Chapter 4 Reagan
FOUR
REAGAN
It’s been a couple of weeks since school started, and I've established a good routine. My morning usually starts with a run. It’s raining today, so I came to the basketball facility. Coach gave me access, and it is so much easier than fighting people for a machine at the student rec center.
I think what I love most about running is that it clears my mind. I have my music and the rhythm of my feet, and that’s it. No stress, no worries, just me. It hits the reset button, and I need that sometimes.
I hit stop on the treadmill when I reach three miles and accept the call on my phone with a huge smile.
“Big Mack! It’s been too long.”
“Oh my goodness, she is alive!” Mack says, and we both start laughing.
Mackenzie Banks is my bestie. We didn’t attend the same high school, but we met at summer camp when we were in middle school and just clicked. Her family lives a few towns over, so we spent a lot of time together growing up.
“I’m so sorry. Things have been hectic with school starting and preparing for the season. How are you? How is Trey?”
Mack followed her hockey-playing boyfriend, Trey, to the West Coast for college, so we don’t see each other much. I miss her something fierce and was a little surprised when she went so far away for school. She’s happy, though, and that’s all I care about.
“I get it. Things are crazy here too. I’m starting student teaching this week, and I’m a nervous wreck. Who would have thought twenty-five first graders would terrify me? It’s insane how fast these four years have gone, you know? I’m not ready for the real world.”
“You are going to be amazing! Those kids are lucky to have you. Miss Banks is going to be the talk of the school. Truly, you’re an incredible teacher.”
“Thank you, bestie.” A short silence follows.
“And how is Trey?” I ask her again.
“Oh, um, yeah, we’re good. Mostly. He’s busy with hockey and all that comes along with it. We haven’t had a lot of time together lately. But we’re okay.”
Trey and Mackenzie started dating when we were freshmen in high school.
They have one of those childhood sweethearts, love-of-a-lifetime stories.
But the past few years have proven difficult as Trey becomes a college superstar and transitions into the NHL for a professional career.
He receives a great deal of attention from brands, social media, and, of course, jersey-chasing females.
They are sticking through it together, but I don’t know how she does it.
“I’m sorry, Mack. Anything you need to talk about?” I can tell she’s holding back.
“I just worry, you know? He’s going to the NHL, and I’m going to be a teacher. He is going to be a celebrity, and I’ll be in front of twenty kids every day. We’re drifting apart, and I’m scared. He tells me I’m being crazy, but I have a weird feeling about it. Something is just a little off.”
And there it is. She’s feeling insecure, and dating an athlete can make that worse—at least that’s what I’ve seen with her and Trey. In the past, he’s been so good about reassuring her.
“Don’t ignore your feelings. Talk to him. Just know you are more than enough for Trey. He loves you, and you love him. You are beautiful, intelligent, and have a heart of gold! You go to every home hockey game and have moved across the country to support his dream.”
“Thanks, Rea. I needed to hear that. I’m sure we will work through it. We always do.” She sounds relieved, like what I said gave her permission to take a deep breath for the first time in a while.
“Always! I love you, and I miss you so much…”
My words stop as I watch Riggs walk into the gym. Did I mention shirtless? My brain is mush. All I can see is him, and by him, I mean his abs. I start counting, 1, 2, 3 …. my word, there are eight! I think I’m going to melt into a puddle on this treadmill. Death by shirtless basketball player.
Being the only two in the room, he walks over. “Hey, Sunshine.” And that voice, raspy and deep, does something to me.
I suddenly hear Mack. “Reagan, who is that?” Shoot. I’m not prepared to talk about him. Mack will not let it go until she gets every last detail.
“Sorry, I gotta go…”
“Reagan Elizabeth, is that a man?”
I don’t hear the rest because I end the call before my friend says anything else. I’ll be paying for that later.
“Hey, Riggs, I didn’t know you were here.” I do my best to keep my eyes on his, but he is looking at me so intensely that I can’t. And hello…abs.
He gives me a little smirk, and I’m done for. “Yeah. I like to get some shots up in the morning to start my day off right. Why are you in the team facility?”
His tone is curious but also a little rude. That arrogant basketball player stereotype flashes through my mind, so I give him a little attitude back. “Don’t worry, Jake said I can be here. He gave me my own key so I don’t have to deal with the student rec center.”
His eyebrows rise in amusement as he holds his hands up in front of him in surrender. “I wasn’t going to tattle on you. I just heard talking and wanted to make sure everything was okay. I’ll let you get back to it.”
He walks away, and before I can think, my mouth opens. “Do you want to shoot together? Maybe we can play PIG or something?” My cheeks go pink, and I immediately regret saying anything.
I can see questions in his eyes, and several emotions cross his face as he thinks about his decision. It’s almost as if he wants to, but he’s trying to find a way to say no. It’s odd and quite confusing.
Finally, with a little scowl, he says, “Fine. But I’m not taking it easy on you.”
I nod, giving him a sly smile. This guy has no idea who he’s messing with, and I can’t wait to shoot him right out of the gym.