Page 169 of Force Play
I only realize he’s hiding an arm behind his back when he brings out a small bouquet of sunflowers. “Ari! What are these for?”
Ari chuckles and kisses my forehead. “Because you’re kicking ass in your career, and today you’re taking a big step to further that for yourself and all women. It’s fucking awesome.”
I bite down the biggest smile. “Sunflowers are yellow.”
“Very yellow.”
I gaze at him, catching the most tender look on his face. “Your shirt is also yellow.”
Ari moves closer, resting a hand on my hip. “And your dress is green.”
“It matches my jade necklace.”
He pushes my hair behind my ear. “You look beautiful, Lucia. Just like you always do.”
“You might actually be the sweetest man I’ve met, Ari.”
He smiles at me so happily. “I’ll wear that with pride then.” He leans over and gives me a soft and calming kiss. “I won’t distract you. I will be here, though, so you have someone you know. Someone out in the audience that’s so fucking proud of you for taking this step.”
One more kiss and Ari moves to the back of the room, letting me gather my composure so I don’t melt into a puddle before the students even come in.
I could say that it’s been a long time since I’ve felt the way I feel around Ari, but that would be the biggest lie.
Truth be told, I’veneverfelt the way I do around Ari. He’s gone from somebody I couldn’t stand to somebody I want to spend all of my time with.
And it’s not as friends.
Hell, we had hardly even acknowledged that wewereactually friends before these feelings started.
I’m not alone in these feelings, and I know it.
Ari just brought me a bouquet of flowers after he showed up somewhere I didn’t expect him to.
That’s not something a “friend” would do.
That’s something apartnerwould do.
It’s clear as day that Ari feels some type of way about me.
The problem is just that I don’t know if he’ll ever be willing to do anything about it.
“Sports are still largely dominated by men, but we belong in those same spaces.” I walk across the room, head held high. Apparently, I’m far less nervous once I start speaking on a subject I’m passionate about. “Women’s sports are finally gaining the popularity they’ve always deserved. Take Zhuri Hart, left winger and captain of the Denver Dragons. She might single-handedly be why women’s hockey is everywhere you look. The Women’s Hockey League is drowning in sponsorships and viewership because people arefinallygiving women the respect they deserve in these spaces.
“But I don’t want you to think that’s exclusive to athletes because it isn’t. The rise of women working in sports has been slow but steady. We’re seeing women as coaches, staff, and everything in between. Women like me working to help train and care for the athletes. Each one of you here has the capability to do that. Honestly, we don’t have enough female trainers. The Stars are an incredible organization that I’m proud to work for, but I’m theonlyfemale trainer on our staff. That’s been true for the near-decade I’ve been in my job. And that’s not a slight on the Stars—we just don’t have many women applying for these positions.
“You’re all here right now because you’re women in a male-dominated field, but you’re all setting yourselves up to take a similar career path to mine. Exercise science is one of the best degrees you can obtain if you want to work as an athletic trainer. You’re all in undergrad still, so you have time to figure out what you want to do, but when you get to decide on graduate programs, I hope some of you do consider taking this step. The athletes I work with are incredible and supportive, as are many of the others. It isn’t just women who want to see more women in sports—you’re going to have support from a lot of men, too.
“So slide into your favorite pumps and shatter that glass ceiling. You’re going to do incredible things.”
I let out a breath and take a drink from my water bottle. I’m parched after such a long-winded speech.
I glance at the back of the room and see Ari’s bright smile. He’s hung onto every word I’ve said today, so focused and attentive. Having him here means so much to me.
“I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.”
I pull myself up to sit on the desk, crossing my legs at the ankles as I look out at the young women in front of me.
These girls are the future of this career, and I truly hope some of them go for it.
