Challenge Accepted

“Woods!”

The warning came too late for me to do anything but take the tackle. My body slammed into the ground, the hit vibrating through my body. I rolled over, pushing and releasing the ball, trusting my team to carry the position all the way to the try line.

I got to my feet the moment the “rug” was cleared and rejoined the game, only to realize the game was paused. Rhylee gave me a questioning look to ask if I was okay, and I gave her a thumbs up.

What was a girl who played American football her whole life doing playing rugby? The question sank to the bottom ever since I left college with no evidence that I would be joining NFL. My first instinct was to find a job that my diploma covered, but my heart had a different idea. It was addicted to the insane adrenaline.

Finding a group of women who had the same addiction as me made me reconsider my whole life.

I was still getting used to the game and the different plays. No more calling out plays and going for long passes. The passes were a lot shorter but faster. Running also came into play. My legs haven’t had this much action in years.

My jogging every morning became a virtue.

I walked back to my position, finding it ironic that I was given the position right at the back of the field. It was a place I had gotten used to as a quarterback, but my responsibility was higher. I was the last defense and had to catch the ball instead of just throwing it.

“Well, that wasn’t the best game,” Rhylee muttered once we reached the locker room.

“Yeah, I had an Amazon-Olympian all over me,” I mumbled, checking to see if there was a bruise where she hit me.

Kara chuckled. “She really had it in for you.”

“I think she wanted to see if you are as tough as they say you are,” Tyla joined in, handing me a towel.

“Maybe she realized that was a mistake when you didn’t stay down,” Rhylee said with a chuckle.

“I played with men. I think I am tough enough to handle an Amazon,” I said with a grin. Men weren’t really happy to see me on their turf, beating them at their own game.

“Yeah, that may be true, but here we are not wearing any protection except for our teeth.”

“And you are handling it like a pro,” Tyla noted, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

I went to the showers, cleaned up, and got dressed.

“Who’s up for drinks after work?” Kara asked, throwing her towel over her shoulder while heading for the showers.

“We lost,” Tyla reminded.

“Exactly. Alcohol is therapy, and we need therapy. Lots and lots of it,”

“Sorry, girls. I am skipping out on this one,” I muttered

“Oh, why not?’ Kara asked, disappointed.

Rhylee got up, grinning at Kara. “Woods got a date.”

Kara and Tyla both looked amazed. “Oh, who’s the guy?”

“Nick,”

“Nick?!” They asked in unison, acting like twins.

“Doesn’t he have a game?” Kara asked.

“Yup, and I got front row tickets,” Nick and I connected in college during football season. He got drafted for NFL and has been living the life. I was a bit jealous, but not enough to hate him for it.

“And if I don’t leave right now, I am going to miss out on the second quarter.” I grabbed my things and headed over to my truck.

I drove over to the stadium that was right in the middle of town. I found a parking space and ran towards the entrance. I showed my entrance ticket, knowing that I was so late, but I just made it for the 3rd quarter. I smiled when I saw Leo. He used to be my left tackle and best friend.

Jose was also drafted and was playing for the opposing team. Jared was drafted with Leo. It was fun watching my old teammates bicker at each other, knowing it was just for fun.

I watched Nick get called onto the field. My heart was racing as I counted every second it took him to kick the ball. The penalty kick put their team in front and I cheered.

I waved at him when he jogged past, but a heatwave of humiliation washed down my back when I watched a girl grasp his attention. I know I wasn’t a girly girl. I grew up as a tomboy, and it has always been a struggle to find love.

I waited for the game to the end, meeting the guys on the field. I laughed when Leo picked me up. “Put me down, you ogre,” I mumbled.

He chuckled, placing me back on my feet. “Woods,” Everyone met me with fist bumps.

“Heard you traded in your shoulder pads for rugby cleats,” Jose noted.

I nodded. “Yeah, it seems it’s quite fun hanging out with my own gender.”

They chuckled. “Are they at least as awesome as you?”

“Yeah, they are tough as nuts.”

Their laughter made me miss the old days. My eyes drifted past Leo’s shoulder as I caught Nick walking towards the woman he waved at. It felt as if my heart ruptured when he embraced her with a kiss and let her slip her hand in his.

He then made his way over to us, and I thought I felt my heart crumble. His eyes widened slightly when the guys moved like the Red Sea out of his way to reveal me.

“Jordan,” He acknowledged, and I watched him compose the mixture of emotions.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

Was he being serious right now? Why was he acting like he didn't remember what we did last night or that he invited me here?

I tried not to stumble over my words. “Who is this?” I asked, gesturing to the beautiful woman on his side.

“This is Emily,” He introduced. “My fiancé,”

I thought the guys overheard my heart shattering when they looked at me. “When did this happen?” I asked, surprised that my voice didn’t break.

“Since this morning,” Emily happily showed off her ring.

“Who are you?” She asked, touching Nick’s arm while looking at me, waiting for a reaction.

I tried to ignore this morning. He was with me last night, cuddling and kissing me. “Jordan,”

“We played college football together,” I explained.

“Oh, I thought Jordan was a guy,” She noted with a frowning smile.

I shrugged, not knowing what to say. “How long have you two been together?” I asked, ignoring Nick’s glare.

I wanted to break under the presumption that he lied to me, but I wasn’t going to be a weak, sobby girl in front of him to give him the upper hand.

“Oh, about 2 years. We dated back in high school but lost touch when he went to college, and started dating 2 years ago.”

“Oh,” I looked him in the eyes, seeing the coward I’ve overlooked for so long. “That’s funny. He didn’t tell any of us, and we were really close,”

She giggled. “How close?” She asked.

“Like sleeping next to each other naked, cuddling and snuggling,” My mother always warned me that my words would bite me on the ass for not having a guard to keep my mouth shut.

Her face transformed while he was shooting razor blades at me. “Jordan,” He gritted through a clenched jaw, but I ignored him.

Leo and Jared didn’t back him up as they came to stand on my side. “You were nothing without me,” I told Nick. “Now that you got an NFL contract, you think it makes you better than me?”

I remember how everyone was interested in interviewing and sponsoring me until he came into my life, and everything changed for him. He used me to get his fucking fame, well. I am going to take it all away by becoming the fucking best rugby player.

“I hope you 2 have a wonderful and honest life together,” I said, but then stopped. “Wait. I don’t lie. Fuck you. I hope karma fucks you in the face and takes everything away,”