Is this really a time to check your phone? We need to get our shit together.
The thought crossed my mind, my inner competitive side lashing out. We were losing. Krew needed back on the damn field.
My phone buzzed next to me, so I scooped it up, my eyes widening when I saw the name flashing across the screen.
I quickly answered. “Hello?”
“How you feeling, Angel?” Preston’s smooth voice filtered through the phone.
“I’m fine. Why are you calling me? You should be in the locker room.” The words came out in a whisper.
I didn’t know why I was whispering. Probably because I felt like the entire stadium knew he was talking to me.
“Just needed to hear your voice,” he admitted as I watched his back completely disappear from the TV.
My insides melted to mush. “Don’t worry about me. Focus on bringing home the win.”
“It’s not a win unless you’re okay,” he volleyed back. “But I will do my best.”
He almost sounded defeated on that last statement, which was so unlike him.
“Gotta go, baby,” he murmured before he ended the call, the rustle from the locker room streaming in before my screen went black.
I wasn’t sure why, but something unsettling crept into my pores. Something was off. I just couldn’t put my finger on what.
We ended up winning. Not because Jagger came out and executed but because our defense got an interception in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter at the five-yard line. The offense scored, ending the game fourteen to fifteen with a lucky two-point conversion.
It was Thursday now, and I was finally fever-free and over whatever sickness plagued me. Today was light. The guys watched the film again, prepping them before the walk-through practice tomorrow. Some of the players needed to rehab and ice, so I’d been busy in the whirlpools all afternoon.
Krew came into the training room, his eyes scanning the machines.
“Hey.” I placed my clipboard on the counter. “You looking for Julia?”
“Yeah.” He motioned behind him. “Coach Maxwell wanted me to work through the circuit.”
I nodded. “She should be back in a few minutes. She had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”
A few of the guys lingered, but most had cleared out. I had become friends with a few, and Krew was one I could talk to without feeling awkward. Out of all the players, he showed me the most respect and that meant a lot to me.
“What happened on Saturday?” I asked. “Were you hurting?”
He shook his head. “I was fine. Cleared to play.”
That fact was odd.What was Preston thinking?
“Coach Rusk told me he wanted me to rest my shoulder. Give Ross a chance to get playing time. See if he could hang if a more permanent injury happened.”
It made sense, but then again, it didn’t.
“I didn’t argue.” His jaw clenched. “He’s the coach.”
“I’m sure you’ll be back on the field this weekend,” I assured him.
“Thanks, Trinity.” He gave a chin tilt. “I’ll be on the bike if you see Julia.”
“Sure thing.” I nibbled my lip with curiosity. “See you tomorrow.”
47
