AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nods. “I’m going to stay with Dave until I find a place, but yeah, I need to move out of that house.”
“You’re always welcome to stay here,” I offer, trailing my fingers along the inside of his thigh. I smirk at his amused expression.
“I’m sure your Mum and Brady would love that,” he says, stilling my hand with his. “You’re trouble, Ivy Willis.” He leans in until his mouth brushes mine. “Big trouble.”
I throw my leg over his lap to straddle him. “You’ll just need to be quiet,” I murmur against his mouth. “Do you think you can do that for me?” I grind my hips against his, moaning as I feel him harden beneath me.
“Big trouble,” he repeats, though his hand still slides up my dress, effortlessly finding that bundle of nerves.
“What are you going to do about it, Foster?” I challenge, moving my hips in time with his thumb.
“Fuck, Princess,” he groans into the crook of my neck. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
CONRAD
AT COACH’S REQUEST, Dave and I show up early for training on Tuesday. He calls us into his office and my eyes widen when they land on Palmer, scowling as if we’ve just killed his puppy. Becker’s slouched next to him on Coach’s couch, and Tyson is in another chair in front of Coach’s desk, head in his hands.
With six grown men, the room is crowded. I cross my arms and lean up against the wall opposite Palmer and Becker while Dave leans against the now closed door.
“Thanks for coming in, boys,” Coach says with a sigh as he sits down in his chair. He leans back, hands resting behind his head.
“What’s this about?” Dave finally asks, breaking the awkward silence.
“The second drug test came back with some interesting results.” Coach levels his heavy stare on Palmer and Becker. “Care to take a guess what I found?”
Becker squirms, but Palmer sits there perfectly still, his cocky gaze locked onto our Coach.
“Your test came back inconclusive, Palmer, which I’m sure doesn’t surprise you. Becker, here, wasn’t so lucky. Your parents have been called and I have recommended you enter a volunteer rehab program. Once that is complete, I will reconsider your position on the team. For now, I’m afraid I need you to clear out your locker.”
Becker silently gets to his feet and Dave steps away from the door to let him pass.
“All due respect, Coach,” Palmer says, without an ounce of respect in his tone. “Why am I still here if my results were inconclusive? That doesn’t mean I’ve been using.”
“Maybe not,” Coach grates out and I can tell he’s only just holding on to his patience. “But interfering with drug samples is a serious offence–one I will not tolerate by players on my team.”
If I wasn’t paying such close attention, I would have missed the way Palmer’s gaze darted to Tyson. He’s backed in a corner and he’s calculating his next move. He decides to stay silent, mirroring my stance as he leans back and crosses his arms over his chest.
“How long do you think you could have hidden it if Antanovic didn’t grow a conscience?” I ask, pushing up off the wall. “I kept telling you to rein it in. I was trying to help you.”
“Like you can talk,” Palmer snarls. He’s leaps off the couch, making a beeline for me. Moving quickly, Dave is between us, shoving him back.
“Enough,” Coach shouts, slamming his large hand down on his desk. Tyson jumps. Palmer raises his hands in surrender, chest heaving as he tries to tamp down his anger. Coach shakes his head with a frown. “I honestly don’t know what you were playing at, son.”
“I’m not your son,” Palmer grits out. “This is bullshit.He,” Palmer shoves his finger in my chest, “gets a pass for all the shit he got up to the last couple of years, and I’m the one getting raked over the coals for an inconclusive test.”
“Are you denying that you paid Antanovic to help you interfere with Foster’s original test results?” Coach raises a brow.
“Fucking snitch,” Palmer spits at Tyson. If I weren’t pissed over his involvement, I’d probably feel sorry for the first year player who was currently shaking in his seat.
“Conrad, Dave, take Tyson to his car. He’s suspended for eight weeks. Then get the team into the meeting room. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes, Coach.” Dave claps his arm down on Antanovic’s shoulder and pulls him to his feet. I follow them out the door, casting one last glance at Palmer. He glares at me before turning his back and I close the door behind me.
* * *
IVY SETTLES AGAINST my chest. I tighten my arms around her as we sit at the lookout, watching the sun set over Blue Haven. It’s been three weeks since the music festival and it’s the last day of summer break. Classes start tomorrow and we have a friendly match against the University of Queensland.
