Nobody does.
Nineteen: Noah
I Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
I’m exhausted and missing Audrey, my performance all week has shown as much. My head hasn’t been in it. I head to our physical therapist again because I told the field manager I may have pulled a muscle in my back— even though it's a lie. But now he’s worried it will impact my playing this weekend.
I thought it might reassure him that I'll have my focus back in time for the weekend games. As nice as it feels to get my back muscles loosened up, I’m pretty sure physical therapists don’t put hearts back together—no matter how nice Daisy is.
“You’ve got a busy head, Noah,” Daisy assesses as she takes the heating pad off my back.
I chuckle. “That’s an understatement.” I’ve been waiting for Audrey to reach out, but she’s been radio silent. I can’t tell what that means, but I also don’t want to reach out in case she needs space.
Daisy gives me a warm smile. “I bet whoever has your head so busy has a pretty busy brain too.”
“Wishful thinking, Daisy. But I appreciate the sentiment.”
“Well, I may not be able to help ease your brain, but your throwing arm is well taken care of!” Daisy adds, patting my shoulder. “I’d say you’re good to go.”
“Thanks.”
Pointing at my heart, she adds, “As for this, I have a feeling it’ll sort itself out really soon.”
I sure hope so.
I’m excited to get to know Daisy a bit more, because Connor always brags about her giving great advice— and so far it’s proving true. I briefly thought he was interested in her last season but he reassured me he sees her as a little sister and that her daughter is adorable. He loves to help the two of them whenever possible. From what he tells me, Auddie loves them too.
Once I wave goodbye to Daisy and a few of the guys that are also in the work-out room, I collect my gear and head out into the hall, ready to go home and relax with my best friend. I need to be on my “A” game in Baltimore tomorrow evening, the last thing I want to happen is for them to bench me.
“Hey, Noah.” Kristen walks towards me with a tight dress on. I offer her a small smile, but don’t slow my pace as she adds, “What are you up to tonight?”
Shaking my head, I move past her, not in the mood for her over-the-top flirting. Ever since Audrey left on Sunday, it seems Kristen is at every turn.
She hasn’t been subtle and even her brother has started to get annoyed with her behavior.
“Just heading home, Adam was almost done with Daisy,” I tell her, trying to keep my tone friendly, even though she’s been getting on my nerves. “I’ll catch you later.”
“You want company?”
My feet stop moving and I cross my arms over my chest, letting out a frustrated sigh. “No, Kristen, I don’t. Okay?”
Her fingers trail my arm as she moves in front of me. “I hate to tell you, but I love a good chase.”
Words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them, “There is no chase. I’m taken.”
Kristen pouts at me before a slow smile creeps over her face. “We’ll see about that.”
“No, you really won’t.” Clenching my fists, I walk off before she says anything else.
When I get home Connor is watching a movie in the living room.
“What’s with the long face?”
I bite my tongue, silently responding with:your sister hasn’t spoken to me since she left and I’m sad about that.But out loud I say,“Kristen is really trying to sink her clawsinto me,” before grabbing Connor and I each a beer from the fridge.
“She’s giving stage-five clinger vibes, huh?” Connor comments, taking a beer from me.
I snort, before taking a sip of my drink. “Kind of. I told her I’m taken.”
