Page 56

Story: Delicious

The cocky upstart strolls over to where Aiden’s chopping wood, moving with the same liquid grace that makes him such a devastating player on the field.

That part doesn’t shock me.

What shocks me is how he wraps his arms around Aiden from behind, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck.

A choking noise escapes my throat.

Fuck. Luckily, it appears Aiden Jones is too busy to notice the strange noises coming from his hedge.

He puts down his axe and turns in Tyler’s arms.

“Come back to bed.” Tyler’s voice carries to our hiding spot.

“Some of us like to get things done before noon,” Aiden replies in his usual droll tone.

“I can think of better things to do.” Tyler’s hands slide down Aiden’s back as he eliminates the space between them to kiss him.

Oh my fucking god.

My eyes dart to Benji’s face as they kiss, seeking confirmation I haven’t completely lost my mind. Sure enough, Benji’s eyes are like saucers, and his mouth has formed a perfectOthat would be comical if we weren’t currently hidden in a hedge spying on New Zealand rugby royalty.

I completely share his reaction. Seeing Aiden Jones and Tyler Bannings kiss is like discovering gravity works sideways or that sheep have suddenly learned to tap dance.

Tyler eventually pulls back, resting his forehead against Aiden’s. “You’ve made your point about being productive. Now come be unproductive with me.”

Aiden’s laugh is nothing like the short, controlled sounds he gives in press conferences. This is real, unfettered.

“You’re impossible,” he says.

“Pretty sure you already knew that about me.”

Aiden slings his arm around Tyler’s waist as they make their way across the yard.

The Ice King and his supposed rival disappear into the cottage.

After the door closes behind them, Benji and I stand there frozen for a few seconds. Then Benji turns his head to look at me, his face inches from mine.

“Holy fuck,” he breathes. “I never would have believed that if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Because it turns out the biggest rivalry in New Zealand rugby is actually a love story. Who the hell could have predicted that?

I can’t quite get my head around the fact that Aiden Jones and Tyler Bannings are involved romantically while competing for the starting spot in the New Zealand team.

But I don’t have much time to contemplate the complexities of their relationship because I’m currently tangled in a hedge with my own personal rival, close enough to count his eyelashes, trying desperately to ignore how right it feels.

“Right, don’t move,” I order, my voice low as I assess the branch that’s snared Benji. I have to edge closer, my front flush against his side as I work at the gnarled wood that’s claimed his sleeve. His breath warms my neck, sending tremors down my spine. Every inadvertent touch between us sparks something that feels unnervingly right, as if my body’s solving an equation my brain’s been too stubborn to work out.

It almost feels like recognition.

I finally manage to work the fabric free with a small ripping sound.

We back out awkwardly, a strange shuffling retreat where we can’t stop bumping into each other.

When we reach the edge of the hedge, my boots are suddenly unsteady on the familiar ground of my own paddock.

My mind spins like the wheel of my old Massey Ferguson when it’s stuck in mud—working overtime but getting absolutely nowhere.

Table of Contents