"Is that even a thing?" Storm asked. "Performing sheep."
"It used to be," Frost deadpanned. "But then they used to fleece everyone."
Storm groaned and smacked his hand to his forehead. "I should have known that bullshit was coming. No wonder a guy drinks."
"Do you go to the baa for that?" Atlas grinned.
"Fuck off," Storm said. "Don't you start with the stupid puns."
"Buck off," Atlas replied. "I don't answer to ewe. In case you missed it, that's spelled E… W…"
"Yeah, I get it, dickhead," Storm snapped.
"Shear up," Frost said. "The puns aren't that baaad."
Storm rolled his eyes. "I'm starting to reconsider this relationsheep. I mean, relationship." He was struggling to hold back the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"You know you love me." Frost gave him a side on hug as they kept walking. "If we were at home we could go for a drive in your Lamb-orghini and spend some time together."
Storm stared at him. "I don't have a — fuck. All right, no more stupid sheep puns."
"Sheep live in pens," I said, trying to keep my expression as deadpan as Frost had.
"What Jay said," Atlas said. "Without them, they'd be running wild. That might be what Storm wants."
"You guys are out of your minds," Storm said.
"Which is exactly why you love us so much," Frost said. "We keep you entertained."
"That's one word for it," Storm grumbled. "If you're not careful, they won't let you through customs." He raised a finger and pointed at Frost. "Whatever sheep jokes you have, save it."
Frost raised his hands to either side in surrender. "I was out of sheep jokes. If you're going to be in a moood, then —"
"Don't start with cow puns," Storm warned. He pulled out his passport as we entered the terminal, ready to show the local customs officers as we filed past.
"They keep things interesting, don't they?" Chelsea said to me softly as she stepped behind me in the line.
I grunted. "That's one way to put it. I guess they kinda make things easier. Lighten the mood and stuff, y'know?"
"It's true what they say about laughter being good for you," she said. "It relieves stress and makes people live longer. Even if they're only sheep puns."
"I'm surprised they didn't get to goat puns." I glanced over my shoulder at Ramsey.
He grimaced. "Don't remind them."
I smiled. I didn't think Frost needed too much reminding, but he wouldn't hear it from me.
I pulled out my own passport and opened it so it could be inspected and scanned. The team handled any other travel documentation we needed, so I knew everything would be in order. As expected, the officer handed back my passport and waved me through.
"They probably know all of you on sight," Chelsea said, pushing her own passport into her skirt pocket.
"It wouldn't surprise me," I said. "They even seem to know who I am."
"Of course they do," she said, walking beside me again. "You're just as important as any other player on the team."
"I guess, but I don't talk to the press much," I said. Knowing they might be waiting once we left the airport put me on edge. "They wouldn't know my face as well as the others’. They all know Storm, because he always has something to say. And Frost because he's friendly. And Dallas has his moments." I nodded to where he was walking in front of us.
"And they notice Atlas because he's Atlas." I was going to say he was smoking hot, but that was obvious. He was the kind of guy who drew gazes wherever he went. Even if people didn't know he played football, they stopped to stare. And me, I was just Jayden Lang, the guy from Western Sydney who happened to be good at rugby.
