Her Sensual Right Winger

The Lorgans

***five months earlier***

At the Brawny’s rugby team’s boardroom, Brian the Beast, known to many as Captain BB, was having a brief meeting with the team manager and not impressed.

“I just don’t get it, Sir. Why on earth are we getting a useless hooker we don’t need when there is a talented player out there?” Brian asked. He had patiently waited for this season to get another player on his team. He had even attended different university matches to discover new talent and was so excited when he found exactly what his team needed. He had meticulously compiled his report and sent his recommendations as the captain, only to be turned down.

Danny sighed, understanding his frustration and disappointment, but this was a board decision and above his payroll.

“Again, Brian, this was a tough decision, but a sponsor is more important. You want to get paid, don’t you?” he asked.

“We all want to get paid, Sir, but we also want competent players to enable us to win the league. I am telling you, Sir, Lamar Lorgan is the person we need to return to our winning ways. We have to secure a contract for him before the Stalwarts discover him, then we are doomed,” he urged.

Unlike the management, for the players, getting paid was important but winning the league was everything.

“I get you Brian, I really do, but with the budget we have, we could only take one player and it had to be the hooker,” Danny explained.

“A useless hooker?” Brian corrected.

“Yes, a hooker whose father sponsors the team and your paycheque,” Danny reminded him.

“This sucks!” Brian said, storming out. He would have to explain this to his team, who he knew would be really pissed. As is, the Stalwarts, their rival team, were gloating over them. Not only that, their international ratings were dropping because they had not won in over a year now, limiting any chances of getting lucrative international contracts.

***Leap university***

The following day, Lamar met his friends, Jerald and Don on his way to attend a lecture.

“Hey Lamar, why are you hiding the good news from us?” Jerald asked, excitedly.

Lamar looked at him, confused.

“Come on man, if Tim got a contract with the Brawny’s, you definitely got it too,” Don said with certainty, ready to celebrate. If there was anyone deserving of a contract with the big league teams, it was Lamar.

Lamar’s heart sank. He knew something his friends were not aware of. That was the Brawny’s only had one spot. If Tim was offered a contract, he definitely wouldn’t get it. He also knew that the Stalwarts had no budget to take in new players, which meant that he was doomed for the next six months and even then there were no guarantees.

“You didn’t,” Jerald said with a dejected tone, reading through his friend who was suddenly looking pale.

“How is this even possible? Tim did not even make the A team because he is a useless hooker. He only played for 2 minutes when Don got injured and messed that up as well,” Jerald ranted.

“His dad sponsors the Brawny’s. Money talks, I guess,”Don responded in a depressed tone.

“Sorry guys, I need to go and take care of something. I will cash up with you later,” Lamar said absentmindedly before turning around and returning to his flat. He was not a very emotional man and liked joking with everyone, but at that moment he felt like screaming his lungs out in frustration.

“He will be okay, right?” Jerald asked, watching Lamar disappear around the corner.

Don shrugged his shoulders. “I guess so, but he really needed this,” he said with a sigh. Lamar was from a poor background. His parents had no formal education and wanted him to work in the factory immediately after high school because they really needed the money at home. Lamar only managed to get to university because Prince Richard, who was the heir to the throne of Leap made education free, but that did not cover daily necessities like rent, food, toiletries and clothing. This meant Lamar had to do part time jobs while studying just to sustain himself and he did it without ever complaining.

“He deserved that contract, man. It’s just not fair,” Jerald complained, feeling sorry for his friend.

“Damn right he did! I won’t be supporting the Brawny’s anymore,” Don responded.

“Me neither. I’m cancelling my membership as of today,” Jerald said, angrily.

By the end of the week, the Leap university rugby fans, who were also Brawny’s fans, also decided to cancel their memberships with the team. The Brawny’s management noted the cancellations but that was not enough to get Lamar the contract he desperately needed.

A few minutes later, in Lamar’s flat, Lola was surprised to see Lamar back so soon. She was about to joke that he could not stay away from her when she noticed his sad facial expression.

“You did not get the contract,” she said softly, figuring it out. Lamar was hardly ever down, but he had been struggling with financial difficulties lately. The contract would solve his problems.

Lamar shook his head, confirming her statement and sinking her heart at the same time.

