Page 7 of Big Rucking Disaster (Rucked by You #8)

Chapter Six

Johnnie

“ I t’s really great you’re willing to do this.” My gaze moved between Isaiah, Roger, Jason, as well as Francine who’d tagged along.

She grinned. “I’ll take them through a few exercises and then just sit back and watch. No bleachers, eh?” She glanced around the field.

“At least they have a field.” Isaiah winced. “That’s not always a given.”

In poverty-stricken areas like this one . He didn’t have to say the words—we all understood them.

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Raheem, our right wing, sauntered over. “Anyone else have problems with parking?” His dark, tight, curly hair was a little on the frizzy side today, despite the sun.

Everyone’s hand shot up.

“Me, too.” Makwa joined us. He was one of the best outside centers in the league.

Finally, Irvin strode over. “I took the bus. But there was an accident on Hastings Street, and so I got jammed up. I hopped off and ran here.” Yet the man had hardly broken a sweat. He dropped his bag on the ground. “Okay, let’s do this.” The loosehead prop was always down for anything.

I swallowed. “I can’t believe you all came out today.”

Isaiah slapped me on the back. “You think we were going to leave the teaching up to you? The next generation of players will be so confused.”

Everyone chuckled.

I was so grateful, I couldn’t find it within myself to be annoyed. I knew this game as well as anyone on the team. My uncle ensured that.

The door to the gym opened and, with Yardley in the lead, about fifteen kids emerged.

Louella brought up the rear.

“Oh, is she taken?” Makwa’s eyes widened. His tan skin contrasted with his white jersey.

“Even if she’s single, now’s not the time.” Roger glared.

“Never harm in looking, right, Johnnie?”

Since my eyes were on Yardley, I couldn’t exactly scold him. I slapped him on the back. “The kids are the focus, okay? And she’s got a wedding ring.”

He appeared crestfallen, but it was all an act. Although I had the playboy reputation, Makwa did quite well with the ladies. To the point I wondered if he would ever settle down.

I grinned when Yardley approached. “These are my mates.”

Jason pointed to himself. “I use the term. As you can tell from my accent, I’m not from around here.”

“And where are you from?” Louella managed to herd the kids into a semicircle, with her on one end and Yardley on the other—closest to me.

“England. Liverpool, in particular. So, everyone asks me why I don’t play football. Oh, soccer.”

A few of us laughed.

Some of the kids appeared confused.

“To be difficult, the rest of the world calls soccer football while North Americans call it soccer and refer to football as football.” Yardley frowned. “Well, football with all the gear and the brown-leather ball.”

“That’s a little nuts.” Kenji grinned. “Which is why I love rugby.”

Jason pumped his fist. “Awesome.”

“Let’s go around the circle and introduce ourselves. If you have a position, share it. No worries if you don’t, okay?” Yardley surveyed the group.

I eyed him. I wonder what position he plays? Which sounded way dirtier in my head than I intended it to be.

About half the students had favorite positions and the others didn’t. Quickly, I could see we had a good mix of body sizes, strengths, and potential vulnerabilities. I was also thrilled Greta had brought two friends from another school—Sophie and Hope.

Francine took us through stretches to get started.

Makwa kept an eye on Louella, and she seemed to be keeping an eye on him. Her wedding ring seemed to have disappeared since last Monday, but that didn’t mean anything—she might not normally wear it to school. Still, the two were worth keeping an eye on.

As was Yardley. In deference to the warm March day, most of the teens wore shorts and T-shirts. As a surprise, I’d brought twenty Orcas jerseys. Yardley knew, as he’d helped me figure out sizes. Bringing a couple of extras just in case felt like a good idea.

“Now, you’re warmed up, Roger’s going to take you through some basic skills you’re going to need.” Francine grinned. “Pay attention. He might not be the captain, but he’s got the most experience. When he tells you to do something, you’d better listen.”

“Coach always overrides Roger, though.” I grinned. “Coach Lawrence is a beast if he’s mad at you.”

“Coach Morrison’s the best.” Tatum, who wasn’t even that much into rugby, had shown up. Helped us put together a team, so I was grateful.

“You’re already getting an A.” Louella grinned. “But a little sucking up never hurt.”

“On that note, we’re going to go through different ways of passing. Remember, it’s always to the side.” Roger nabbed a couple of balls.

“But we’re going to practice scrum, right?” Kolson, Yardley’s nephew held up his hand. “That’s where I’m weakest.”

“We can absolutely practice scrum.” Roger eyed his teammates. “While Johnnie runs you through the plays, I’ll divvy us up into teams. No roughhousing though, okay? This is just for fun.”

Kolson didn’t look thrilled, but Kenji slapped him on the back. “We can get together and practice, okay?”

Yardley appeared startled at first, likely because the boys were from different high schools and clearly different social strata. Kolson’s cleats were easily five times the cost of Kenji’s shoes.

“That would be great. I want to make the Orcas when I graduate.” Kolson eyed me.

“Entirely possible. Let’s see what you’ve got.” I tipped my chin toward Roger.

