Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
~MAC~
My weekend is setting up to be a quiet one.
I want to make sure I get some training in today.
The team is on their own for lower-body high-volume lifting.
I plan on heading to my session with the team trainer.
I opted for individual today, as opposed to group.
I think Danny is coming to watch me train and get more information for the article.
Apparently, he’s actually going to ask me some questions.
He’s been lurking around the team and me for a few days now—ever since we spent the night together.
We’ve had a few conversations but nothing extensive and nothing too private. I’m not sure if he’s worried about being alone with me or if he’s just playing it cool. I glance down at the text he just sent.
Danny: I’ll see you at training today. We can grab coffee afterward. It’s time to ask you some questions.
I smile at it. I can read the playfulness in his message.
Mac: Are you going to actually work or are you going to watch me do all the work?
I snicker as I send him the text message. Let’s see what he thinks of that.
Danny: I thought it was pretty balanced.
I shake my head. Sure, it was. Truth to be told, it probably was.
I just like giving him a hard time. It’s like part of our foreplay or something.
Or maybe it’s just how we communicate. Either way, I don’t see either of us being able to have a serious conversation for too long.
We managed that one time after the article got assigned, but I chalk that up to him being extra nice to me because he was afraid of how I would react to being interviewed.
After grabbing my water bottle and running shoes, I leave my apartment and get ready to head to the gym.
I give it one last look before I head out.
It could really use some sprucing up in here.
Pictures or something that says that I live here.
I haven’t done much to it. I remember that Cassie’s apartment has pictures all over it.
I haven’t bothered to make this place look too much like home.
Hendrix has teased that it’s because it’s work.
She’s not entirely wrong. I pause for a second longer at the door and shrug.
I’m not sure what anyone would think of this place.
Or what Danny would think when he saw it.
Thinking back to Danny’s place, I remember seeing pictures of him with teammates and family as I was leaving that day.
He had some Sports Illustrated covers blown up into posters framed on the wall.
There was a display of medals and trophies, but I didn’t dare walk over and check that out.
I was too worried about getting the fuck out of there.
Getting caught with Danny was not on my list of things to have happen to me.
The team is under enough scrutiny, and I am under enough pressure.
I don’t need to add sleeping with the man who was assigned to interview to that list.
I make my way toward the gym, which thankfully isn’t too far from where the team lives.
Cromwell would have a fit if he found out about Danny and me.
Danny may not work for him, but I know enough about the type of power that man wields to know it wouldn’t end well for Danny. Or for me, for that matter.
I arrive at the gym and shake off all the thoughts that have been consuming me lately.
It’s time to focus on getting stronger or maintaining my strength.
Or some bullshit that Lucas is always saying to me.
I only half pay attention to him because he talks a lot while I lift.
I like silence in the gym. I typically wear headphones to drown out the noise.
It helps put me in the zone so I can get to work.
Lucas is finishing up working with the midfielders. Cassie, Jess, Marci, Kelly, and Kristy are covered in sweat while they chug down some water. Lucas is standing there talking at them, and I’m not sure anyone is listening to him.
“Hey, Cap,” Jess calls out when she sees me standing there, waiting for my turn.
I wave. “Hey, Jess. How was your workout?”
“Great. He worked us hard, but I think it will help. I think it’ll make me more explosive off the start.”
She rambles on about a few other things, and I just smile and nod.
I wanna tell her to stop, but I don’t want to sound like a bitch.
Jess is always so nervous around me. Like it’s not our first year in the NWSL together.
Like we haven’t just been thrown into this experience.
I’m just the unlucky one who gets to be called captain.
“Sounds like I’m in for it too,” I say.
“Alright, Mac, you’re all mine,” Lucas says, walking over to me with a huge grin on his face. “Because you wanted to do this session alone, you’re really gonna have to work.”
I nod, internally rolling my eyes. I’ve learned that you don’t roll your eyes in front of Lucas, or he’ll make you do push-ups. And I’m not in the mood to start out my session with push-ups.
“Danny is going to be joining us at some point,” Lucas tells me in a low voice once all of the other girls have walked away.
I nod. “I know. Thanks for not announcing it.”
“Well, everyone ran away so fast, but yeah, I don’t want to announce it if you’re not keen on him joining us,” he says with a shrug.
“They disappear so fast because they don’t want you to give them more work to do,” I tease him.
“I know I’m tough, but I’m just trying to make sure everyone is prepared,” he defends.
“Oh, we’ll be prepared. You don’t need to have these sessions two days a week, though. We need to hit the field too.”
“You just prefer the pitch to the gym,” he throws back.
“I do. It quiets me.”
“The gym can be quieting too, you know.”
“It would be if you ever shut up,” I tease him, hoping it doesn’t backfire, and he’ll make me do push-ups or burpees—anything he knows I hate.
“Eh, what can I say? I like to talk,” he says with a chuckle.
I smile warmly at him. I might like to tease Lucas, but he’s a good guy. He’s been a good friend and trainer since I got to Tampa, always pumping me up and making sure I’m prepared for the work on the field. He likes to keep us on our toes, which I appreciate.
I’ve always liked being pushed. Even when I was in college and we were supposed to be on rest days, I would sneak into the field house and do some light footwork or yoga—anything to keep my body moving.
Lucas seems to understand that and tailors my workouts to make sure I feel like I’m being pushed.
It’s another reason I booked my workout alone today.
I wanted to make sure that no one else on the team could hold me back from a hard one.
Lifting isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I wanted to avoid pushing them if they weren’t looking for that.
“Let’s stretch and I’ll see if I can keep my yapping to a minimum,” he teases, leading me through some stretches.
Once I’m all loose and ready, we start with medicine ball squats.
