Page 63 of Nailing Heat

“Are you saying that because you don’t have anyone?” Cassie asks. “Because Amelia and Dex are roommates. He’s obligated to take care of her to stay on her good side.”

The girls all laugh and my head swivels over to look at Amelia to see how she’s going to handle this comment. Our eyes meet for a brief second before she turns her attention back to her friends.

“That’s not true. He doesn’t mind helping me. And I got breakfast out of it this morning,” she tells them.

“That’s not all she got,” I mutter to myself.

“Something you want to share with the class?” Mac asks.

That one is too perceptive for her own good. I have to remember that when they are all together.

“Nope, nothing I feel like sharing with you ladies,” I tell them.

“Ooh, so there is something!” Hendrix yells excitedly.

Thankfully, both Amelia and I are saved by the appearance of Coach Watts.

“I had to follow the screams and somehow I knew that I would find you in here,” Coach Watts says as he enters the room. “It’s so good to see you, honey, how are you feeling?” He walks over and embraces Amelia. She hugs him back.

“I’m doing okay. The pain is getting more manageable. So thathelps.” Her voice comes out small and unsure. I can tell she’s starting to flounder. The confidence that she came in here with is gone.

“That’s good. I’m glad. The team sure misses you. It’ll be nice to have you at practice and at the game coming up. I could use your keen eye helping out with the defense.”

“Thanks, Coach,” she replies. Her voice is small and quiet.

“Girls, why don’t you take Amelia out onto the field so that she can get comfortable before everyone else gets here. Might make it easier if she’s not trying to dodge people or obstacles,” I tell them.

“That sounds like a great idea. Great thinking, Dex,” Cassie says, walking over to help Amelia up. “Coach, if you’re good we’re going to bring her out there.”

“Sounds good,” he replies.

“Coach, got a minute?” I ask him to hang back.

“Sure do.”

“Great.” I wait until the girls leave before I address him. “I think you might wanna be careful about how much you baby her or act like you’re including her. I get what you’re doing and why, but it’s not working for her. Believe me, I tried the same behavior, and it freaked her out. She wants you to give it to her straight, okay?”

He nods. “Sure, I can do that. It’s my first time dealing with an injured female athlete. When I coached for the Thorns, we didn’t have an injury like this and before that, I was men’s coach. Those guys like to be handled differently,” he admits.

“I get it. I had the same issue, but she was quick to set me straight,” I admit with a shrug.

“I was worried about her staying with you, I’ll admit. I wasn’t sure how she was going to take that, But I’m glad she has you right now. You two seem to be getting along just fine.”

“Oh, we are.” I say, maybe a little too eagerly. “Amelia’s great. I couldn’t ask for a better roommate.”

He claps me on the back and then turns to leave. “Good, I’m glad to hear it. I’m gonna go check on the girls. Let me know what you figure out with Carrie, please.”

“Will do, Coach.”

If he only knew how nice it was to be living with her, he might not be so happy about the arrangement.

Chapter Twenty-Three

~AMELIA~

Isit on the sidelines, watching the practice that I wish I could be a part of. I thought it would be much harder to be here, that the itch to be a part of it would be unbearable. It’s there, that longing to be able to be out on the field. To be healthy enough to run the drills or even run the laps around the perimeter for mistakes that were made. I would gladly do it all and with a smile, if it meant that I was healthy enough to do it.

I feel a little sense of peace sitting here because logically, I know I can’t be out there, but at least I’m near the action. I get to see it, talk and laugh with my teammates, which is better than solitude. I wasn’t going to make it if I had to stay on the couch all day and be in bed all night.