Or at leasttryto be.
Chapter 8
Teagan
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel, my anxiety heightened as I pull onto the winding road that will take me to the ESA.
It’s my first day as an official teacher at the ESA, the place that shaped me into who I am. Home of the Wildcats. This place was my sanctuary as a kid. It’s where I got to learn and expand my gymnastics skills while meeting two of my best friends. Don’t get me wrong, I loved living with my grams and pops, but without this place, I don’t know where I’d be in life.
It gave me routine, discipline, and something to look forward to as a kid who was lost and angry all the time.
The winding road is about a mile long, and my mind drifts back to my weekend. To Baseball Guy.
God, he was…so different than what I’m used to.
Usually, my hookups are immature boys who are good-looking enough that I overlook it since it’s only for one night.
But Baseball Guy, he was aman.
He was confident while being honest about his nerves, something most won’t admit, hot without being cocky, and he couldkeep up with my quips and teasing. I wasn’t lying when I said in another lifetime, he would be the kind of guy I’d be into dating.
When I walked back into the bar, I told Kaya and Clara that I wanted to leave. I didn’t want to run into him again because I was worried things would be awkward, so we ordered a rideshare and went back to my condo for the rest of the night.
I told them what happened, their squeals and excitement not helping with the guilt that slowly started to fester since I left him in that car.
While I knew I made the right choice, it didn’t mean I didn’t feel bad for rejecting him.
My girls know how I am, though, and didn’t make me feel bad for not giving him a chance to explore anything between us. Instead, they were happy I had a good time, and we finished the night eating chips while we watched reality TV.
My car finally makes it to the end of the winding road, bringing me to the familiar wrought iron gates that keep this place secure. Which is essential seeing as many retired athletes work here, and fans who are crazy enough would try to get inside if there wasn’t this level of security put in place.
I pull up to the booth, my mouth dropping when I see who it is.
“Rocky?” I say in disbelief at the man sitting inside. It’s the same security booth worker who has been here since I attended the ESA.
“I’ve been waiting for you to get here. How are ya?” he asks, his voice raspier than it was the last time I was here six years ago.
“I’m in shock that I’m back here. It feels like forever ago.”
He chuckles, fixing his glasses on his nose. “I remember your grandma driving you here day in and day out until you could finally stay here full-time. I heard she and your grandpa passed. I’m so sorry.”
A pang of sadness blooms in my chest at the mention of their deaths. It’s been three years since they passed, but grief doesn’t have an end date. Sometimes when they’re brought up, it doesn’t affect me much, but with Rocky having known them and offering his condolences, it does.
“Thank you,” I croak, doing my best not to let a tear slip.
“You’re going to do great today, kid, don’t even sweat it,” he says, his tone assuring.
“Who says I’m nervous?” I play it off as being unbothered, but deep down his support right before I go in is exactly what I needed to hear.
Doing a job I’ve never done before in itself is a scary position, let alone one that involves me working with little and older, moody humans.
“You don’t have to say it. But you got this. If anyone acts up, tell them my wife will stop making the cookies that I leave in the cafeteria every Friday,” he says with a chuckle that turns into a cough.
My lips turn up a tad, a small smile on my lips. “Will do, Rocky. It’s nice to see you. I should get going. I have to meet Lisa at nine.”
“Have a great day, Teagan. It’s good to see your face again.” He beams, weathered eyes crinkling as he smiles and opens the gate.
I wave to him as I slowly drive through the gates and veer off to the left when I see a sign that says staff parking lot.
