Page 128 of Playing for Keeps

“Just letting him know that there are other options on the table besides freezing his ass off in the South Island.”

Fuck. It would make a lot of sense from a rugby perspective to consider a move to the Greens. If I wanted the starting fullback spot for New Zealand, then a Supreme Rugby season playing alongside Jansen and Kelso would really help. And Bannings looked as if he had the starting first-five position locked up for the foreseeable future, so building chemistry on the field with him would be a massive bonus too.

A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have considered it. But now… My gut churned.

Leaving Christchurch. Starting afresh with a new team. Clean slate. Leaving the whole mess of my life behind.

I picked up my phone again and looked at Theo’s beaming face. My throat burned as a truth dawned on me.

From the moment Theo had been conceived, Ethan had stopped being mine.

I’d been a fool to think I could ever change that.

* * *

I arrived back in Christchurch to find my mother waiting for me at the airport.

It had been a subdued flight back with the team. We’d won the second test match in Pretoria but lost the third in Cape Town to lose the series overall.

It was gutting, but I had other things besides our loss to focus on. Because my agent had called to let me know the Greens had officially approached him about me playing with them next season.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked after I’d hugged my mother hello.

I already knew that Ethan had a lab at university and then had to scramble to pick Theo up from school on time, so he wasn’t able to be at the airport. But I’d expected to see my father.

“He’s been called into the clinic to help out because they’re understaffed.”

“Oh, okay.”

I did the usual signing of autographs and posing for selfies while my mother waited patiently. Then, after we’d made our way out to her car, I finally got to ask the most important question.

“How’s Char?”

“She’s doing much better,” Mum said. “She really likes her therapist, so I think she’s making good progress.”

I swallowed. “That’s really good news.”

Mum caught me up with the other news as the streets of Christchurch slid by. We were almost at my house when my phone beeped. It was from my agent, Lance, sending through the details of the Greens contract.

I ran my hand through my hair. “The Greens are interested in signing me for next season.”

Mum braked for a red light. “Are you going to?”

“I don’t know. It would be best from a rugby perspective. But I have to think about it.”

“It’d be good for you to get away.” Her lips pinched together. “There’s too much to distract you here.”

I laughed a hollow laugh. “You think Char’s issues are a distraction? Is that what we’re calling them now?”

She waved her hand. “That, and other things.”

Ethan. She meant Ethan.

“You’re talking about Ethan,” I said slowly.

Shit. I should have known this would come up eventually.

Mum’s lips pursed for a moment before she replied. “Yes, I’m talking about Ethan.”