Page 44 of Forever Offsides

“Oh yeah? Let’s see how well I can do.” Mason charges, and I walk forward, putting my weight into it as I push him back.

And because Russel’s a piece of shit, he smiles, all red teeth and everything. “Come and try me, princess.”

“Enough of this!” Coach yells, a hand on Russel’s shoulder. “All of you, out of here. There’s fucking press out here today. Do you want this on ESPN? Just because you’re not on the field doesn’t make this private.”

“I don’t give a shit.” Mason shoves against my hand, his face red with rage, same as Crew’s. “Let them know what a selfish, self-serving prick he is.”

“Now you know why I’ve been calling you.” Russel’s voice is mocking as he says that to me, almost amused. “I was going to see if you could keep your brothers from acting like children and somehow all be adults so I could talk to you like one first.”

“He’s been calling you?” That comes from Rhett, which throws me a bit.

“You don’t get to call her! You don’t even get to look at her!”

“Crew. Calm down. Both of you!” I give them another press with my hand. “Let me see your hand.”

Crew growls, his eyes hard on Russel. “It’s fine.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

He glowers at me. “You didn’t tell me he’s been calling you.”

“Because she likes me being her little secret.”

Jesus hell.

I spin around, ignore the ring of men surrounding me, and walk right up to Russel. “You enjoy bleeding? Are you dumb enough to believe only they can do that to you?”

“Come on,” he says lightly. “They’re the ones pushing me. I’m not serious.”

“Then don’t be more of an asshole than you already are. No one wants you here. Take the hint and leave before it’s my turn to make you hurt.”

“Can’t do that. Besides, you just said you won’t hit me because of your hands.”

Rhett is standing right by Russel’s side, his eyes all over me, but I can’t focus on him either.

“You’re right. I won’t hit you. My hands are worth a hell of a lot more than you are.”

In one swift motion, my knee flies up, and I nail him straight in the balls. The guys watching this choke and wince in sympathy with lots of ohhhs and damns filling the air.

Mason bursts out laughing. “Shit. I could hear how hard she nailed you from here.”

Russel wheezes out a pained breath and collapses to his knees as he cups his groin.

I fight my smile.

That felt so good.

“Next time, don’t test me, princess.” I spin around and go back to my brothers. My hand meets Crew’s shoulder, and I force his gaze to me. “He’s not important. You are. I want to see your hand.”

“Doctor Reyes, take both of them inside and look at Crew’s hand,” Rhett demands. “The rest of you get an hour for lunch, but that’s it, and you’re already wasting minutes.”

I don’t glance back at Rhett or Russel. I grab my brothers by their arms and yank them away. Neither is happy, but they’re calmer now that I nailed Russel in the nuts.

But the bigger question remains. What is Russel actually doing here?

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