League of His Own Ch. 03

The real test was taking my first tackle. I handled that by doing a hit-up, something a half-back rarely ever did. But I wanted to feel that contact, the collision of bodies, assure myself I wouldn't flinch. And I made sure I ran at the biggest bastard on the other side. I think I surprised him. Next was making a tackle. Again, being the half-back, I wasn't always in the middle of the defensive line, but I made sure I was in the thick of the action.

As soon as our team scored the first try, our confidence as a team went through the roof. I was soon back in form, pulling the strings through my kicking, passing and organisation. Mark and I rarely had to say much to each other, we'd been playing together for three years by now. We could read each other easily.

By the time the referee blew his whistle for the last time to signify the end of the game, I'd done just as my coach had told. We'd absolutely torn them apart. It was probably an even more convincing performance than the Rangers the previous Saturday. Knowing we had made the final was something, though we needed to win that to ensure we made the pool stages.

The school was buzzing with excitement the next morning, everyone aware of how close we were to making the pool stages again. To the players, that was bare minimum. The expectations were high from everyone, but we wanted perfection. If we could go all the way to the grand final undefeated, the perfect season, it would be the best way to sign off our high school careers.

News also spread quickly on the Friday as the line-up for the Rangers was announced that morning, and I would be starting at half-back for the first time, Billy being given a week to rest. I was stopped by my expanding fan club of girls whenever I was walking down a hallway to another classroom. Every single girl told me they'd be at the game on the weekend. In fact, they all said they never missed a home game, and would definitely keep attending once I was playing full-time next season.

Arriving at the clubhouse the next morning as our game would be kicking off at 15:00, the first thing I did was speak to the coach about my game on Wednesday night. He was delighted to hear about both the team and my individual performance, and was pleased to hear we'd made the final for the preliminary stages. When he said he'd come and attend, I couldn't help grin.

"Well, you are one of my players, and I played in the same competition years ago. I'm sure the standard is better than when I was playing."

Walking into the changing room and seeing my jersey hanging there again was one cathartic moment. After changing into my training kit, we headed out onto the field to warm up, going through the motions as we warmed up our bodies, the usual pre-match drills that got us co-ordinated. Returning to the changing room, putting on my jersey had me smiling, Graham standing next to me, noticing the look on my face.

"You won't be grinning when you're tackled the first time," he said, laughing away.

Running out with the team felt good, the adrenaline already flowing as I took a moment to listen to the roar of the crowd. The coach had given me one hell of a game to make my comeback, as we'd be playing the Parramatta Eels, our most bitter rivals except for the Penrith Panthers. When the Eels players ran out, the booing was intense. The Eels were looking at finals footy already. The Rangers were having their best season in a decade though that only meant they'd won more games this season than in the past three. The hope was the team would avoid the wooden spoon for a fourth consecutive season.

The Eels kicked off and I was in position to receive the ball, handing it off to one of our second rowers for the first hit up. We played simple footy to the fifth tackle, making metres before I kicked the ball downfield. And that was how the first thirty minutes of the game passed, constant back and forth as both teams tried to pierce the defensive line. The Eels scored first, a try out by the sideline, though it was converted. At half-time, they were six-nil up.

The coach was happy enough with our performance, but took me aside, told me to take the game by the scruff of the neck. "Don't overthink it, kid. Play your natural game. Let the ball do the work. Organise your troops. They'll do what you need."

We scored within five minutes of returning to the field, a perfectly weighted grubber kick into their in-goal. Their full-back messed up trying to put the ball out, one of our centres leaping into the spinning ball. After the conversation, the game was all tied up.

The Eels hit back with three tries in fifteen minutes. It knocked the absolute stuffing out of us, as we barely got our hands on the ball. Mistakes started to happen. Handling errors. Bad passes. Missed tackles. We were doing our best but the Eels were just better. Another converted try ten minutes from time ended the game as an effective contest. Our heads had dropped and the full-time siren couldn't come early enough.

