“The commish says he’s like the rising sun and any team would be lucky to have him.” Chase shrugs like he wants to make it clear he isn’t taking sides.
“Luck has little to do with it. I say he’s in it for the paycheck.” Wolf flashes Chase a look that should get him punched, but the QB is a nice guy and lets it go.
I sniff, because if Wolf had said that to me when I was Chase’s age, furniture and a nose would be broken.
I didn’t join the Boston Bruisers by accident. It’s not that I’m violent, but I don’t suffer fools or snide remarks unless they come out of Declan’s mouth because he’s a jokester and can take it as well as he can give it.
“Now, now. Let’s give him a chance,” Chase says. “You felt the same about me.” He lifts an eyebrow, referring to his start on the team as a legacy player.
“You proved yourself.” Elbows on knees, I clap my hands together, eager to move on from this conversation.
“So will Brandon,” Chase says.
“Brandon Nash will have to do more than prove himself. He’ll have to endure our killer practices and show that he’s a team player, not a showboating—” Wolf finishes with what Coach Hammer refers to aslocker room words.
We all know what’s coming. Yes, Brandon Nash, the newest player for the Boston Bruisers, will have to prove himself, but he’ll also have to survive team initiation.
“How about we replace his toothpaste with mayonnaise?” Declan wrinkles his nose as though having instant second thoughts.
Chase tilts his head from side to side. “We could always use the old standby.”
Wolf slashes the air with his hand in a downward motion. “No. We’re not covering the toilet seats with plastic wrap. Coach Hammer made me clean it up last time. Never again, man.”
“Doughnuts filled with mayo? Mayo in Oreos?” Declan suggests. His slight Irish accent reminds me of his roots, which bring to mind family and my own.
“What’s with you and mayo?” Chase asks.
Wolf’s eyes darken and his lip curls. “I know what we’re going to do.”
“Oh, boy. He has that look.” I shake my head. “Whatever it is, I’m not sure I want to take part.”
Declan cuffs me. “No, you’re not backing out. With Rylen off on his honeymoon, we need all the manpower we can get.”
Wolf gestures for us to gather around. I reluctantly get to my feet and join the guys. Little do they know, this might be the last time. I didn’t announce my retirement, but given the changes coming to my life, I might have to. However, I’m not ready to let this go.
After Wolf relays the plan, I frown. “Brandon Nash is not going to be impressed.”
“Sure, he will,” Wolf says with a wink. “Let’s see. Macy, Stacy, Allison, Keisha... They all seemed impressed by my?—”
I hold up my hand for him to stop right there. “We do not need to hear about your latest conquests.”
Chase shifts uncomfortably.
“I think Rylen would approve,” Declan says.
Only Wolf laughs because, given the delicate details of the prank and Rylen’s newlywed status, I find it hard to believe. Or at least, I imagine he’d have second thoughts.
Do I? Not especially. I’m not even wearing a ring.
We hash out the finer details of the plan to prank the newest member of the team, stack our hands into the center of the tight-knit circle, and holler, “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’”—the team slogan.
Wolf convinces Chase, the most amiable of the crew, to send Brandon a text, inviting him to hang out in the team lounge, where we’ll lie in wait.
Chase’s phone pings with a reply a moment later. “Brandon said that he’s on his way.”
Wolf grins, showing his teeth. “Perfect.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know why I let you guys talk me into this.”
