“Rookie!” He waves obnoxiously to Landon as he jogs along the beach.
Landon’s eyes widen as he slows, scanning our group, shocked to find us all there. But when his eyes settle on me, he smiles.
“Come on over.” Luke beckons him to join us, before jogging to his side, leaving him with no room to say no. “I didn’t know you lived out this way, Rookie,” he continues, bringing Landon over to our group. “You just missed a friendly game, but I’m sure we’ll play again soon. Right, Reed?”
“It’s highly likely. How are you, Landon?” I make a point of using his name, and Luke grimaces.
“Sorry,Landon. It’s a habit. I still call Zane Rookie sometimes.”
After rolling my eyes at Luke, I jump up and introduce Landon to the girls, minus Keeley and Hayley who he already knows, and when Dylan and Thomas get back, we settle into a more relaxing afternoon, chatting and laughing, catching up on the last couple of weeks.
The time flies and we’re all peaceful until Keeley notices a photographer. “All right, guys, up off your asses. It’s time for some good publicity. There’s been too much negativity surrounding the team.”
“It's the offseason, Keels.” Easton groans, and that groan intensifies when Paige and Isaac get to their feet.
“We’re ready, aren’t we, Isaac?” Paige says, giving him a smile.
“Yep. Come on, Dad.” Isaac grabs Easton’s hands and pulls him up to stand easily—with Easton’s help—and I can’t help but grin. He’s so different around Isaac. It’s nice to see them together now that his ex is out of the picture.
“I’m in.” I jump up, dusting off my ass before grabbing Hayley’s hand. “And so is Hayls.” I don’t have to consult her to know that I’m right. She’s always up for a bit of fun.
“I think we should have another game of Australian Rules,” Hayley says, trying to hide the excitement in her tone. “God knows you all need the practice. I’ll captain one team and Reed will captain the other.” She stands tall, her arms folded over her chest, and Luke scoffs.
“This isn’tSurvivor, Hayls. Why do you look so serious right now?”
“I’m ready to kick some butt.”
“Righty oh. I’m on Hayley’s team,” Luke announces, rushing to join her.
I huff out a laugh and turn to Landon as he subtly backs away. “Landon, you have to stay, at least to watch some of us make fools of ourselves.”
“He’s referring to himself, Landon.” Luke raises an eyebrow, his eyes bouncing between mine and Landon’s, making sure I note his use of Landon’s name.Progress.
Landon laughs and I consider it a win. “I’m in. But I have never played Aussie Rules before.”
“The fact that you called it Aussie Rules already makes you a winner.” Hayley smiles warmly and Landon visibly relaxes, setting off a chain reaction when Thomas nods my way. He must really be worried about Landon fitting in.Well, Thomas, I’m trying. “And because of that, Landon, you’re on my team,” Hayley continues, subtly winking my way.
I fake annoyance. “How have you had two picks already? I’ve got Amelia then. And Dylan.” I fold my arms over my chest to mimic Hayley’s stance and she giggles.
“Since Summer’s not here,”—Keeley steps forward, raising her hand—“I’ll be Dylan’s stand-in girlfriend. So that means I’m on Hayley and Luke’s team. I can see the way you’re splitting the group up.”
Hayley beams proudly while the others laugh and we split into teams, with Hayley’s squad having Luke, Paige, Landon, and Keeley, while I have Easton and Isaac, Dylan, Amelia, and Lainey. Thomas opted to be an umpire to keep the teams even.
Thomas starts the game, and within seconds, Dylan’s tackling Luke to the sand—payback for his previous screamer, or specky as Hayley called it—and it lights a fire in us all.
There’s laughter, fake tears, screaming, cheering from the sidelines, and a hell of a lot of fun being had. All while Keeley smiles in satisfaction, knowing the photographer is securing gold.
She’s right. We need some good publicity.
Although, now that I think about it, he’s probably been here for hours, since we haven’t exactly been subtle. Who knows—maybe he got all of this before.
Dylan kicks the ball to Easton and he lifts Isaac into the air to catch it. But when he tries to pass it to Lainey, Luke intercepts before kicking our version of a goal. Hayley cheerfully gloats and an idea comes to my mind.
We’re here together because of a role she wants in an upcoming movie. Her audition went well, but I need to make sure she gets the part. The producers wanted a relationship type. Well, according to the world, we’re in a relationship, so I’m taking advantage. Some would say I’m playingmypart.
“What’s the score again, Cap?” she asks as she turns my way, raising a finger to her lip as though lost in thought.
“I think it’s three to one,” I reply, my lips curling into a smirk. “But team Jackman has an unfair advantage, and it’s time we changed that.”
