Chapter 14
It wouldn’t be good for my hard-ass coach rep
I stretched while I waited for Melinda to join me. In my defense, it was only six fifteen. After our talk last night, I did what she said and made lists in my head until I couldn’t keep my mind active and fell into a deep slumber.
“And I thought I would be the first one here,” a voice said from behind me.
I pivoted to come face to face with Melinda wearing black running tights molded to her strong legs, a matching fleece, her brown hair tied in a high ponytail, and a pink headband covering her ears.
We were dressed almost identically minus the headband that I had replaced with a knitted hat.
My body reacted at the sight of her, tightening everywhere.
Even dressed like this, I found her sexy as hell.
The crisp morning breeze did nothing to cool down the hot-as-lava blood circulating through my veins.
I jumped on the spot, stretching my neck and rolling my shoulders back, trying to show my body I was the one in command.
“You’re up early, Mase.”
“Always ready, Shepard.” I winked before morphing into coach mode.
“From now on, until the end of the five-mile loop, you can call me Coach Pierce. I’ll get your blood pumping, your pits sweating, and your glutes aching.
” I lowered my tone and dropped the act.
“Unless you tell me five miles is too much and you’d prefer walking instead of running. ”
Her smile was a permanent fixture on her face now. “Nah. All good. I tested myself on the treadmill yesterday, and I can keep up. I’m ready to go when you are, Coach.”
I nodded. “That’s the spirit. Let’s stretch a bit, and then we’ll walk for half a mile so you can warm up. The last thing you need is to hurt yourself by diving back into your training too soon.”
“Okay.”
For the next five minutes, we stretched, silence heavy between us. I caught Melinda ogling me a few times, and I returned the favor.
I jogged in place. “Shepard, you good to go?”
“When you are.”
After a short walk, I switched the pace to a light jog.
Melinda kept up with me. The huffs of her breaths, the sound of our footsteps, and the thumps of my overexcited heart were all I could hear.
We ran down the street, crossed the park at the end, circled the pond, and took the walkway bordering the river, before slowing back to a jog as we neared our street.
Melinda bent forward, her palms resting on her knees, gasping for air.
“You did great, Shepard. It was your first training in weeks.” I held out my hand, and we high-fived. “Wanna ride together to school?”
“Nah. You have that game tonight, and it’s easier if I take my own car. Thanks for the offer, though.”
I shrugged as if it were no big deal. “We could stick to jogging all weekend and start some weight training next week during lunch hour and alternate with yoga. What do you say?”
“Should work for me.”
“Awesome.” We strolled back home, stretching as we did. We stopped in front of her house. “I’m proud of you, Shepard.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I removed my beanie and raked my fingers through my hair. “Listen, I thought about what you said last night...about things I can control and things I have no control over.”
She stayed immobile, waiting for me to continue.
“I think I can focus on that.” I closed my eyes and breathed in before bringing my attention back to her. “Can I tell you something I’ve never told anybody else?”
“Always. Your secret is safe with me.”
I motioned for her to sit on the lawn, and I plopped down next to her.
“It’s my right shoulder. It’s been bothering me for a while.
I lied to my mom last night and said it wasn’t, but it’s stiff.
” I rolled it back as if to make the statement true.
“Stiffer than usual. I haven’t told Coach yet because I’m hopeful that if I rest and ice it enough and stretch it properly, it will heal.
I’m not sure if it’s something I can control or not, you know.
I have no idea in which column it belongs. ”
Her small hand enveloped mine and stayed there.
“If I go to the doctor, they’ll order a bunch of tests and force me to rest. The team needs me. Most of the guys are senior. I can’t risk messing with their last year. Football season doesn’t last long.”
I flipped my palm over and knitted my fingers through hers.
“Do you feel like you should seek medical advice?” Melinda asked after a minute.
“Yes and no. I can’t let my teammates down. Right now, it’s what matters the most.”
“Mase?”
I lifted my gaze to hers.
“Promise me something. If you don’t see a doctor now, as soon as the season is over, you’ll go and get your shoulder checked. Don’t put your future in jeopardy for a high school championship or your pride.”
I chewed on my inner cheek. “Fine.”
Her lips tilted up. “We have a deal.” She pointed behind her. “I gotta go if I don’t wanna be late for school. See you later.” She unlinked our fingers but kept her palm on mine. A little burst of electricity transferred from her hand to mine, and I held my breath.
What would she do if I kissed her? Would she slap me, indulge me, or run away from me?
I wasn’t ready to find out. I squeezed her hand, the small touch easing the racing thoughts invading my mind.
Then I remembered Melinda was going to the dance with Landon the following night, and my infatuation died.
I stood and did a few knee-to-chest glute stretches, Melinda following my lead.
“We’ll go for six miles on Sunday morning.
Let’s say nine o’clock. Don’t get to bed too late on Saturday night.
” I was being a jerk, but somehow, I couldn’t help myself.
I knew she was going to the homecoming dance and wouldn’t be home before midnight.
Melinda’s hand shot to her chest. “Wow, Coach, you’re letting me sleep in the morning. How generous of you.”
“You’re my favorite athlete, so please don’t scream for everyone to hear that I gave you a free pass. It wouldn’t be good for my hard-ass coach rep.”
“Noted.” But then reality seemed to dawn on her. “But tomorrow night is—”
“Yeah, but I have plans on Sunday.”
“Oh…okay.”
Her smile dipped, and I felt bad for being such a jealous asshole and an entitled jerk. Something was clearly wrong with me. “We can postpone and start over on Monday.”
She shook her head. “Nah, it’s fine. I need this, so I’ll make it work.”
I closed the distance between us. “I don’t want you to overdo it or not rest long enough and exhaust yourself. We can go for a run later on Sunday instead.”
“No, morning is fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. And don’t forget you’re already letting me sleep in. I’ll be ready at nine. Are you still ditching the dance?”
“Yes. Not going.”
“Oh, okay. Have a great game tonight.”
“Thanks, Shepard.”