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“We do drills two or three times a week. We run and lift the other days.”
“That’s why you’ve been ghosting me at the gym?”
“That and you’re a competitive asshole who takes all the fun out of it.”
Aiden threw his head back and laughed. “I’m just pushing you, dumbass. Speaking of which, I better stop the kid before he pukes. Come on back, Chris.”
Chris ran up to us and bent with his hands on his knees. “How was that?”
“Good,” Aiden said, “but your form falls apart when you’re tired. Grab some water and stretch out your shoulders.”
Chris nodded and did as he was told. Aiden tried not to smile.
“You like coaching,” I whispered.
“What’s not to like. I get to order someone around. Hey, Chris,” he said louder. “How serious are you about football?”
“I’d play it every day if I could.”
Aiden nodded. “Good, because you are. You’re going to be drilling with me or Cal every day until tryouts. And keeping up with your cardio and weights.”
Chris beamed at him. “Sounds great.”
“And I want to know what you eat in a day. You need more muscle unless you want to get the shit knocked out of you every play.”
They started talking about different ways to up Chris’s protein intake, and I knelt to scratch Skye’s ears. She gave my hand a lick and stared up at me with her wise eyes. My chest tightened. Aiden and Theo were right. I pushed women away. I had my parents, my friends, and my dog, and that was enough for me. But for the first time since Avery started blasting me online, I considered the possibility that I might oweheran apology. I pulled my phone from my bag and texted her.
I’m sorry, Ave. Can we meet up?
Her response was immediate.
Avery
Wow. A booty text before noon. Something must be stressing you out
You should know
Avery
Sorry baby, I’m not interested in what you have to offer
A conversation, Ave. That’s all I want
Avery
I don’t believe you
We need to talk. Face-to-face. Please
I waited awhile, but when she didn’t respond, I textedYou know where to find me.The fact she’d texted back at all was progress. I shoved my phone in my bag and grabbed a couple resistance bands. Avery would come around eventually, like she always did. I just hoped it would be soon enough to save my job. “Let’s do some arm pulls.”
“Man,” Aiden said shaking his head. “You’re lucky, kid. You get private sessions with the best PT in the state. Did you know Cal graduated first in his program? What’d you do to get him to help you in the first place?”
Chris grinned at me, and I felt the tension between us ease. “Run faster than Skye. I’m the only other person he trusts to walk her.”
Aiden looked at Skye and shook his head. “Dog people.”
Chapter twenty
