“If I’m okay with it? I’m more than okay. Yes, please!” I almost jumped.
He laughed for a second, but he wasn’t one to veer off-course much. “Glad you’re pleased. I’ll let you know what they say. Now for today, head to the field and be on call for any minor injuries. Taping fingers, stretching out sore muscles. This requires you to be prepared for anything and make quick decisions. Radio me if its serious or if you’re worried.”
“You got it.”
I clipped the radio to my belt, secured my fanny pack of supplies, and headed down to the field. The defense coaching staff stood in a huddle, their hats on and sunglasses shielding their faces. They were an intimidating bunch. The head of defense used to play for the 49ers for a few years before and still carried the swag of a pro-baller.
Without meaning to, my gaze sought out Callum. It was too easy at this point. He wore a practice jersey, padded up, and stood off near the coaches with his hands on his hips. His face glistened from sweat. Being a defensive end meant he packed on muscles but stayed trim. His biceps bulged in his cutoff shirt, and holy damn.
He laughed at something someone said, and the sound caused a warm sensation deep in my gut. He was always so happy, and it was contagious. But seeing him on the field, the place where he felt the most at home? There was something romantic about it.
“Emerson, right?” The assistant defensive coach asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Charming said he has some discomfort in his left arm. You mind taking a look?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
Ignoring the pain in my legs, I jogged toward the side where one of the biggest, toughest, scariest dudes I had ever seen stood with a frown. The guy’s name was Princeton Charming. His real name. The name his parents chose to give him.
I honestly loved it because he seemed more beastly than prince with his beard and size and hair. He wasn’t unattractive, but his size and scowl were off-putting. He typically played nose tackle and did it extremely well. “Charming,” I said, making him glance up at me. “Hi, I’m Ivy. I’m one of the trainers here. Let me see your shoulder.”
“It hurts.” He sighed as I neared. He smelled of sweat, athletic gear, and mint? It was an odd combination. He stood at least a foot taller than me, but I reached up to touch his shoulder. It was a common injury for defensive linemen. With all the physical contact and brute strength, they needed constant care.
I poked gently around his rotator cuff, watching his reaction. He didn’t wince. I tried again, waiting for the pain to hit him. “This feels okay when I touch here?”
He nodded.
“Stretch your arm out all the way for me?” I watched as he held his left arm out like a scarecrow. His brows furrowed at the gesture. “Rotate it like a windmill?”
He did and groaned. “Come on, what the fuck?”
“Seems like a sprain.” I placed both hands on the shoulder, asking him to move again. “Tender too. When did you notice the pain?”
“Charming.” A familiar voice interrupted us. “If you wanted to be touched, you just had to say something.”
“Fuck off, O’Toole.” The large guy laughed. “Your pretty face isn’t helpful right now.”
“I beg to differ.” Callum stood next to me, almost too close. He also smelled like sweat and leather, but his leftover cologne lingered, a mouthwatering, intriguing scent.
Not the time.
Don’t cross a boundary.
“O’Toole, don’t you have practice? Leave us be,” I said, refusing to look at him. I focused on Charming’s shoulder. He’d need ice and rest, which I knew he’d be angry about.
“Ivy Lee, you need to improve your bedside manner.”
“My manner is just fine with the guy I’m working with,” I sassed back, a smile almost on my lips. “Okay, Charming, we need to get you iced and resting.”
“No. We’re playing Indiana this weekend. I can’t sit that shit out.” He paled, like I told him football wasn’t a sport anymore.
“I’m not saying that. I don’t have the authority to tell you that. I’m saying that your shoulder is strained right now. It could be from not icing enough or doing thorough stretching. Did you do your normal routine today?”
He winced. “No. I rushed through a few.”
I tilted me head with atold you soface. “That’ll do it. You can’t do that again. I know you’re young and invincible, but your body remembers this stuff. You have to make time to take care of it.”