“I am so sorry, Love,” Lola said, embracing him. “We will figure this out, together,” she added. She knew just how much of his plans depended on that contract.

“I really needed this, Lola,” he said, sitting on the bed with his head down.

“I know, Love,” Lola responded. A contract with the Brawny’s would pay for everything Lamar wanted and more. He would not need to work part-time and focus fully on his studies.

Lamar shook his head. He had not told her everything that had been bothering him lately because he thought he had it under control, but it turned out that he didn’t. He really was the best player there was in the lower leagues, he was so confident that he would get the contract based on his performance on the field, but he had not thought of the connections he obviously did not have.

“Dad is not well, Lola. He can’t work anymore. He never believed in education to start with, but now he can’t support my mother and my siblings. He wants me to quit varsity and get a full-time job,” he explained with a melancholic voice.

“But you believe in education and you are almost done. You can’t quit, Lamar. This is your dream,” Lola said, her heart breaking for him.

“I know Lola, but I also can’t let my family starve,” he responded.

Lola looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew how much Lamar cared about his family and would do anything for them. His parents, their parents and grandparents were all factory workers who started working at the age of eighteen years old and never had a formal education. That was why Lamar’s parents were not so supportive of his studies and sport. They believed that it was all a waste of time and that he should join them at the factory and continue the family tradition. Lamar securing a contract with a big team and a salary would definitely change his parents' mentality, especially when they realise just how much players earn. That was not all. Lamar really needed the contract, not only for himself but for his younger sisters, whom, as things stood, would never attend university because they would never defy their parents like he did.

“Hey, don’t be sad, okay,” Lamar said, wiping the tears that were now rolling down Lola’s cheeks. This was another reason he did not tell her about all of this before. Unlike him, Lola was a very emotional and empathic person. He called her an emotional sponge because she really got affected by other people’s suffering. He even stopped her from watching the news or thriller movies because all the tragic stories made her so heartbroken and sometimes weeping.

“I will figure something out. I promise,” he said, forcing a smile.

Lola nodded. “We can send your family my allowance. It’s not much but it could help a bit and I don’t really need it,” she suggested. She was on a full-time scholarship that paid for her accommodation and food. Her parents were not rich but they were very supportive and sent her pocket money every month.

Lamar looked at her, truly touched. These were some of the reasons he loved Lola. She was not only gorgeous, but really kind too.

“Thanks Babe, but you know that I could never take your money. It’s just not right,” he said. He was poor but very proud and knew that Lola did need that money for toiletries. His consciousness would never allow him to take her money.

“Don’t worry, okay. I will put in extra hours at the coffee shop, will find another job to work on weekends or after hours,” he added, and that became his plan.

Three days later, Lamar was struggling to find a suitable job that would allow him to work and study at the same time. The coffee shop he worked in could not extend his hours. He was excited about finding work as a bouncer at the night club. His hefty body suited the task and the paycheque was really good, but he got fired after just two nights for interfering with customers.

On two occasions he had offended regular high-paying customers. The first night, he stopped a guy from taking an obviously waisted girl who had clearly turned down his advances earlier on when she was sober.

The second time, he stopped a man from drinking what he knew was spiked.

His job was to make sure that there was no trouble in the bar and forget about what was out there, but his conscience would not let him, no matter how much he needed the money.

“Look, Son, it’s a noble act, but I am running a business here. I need my customers to be happy for this business to work and right now, they are not. I’m afraid that bouncer work is just not for you,” the bar owner said when firing him.

Lamar knew that he was right but he was back to square one, except things back at home were worse. His father had gotten so very sick, his mother had to use all the money he sent to get him medical help, leaving them with no food in the house.

His heart was completely crushed when he visited his home and had a conversation with his nineteen and sixteen-year-old sisters.

“It’s good to see you, Brother,” Jenifer said, embracing her older brother.

“Hey Sis, where’s Zoey?” Lamar responded before looking around for his very active opinionated younger sister.

“Brother!” Zoey shouted, running to his arms.

“We watched you play the varsity league, you are so good!” Zoey shouted excitedly before her younger sister ran to close her mouth.

“Are you trying to get us banned from watching television?” Jenifer whispered, rebuking her talkative younger sister while checking to see if her parents were nearby.