We trudged off the field having been well and truly beaten. It was a chastening experience, particularly after the sort of game I'd played on my debut, and I had been performing well the game I was injured in. This game? I just had no answers to what the opposition had. Their defence was just too good, and with the ball, they made us look ordinary.

The changing room was quiet as we sat alone with our thoughts. The coach came in after a few minutes. I was expecting him to let rip, but while he offered a few truths about our performance, he said that for seventy minutes, we never gave up. He wasn't happy that we let our heads drop in the last ten, but it was the first time he'd seen it all season. Last season, it happened nearly every game once the team was a few points behind.

Arriving back at the clubhouse, the bus ride had been rather quiet. Mum and my sisters were waiting for me, as was Kim. She hugged me immediately. "You played well," she said.

"You're being rather nice, Kim. I was utter shite. Just couldn't get anything going all game."

"The lone try was good. Perfect kick," Mum suggested as we headed her car.

"One of the few times we got near their line. The only decent thing all game was my kicking. At least we made them earn each try, but constant defending just drains energy."

The car ride was mostly silent, staring out the window, away with my thoughts. Mostly thinking about points in the game when I could have done something differently. More than once, I slapped my leg in frustration, thinking if I'd only done this, or only tried another approach, we might still have lost but not by the margin we did.

To make me feel better, Mum cooked one of my favourite meals that evening. Kim stayed for the night, enjoying the meal before going out of her way to ensure I was feeling better, snuggling up to me as we watched television before we finally made our way to bed. Sitting me on the edge of the bed once I was naked, she sat between my knees, smiling up at me. "I thought I only got this when we won a game?"

"Will a blowjob put a smile on your face?"

"Kim... You put a smile on my face ninety-nine percent of the time. But it just sucks. My first big chance and I just feel like I blew it."

I felt like a failure. Given my big chance and the team had been comprehensively beaten.

Kim stripped off and straddled my lap, kissing me softly. "Danny, trust me on this. I've watched a lot of footy and I can't remember the last time I didn't attend a home game of yours, whether for school or Rangers. You were one of the best players on the park tonight. You're kicking was awesome. But you should know well enough by now that this year was going to be difficult. The coach clearly has faith in you, so do your teammates. The opposition was just better today. You'll get another chance soon enough."

"Thanks, Kim. Nice to hear all that."

"Good. Now, still want that blowjob?"

"Only if I can return the favour afterwards."

"I'm expecting that plus your big cock to slide inside me."

"Definitely."

Kim had learned very quickly that she loved sucking cock, or she enjoyed sucking my cock, at least. She'd also learned the first time that she loved my cum. I'm not sure why. I've never been curious enough to taste my own, not because I think there's anything wrong with that, each to their own, just not interested. Anyway, Kim must have read online or had watched instructional videos, as she certainly knew how to get my motor running, and she'd get me to the brink of exploding, back off, then let the tension build again.

If, for whatever reason, we didn't end up together, the man she did end up with was going to be in for a hell of a time with her.

Once I'd cum in her mouth, and she'd eagerly swallowed every drop, including the dribbles down her chin, I laid her down and gave her entire body attention, so that by the time I ended up between her legs, her scent was driving me wild, and her pussy was leaking like crazy. Barely took a couple of minutes for her first orgasm, and I was happy to keep going until she was pleading for me to stop. Yes, she was enjoying it thoroughly but she just couldn't tolerate another one, at least for a few minutes.

Snuggling up as she relaxed, it wasn't a surprise that we both fell asleep before making love. Waking up first the next morning, I was desperate for a piss, though when I was leaving the bathroom, Kim was waiting on the other side of the door. Pushing me backwards, she suggested we needed a shower, and that while in the shower, I needed to fuck her before she went home.

She was so petite, I easily picked her up and slid my cock inside her. Pressing her against the wall, I made sure my feet were planted so I wouldn't slip, then gave Kim exactly what she wanted. I don't think she was worried about her orgasm, she just wanted to feel me cum in her. Finishing our shower after a good scrub, we returned to my bedroom to dress before joining the others in the kitchen for breakfast.

"Good shower?" Kyla asked, smirking away.

