Chapter 62 Athletes & Heating Pads
Athletes I have leadership skills. Let me use them in this capacity. I’ll help however you need, Coach. I’m only looking for a chance.”
He rubs at the scruff on his face and sighs deeply. “All right. We’ll do a thirty-day trial run, and then we’ll schedule a formal meeting to check in. Sound good?”
“Sounds great!” I say. I can’t believe that worked.
“You can start after the Vimer Invitational next week. You know that means you won’t get one last chance to compete before it’s over, right?”
A prickling sensation shoots up my spine and into my ears. It is emotional, but I also know this is the right decision. I’m ready. I wouldn’t have come to Coach like this if I weren’t.
“I know, Coach. Thank you.”
“All right, don’t get too mushy on me now.”
“I won’t,” I say with a laugh.
When I’m nearly out the door, he adds, “It’s important to follow your heart, kid. And seems like that’s what yer doin’. I can’t fault ya that.”
“I appreciate it.” I tip my head, and then I’m gone.
When I leave the familiar fog of chlorine and exit the natatorium, I’m met with sunshine. I take a deep breath, letting the nerves that settled in before this meeting fully wash away. I’m making strides to take control of my life, and it feels damn good.
I want to tell Maize, but I hesitate for a second. I’m still not sure how she feels about me after how we left things Saturday. We’ve texted, but it’s been casual.
I won’t know unless I try, though, so I pick up the phone to call her. It rings and rings until I get her voicemail. Huh. She isn’t in class right now. Wonder what she could be up to. I hope nothing happened.
Probably best if I stop by her room, just in case.
Angie answers the door with a smile on her face. “Your man’s here!” she shouts back into the room before scooching past me. “I’ll leave you in his capable hands.” She eyes me briefly. “And see you after class!”
I hear a low rumble from inside the room, but nothing cohesive. At least Maize is here. I worked myself up for nothing.
As I step in, Angie closes the door behind me. Maize is lying in her bed, curled up like a fetus. She looks pale.
“Are you sick?” I quickly close the space until I’m standing over her, my eyes scanning for signs of harm.
She cracks an eye open, then shuts it. “Hi,” she says. “I got my period, and for some reason, it’s a really bad one. I’ve been here since this morning. It’ll pass soon, though; it’s fine.”
I look around like I can fight the offending entity that’s causing her body pain, but I know that’s illogical. “What can I get you?” I ask as softly as I can, brushing her hair back from her face. “Tell me how to help.”
She blinks up at me, but quickly shuts her eyes hard. Her forehead scrunches. Her voice is pained as she says, “Uh, you could grab my heating pad for me. It’s in a box in the closet.”
“On it.” I stalk to her closet and rummage carefully until I find a blue heating pad with a white cord.
I plug it into the nearest outlet by her bed and gently place it in her awaiting hands.
She shifts to adjust it correctly, and some of the tension from her shoulders falls.
Mine do the same. I don’t like feeling helpless when the woman I love is in pain.
I’ll have to make note of her cycle. Get ahead of it next time.
Lavish her with snacks and back rubs and whatever else she could need. Maybe she needs two heating pads.
I’m ripped from my thoughts when she says, “I’m happy you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, love.” It rolls off my tongue before I can take it back. It’s the name I saved in my phone the night I told her I loved her, but I haven’t dared to say it out loud.
She isn’t alarmed, though. Instead, she tugs at my hand. “Will you cuddle me? The pressure helps.”
I toe off my shoes and climb into her bed without a second thought, careful not to jostle her too much. I wrap my arm gingerly around her, putting pressure where she directs me. She lets out a contented sigh. I think we’re going to be just fine.