“I’m at team workouts but I snuck my phone in because I knew you’d be driving. Knew I might have to whip out coach mode on your ass,” he whispered. I could practically hear his smile as he talked.
That answer pulled at my heartstrings, because it felt like he really knew me.
“Can you be funny for a couple minutes?” I asked.
“Oh, she wants it on command now!” heretorted.
I laughed at that, but he really did know how to be funny on command, something that was incredibly endearing about him. He could switch to a lighter mood in a split second in order to win a laugh from someone.
“Oh shit,” he said.
“What?” I asked, alarmed.
“All good, Griff is distracting Coach for me. I think he saw my phone. Or I mighta been a bit too loud there.”
“Am I going to get you in trouble?” I asked nervously. I didn’t want to be the cause of any punishment that would come down on him for having a phone during workouts.
“Nah.” I could hear him breathing louder now. “I am tryin to keep up with this workout though, so long as you don’t mind a mouth-breather.”
“I’m on the bridge now,” I told him. I tried to relax my muscles and focus on the car in front of me.
“I was thinking of updating my celly dance for the regular season games, what do you think?”
“Like after you score a goal?” I asked distractedly.
“Yeah. I could ask the box ladies if they could play me some T-Pain, or maybe some Pitbull. I’d lay my flirty face on thick for them. I know you’d probably suggest some country song, but that’s not really my style, babe. Sorry,” he rambled.
“No country?” I asked him.
“Def not. I’m a city boy,” he countered.
“But you like up north!” I pointed out.
“True, true. But I think that’s because I like a specific someone upthere.”
“I’m over it now!” I told him, feeling sweaty, but relieved. I blasted the AC in my car.
“Nice,” he whispered. “You feelin okay?”
“Yes, I’m feeling good,” I said firmly, surprising even myself with that answer.
“Great to hear. Is it alright if I get goin? I’ll be waitin’ for you at my place. I can’t wait to have ya back here again.”
“Yupp! Have a good workout,” I said. “And, TJ… thank you.”
“Anything for my girl,” he answered before hanging up.
I turned my music louder and tried to enjoy the drive.
I smiled at the fact that I was road tripping again. Something I used to love but thought I’d never do ever again. It was an amazing feeling. Because the world closes in on you when you’re too scared to leave your tiny little town, and I felt empowered now. Like I could really do it, I could really drive off and go wherever I wanted… with a little bit of TJ’s help that is.
47. TJ
“She’s almost here. Thanks for uh, helping out,” I said to Griff as I spotted him on the bench press.
“No prob, bud. She gets nervous driving you said?” he asked, looking at me with his serious eyes.
I grimaced, not sure of how much Ellie would be alright with me telling him.