“Sorry,” Zoey whispered back. In the excitement of seeing her brother, she forgot that they were banned from watching anything to do with their brother’s sports because their parents thought it was all a waste of time and a reason he would not get a full-time job.

“All the girls at school are talking about you. They even fight over you. It’s so funny. They won’t even listen when I tell them you have Lola,” Zoey continued whispering, but would forget halfway and speak louder.

“Shhhh!” Jenifer warned before pulling her brother outside. Getting Zoey to speak softly was a futile exercise.

Lamar laughed, he really missed his sisters but had avoided coming home to avoid having the same conversation with his parents about his choices they felt were selfish.

“I have thought of a way to keep you at university,” Jenifer said with a serious expression as soon as they were outside.

“You did?” Lamar asked, shocked.

“With father’s illness and mother looking after him full time, we are really struggling, but I don’t think our parent’s solution to take you out of university is a smart one,” Jenifer said.

“Oh?” Lamar responded, lifting his eyebrows.

Jenifer continued. “Our parents are indenial and not thinking ahead. Everywhere you look it’s the educated that are striving. You are already at university, you are the key to breaking this poverty chain. Let me fend for our family while you complete your degree and hopefully get the contract,” she suggested.

“How exactly will you manage to do that, Jen?” Lamar asked. The domestic work his sister was currently doing was not paying well at all and he felt guilty that her age mates were at university living carelessly while she worked and worried about where the next meal would come from.

Jenifer hesitated

“He won’t like it,” Zoey said with an ‘I told you so’ voice.

“What won’t I like?” Lamar asked.

“Do you remember Mr Peters?” Jenifer asked with a soft voice.

“What has that obnoxious pig done now?” Lamar asked sharply. There was no one in the world he despised more than that old man.

“He wants to marry me,” Jenifer responded quickly.

“No,” Lamar said firmly.

“He is wealthy and prepared to pay out a reasonable dowry, enough to keep the family afloat until you are done with your studies,” Jenifer explained.

She wanted to puke the first time the old man known to prey on young desperate girls approached her with his proposal. She even told him to go to hell, but she was reconsidering his proposal now that her family was really struggling.

“That’s not happening,” Lamar said decisively.

“Lamar,” Jenifer called her brother softly. She understood his reaction but the situation was really bad. There were days when they went to sleep with no food because there was nothing in the house.

“No, Jen. You are not going to marry that filthy bastard old enough to be your grandfather. I will figure something out. You will stay as far away from him as possible, do you hear me?” Lamar shouted, the idea of his sister talking to that abhorrent man making his blood boil.

“I told you that he would never agree to that,” Zoey said.

Jenifer nodded, blinking back her tears. Her brother hardly ever shouted at her.

“I am sorry, I did not mean to shout,” Lamar said, embracing his softhearted sister. “Let me worry about this, okay?” he added.

“Okay,” Jenifer responded, nodding her head.

She also did not want to be tied to a despicable old man but was forced to reconsider because she saw the struggles in her family.

“And you, Zoey, how are your studies?” Lamar asked his younger sister.

“Great. You know that I’m the best and the school’s top achiever,”Zoey said proudly.

“Good, because I plan on taking both of you to varsity when I finish,” Lamar said before going back into the house to have the uncomfortable conversation with his parents. After going back and forth for almost an hour about his son's refusal to stop studying and playing the useless sport, Mr Lorgan finally lost it with his son.

“I will have no choice but to marry Jenifer off to Mr Peters if you don't get your act together!” Mr Lorgan threatened. He knew how much his son loved his sister and decided to force his hand.

“Don’t you dare marry my sister off to that pig or anyone else, for that matter. I swear I will kill the groom with my own hands before they say ‘I do’ and you should be ashamed of yourself for using your daughter as a bargaining tool!” Lamar yelled with his fists clenched and his heart pounding.

He understood that his parents were desperate and frustrated, but using their children like that was just unacceptable in his eyes.

“Lamar Lorgan! What has gotten to you!” Mrs Lorgan exclaimed, shocked. Her son was always respectful and had never spoken to them in that way before. She blamed education for changing him and making him so defiant.

“I will get the money, just leave my sisters alone!” Lamar yelled before storming out.