Page 106 of Unrivaled Love
"Thanks, I ugh, had an accident so Ineeded a new one."
"Oh shit! Are you okay? Why didn't you call us?" Brie asks as she steps back to let me open the door and slide out.
"Yeah, no, I wasn't in the car. An electrical pole fell on it outside my parent's cabin and it was totaled."
"Yikes."
"Yeah." That’s putting it lightly.
"So, are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I shrug and get my bag out of the back seat.
"Listen, as your coach I gotta tell you to put your shit aside and be her teammate. But," she looks around making sure we're alone in the lot. "As your friend, that little twirp deserved more than a tickle takedown."
I laugh and hang my head. "Oh Jesus, I'm never going to live that down am I?"
"Hell no. That shit is going to live on in infamy."
"Great."
"But Pip might give you some space."
"That's fine." Now it's my turn to look around the lot to make sure we're alone. "Can I tell you something?"
"Anything."
"I call her Pee Pee."
"Oh shit!" Brie laughs and bites her knuckle. "Now I’m going to have to fight myself not to call her that at practice. Thanks a lot."
"You're welcome." I give a little bow.
"Alright. Let's do it, Hamilton."
"Here goes nothing." I say and we walk into the facility together.
The hallway to the locker room is painted with a racing stripe down the middle. The team colors split the top and bottom and towards the end of the hall is the trophy case.
There's one plaque inside marking our runner-up position four years ago. By the time the next season started I had a fire under my ass. Therewere a few weeks of moping after I returned from Grand Junction but by February I was raring to go. For the first time I wonder if I'd react like Bryson to winning it all.
He seems better this week, lighter, and I hope he carries that home with him into the new season.
Brie peels off to the coach's office and I take one last deep breath before pushing open the door to the locker room.
The room quiets and most of the girls advert their gaze. The next words out of my mouth will make or break the rest of the season and maybe my reputation in the league. Unsure of what exactly to say, I channel my inner Bryson and lead with…
"If ya'll don't start talking to me I'll have to tickle the greetings out of you."
That earns me a few giggles and a few "Hey Jo's".
I stop at Pee Pee, I mean Peyton's, locker before going to my own.
"Hey Peyton." I try to sound casual but also serious and unthreatening.
"Hi." She clips out.
"I want to say I'm sorry for taking my emotions out on you physically. That was completely uncalled for and I'm ready to get back to work as teammates, if you are."
