Page 15 of Crossing the Lines for Love

“So?”

“So, it has to mean something.”

“It’s just my hormones talking.”

“If you say so, but I’ll pray for you anyway.”

“What’s her problem?Is she a fucking drill sergeant?” Reid asked as he caught his breath.

“I’ve never run this much in my life. Does she know the difference between lacrosse and track?” Leo complained.

“It’s called conditioning, and with the way y’all are panting, it’s clearly needed,” I told them.

It was Friday afternoon, and we were in the locker room. We’d made it through our first week of practice, and most of my teammates had been complaining all week. The amount of running we did wasn’t what I expected. However, it became very apparent how out of shape we all were.

“Don’t try to act like you ain’t been struggling all week right along with us,” Leo said.

“Yeah, but you don’t hear me complaining about it because I know this shit ain’t supposed to be easy.”

“Nobody said it’s supposed to be easy, but what is all this running gonna do for us?” Reid asked.

“I guess we’ll find out,” I responded, closing my locker and heading toward the door.

All week, my teammates had been complaining about Coach Sampson. Although I was surprised by how much Coach Crawford had allowed her to take charge this week, I figured he wanted to see how she handled us.

Reid and Leo were guilty of not taking practice seriously in the past. Our coaches nicknamed them Lazier and Laziest because of their lack of effort. They were finding out very quickly that Coach Sampson meant business.

“Hold up!” Leo called out.

I stopped and turned around. “Wassup?”

“You still coming out tonight?”

I chuckled. “You sure you’re feeling up to it? I thought you might be too tired after all the running we did this week.”

“Nah, I need to get my dick wet, and I ain’t gon’ do that by staying inside.”

“You have a point. My parents agreed to watch Deuce for me, but I’m about to head over there to hang out with him before going home and getting dressed.”

“Let’s meet at ten at Lovers and Friends.”

“Cool.”

I continued out of the building and to my car. Once my phone was connected, I called my mother.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, Son. How was practice?”

“The same as it’s been all week. This woman is worse than a drill sergeant.”

“She’s whipping y’all into shape.”

“I guess. Did you cook?”

“No. I didn’t feel like it today.”

“Okay. I’ll pick up a few pizzas. Same kind as always?”

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