The Recruit by Fiona Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

collection!
    ‘Oh, is that from Taylor? I can tell, you’ve got that dreamy smile you only reserve for him.’
    Jaz tried to frown.
    ‘Well while you deal with Taylor, I’m gonna go surf the net. Tell him I said hi.’
    And within a few seconds Anna was already opening screens and infiltrating stuff far beyond Jaz’s knowledge.
    ‘Okay, master at work. I’ll see ya after I’ve cleaned the toilets.’ Jaz opened the door and walked towards the storage cupboard while looking at Taylor’s text. She was trying to think of something witty to reply, something to impress. Good luck trying to do that, she thought. She collected gloves and the blue toilet blocks ready to spend the next half hour scrubbing toilet bowls. In the end she sent him a picture of the urinal with her scrubbing brush in view and texted.
    Wanna come help me?
    Ha ha, you’re so funny!
    Jaz glanced to Ryan. His arms rippled with muscles as he did chin-ups, the motion smooth as if he was weightless. Yes, she was procrastinating. With a sigh she tore her eyes away and went to work.

Chapter 6
    ‘So are you nervous?’ whispered Taylor as he came up behind Jaz. She jumped a little, but Taylor’s smooth voice instantly set her body at ease. His shoulder touched hers as they watched the crowd moving into the school gym to find seating on the stands.
    ‘Hmm, so many people.’
    ‘You’ll be okay, Jaz. Stick with me and you’ll be right.’
    ‘Well let’s go see Anna before I get changed. She’s got a front row seat cos, get this, she doesn’t want to miss any of the action,’ said Jaz.
    ‘She’s a funny one. I think she’s played too many of those fighting computer games,’ said Taylor, cracking up.
    ‘Tell me about it.’
    Together they walked further into the gym to the grandstand on their left. Anna was at the end, saw them and waved frantically, scooting across the bench seat to make room for them.
    ‘How much did you pay for these seats, Anna?’ asked Taylor with a chuckle as they sat down.
    ‘Nothing, I just got here early that’s all.’ They both gave her a funny look. ‘Besides when your two best friends are going to win, it is well worth the effort.’
    ‘Ah, team Aramis can win!’ said Taylor impersonating coach Belmore, causing both girls to laugh.
    ‘My bet is on Taylor to win, no offence Jaz, but you’re like, nearly the only girl in the competition,’ said Anna glancing across the room. ‘Oh, besides that large girl for the other team with the short hair, who I only just realised was a girl.’
    ‘Don’t count Jaz out, Anna. She is nimble and quick and she serves my arse on a plate to me at training more often than not.’
    Jaz felt her cheeks glowing from Taylor’s praise.
    ‘Alright ladies, as team captain I better head off before Coach starts calling me over the PA. Catch ya in the rooms, Jaz,’ Taylor said before pointing his finger and waving it like a sword, just like Coach Belmore does at training.
    ‘What a tosser.’ Jaz laughed as Taylor walked away, past the large crowds, his head high.
    ‘Yeah right, and you’d shag him any day,’ said Anna bumping her shoulder against Jaz’s. Jaz didn’t have to reply, Anna’s words were true.
    Anna’s hand latched onto her arm and squeezed. ‘OMG, Jaz. It’s the hunk of spunk,’ squealed Anna as quietly as she could before putting her arm up and waving frantically.
    God, had she not taught this girl subtlety. Jaz snapped her head in the direction Anna was waving. ‘Oh! What’s he doing here?’ It was him, the one with the scarred body.
    ‘Maybe he’s a scout, you know, come to recruit people for national teams and stuff.’
    ‘Anna, I think you watch too many movies,’ said Jaz.
    Ryan lifted his arm in a wave when he got closer, causing his shirt to ride above his pants. Hard muscle.
    ‘Hey, Jaz. And Anna?’ he said.
    Jaz could feel Anna mouthing the words ‘he remembered my name’ behind her before Anna stood up and held out her hand.
    ‘Hi