Page 48 of Every Move You Make

So here we all are, the evening before, watching game tape in our hotel’s conference room after dinner.

We’ve been practicing Isaiah’s new pod system, and I’ll admit we finally got it last practice. But then he was giving us more new plays, which is great, but it’s hard to miss his annoyance when we take too long to get it. When he gets like that, I can’t tell if he’s upset with us or himself.

Keeping an upbeat attitude and reassuring the team has been my main priority lately. I mean, smiling is my default anyway, so it’s natural. But it seems I’m working harder than ever to keep their spirits up. It’s impossible not to miss our last coach, and I don’t expect Isaiah to be like her, but getting my teammates to see the real him has been difficult. They can’t see the version of him I’ve always known. Hell, it's hard for me to find that version now. Aside from our little talk a couple weeks ago in the parking lot, I haven’t seen the old him in forever.

For my team’s sake, I’m determined to find that man again.

But it’s hard when he’s standing right in front of us, critiquing and scrutinizing detail after detail of our last game.

“Cass,” he says, pointing to her on the projected image. “This would have been an ideal time for you to set your lineout farther back. Especially if you're not going to have the hands to get it out to the backs.”

“But look,” I smile, gesturing to our jumper. “Toni got the ball here, and even though the play didn’t go according to plan, she still made a good choice by going down for the maul. And look how fast Khaos was able to strip it and get it out to the back line!”

Isaiah huffs. “But then the backs weren’t ready. Look at that flat line. We need to get steeper.”

I don’t have to look around me to know my teammates are giving methe lookagain. The look that sayshow are you seriously on this guy’s side?

Play after play, Isaiah dissects each and every movement, throw, tackle, and pace. There’s not a single compliment in sight, even though there’s plenty to rave about.

When the second game tape ends, we all let out a collective breath as our coach turns off the projector. The urge to corner him and ask what his end goal is roars inside me as everyone solemnly funnels out of the conference room. But as I watch him quietly talk to Bob in the hall, nodding and planning, I hold my tongue.

He has a plan. I know he does. This has to be some kind of front he’s putting on for a certain purpose. He’s always been grumpy—granted, towards others and not so much toward me—but he’s also kind and gentle. What was I expecting? That he would be the exact same silly rugger singing inappropriate songs at the top of his lungs? No one would take him seriously at this level.

He’s just leaning into a more serious coaching style, ashe should be. We’re not a college team anymore. We’re the goddamn USA Valor.

Unlocking the door to my hotel room, I set my sight on the light pink pajamas I set out on the bed before I came down for our meeting. Little hearts are patterned all over them and it makes me smile how damn cute they are. And for some reason, I think of Isaiah wearing them and I smile. Serious, grumpy, Isaiah Johanssen, wearing pink satin pajama shorts and a matching top…

And it clicks.

If he’s going to stay this stern, this steely and critical, then I’m going to be the ray of fucking sunshine to balance him out for everyone else.

Why didn’t I think of this before? It’s the classic good cop, bad cop dynamic.

Damn, I’m smart.

I peel off my clothes, but before I step into my adorable pajamas that I will forever associate with Isaiah, I realize Serwaa isn’t here with me. Everyone shares a room withone other teammate when we travel and she’s always my room partner.

That’s when I peer at my phone to see a text from her.

Serwaa: Come to Khaos and Skirt’s room for some tarot reading!

Robyn: Tell Khaos to read my cards on the plane tomorrow. I’m gonna take a shower and pass out.

Serwaa: Kk. I’ll be back in the room in 30 mins. Get yourself off nice and good with Roger before I get back

I let out a full cackle thinking about the girthy blue dildo we all travel with. Every time we fly, one person must put the silicone monster in their carry-on so the TSA can see it on their monitors when we go through security. It’s been a tradition for years, and no one knows why or where the name comes from.

It was my turn today. I like to look the TSA agent directly in the eye right after they realize what they’re looking at and I’ll wink for good measure.

Robyn: LMAO Roger is in good hands

Before I step into the shower, I check my phone to find a new text from Dell and my heart rate picks up before I realize it’s simply a reminder text to send him my workout video from yesterday. Oops. I shoot it off to him and remove my makeup. Right before I hop in the shower, he replies.

Dell: Yes! Look how much more you’re lifting now that you corrected your stance! Do you feel that difference? And I like the way you modified your resistance bands for that row. However, it looks like you were going easy with the cross-climbers. Remember to engage your core before you start. Other than that, I think this looks great and you’re definitely ready to add more weight to your squats. WoO!

Once again I find myself chuckling at my phone screen.

Robyn: Thanks

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