Page 168 of Force Play
Once we catch our breath, she presses her forehead against mine.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” I laugh. “You good?”
“So good,” she smiles.
“We need to get dressed and get out of here, but we’re not done yet.”
“Oh?” Lucia raises her eyebrow questioningly.
“I still have to clean you up, sweetheart. Sneak into the showers with me, and I’ll get down on my knees for you.”
“Well, how could I resist an offer like that?”
I smile against her lips before carefully moving her off me. We get dressed haphazardly because there’s no point in doing it right—I’m about to just rip those clothes off her again.
When we’re both decent, I chase her down the hallway toward the clubhouse, both of us laughing the entire way.
forty-nine
Lucia
“IsitweirdthatI’m nervous?” I ask, wringing my hands as I try to calm down.
Dr. Coltrain chuckles. “It’s normal that you’re nervous, Lucia. This is something new you’re doing.”
I take a deep breath and look around the room. A small lecture hall at Brooklyn College, where I’ll be speaking to the women of the exercise science program.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help get more women interested in what I do, but I’m also so nauseated I could throw up. I’m as outgoing and social as they come, but when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd, I get nervous, afraid I’ll end up saying the wrong thing.
I have a whole PowerPoint presentation for this with all of my talking points, so that should help, at least.
My heels click off the tile floor as I pace around, willing myself to not be so worked up over this. It’s only a presentation that, if it doesn’t go well, I’ll probably see my chances for Head Trainer go up in smoke.
No pressure.
“Why don’t you take a drink of water and go over your presentation again?” Dr. Coltrain suggests. “That could help your nerves. In the meantime, I’m going down to see the dean. I’ll be back before the students arrive.”
“Thank you,” I reply, walking over and taking a swig from my water bottle.
“You’re going to do great, Lucia.” Dr. Coltrain opens the door to exit the room but doesn’t make it into the hallway before he’s chiming in again. “Looks like you’ve got a friend to help you right now.”
I look over at him in confusion, but Dr. Coltrain has already left the room, and I watch as Ari steps inside.
Ari is here.
Why is Ari here?
More importantly, why is he here looking as good as he does right now?
He’s in a yellow dress shirt, for fuck’s sake.
“Hey, Spitfire,” he smiles, closing the door and crossing the room to come stand in front of me.
“What are you doing here, Ari?”
“I’ve watched you stress about this presentation since the season started a few weeks ago, Luc. I figured you could use a familiar face.”
