I wrote the outline for the next installment of my series. This one concentrated more on the crazy fans. I called Stub and she was happy to email me files of costumed antics complete with names and contact information so I could get permission to use their pictures.

I emailed Skylar to see how she was feeling. It was nice of her to offer assistance and I might need it.

Hi Skylar,

How is the mother to be? I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I hate that your incapacitation is my big break. You should know that a gig in a third world country with an infected water supply would be more to my liking. I'm not a sports fan, and even though I find myself enthralled with rugby, I'm more attracted to the man candy. And, oh God, I shouldn't say that. It's quite unprofessional of me, but I don't understand how you do it. I hope you get a laugh out of this. We leave Friday for my first away game and I'll be trapped on a bus with more testosterone than I'm comfortable with, poor me.

Cami

I reread the email and almost deleted it. For some odd reason I trusted Skylar. I also wanted to open the door to this line of discussion if what I suspected was true. I put a lot of thought into why I was here instead of a more seasoned reporter. I had a feeling that young and female might have been the qualifications for this assignment. The question was, why me? One of the more unappealing choices I'm sure.

I clicked the speed dial on my cell.

"What's up Ca-ca?" I smiled at Tyson's deplorable nickname for me.

"Not much Ty-ty," I grumbled.

He laughed. "Point taken, Cam. How's life in the big city?"

"I have no idea. I'm in Colt, Ohio, working a story."

"You got promoted. Congratulations, I knew it was only a matter of time before those idiots realized your talent was wasted in classifieds." He sounded happy enough to jump through the phone, which only made my smile bigger. I missed him so much.

I laughed at the joy of just hearing his voice. "Not so fast. I'm working a series of articles on rugby."

Dead silence-

"You- rugby?" There was actually a slight squeak on the word rugby.

Yeah, that about summed it up. I knew he would understand. "Me and rugby are tight," I teased.

"This is a joke, right?"

It was time to fess up. "I wish. The reporter assigned the case was placed on bed rest due to pregnancy complications and yours truly was sent in her place."

Again Tyson hesitated before replying, but I knew him. He liked to think things through. "Okay, so it's not the break you were looking for. You're still capable of giving them a story that will knock their socks off."

Here went nothing. "I slept with one of the team's owners, and I'm kinda sorta friends with his brother. They both play on the team too."

"What the fuck, Cam?" He answered his own question. "I take it they're built?"

"Understatement. Mr. Universe material. I'm an idiot and to top it off, I'm in a perpetual state of horny."

That got a laugh that continued much too long before he came back with, "Need me to fly in and offer some relief? I don't have the bulk, but I've learned a lot since we hooked up."

I gave a loud groan. "You have no idea how much I wanna take you up on that offer."

"Hot damn, you just made all my wet dreams come true." He exaggerated hot and heavy breathing for a few seconds before giving a sigh. "It's totally screwed up that I hear a but in this arrangement."

"Why did you go and mention your wet dreams? Ick. I don't need to know that and I hope I'm not part of them. I must find a way to control my own libido."

He grumbled a little and it sounded so sweet on him, not sexy at all. "You have always been a key factor in my wet dreams. That saidI've never understood why you don't go after what turns you on. For some reason you think you can change it. Wake up, Cam, and take control of your desire by giving into it. And don't give me any of that shit about dumb jocks. You can't keep your eyes off of them and I've been watching you try to do it for years. There are bound to be a few smart ones out there that would make good daddy material-"

I cut him off. "Wait a minute, who said anything about babies?"

"You just did. I only spoke of daddies and don't interrupt me, I'm just getting started. I've wanted to tell you this for entirely too long. Hell, I've fucked you, Cam. I know what you want and spent years hoping it was me. That is never happening. Stop screwing around and go after what gets your juices flowing."

He was so lucky we weren't having this conversation in person. "You know you're pissing me off. I know exactly what I want. I want a career in journalism. The last thing I need is my slutty behavior keeping me from my goal."

He grumbled again. "You've always had the tools to make your way to the top, and, yes, I mean your tits. Don't go all squeamish on me either. If you're going to fuck the key men in your story then you can just as well fuck your way up the ladder."

"You bastard." Everything inside of me deflated and I started crying. This was not why I called my best friend.

Tyson's voice went incredibly soft. "Exactly, Cam. You didn't just jump into bed with this guy because you like his pretty muscles. You care. Every guy you've ever been with, including me, was because you cared. I know you even if you don't understand yourself. You like this guy, so go after him. Fuck his brains out and either get him out of your system and move on or keep him."

I couldn't help the loud trembling breath that escaped. "He's a womanizing asshole and he made sure, after the fact, that I knew he only wanted me for one night."

"Ahhh, Cam. I'm sorry. You know I need to fly in and kick his ass now. No one treats my best friend that way."

A burst of laughter escaped through my tears. "I love you too."

I could feel Tyson's smile across the distance. "So what are you going to do? Does the brother have the hots for you?"

"I'm not sure. We're friends. He's a nice guy."

"Now I understand. Cam wants the bad boy."

"No. Yes. Crap, I don't know what I want." I really didn't. Joel turns me on too. Maybe it was the whole bad boy thing. What the hell was wrong with women anyway?

"Go after what you wanta man, the biggest break in your career, or both. I'm standing by to be your rebound fuck if that's what you need. Before you turn me down, you know it's no hardship. You're the one who wanted the friends-only relationship."

"You're making me sad again, Ty." If I had continued having sex with him, we wouldn't be friends now.

"I want you happy, Cam. Never forget that."

"Same here. Thanks."

"And Cami?"

Oh no, he was going to ruin everything again. "Yes."

"I can hear the change in your voice. I always knew someday you would bust out of your shell and leave the shit from your past behind. Whatever you do, don't let the brothers push you back again. Lift your head."

We hung up a few minutes later. I knew Tyson had crushed on me for a long time, but I thought it had faded. Boy was I wrong. Lift my head. Getting this assignment forced me to. I refused to take one step forward and two back. Ty was right; it was time for me to grow up.