Huffing, she squares her shoulders, stomping out.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, but it won’t work,” she says, looking ahead.
It will work. We’re two magnets that are undeniably drawn together. It’s physics, baby.
I slide my hands into my jeans pockets, assuming a relaxed pose. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I reach her in two steps and walk her to her car, opening the door for her. There’s a slight movement on her face that boosts my confidence.
I smirk. “Have a wonderful day.”
“You too,” she mumbles, shaking herself from whatever trance thoughts of me put her in.
I stride to my car, humming. I pocket it as a small win, needing her in my life too much. Even these fleeting moments are better than her absence dampening everything else.
The moment I arrive at the training facility, my brain shifts to focus on the preseason. I stare at my fingers, wanting ten rings, one for each finger. It was mine and Levi’s biggest dream. It’s up to me now. Best friends must have a telepathic bond because he calls me.
“Hi, man, how are you?”
“Getting ready to work out. OTAs start soon.”
There’s a beat of silence. I suppose we still need to get used to the fact that we’ll never play together again on the same team.
“Seven more,” he says, his words meaning so much.
“Yes. A vow is a vow.”
“Good. I’ll come to visit soon. My leg is still killing me. Four months since I’ve seen her.”
“You were separated for longer,” I remind him.
He sighs. “This time is worse.”
“You know what you have to do. Call her.”
“No. Not until I can get on my knees.”
I am surrounded by stubbornness.
We talk a bit more, then we hang up with a, “Talk to you soon.”
I run toward the locker room, being the last one and get ready in a record time.
After a round of weightlifting, my body feels the intensity, while my mind is on the second mission of the day.
“What are you smiling at? The OTAs are going to be brutal even without pads,” Roman mumbles.
“Not my problem that you’re a crybaby with performance problems.”
Roman slaps a palm on his chest. “That was cruel, Cap. And my performance is top-notch on and off the field.”
I shake my head at him, leaving with a clear destination in my mind as I walk to my car.
In front of LuKo Juice, I watch her go back and forth, carrying supplies.
I walk inside, and everything stills as the customers elbow each other, glancing at me.
As if she feels me, she whips her head around, lifting her hands in the air. It takes everything in me to suppress my chuckle.
