Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
GENTLE BY LEXI JAYDE
Sienna drives me to the football field, inevitably making me feel like I’m being dropped off for the first day of school.
I am fully capable of driving myself. But the thought of being behind the wheel right now with my nerves seems like it would be not only a danger to me, but to everyone else on the road, and innocent pedestrians as well.
I look at the stadium in front of me, my stomach turning.
I would have turned myself around and gone home had I driven myself here.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” My thoughts are on Bellamy, and the thought of proving myself to coach and the rest of the boys. I barely slept last night thinking about it.
“As long as you don’t do it in my car, and don’t puke in front of the team, I think that’s a normal thing to feel,” She slightly chuckles.
“I didn’t tell him I was coming back. I didn’t text him once while I was home, I didn’t even know what to say. I just feel so much when it comes to Bellamy. I can’t put it into words,” I tell her.
“I know, but it’s not about Bellamy right now.
It’s about summer sessions and wrapping the players, and learning from professionals.
And doing it before the scouts show up, and before the coach has your head for being late, so go.
Worry about your stupid jock later,” Sienna physically shoves my shoulder and I groan.
“What if I-”
“I swear to god if you say you’re not going to go I will physically drag you to the field by your hair. Get. Out,” She raises her eyebrows and I know just how serious she is.
Memories replay in my head from when I was going to tell Bellamy I would do the list. How we had a similar conversation before that. I sigh.
“Fine,” I grab my things, a giant duffle bag of supplies, and my phone as well.
“Tell me how things go when you’re home. I’ll be over asap if you need me, alright?” She asks and I nod as I climb out of the car.
Sienna drives away and I take a deep breath, heading to the steps and down them toward the players who are already on the field warming up.
“There you are, Hart. I thought you were going to be late,” Coach Corbin says when he sees me.
I saw in the football forum on social media that they made the coach pull younger sports medicine students.
They get to take notes and observe all summer.
I wish that was a thing when I was their age.
I see the bright eyed upcoming sophomores and juniors.
Then I see Bellamy’s head turn at the mention of my name.
I keep my eyes on the coach, not looking over to Bell right away. My stomach is in knots.
“On my first day? I wouldn’t even think of it,” There’s a wide smile on my face.
It’s forced, but the coach doesn’t know that. He doesn’t need to know that. I’m only forcing it because of how nervous I am. I’m forcing it because if I don’t smile I might puke on the field in front of everyone. I can’t fuck this up.
“Set up on the side near the benches. I see you brought your things, but there are more over there. This is Tamara and Danica. They’ll be teaching you for the entire season,” He motions to the two beautiful women standing on the sidelines.
They wave to me.
“Boys! Get wrapped now!” The coach calls and they listen instantly, a few boys heading toward where I’m walking to.
“I’m Danica. Coach Corbin told me that you have a very good eye, and you’ve worked hard. I’ll do the first few, and then you can jump in after if you feel comfortable,” She instructs.
I nod, letting her start. Parker Thompson smiles at me, and I give him a thumbs up as she wraps him.
Parker has light facial hair and it’s perfectly managed.
His hair is a dusty brown color, and a curled mess, but it fits well with his light green eyes.
He looks so excited, and I can only imagine the anxiety he’s feeling.
Danica is perfect, and precise in the way she moves.
I want to be just like that. I watch for a few more players, and then she steps to the side.
“I’ll be just over here if you need me. I think you’ve got it from here, but if you have any questions just shout,” She tells me.
“Thank you, Danica,” I smile at the pretty woman, and she goes to the other woman, Tamara, and both of them get set up.
Lawson is first in line now, and he smiles at me, his blonde hair flat on his head for once because it’s going to go under a helmet.
“Glad to see you here,” He sits himself down on the bench.
“I’m glad to be here,” My words are truthful.
I’m glad I’m not missing this opportunity. I’ll be more glad when my nerves subside.
“He didn’t know you were coming back,” He says and I know he’s talking about Bellamy.
“I didn’t tell him. I wasn’t sure if I should, especially before summer sessions,” I start wrapping his ankle, crouching down in front of him, doing what I know how to do best.