“Since I’m older, I’ll be on the team by then.” Kenji beamed.

Three hours later, I didn’t have any doubts. Damn kid was amazing. Every single pass he made, he nailed. Same with the kicks.

Kolson was hot on his heels, though. Greta, Sophie, and Hope were all clearly talented, and I was left in no doubt why they were on a local team.

Some of the other kids struggled a bit. More than a few fumbled balls. Some confusion as to what to do when they caught one.

All that said, I could honestly say each kid’s skills had improved at the end of the session, and each of my teammates beamed with pride as they handed out the jerseys.

We’d split the cost between the seven of us, which helped a lot.

Professional rugby players in Canada didn’t make much money—hence us all having to supplement our incomes with side gigs.

As the kids were dispersing, a stunning Black woman approached the group. She wore burgundy leather boots, a dark-blue wool skirt, and an expensive wool coat. She high-fived Kolson, so I made the leap this was Yardley’s sister, Jamilla.

And ouch, she wasn’t just older. Even without the heels on the boots, she was a couple of inches taller than her brother.

“Mom, I want you to meet Johnnie.” Kolson encouraged her to move toward me.

I managed a wave.

She pushed her black, curly hair from her face. “So, you’re the famous Johnnie.”

I cocked my head.

“Oh, Yardley’s been talking about you—how this was all your idea. Moreover, Kolson wants a spot on your squad. I think he’s aiming for yours.” She grinned.

“Hooker, eh?” I grinned. Kolson had already mentioned that. He certainly had the build for it. Even at sixteen, he had some bulk. And decent height—which he clearly got from his mother, although perhaps his father was tall as well.

“Hey, Jamilla.” Yardley pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Glad you could make it.”

“To see my baby get beat up? I’ll always make the time.” She caught my gaze. “Divorce attorney. One of the best in Vancouver.” She grinned. “I’m looking at buying my rival’s practice. Silly man wants to move to a small-town and take it easy.” She rolled her eyes.

Kolson groaned.

I chuckled. “Well, I’ve never gotten married, so I don’t have to worry about needing your services.”

“Well, if you ever do, I give discounts to Yardley’s friends.”

Yardley’s friend. What exactly had he said about me?

Her smile continued. “Why don’t you come to dinner tomorrow night? You can talk Kolson out of playing.”

I started to open my mouth.

“Just kidding. You should see the look on your face. Priceless.” She touched her son’s shoulder. “If this is the path he’s set on, far be it from me to dissuade him. I might be a protective mama bear, but I want my kids to be happy.”

“Can we invite Kenji too?” Kolson’s eyes lit with excitement.

“Sure.”

“Great.” He pressed a kiss to his mom’s cheek, then shouted, “Hey, Kenji! Wait up!”

His affection toward his mother was heartening. His volume left my ears ringing.

“I guess I’d better show up.” I laughed ruefully.

She eyed me with a way-too-knowing look.

“You’re a good guy, Johnnie. I’ll thank you in advance and warn you about being railroaded by Morrisons.

I might be a Smith, now—and oh God, isn’t that just the most boring last name ever—but I’ll always be Yardley’s big sister at heart.

Later.” She waved as she headed over to where Kenji, Kolson, and Isaiah stood.

“Isaiah would be a much-better choice for dinner—especially since Kenji wants to be a fullback.” Not that I didn’t want to go.

Kolson had expressed an interest in being a hooker, but, of course, all that might change as he matured and he tried positions that might better fit his body type and abilities.

“My sister’s taken a shining to you.” Yardley cocked his head. “She knows you organized today, and this is her way of paying you back.” Then he muttered, “At least I hope those are her intentions.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Do you want me to drive you tomorrow night? Kerrisdale’s a bit out of your way.”

I squinted. “How is coming from Kensington to Gastown and then back out to Kerrisdale on your way? That’s a massive triangle. Your house to your sister’s is almost a straight shot. How’s the head? I forgot to ask.”

“Better by the next morning. As Jamilla would say, I’ve got a hard noggin.”

“Just give me her address, and I’ll make it there myself. My car might look out of place in that neighborhood, but I’ll survive.” I chuckled.

“How about I text it to you?” Yardley tapped a code into his phone, tapped a couple more times, and handed me the phone.

I entered my number, sent myself a text, and then completed the new contact sequence. Finally, I handed the phone back with my shit-eating grin.

Yardley arched an eyebrow. “Handsome Johnnie?”

“You don’t think I’m gorgeous?” I angled my head to give him my best side.

“Oh God.” He pocketed his phone. “See you tomorrow.”

I watched as he walked away, feeling like something had shifted in me, but not understanding what.

Isaiah smacked me on the back. “Travis is home and cooking dinner. I know we’re in the opposite—”

“I’m not turning down a home-cooked meal.” I gave my friend a rueful grin. “Have you heard?”

“That you’re having dinner with two prospective players, one teacher, and his sister? Better you than me.”

Except he would’ve been a better choice.

Still, I’d put on my nicest clothes and do my best to put on a good show.