I’ve done something to my rotator cuff.”
“Not a problem. I can help with that.” I gesture to the chair behind him. “Take a seat and I’ll take a look.”
For twenty minutes, I go through some stretches and exercises to determine if there is something wrong with Ryder’s rotator cuff, ending the impromptu session with a massage and taping up his shoulder to give it extra support throughout the game. I make a mental note to switch up his recovery plan to help with the issue moving forward.
With a sigh, I drop down in my usual seat in the corner of the training room. As it gets closer to kick off, the players start moving around the open space, going through their warm-ups and getting changed into their jerseys. At first, I was self-conscious about seeing the team half-naked because I didn’t want them to think I was checking them out or being weird. I was respectful and kept my eyes down when I could. But I quickly realised that they don’t care who sees them in this state, especially if you’re part of the staff. Which makes things easier for me because now I don’t have to endure neck pain from constantly looking down at my phone.
A vibration in my pocket alerts me to a new notification. When I retrieve the device and see the name on the screen, liquid pools in my core and my pulse jackhammers at the base of my throat.
SIN: Are you avoiding me?
I slowly lift my head to see Sinnett standing on the opposite side of the room, ocean eyes locked on mine while his fingers hover over his phone. How is it possible for him to look as good as he does in an all black outfit of athletic shorts, a hoodie and a backwards cap?
TATE: Do you think I am?
Sinnett rolls his tongue in his cheek, flicking his eyes up to meet mine. The fire burning in my core intensifies as I’m reminded of what his tongue can do.
You’re at work, Tate. Relax.
SIN: Don’t answer my question with a question, strawberry.
TATE: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
SIN: Well, I think you’re avoiding me because you secretly love me and can’t bear to keep your hands off me.
TATE: Ha-ha, you’re so funny. Has anyone ever told you that?
SIN: No, just you. Now tell me, Tate. Are you avoiding me?
I exhale a sharp breath and run my fingers through the ends of my slightly curled hair.
TATE: I’ve been so distracted by you the past four days that I forgot why I’m really here.
SIN: Ah, right. And here I am once again distracting you while you should be working. If you need an excuse to talk to me, I can tell Coach my quad has been playing up this past week. Because I don’t know if he’ll appreciate the other reason being I simply can’t keep my hands off his daughter.
Heat bursts across my cheeks and down my neck as I re-read the text. This man saysI’mtoo much?
