Page 50 of Kickoff

“Night, Mase. And only focus on what you can control. The rest is not your job. Trust that the universe—and your teammates—have your back, no matter what.”

“Will you be there to cheer on us tomorrow?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I watched her as she retreated inside, replaying every word my mother and Melinda spoke tonight. Focus on what I can control. I could do that.

14

It wouldn’t be good for my hard-ass coach rep

I stretched while I waited for Melinda to join me. In my defense, it was only six fifteen. After our talk last night, I did what she said and made lists in my head until I couldn’t keep my mind active and fell into a deep slumber.

“And I thought I would be the first one here,” a voice said from behind me.

I pivoted to come face to face with Melinda wearing black running tights molded to her strong legs, a matching fleece, her brown hair tied in a high ponytail, and a pink headband covering her ears. We were dressed identically minus the headband that I had replaced with a knitted hat. My body reacted at the sight of her, tightening everywhere. Even dressed like this, I found her sexy as hell. The crisp morning breeze did nothing to cool down the hot-as-lava blood circulating through my veins. I jumped on the spot, stretching my neck and rolling my shoulders back, trying to show my body I was the one in command.

“You’re up early, Mase.”

“Always ready, Shepard.” I winked before morphing into coach mode. “From now on, until the end of the five-mile loop, you can call me Coach Pierce. I’ll get your blood pumping, your pits sweating, and your glutes aching.” I lowered my tone and dropped the act. “Unless you tell me five miles is too much and you’d prefer walking instead of running.”

Her smile was a permanent fixture now. “Nah. All good. I tested myself on the treadmills yesterday, and I can keep up. I’m ready to go when you are, Coach.”

I nodded. “That’s the spirit. Let’s stretch a bit, and then we’ll walk for half a mile so you can warm up. The last thing you need is to hurt yourself by diving back into your training too soon.”

“Okay.”

For the next five minutes, we stretched, silence heavy between us. I caught Melinda ogling me a few times, and I returned the favor.

I jogged on the spot. “Shepard, you good to go?”

“When you are.”

After a short walk, I switched the pace to a light jog. Melinda kept up with me. The huffs of her breaths, the sound of our footsteps, and the thumps of my overexcited heart were all I could hear. We ran down the street, crossed the park at the end, circled the pond, and took the walkway bordering the river, before slowing back to a jog as we neared our street.

Melinda bent forward, her palms resting on her knees, gasping for air.

“You did great, Shepard. It was your first training in weeks.” I held out my hand, and we high-fived. “Wanna ride together to school?”

“Nah. You have that game tonight, and it’s easier if I take my own car. Thanks for the offer, though.”

I shrugged as if it was no big deal. “We could stick to jogging all weekend and start some weight training next week during lunch hour and alternate with yoga. What do you say?”

“Should work for me.”

“Awesome.” We strolled back home, stretching as we did. We stopped in front of her house. “I’m proud of you, Shepard.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

I removed my beanie and raked my fingers through my hair. “Listen, I thought about what you said last night...about things I can control and things I have no control over.”

She stayed immobile, waiting for me to continue.

“I think I can focus on that.” I closed my eyes and breathed in before bringing my attention back to her. “Can I tell you something I’ve never told anybody else?”

“Always. Your secret is safe with me.”

I motioned for her to sit on the lawn, and I plopped down next to her. “It’s my right shoulder. It’s been bothering me for a while. I lied to my mom last night and said it wasn’t, but it’s stiff.” I rolled it back as if to make the statement true. “Stiffer than usual. I haven’t told Coach yet because I’m hopeful that if I rest and ice it enough and stretch it properly, it will heal. I’m not sure if it’s something I can control or not, you know. I have no idea in which column it belongs.”