"We fell asleep last night so definitely needed one this morning," I replied.

Kim cuddled into my side before Mum served up the usual Sunday full English plate. After we finished eating, I walked Kim home as she had studies and work to complete. I had my own things to do, but we still spent five minutes making out before I finally let her go. That last smile before she walked inside was something else.

*****

We'd won the final match easily to make it into the pool stage. We passed through the pool stage undefeated. Six games, six victories. A couple of close matches against the team that finished second in the group, the other two teams were defeated with ease in both home and away matches. The quarter-final was a tough, tense match, but we scraped through with a ten-point victory. The excitement at school was now at fever pitch. The confidence in our team and expectation of us taking the whole championship may have overwhelmed some others, but we'd been to the final twice. As they often say, third time is the charm.

As for my professional team... Things had not gone well for a while. One win in ten matches, and we'd taken three significant defeats of more than thirty points. Any confidence in the team had long since disappeared. The coach was doing his best but it was difficult to keep spirits up when we were getting battered every weekend. He was giving me opportunities, at least. Started a couple of games at half-back, a couple of games at stand-off, and I was involved from the start in that lone win in ten. The only thing keeping us off the bottom was the fact the team still below us was in even worse form, with fewer wins than us all season.

My personal life was something else entirely. If my professional life was going downhill, my personal life was going great guns. In addition to enjoying time with my mother, my two sisters, Kim, Lisa and Miss Taylor, I'll be honest. I was also enjoying a little casual sex on the side. Stacy, who had been a good friend for years, confessed her attraction and wondered if I'd be interested in visiting her at home one afternoon. When I said I'd love to, I had to ask what had her finally asking. She admitted to talking to Kim, wondering if all the rumours were true. Kim was honest about everything.

We'd enjoyed more than one afternoon together since our first time. We knew it was something that would just be a bit of fun and wouldn't last, but like many, she understood I was enjoying my life after what happened with Rachel. At least I wasn't lying to anyone about what I was doing... Well, except for the fact I was sleeping with my mother and sister's. Everyone I slept with knew about any other lovers though.

There were also a couple of affairs with girls I'd been interested in over the years, whether just finding them physically attractive, but I also appreciated intelligence and a partner that I could enjoy a conversation with. I agreed with Kim to never do anything with her three closest friends, but she said anyone else was 'fair game'. There was this one shy girl I'd observed since she arrived at our school two years' prior, a cute girl by the name of Wendy.

I would always greet her when passing in the halls. I was left thinking she was almost painfully shy, as she'd smile and blush, whispering a greeting in return. It was the day before our semi-final when I was walking along by myself, and she was approaching me in the opposite direction. We were just about to pass each other when I came to a stop. Deep in thought, she only noticed me at the last moment.

"Are you coming to the game tomorrow night, Wendy?" I asked.

"Oh... um..."

I smiled at her hesitation, taking in her shoulder length brunette hair, those soulful brown eyes, the dimples at her cheeks, her cute little nose. The fact she was at least six inches shorter than me. Like Kim, she was what I'd call petite. I seemed to have a thing for shy but intelligent young women. We all wore a school uniform, but the skirt Wendy wore was at mid-thigh. Positively scandalous, showing off a pair of great legs. Her shirt was tight to her slim build, showing off a pair of small but delectable mounds on her chest.

I also knew she never missed a game for school, and Kim told me she would come watch my Rangers games. She had a couple of friends but didn't sit with everyone else. I could sense she liked me so I thought biting the bullet would just help her out. "What are you doing after school today?"

"Um... I'll go home and do some coursework."

"Why don't you come around mine and we can study together? We're in the same history and geography classes. We'll definitely have homework for both of those."

"I don't know..." What surprised me was her taking my hand. "I like you, Danny, but I also know what's going on with you. You're handsome. You're confident without lurching into arrogance. And there's no doubt every girl in our year group would love to hear that question asked of them. I know you like me in return as well. But I won't just be another one of your girl's, almost just another conquest, another notch on your bedpost."

"Shit... I'm sorry, Wendy. I certainly wouldn't want you to feel like that."

