CHAPTER ELEVEN
SCARLETT
I pull up Coach’s email, scrolling to find his phone number. Typing his number into my phone, I press the call button and hold it to my ear. After two rings, I hear a gruff, “Hello,” on the other end of the line.
“Hey, Coach Johnson. I’m sorry to call you so out of the blue... I’m sure you’re busy…” Fuck, am I even doing the right thing here?
“Scarlett, that’s quite alright. Can I help you with anything?”
I sigh, “Yeah, you see, it’s just about Levi. He never showed.”
There’s a pause before Coach speaks, “What do you mean? He never came for his session?”
“Unfortunately not,” I start. “There’s a lot of issues. He refuses to respect my practice, he shows up late or not at all, he won’t listen to my cues. It’s just not working out. I think you should find someone else that can connect with him better.”
“No, Scarlett, please. We need you. He needs you. He’s taken a huge hit mentally since the injury. Let me figure something out. I’ll raise your pay. Just give me a chance to fix this.” He pleads.
I’m unsure. “Coach… I don’t know. Are you sure that I’m really what he needs?”
“I’m positive. Come into the office at nine tomorrow morning. I’ll have a solution. And please, call me Warren.”
“I’ll be there, Warren.”
…
I arrive a good fifteen minutes early, gradually gaining curiosity of what Warren’s idea is. I really don’t see how this is going to work. Like, at all.
I walk through the facility, keeping my pace brisk to get to his office and get this conversation out of the way.
Upon arriving at the office door, I see none other than Levi sitting outside. Stopping in front of the door, I knock, hearing a faint, “Come in.”
As I enter, the office looks just as chaotic as the first time I was here. The wooden desk, covered with paperwork, trophies lining the shelves from the years of success this team has had.
Warren’s sitting back in his chair as I enter, running a hand through his wavy brown hair as he scours his laptop.
He’s young for a coach, probably mid to late thirties.
Though, as it stands now, he looks like he’s aged a few years – probably due to the stress of none other than Levi Carter.
He glances up, meeting my eyes he stands to greet me with a handshake, “Scarlett, thank you so much for coming in.”
“It’s no problem at all,” I reply, taking a seat across from him.
Warren leans forward, onto the desk interlacing his fingers.
“Firstly,” He trails off, thinking over his words before continuing, “I’m really sorry about Levi. I know he’s really struggling with his injury and he’s taking it out on you during your sessions.”
I offer a small smile, shrugging softly as he continues, “And we feel that we’ve come up with a solution.”
Nodding, I urge him to continue. To see what plan he thinks will really work to get Carter on board.
“I think we need to…” He waves his hands, searching for the words, “Let’s say, get Levi out of his comfort zone.”
My brows draw together, confused. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Levi is too comfortable here. He feels as though he has more options regarding his recovery here. But to be honest with you Scarlett, Sloane and I think that this is what’s best for him. We’re not ready for him to give up on it yet. He needs this as much mentally as he does physically.”
I nod, taking a second to process what Warren is saying. “So, what did you have in mind?”
Warren turns his laptop around to face me, a holiday rental open in front of me and my eyes snap back up to his.
“You…” I trail off, at a loss for words. “What?”
“I know,” He starts, “I know that this is probably confusing and out of nowhere. But I've spoken to your superior, Grace, and you’re cleared to take this on if you’re comfortable doing so. And we’ll also raise your pay for the time you’re out there.”
Warren looks hopeful as I contemplate my options.
“Where is the house?”
“Lake Chelan. It’s a beautiful area, and the house is gorgeous. Definitely large enough that you and Levi won’t need to spend any more time together than you need to.”
I consider my options. I really don’t see a solid reason why I shouldn’t take this on. It’s more money, more experience in the field of rehab, and a good opportunity to put Levi Carter in his place.
“I’ll take it on. I’ll go to the lake house.”
A grin breaks out on Warren’s face. “Amazing. Let me go get Levi.”
