Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
They reached the front of the security line right then, and as usual, Catie was waved onto the designated spot to undergo a manual check. That was why, no matter the weather, she wore either a skirt or shorts to the airport. It saved her the hassle of explaining that she was wearing prostheses, then pulling out her medical forms. She still had the forms in her purse, but having her prostheses out in full view tended to make those redundant.
The security officer she had today was a cheerful and petite blonde who was more interested in Catie’s purse than her prostheses. “I’ve been trying to get something like that,” she said after the purse had come through the detector and another officer had brought it over to where Catie stood, waiting for her body scan. “Designer, I’m guessing?”
“Vintage find.” Catie spread out her arms for the scan. “In an op shop,” she said, referring to the thrift-style stores that existed throughout the country. Each one was unique; that was part of the fun. “Five dollars.”
“No.”
“Steal, right?” Catie had actually felt so bad about the ridiculous pricing that she’d made a significant donation to the cause supported by the shop, but she still loved that she’d found the bag. It was like finding treasure. “I don’t think anyone nowadays is making this style. I’d definitely haunt the op shops and garage sales.”
“I would’ve never thought it, but yeah, I’m going to do that.” The officer ran her wand over the back of Catie’s sweater, checked her bra strap when the wand beeped, then said, “You’re clear, hon. Have a good flight.”
“Thanks. Have a nice day.” She walked over to join Danny, who had his hands in his pockets. All he had on him was a wallet and his phone. Which of course meant he’d hit her up for tissues if he needed one, chewing gum from her stash, a pen if he decided to do the crossword in the complimentary airline magazine.
Men, she thought with a surge of affection.
She expected him to comment on her girly moment with the security officer, but he just said, “All good?”
“Yeah. Sweet.” Waiting until they were in a quieter area, she poked him in the arm. “Seriously, hotshot, what’s up?”
17
ADORABLE BABIES!
Danny’s shoulders hunched in.
Catie blinked. Danny was about the most confident person she knew. This wasn’t like him. Closing her hand gently around his upper left arm, she said, “What’s wrong? I promise not to cackle like a hyena at your misfortune.”
He didn’t smile at her attempt at what would normally pass for a joke between them. Seriously worried now, she slipped her arm through his so they were even closer and fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Do I look suitably besotted?”
That got his attention. “You look demented.” But a little of the tension drained from his face, and he thrust his free hand through his hair. “I have a meeting with my coach on Monday. The kind of meeting no player wants to have.”
Catie thought of her earlier concerns about a secret injury. It was true Danny wasn’t playing his best, but there was no question that he was still holding his own. “It’ll be fine. You’re the best winger in the country, probably in the world.” It was impossible to be around the Esera clan and not pick up on rugby news, so she knew that Danny had been on many lists of the “Best Wingers in the World.”
“I was,” Danny muttered as they headed for their gate. “I’m not anymore, and the team can’t keep ignoring that. I’m screwing up over and over.”
Catie frowned. “No team is going to cut a brilliant player over a few bad games.”
Snorting, he said, “It’s not just a few bad games. My entire season has been shit.”
“But you guys are at the top of the league.”
“No thanks to me. The fact the rest of the team is turning in stellar performances is hiding some of my sins, but not from the guys. They see it and they’ve been fucking legends covering for my errors.” He pressed his lips together. “Dead certain I’m not going to be selected for the national squad.”
She’d never, not once, heard Danny sound so defeated; playing for New Zealand’s world-beating national team had been his dream since childhood—and that hadn’t altered after he first made the squad at only nineteen. He treasured every single second he spent in the iconic black jersey.
“Have you spoken to Jake and the others?” His brothers and family were his staunchest supporters. “You know they’ll help you figure it out.”
“That’s just it,” he said quietly. “I keep on standing on their shoulders—and even with all the advantages that’s given me, I’m still screwing up.” His jaw worked. “My entire family set it up so my path was the easiest of them all.