Page 170 of Force Play
“How did you end up working for the Stars?” a girl in the back asks.
“Well, I grew up in California, but I went to school on the East Coast. I did my undergrad at Ithaca College in New York. I knew I didn’t want to go back to San Diego—I wanted a change. I loved my time at Ithaca, so I decided to see what I could find in New York in the career path I wanted, and that was to work in sports. I was a die-hard soccer fan, so that was my initial goal, but I applied to the Stars, and the rest is history. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”
A woman in front pipes up now. “How long did it take you to become an athletic trainer?”
“That’s something that will be different to many people,” I answer. “I actually started young—I was only twenty-two when I was hired—but that was because I had already completed everything I needed and got my certification. My experience is far from everyone’s. I worked hard in high school, and I managed to graduate a year early, so I started at Ithaca when I was only seventeen. I completed my coursework in three years and graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science when I was twenty. From there, I enrolled at George Washington University in DC, and I took the standard two years to obtain my Master’s degree in Athletic Training. I passed my boards thatsummer, so I was a board-certified athletic trainer by the fall. That was all that was needed when I started out. As of recently, the state of New York requires you to have a license to practice as an athletic trainer, so I have that now as well.”
“Do you think you’ll always be the only female trainer on your staff?” another woman asks.
I smile and shake my head. “I don’t. I know one day we’ll have more women join us—maybe even one of you right here. That’s a day I’m looking forward to. For now, I’ll keep doing my job while I wait for someone else to come in.”
The questions keep flowing, and I answer every single one of them, giving each of these women a thorough response. I want to offer them complete transparency.
I’d consider today a success. I’m sure all of these women won’t go down this career path, but I could see the determination of some of them. I could see the interest, and I hope I get to work with them one day.
Throughout the entire day, Ari just sits silently in the back, eyes focused on me with the brightest smile on his face.
Ari showing up today—with a bouquet of sunflowers, no less—just confirms what I already suspected.
I’m falling harder for him than I ever have for anyone else, and there’s every possibility that I end up hurt.
But if there is even theslightestchance that he’ll take that leap of faith with me, I’ll take it.
He’s worth the risk because the reward will be oh so sweet.
fifty
Ari
“Goodmorning,baby,”Luciasays, smiling at me sweetly.
“Good morning.” I press a soft kiss on her lips and pull her closer to me, my arms still wrapped around her from when we fell asleep.
“Did you sleep well?”
I push the hair out of her face. “You know I did, Luc. I sleep better than I ever have when you’re beside me.”
Just over a month of having Lucia sleep in my bed has shown me that I’m not sure how I could ever let her go anywhere else. I love having her beside me, even now on our away trip to Pittsburgh.
“What time do you need to be at the stadium today?”
“Noon,” I reply. “Still have quite a while to just lie here with you.”
Lucia rolls over on top of me, still naked from last night. “Are we supposed to just lie in bed all morning?”
I lean closer to her, my lips ghosting over hers. “I can think of some other things we could do in bed instead, sweetheart.”
Before I can make a move, we’re interrupted by my phone ringing.
I groan and grab it from the bedside table, grumbling, “Who the fuck is calling at seven in the morning?”
“I’ll wager a guess and say it’s your mom.”
I check the screen.
Yep, she’s right.
I smile as I answer, even if I was just cockblocked by my own mother.
