Page 21 of Punt

"That's true," he replied. "I owed Bam one after he gave us all donuts with mayonnaise in them." He grimaced. "Bloody thing looked so good too. The coach said it served us right, we shouldn't be eating donuts anyway."

I held back a laugh until I couldn't hold it any longer. "That is kinda funny."

He grinned. "It is now, yeah. We weren't happy then. Although, we did squeeze most of the mayo out onto Bam. It looked like he was covered in—" He stopped for a moment. "Uh."

I smiled and shook my head. "I can imagine what it looked like. You don't think that was enough retaliation?"

"Nope, not for Bam. Believe me, he gives as good as he gets. Hey, here's Bec and Hawk."

I recognised the man Chase waved toward. I'd seen him on the news. The pretty blonde who walked beside him looked familiar too, but I couldn't quite place her.

"Hawk, my bro," Chase greeted. They did a sideways handslap, followed by a shake and a classic bro-hug.

Chase stepped back. "Hi Bec. You still putting up with Hawk?"

She smiled warmly. I liked her immediately.

"Yes," she said with a dramatic sigh. "I can't seem to keep away." She laced her fingers in Hawk's and smiled up at him.

He responded with an equally adoring look.

"I'm pretty sure there's therapy for that," Chase said.

"The waiting list is too long," Bec replied.

"It looks like you're stuck with me then," Hawk told her. He turned to me and quirked an eyebrow, obviously curious as to who the hell I was.

"This is Ashley, my new girlfriend," Chase said.

I glanced at him in surprise. His new… Okay, I hadn't seenthatcoming.

I smiled awkwardly. "Um, it's nice to meet you both."

"I was thinking you could hang with Bec while we play," Chase said. "She can show you around and all that."

"Okay," I replied. "If that's all right with Bec?"

"Of course it is," she said. "I'll be happy to. I'll introduce you to everyone. Don't worry, they don't bite."

She seemed so confident and content, I was slightly in awe of her. She also looked absolutely immaculate, with a style of her own, but on trend at the same time.

"Great," I managed to say.

"Good, this way then," Bec gestured toward a door which seemed to lead in the direction of the field.

"I'll catch you after the game," Chase said.

I smiled, nodded at him over my shoulder and tried not to look too overwhelmed. This was a world I knew little about. What I did know was these people led lifestyles which chewed up people and spat them out. Just because they seemed like regular people, didn't mean I shouldn't be careful around them. A person could very easily get caught up.

"I hope Bam isn't too mad," I added before we stepped through the door.

All I heard before it closed was Chase and Hawk's laughter.

"Men," Bec said with an epic eye-roll. "I suppose it's harmless fun, as long as no one gets hurt, and they keep it between themselves."

"Right. No pranking us," I agreed.

"Absolutely none," she said with a laugh. "Hawk wouldn't dare. I'd get him back twice as bad."

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