Completion Chapter 129

I took a cab to the airport three hours before my plane departed. Traffic was a gnarly ss even though there wasn’t a ray of sunlight in the sky. Welco to the city. I had an hour and a half to relax after checking my bag and making it through security. When I woke up that morning, I swore I would hold my head high. No shirking from eye contact. I caught myself looking down repeatedly, but with sheer willpower, I jerked my head up each ti. I settled into a corner table at Starbucks with a latte, complints of my Journal credit card. After pulling out my iPad, I continued my lessons in the foreign language of rugby. I also had my old college laptop that needed to get through until Christmas. It would be the only Christmas item on my list for my parents this year.

I have no idea why I typed Van’s na in the search engine first. It was ridiculous that I found myself attracted to him. Jock and most eligible bachelor. He and I would never happen. I could just imagine all the won throwing themselves at his slly jock feet. Yuck.

I clicked through the list and found a grainy image of Joel that I overlooked the night before. He couldn’t have been much more than a teenager when the picture was taken. The brothers could be twins. Double yuck. I continued scanning and found another photo of Van in his rugby uniform that had taking a too large gulp from my hot cup.

That’s it. I deserved a burnt tongue. Muscles, dimples, and blue eyes were no longer my thing, and my racing heart was because of my nervousness over flying. Adjusting my glasses, I started morizing ridiculous rugby terms that made no sense. Thirty minutes before my plane departed, I clicked off my iPad and walked with my head held high to my gate.

Once I took my seat on the mid-sized crowded plane, I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the screaming baby in the row behind . I had the window seat with two n sitting next to . We didn’t talk, and I quickly fell into a coma-like sleep and made it through the first airplane ride in my life.

We landed an hour and a half later. The airport was small though it had one car rental company which was listed on my itinerary. I picked up my car for the hour long drive to Colt. From my research, I knew its population was just over fifty thousand with a dium-sized state college and absolutely nothing else to attract anyone. I refused to consider rugby an attraction of any kind. For so strange reason this was where the Stelson brothers made their ho.

My hotel was a quaint inn off the highway. As I waited for the middle-aged clerk to finish up with a custor who entered before , I timidly looked around the lobby and noticed the pictures on the wall. On closer inspection, I realized they were rugby teams and action shots of gas.

"May I help you, Miss?"

I turned, imdiately lowering my eyes to the tiled floor. Damn. No. I had to change the habit and make eye contact part of my muscle mory. I lifted my gaze. "I have a reservation for Cami Avesque."

He clicked away on the computer, printed out a sheet for to sign, swiped my company credit card in case I wanted to order sothing to the room, and handed over a key card.

Before I walked away, I shrugged another bit of timidity aside. "Is there a picture of the current rugby team anywhere?"

"You want the college team or The Slam?"

Such a stupid na. "The Slam, please."

He showed the current pictures as he continued talking. "The Slam Tavern is next door and a great place to eat. If you go down another block and turn left, the stadium is about a mile from the main road. Playoff match this Saturday. Practically the entire town hits the ho matches, but let know if you want a ticket. I have a few connections."

"Thank you, I’ll do that." I gave him a small smile. I didn’t bother telling him I’d be there front and center, because that would require more conversation. I also didn’t tell him that the last thing I wanted was to witness a bunch of grown n roll around in the dirt and act like little boys. I turned back to the team pictures after he returned to the desk. I spotted Van’s easy grin right away. He stood in the middle of his teammates with his arm thrown over the shoulder of another man. I leaned in closer to the picture. The other man’s face showed a long scar running from under his eye to his mouth, which pulled in his upper lip slightly. The other side of his face was the perfect replica of his brother’s. The unknown story behind the scar had staring at Joel Stelson for several minutes. He was larger than his brother, his eyes more serious. A wave of regret rolled over and then I ntally shook myself. Joel had dumb, muscle-bound jock written all over him regardless of the scar. I walked away, found my room, and sent a text to Van, whose number was the only contact on my schedule. I sincerely hoped he was at least semi-intelligent.

: This is Cami Avesque with the Cleveland News and Journal. I’m in my hotel room and wanted to confirm our morning appointnt.

I began hanging up my clothes so the wrinkles could mostly fall out. The soft ping of my phone sounded.

Van: Tomorrow morning 7 stadium locker room.

That was it.

Okay then.

I was hungry and after looking at the local restaurant guide, I decided to walk to The Slam Tavern to see if I could order a salad. The na of the place didn’t leave any real hope that they’d have healthy food, but it was close and worth a try.

I nervously glanced around the dark interior. Before I could leave, a female shout ca from the back. "Grab a nu and seat yourself. I’ll be with you in a sec."

A stack of laminated nus rested on the counter by the door. I picked up the top one and quickly found the salads. Maybe this would work. My stomach ached with hunger, so I walked to the far corner and took a seat after placing my scrap bag down beside in the booth. I pulled my iPad from my bag and switched it on, relieved to have a little extra light.

Before I could click into my email, the waitress arrived with a glass of water.

"Sorry, hun, I’m it out front tonight, but the cook’s in the back if you’re hungry. I’m Estella by the way. Haven’t seen you around. Welco to Colt and The Slam Tavern. My feet are killing and my back hurts, but that’s age catching up with . My youngest just had her second baby and now I have four grandchildren. I’ll tell you that makes feel older. What can I get you to drink?"

Estella was in her mid to late fifties. She had laugh lines around her eyes like my mom’s. I relaxed for the first ti since waking up this morning. She was one of those special people who shy people loved. She talked your ear off without waiting for acknowledgnt.

"Could you recomnd a red wine?" I asked hopefully.

Her lips twitched before she threw back her head and laughed- loudly. A little too loudly if you asked . I glanced around. Now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, I could see two n at the bar and they were looking my way.