“Make sure you’re really sinking into the squat,” Lucas corrects.
“I hate that you make me do squats. They’ve always been my least favorite,” I grumble.
And that’s all it takes to turn my quiet workout into a reminder about the importance of squats and how they help build up the muscles in the legs. He’s still talking about it when I move on to barbell back squats.
My leg muscles are burning in the best way. The sweat is really starting to pour as the weight I’m squatting is made heavier and heavier. It’s then that Danny makes an appearance.
“She lifts heavy,” he says on approach.
“What, are you surprised girls can lift too?”
“No, not at all. Just making an observation.” He steps closer so that our chests are almost touching. “You forget, I’ve seen every inch of your body. I know you’re strong.”
My breath hitches at his words. I’m sure he hears it.
“And you know what?” he asks. “I kinda love it.”
I flush and step back a bit, almost tripping over the towel that Lucas keeps handy so I can wipe the sweat from my hands.
“You good?” Lucas asks, noticing the misstep but missing the whole conversation between Danny and I. Thank god. He turns to Danny. “So, Danny, are you going to write something flattering about our girl here, or are you going to be mean?”
Danny chuckles. “Of course I’ll be nice. I don’t think Cromwell would have let me do it if I wasn’t going to be. Plus, I think it helps that I’m spending some time with the team and Mac. Helps me write a better article, with some actual facts.”
“Good. I can’t wait to read it,” Lucas tells him as he adds more weight. “Let’s see if you can squat this.”
I nod, making sure to keep my back straight as my legs move up and down, lifting the heavy weight. That’s the thing about soccer players—we have strong legs and need to be challenged. Lucas gets that, and he loves to challenge me.
“Impressive,” Danny says.
I don’t even bother to look at the number, but judging from the weight, I would say he’s added ten more pounds.
“So, your old man used to play ball, huh?” Lucas asks.
“Yeah,” Danny replies coolly. “But that was a long time ago. Everything that could be said about it has been said.”
“Sorry, dude. Didn’t realize that was a sore subject.”
“Nah, you're good. It’s just not my favorite thing to talk about,” Danny replies.
We make eye contact for a second. I give him a small smile, trying to look encouraging because I know he hates it when people ask about his dad. He just winks in return.
“You spend a lot of time in the gym as a swimmer?” Lucas asks.
That’s the question that changes Danny’s entire demeanor. His face lights up and I love it. He points around the gym, showing Lucas the machines he used to use.
“Lifting days were some of my favorites. Sure, the pool time was my favorite time, like Mac with the soccer field.”
“I remember watching you,” Lucas tells him. “You were amazing. I was sorry to see you were injured. That must have been tough.”
Danny nods. “Thanks. It was. But isn’t that the way it goes in the sports world? If we can’t play anymore, we find a way to be around the sports. Or the sport that we love.”
“Yeah, I used to play football. But one too many concussions ended that for me. Now I just train.”
I never knew that about Lucas. I want to say something, but I just keep my mouth shut since he’s having a moment with Danny.
“Sorry to hear that. But I’m glad you found something you love or a way to be around sports. It’s kinda like me and writing. I love going to the games and the competitions. It’s not the same as being in the pool and doesn’t give me that same rush, but it sure does help.”
He nods. “Yeah, I can’t imagine much of a rush if you’re writing.”
Danny chuckles. “No, not much of a rush. Do you ever train the Bucs?”
That was his dad’s team. I’m surprised he brought him up considering his comment earlier.
“I did, yeah,” Lucas admits. “But then Mr. Cromwell asked me to come and train the Blaze, so here I am.”
“Here you are,” Danny replies.
“Am I going to be part of this article?” Lucas asks him, setting up some dumbbells for me. “Come on, overhead press time.”
“I thought I was only doing lower body today?” I whine.
“Don’t worry, you’re going to be doing them on an incline, so there’s your lower body.” Lucas shakes his head. “This one works hard but likes to keep me on my toes.”
Danny nods. “Yeah, she’s a grade A pain in the ass.”
“Oh really?” I shoot Danny a knowing glare, but he just laughs at me. “Well, lucky for you, you get to spend more time with me because you have to interview me.”
“At least maybe Lucas can tire you out a bit, and then you won’t be as spunky when I have to ask you questions.”
“Ha. She’s always spunky,” Lucas tells him.
Danny is straight out grinning at me. If Lucas notices, he doesn’t say a word. “I like her spunky.”
I lie back on the bench so that I continue on with my workout.
“You gotta pick up the pace here, Mac. This man is making you move a bit slower today. I’m going to fall behind schedule.” Lucas glances at his watch as he tells me this.
“Then maybe you two should stop yammering like a bunch of schoolgirls,” I tease him.
“I thought you liked it quiet when you worked out. Look at you running your mouth,” Lucas fires back.
I just shake my head and keep moving through my sets. I keep quiet the rest of my work, while Danny and Lucas bond. They talk a little bit about the football players he used to train, but Lucas doesn’t bring up Danny’s father again.
When my workout wraps, I turn to Danny. “I just need to head over to the locker room and change, then we can go.”
He nods. “I think there’s a Starbucks nearby.”
I shake my head. “That won’t work. Weren’t you an athlete? I need more than coffee after that workout. How about Tropical Smoothie?”
“There’s a diner close. What if we went there? I think they have egg white omelets or something?”
“Not much of a smoothie kinda guy, huh?”
Danny chuckles. “No, not really.”
“Fine, egg white omelets it is.”
“Thank you,” he says, tapping me on my nose. “Now move your sweaty butt.”
“Sir, yes sir.” I say with a giggle, walking over to the locker room. I steal one last glance in his direction to see that he’s watching me and smiling.