She smiled at me. "Look, girls obviously talk. I haven't heard a bad word said. Kim is honest about your relationship, but you want my advice? It's obvious she loves you, and your feelings are obvious for her in return. I talk to her sometimes and have asked about what is going on between you two. Your arrangement isn't exactly unique, but I know I'd feel guilty sleeping with you." She paused before adding softly, "And I would love to, Danny. But not like this."

I hugged her immediately. "And now you know why I invited you around, Wendy."

Hugging me back, she rested her head against my chest. "I know we don't talk all the time, Danny, but I will be your friend. And I promise I'll always be at the stadium for your games. Haven't missed one all season."

"Why don't you come around to work together? And I mean just work. Nothing else. And if any rumours start, I'll make sure they're quashed."

"Just homework?"

"Scout's honour."

She kissed my cheek. "Hmmm. So you're leaving it up to me to resist you then?"

"Apart from Kim, you're the smartest person in our year, Wendy. At least talking with you will prove interesting." She blushed again. "And you're very pretty too."

"Okay, I'm going to keep walking now, Danny. A girl can only receive so many compliments before her face starts to burn due to blushing. I'll meet you at your car after school." She took a couple of steps away before she stopped and turned. "Danny, never think I disprove of your lifestyle. After what she did to you, and the way she did it, I'm not surprised that you're just living your best life. Every girl you've been with has been nothing but gushing in their praise. You make all of us feel special. You have a big heart and clearly have a lot of love to give. Anyone who shares time with you is very lucky indeed."

"I only sleep with those who I think are special, Wendy. I actually haven't slept with that many girls at all."

"I know. I'll see you later, Danny."

Driving Wendy home after school later that afternoon, I led her into the kitchen instead of my bedroom, spreading our books and notes over the table, and once I had a drink and some snacks for us, we got down to work. We spent a couple of hours working and talking. There was no doubting she was a little nervous when arriving, but she slowly relaxed. I learned she had an utterly delightful laugh, so I made sure I made her do that as often as possible. We were still working when the family started to return home.

"Oh, and who is this?" Mum asked.

"Mum, this is Wendy. Wendy, this is my mother, Lauren. My sister's, Kyla and Aimee, should be home soon enough."

"Is Wendy staying for dinner, Danny?"

"Would you like to stay, Wendy?"

"Oh... um... Sure, I'd love to. I'll just need to let my mother know."

As Wendy walked into the living room to make the call, Mum leaned in to kiss my cheek. "I can see she's already delightful, and very pretty, Danny," she whispered.

"We're not doing anything other than homework, Mum."

"Good. Sometimes, you don't need to just leap into sex. What about Kim?"

"I told her, of course. She likes Wendy. I think she might have had a word with her too."

Introducing her to my sister's was amusing. I'm sure they were thinking we'd already been in my bedroom, and therefore I'd receive questions later. Wendy remained for dinner, no surprise my family asked her a few questions. There was no missing her intelligence, Mum certainly enjoying the conversation considering how smart my mother is. Hell, I felt like a dunce compared to the four women around me.

Driving Wendy home after we'd finished dinner, she only lived a short five minute drive away. Parking up outside her house, we had that awkward moment when we want to say goodbye and unsure if we just part with some words, add a hug, or if we go with a kiss. Wendy decided for me, leaning over and pressing her lips against mine. We then enjoyed quite a steamy make-out session. She could definitely kiss, that's for damned sure.

"Wow," I finally stated once she pulled back.

"I'm not leaping into bed with you, Danny. I know you like me, that's obvious to me. And I feel the same way. I know you date so I would like you to..." She sighed. "Saying earn me sounds like I can be 'won' somehow. But as I said, I don't..."

"I'm playing on Saturday. Why don't we go out afterwards?"

"So a date?"

"Yes. I take Kim on dates. I take Lisa on dates." I wasn't going to mention Miss Taylor, who I still spent time with around once a week, nor my family, who had my affections easily at hand.

"I know about Lisa. Everyone loves her at school. So helpful and friendly. Definitely pretty too."