I should be irritatedthat some Nighthawks are already objectifying me, but even I have to admit that the scene they’ve walked in on probably looks a bit unusual. From their vantage point, a strange woman is on her knees, in a tight skirt that’s hiked up, with her butt in the air in front of Darius. Definitely not the first impression I wanted to make. It would look completely different if I was in a team issued tracksuit.
“Damn, who is that Darius? That better not be your sister because I think I’m in love.”
Darius smiles at me as Scott makes the awkward introductions.
“She’s nobody’s sister, Hampton. She’s the new therapist here and you’ll pay her the respect of everyone else on staff,” Scott interjects firmly.
I think Scott and I are going to get along famously. He’s no nonsense and obviously well respected. I turn my head to introduce myself properly and am surprised to find that Rush is a quiet part of the group of players who are staring at me like I’m a ham sandwich. We lock eyes and my face brightens like a Christmas tree. I’m so glad to see his grumpy-cute face.
“Damn, Scott. We’re sorry. It was the pretty girl that threw us off. We didn’t know she was staff. Nice to meet you, Mia, we’re the tight ends on the team. I’m Barry Hampton, this is John Dixon, and this here is Rush Bacchetti.”
Rush’s face is rigid and silent.
Now that I think about it, things moved so fast and the two of us never discussed if I’m supposed to hide the fact that we are friends or what. I didn’t think keeping it from his teammates was even a consideration, but now that I’m seeing how distant he’s acting, I’m not so sure.
“Um, it’s really nice to meet you all too. I look forward to working with you.”
I realize I’ve had Darius’s leg stretched a little too long and slowly lower it back to the ground. Then I sit back on my heels as three more men walk into the room. One I recognize as the new quarterback of the team and the other I think is an offensive player that Rush has mentioned in passing named Tiger Samuels.
I attempt to stand to greet everyone properly, but am a bit wobbly as the mat gives underneath my weight, just as I feared. I have nothing to hold on to to stabilize myself, but Samuels notices right away and makes a beeline straight for me, offering me his hand to stand up.
“Want some help?”
“Oh, thank you.”
“I just overheard that you’re the new PT?”
I can already tell that Tiger Samuels has a way about him. He’s attractive, polite, chivalrous… and probably trouble. He has that All-American, I’m used to raising all sorts of hell look.
“Yes, I’m Mia.”
“Please to meet you. I’m Tiger Samuels. Beacher and I were working together on strengthening my back. I have an old injury in the lower region from high school ball that needs constant strengthening, so I expect we’ll work together at some point.”
Samuels gives Scott a look as if he’s asking for confirmation on that. Let’s add the word assertive to the list of Samuel’s way about him.
“This is her first day, Samuels. I haven’t updated the schedule.”
Rush is staring daggers at me or more specifically at Samuel’s hold of my arm, then he breaks his silence and approaches us both.
“Are you all right?”
My eyes widen in reproach. I warned him about this. I don’t want any unwanted attention paid to my knee, especially for my brand new boss to see.
“I’m fine.”
Samuels and the rest of the room look confused as they watch our interaction unfold.
“Do you two know each other?” Samuels asks.
“Yes,” Rush answers plainly with no other words for context.
“Oh.” Samuels immediately lets go of my arm and his face appears solemn.
“We’re friends from college,” Rush declares suddenly.
“Oh, you’re both Hurricanes?” Samuels asks.
“Yes.” I add my two cents to the narrative. “Hurricanes for life.”