Lawson is good at reading people. I can tell by the way he’s reading me right now.
“You have nothing to worry about. Bellamy cares. I promise you he does. I’ve never seen him like he was this past week. He barely left his room.”
I instantly feel guilty. I know that wasn’t Lawson’s intention. He never has bad intentions especially when it comes to Bellamy. But I still feel bad. I hate knowing Bellamy was hurting.
“I’m sorry,” I don’t know why that’s my first response, but it is and Lawson is shaking his head.
“You don’t have to be. You came back. He was going to blame himself if you turned this opportunity down. We’re all just glad you’re here.”
I stretch his ankle, looking up at him.
“Does that feel fine?”
“Feels perfect,” He says and I stand fully. “Thanks, Hart,” He gives me another big smile, and I smile back, turning around toward the other players, and right away I’m faced with Bellamy who stands further back.
He’s wearing a SPU tank top, his arms beautifully displayed to me.
I look at him as he walks toward me, the other players staying back, and waiting their turn.
He approaches without a word, my stomach tight and warm, full of swarming butterflies.
He passes me and brushes against me as he does, every nerve in my body shooting every way at the simple touch.
Bell sits down, and I hold out my hands to him, knowing he’ll need his right wrist wrapped first, his throwing hand.
“Hi...” He calls and I feel my stomach sink at the sound of his voice.
“Hi,” I peer up at him, my eyes catching him.
He watches me intently as I touch his hands, my chest feeling so constricted I feel like my next breath might hurt.
My heart is in my throat, and my hands are starting to sweat.
I wrap his hand, my eyes focusing on it hard, not daring to look up at him.
I think this is the only time since getting close to Bellamy I’ve chosen to stare at his hands over his face.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” He breaks the silence again and I shake my head.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world… I couldn't just leave,” I look at him, and I speak more about him than football, and I think he knows that.
He smiles slightly, my stomach dropping again at the sight of his dimple carving into his cheek.
“I’m glad you’re here,” He squeezes my hand tight.
I smile back at him, the tension in my body tighter than it’s ever been. He’s not giving me any insight into how he’s feeling or what he’s thinking. He wanted me back. I know that. But I don’t know what to expect off of the field.
I hesitate before crouching down to wrap his ankles. He watches me carefully as I do it, my fingers brushing his legs as I begin to do my job. I wrap each ankle of his, feeling more nervous than I ever have to wrap a player. I finish, and he flexes his muscles. He stands, stretching himself out.
I keep my spot in front of him, and I take his hand once more, wrapping each finger, protecting every single one from injury.
I can feel his eyes burning into me as I touch him, and I feel myself burning up at the thought of him looking at me the way he does.
I move to his other side and look at the intricate birds tattooed on his hand, my heart beating faster at the sight.
It looks good. He looks so fucking good, and touching him, even if it’s small. It feels just as good.
“Thank you.”
Our chests touch, and my eyes swiftly look into his.
He’s smiling, and incredibly confident as he takes my shoulders and moves around me.
I feel relief, tension leaving my body the second he’s no longer in my bubble.
The next player moves forward, and I get to work.
I notice Tamara, and Danica, my mentors and teachers both getting to work on other players.
I should be focusing, and I am. I notice their techniques as they work closely next to me, and I take them into my work.
I do a good job, but my mind is on Bellamy Archer the entire time.
The boys start their warmups, and they’re all completely in it. I’m always excited to watch from the sidelines, but I’m practically giddy watching this team. I’m excited to finally be on the sidelines for football. I watch each player carefully as they run their drills.
It’s odd seeing all of them without Griff.
He leaves soon for the NFL which I know must be one of the most exciting things.
Parker Thompson is the wide receiver that’s moved into Griff’s spotlight position, and he’s good.
Really good. He’s a year younger than Bell and I.
He’s been on the team since his freshman year.
He got some playing time but not much because of Griff.
Parker is meshing with Bell, really well.
Bellamy moves, and so does Parker. They’re going to be a good team on the field next year.