Opening Night was an experience unlike any other. It’s the first night that we appear with the opposing team.
We’re all wearing gray track suits. The only difference is the suits. Ours sport our Wolves logo and the Squall’s sport their logo of a stylized storm cloud.
The moment the lights hit is like walking into the sun after being in a dark movie theater. It’s not an arena; it’s a convention hall in Los Angeles lit by the flashbulbs of a thousand cameras, echoing with a roar that rivals The Den, only this time, it’s manufactured noise, something they can control for the cameras.
I stand on the podium, bolted to the floor like a carnival prize, and I’m instantly surrounded by a sea of microphones. There are so many reporters asking various questions in rapid fire. One asks me what I think about the Squalls’ defense and then, without missing a beat, another one is asking me what I plan to wear to the post-game party. A guy in a gold sequined helmet is asking me if I believe in aliens. To which I respond yes, because they are out there.
I try to focus on my media training and the advice that Coach gave. “Keep it vague, keep it respectful. Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let it show.” He quoted Elsa even to drive home his point, when the man quotes Disney you know it’s serious.
I take a sip of water and look over and see Ty in the middle of an interview, he’s racing some reality star to see who can finish their cotton candy first. His job is to be entertaining. I’m the wise old captain.
Lucky me.
I’m counting down the minutes until I get to go back to the hotel. I do my best to remain professional even when Kirk Williams comes for blood when he finally gets to ask a question. I channel my inner Elsa and answer his question with all the poise and grace of the former queen of Arendelle.
I duck under the velvet rope and find Ty, DJ and Cameron waiting for me. We’re finally leaving the chaos that is Opening Night.
“What the fuck is wrong with Williams?!” Ty seethes. “Insinuating that you don’t have the loyalty of the team, only because you had a public break up! What a fucking dick!”
“The reporter who followed up after him looked like she wanted to murder him on your behalf.” Cam comments.
I’m mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted from that circus. I sigh deeply. “I miss Elle.”
“I know you do bud.” Ty grins patting my shoulder.
“I didn’t realize I said that out loud.”
“You did man, and honestly it was cute as hell.” DJ laughs. “Go back to the room and call your girl. Hearing her voice will do more for you than anything thisfacility has to offer.”
He’s right. I look at the clock and sigh; Elle is either asleep or getting ready to fall asleep. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to try to hear her voice.
Hearing Elle’s voice even though she was barely conscious, relaxes me enough that I’m finally able to fall asleep after being keyed up all evening.
???
The rest of the week goes by in a blur of practices, meetings and mandatory media appearances. The only spot that remains in clear focus as I’m doing my pre-game warm up is the moment when I finally got to see Elle.
She was waiting for me in the family suite of the hotel. The moment she saw me, she rushed over her body crashing into mine. Her scent surrounded me, bringing back some comfort I desperately needed. I just held her, ducking so my chin could rest on the top of her head, breathing her in.
When we finally separated, she traced her thumb over my face, right below my eyes. You look like you’ve been run over by a truck,” she observed, her expression tender. “But you look fast.”
I smiled then, a real one, because she always knows exactly what to say. “I feel fast. And hungry. What did you bring me?”
“Do NOT tell Coach.” She said as she pulled out her contraband. Two cinnamon rolls. Neatly packaged in clear to go containers.
“Are these… Are these what I think they are?”
“Nana Jones’ recipe.” She grinned at me.
The screaming in my hamstrings snaps me back to reality as I continue to stretch out with the resistance band. I finish my static stretches and begin the dynamic stretches. Next comes the drills.
I’m as loose and ready as I will ever be. I find myself jumping in place, shaking out my arms.
Coach beckons us, it’s time. I suit up ready to hit the field one last time this season.
Chapter 60
Elle