Warren stands, walking to open the door and call Levi in before coming to sit back down.
I feel Levi enter, his eyes burning into the back of my head, though I don’t turn to meet his gaze.
“Take a seat, Carter.” Warren says as he closes his laptop, placing it to the side.
Levi’s long strides eat up the distance before he takes a seat in the chair beside me.
Sitting down, he leans back in the chair, legs widening slightly.
The bare skin of his knee brushes against mine, goosebumps immediately breaking out on my skin.
I squeeze my legs together, moving so they are facing away from him.
Peaking a quick glance at Levi, I notice a small smirk pulling at his lips. Almost like he knows the effect that touch had on me.
“Now,” Warren starts, looking straight at Levi, “It’s been brought to my attention that things haven’t quite been working out with this arrangement.”
Levi’s head snaps toward me, “What did you say to him?”
I flick my eyes over before Warren speaks up, “Settle, Levi. You didn’t show up. This is on you.”
Levi rolled his eyes, turning his head back to Warren, “So this torture is over then, is it?”
Warren studies us both for a quick second before speaking, “Actually, we’ve come up with a solution. I think it would be perfect for you both to…” he trails off, almost contemplating, “Let’s just say, get away from the city.”
Levi glances toward me. I keep my eyes ahead, refusing to give him any kind of attention right now. He looks back to Warren. “Okay, and what exactly does that mean, Coach?”
“It has been decided that you both are to go on a retreat. Get away from the real world and focus on connecting. I think you both need to bond with one another.”
Levi immediately stands to his feet to argue with Warren, “There’s absolutely no way.” He shakes his head, “No, you can’t make us do this.”
Warren clenches his jaw slightly, “I absolutely can,” he starts, “If you want back on the ice next season, Levi, you are to go on this retreat.” He looks over to me, “Miss Quinn has already agreed to the terms. This is what it’s going to take if you want back on the ice next season, Carter.”
Levi’s eyes widen, his mouth making an ‘O’ shape. “But Coach…”
Warren cuts him off, “There’s a beautiful place in Lake Chelan that I have rented for the two of you, and there will be a room set up with the equipment you need to continue your rehabilitation.
You will be leaving Monday morning.” He looks over to Levi, “You need to rest your shoulder, so Scarlett will be driving the both of you.”
That’s only three days away.
I sigh. Five hours alone in the car with Levi Carter. I look over to contemplate him for a second. Lord, give me patience.
…
LEVI
I’m glaring at Coach. There’s no way he can just send us away like this. I need to stay in Seattle. I have too many people relying on me here. Gigi is here.
“Alright,” Coach sighs, “You both are dismissed. Call or email me if you have anything further that you’d like to discuss. I’ll see you both when you’re back.”
Scarlett stands. “Thank you so much, Warren. I’ll see you around.”
I stay seated, waiting until Scarlett leaves, closing the door behind her.
“Coach, please. Please don’t make me go,” I practically beg.
It’s bad enough that I had to do Pilates sessions with Scarlett in Seattle, but now we’re going to be stuck together? Living together?
Coach gives me a knowing look. “Levi, trust me. This is what is best for you. Should anything happen that requires you to come home, you know I would never deny you that. But I do expect you to give this a real shot. She will be good for you.”
Mentally, I can feel myself being pulled in two directions. Part of me understands this is necessary to get back to full strength and be good for the coming season, but the other part of me really stresses at the idea of having to leave. Seattle is comfortable for me. And I like being comfortable.
Coach notices my distress and speaks up, “Carter, I promise you, I am here to support you through whatever you need. The team needs you back on the ice. You’re doing this for them."
I feel myself starting to give in.
My resistance gives, “Okay… fine, but Coach, I’m telling you. One sign that I’m needed here and I’m coming home.”
Coach nods slightly, “This will be good for you, Levi.” He says as he hands over Scarlett’s number, “Be good to her.”
Yeah, we’ll see about that.