Page 89 of Unwritten Rules
And now tears are forming for a different reason.
Sinnett doesn’t need to be as kind and caring as he is. We’re… whatever we are, which doesn’t come with the burden of myfears and grief, but he’s willing to let me bare it all to him and he’lllisten. Granted, I do the same for him, which has me wondering if what we are is more than just a casual hook up. Now is not the right time to bring out that can of worms.
“I’m here, Tate,” Sinnett says, voice firm with not a hint of hesitation. “Whatever you need from me, I’ll gladly give it to you. I’m all yours.”
I smile through the tears and nod. “And I’m all yours.”
Sinnett grins. “That you are.”
A wave of exhaustion rolls through me, our earlier activity finally catching up to me. Yawning, I stretch my arm above my head and settle back under the covers, the heat fuelling my body dissipating.
“Tired?” Sinnett questions.
I pull the doona up to my chin and nod, eyelids heavy. “Yeah, finally.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go?—”
“Can you stay on the phone until I fall asleep?” I mumble, sleep trickling up through my toes, threatening to consume me. “Please?”
A heartbeat of silence is followed by Sinnett’s deep voice saying, “I’m not going anywhere, Tate. You’re safe with me.”
To his credit, I believe his words as I drift into a weightless slumber, fuelled with images of him and the memories we share.
Even as I’m falling into the darkness, my gut spikes with fear—a warning that something bad is coming my way. And I’m helpless to stop it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
SINNETT
Inever thought I’d say this, but I’ve missed the media activities before a game. Game days are already hectic enough, so adding media interviews and pre-game segments when I still have to fit in a warm-up is overwhelming, to say the least. But having been out of the game for multiple weeks, I found myself hyped to talk with the different broadcast stations and answer questions about my injury and return. The outpouring of support I received from the reporters and fans online from the moment I woke up this morning was… a lot. In the best way possible.
Nervous energy pounds in my veins as I follow some of my teammates down the tunnel and onto the field, blinded by the stadium lights overhead and the murmur of voices from the crowd. I focus on warming up and practicing my goal kicks, considering it has been several weeks since it’s been a top priority for me. But I find myself getting lost in the moment—taking in the faces of the fans watching from the fence around the field, calling my name and cheering for me. The collective boos from the Campbelltown Giants brings a smile to my face.
Fucking hell, I truly have missed this feeling.
Through the fog of adrenaline and the need to get back into my jersey, I feel her eyes on me. They’re strong, like an electric current pouring through my veins, demanding my attention. And fuck, do I give it to her.
After kicking the ball through the goal posts, I spin to find Tatum standing on the sidelines with her arms folded over her chest, watching me. From the outside looking in, she’s every bit the concerned physio checking on a client who is returning from an injury and needs to be monitored. But in my world—the one where it’s just us—I know she’s watching with pride, eager to see me in action.
Having her be here by my side, peppering me with encouragement and secret kisses in the hallway when no one is around, is all I need tonight. Not my family, my friends, or anyone in the club. Just Tatum.
She’s all I need.
“God, you really are down bad for her, huh?”
I turn back to the goal post to find Khai watching me with a shit-eating grin. He tosses a ball into the air and catches it with ease when it drops into his hands. His hair is styled neatly with gel, but in thirty minutes, it’s going to be slick with sweat and matted with blades of grass.
“Is it really that obvious?” I gesture for him to toss me the ball, which he does without hesitation. His eyes linger on me as I position the ball on the plastic holder. Once in place, I stand and take several steps back, focusing on where I want the ball to travel. Ideally, through the centre of the posts.
“Sin, if I can see it, everyone is this damn stadium can, too.”
With a sharp exhale, I rush forward and punt the ball as hard as I can. I hold my breath as I watch it fly through the air, moving exactly where I wanted it to. Elliot, one of our centres, catches it with ease, tossing the ball to Finn to run drills with him.
I shove a hand through my hair and meet my best friends knowing gaze. “I don’t know what I’m doing, man. Tate has me all fucked up in the head.”
“In a good way?” Khai questions, raising a brow at me.
I nod. “Of course, in a good way.Shit. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. When I’m not with her, I’m thinking about her. And when we are together, I’m thinking of ways I can keep her with me forever.”
