Chapter 13
Islide into the passenger seat of Noah’s car, my gym bag at my feet. The equipment box is safely ensconced in the back seat, and I eventually let Noah help me carry it there without freaking out again. My stomach is a bundle of nerves, but I try to play it cool.
After kissing me, he’d simply left the room, and neither of us have brought it up again. It’s almost as if I imagined it. And now, here we are, a new day. It’s clear he doesn’t intend to bring it up, and there’s no way I can let my focus be derailed by one—okay, two—roommate kisses.
“Ready for day one, captain?” Noah asks, flashing me a grin as he pulls out of the parking lot.
“Assistant captain. And as ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, letting out a shaky laugh. Get it together, Dylan. I’m still blown away that the club has taken a chance on me, let alone in a leadership role like this. It feels like everything I’ve ever dreamed of is all finally starting to happen.
Noah goes on about how stoked he is for the leadership program, even if some of the exercises sound a bit fluffy.
My thoughts drift as I stare out the window, psyching myself up. It’s cute that he’s excited, but I need to get my head in the game. This is my chance to prove I’ve got what it takes. No more bench warming or politics blocking my path.
“Earth to Dylan?” Noah’s voice breaks through my inner pep talk.
“Huh? Oh yeah, sorry,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush. “Just getting in the zone. I heard there’s some woo-woo stuff too, but I’m into that.”
Noah chuckles. “Let me guess—crystals, vision boards, sage smudging?”
“You know it,” I say with a dramatic sigh. “I’m a total woo girl.”
The other rugby girls used to make fun of me for it, but they shut up a little after I bought them each a custom crystal and they started seeing the results a tiny bit of what manifestation can do if you put your mind to it.
Noah shakes his head, amused. As he pulls into the parking lot, I feel a nervous thrill run through me. This is my time to shine.
“So what’s the deal with Jayden?” I can’t help but ask, trying to sound casual as we walk into the training center. Clearly, I’m not very good at compartmentalizing, but I just can’t let this go. “Does he always blow hot and cold like this, or is it just me?”
Noah holds the door open for me. “Nah, don’t take it personally. Jayden’s just kind of territorial in general. He likes his space.”
“Yeah, I got that vibe when he practically bit my head off for touching his precious kitchen tools this morning,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Not like the kitchen was spotless to begin with. Which made it worse. It’s not like you can mess up a mess. He complained because I put the spatula face down.”
Noah laughs. “See what I mean? Total diva when it comes to his cooking domain. But he’ll warm up to you, eventually.”
I nod, reassured. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive—this is a fresh start, and I can’t let past drama cloud things.
Noah gives me an encouraging pat on the back. “You’ve got this, Dylan. Forget about Jayden and his nitpicking. Remember why you’re here. Go show them what you’ve got.”
With renewed confidence, I head into the training room, ready to prove my worth. Noah’s right —I can’t let Jayden or anyone else shake me. It’s time I take my destiny into my own hands.
I take a seat on the floor next to some of my new teammates, feeling their curious eyes on me. I know I’m the new girl, the unknown entity, but I’m determined to show them I belong here.
As the instructor starts leading us through a series of yoga poses and breathing exercises, I feel myself relaxing into the movements, the stress of the past few weeks melting away. This may look like woo-woo nonsense to some of the guys, but I can already feel it centering me, getting me in the zone.
It’s hard to lead a group when you’re flustered and all over the place in your own mind. Putting your own emergency mask on before helping others, and all that.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Noah across the room, contorting his tall frame into awkward yoga positions. He looks utterly ridiculous and I have to stifle a laugh.
He catches me watching him and winks dramatically, nearly toppling over in the process.
I shake my head and turn my focus back to my own breathing, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. For a rugby player, especially one of his size, he’s actually quite bendy.
It’s when he contorts his body into happy baby pose that I finally lose my shit, earning a stern look from the instructor when I laugh so hard I snort and end up doubled over on the floor.
This huge man, his bulging, muscular thighs squeezed against his chest, desperately trying to wrap his fingers around his pinky toes but not quite making it. He’s flailing around like an ant that’s fallen on its back and can’t get up.
Unable to help myself, I discreetly whip out my phone and take a brief video to share with the other guys later. All’s fair in love and roommate war.
Maybe this captain training program won’t be so bad after all. With classmates like Noah lightening the mood, I might even enjoy myself.