Page 36 of Nailing Heat
I nod and he gets up to watch a shot that is being fired at Hendrix. But she comes up big and saves the goal. The buzzer sounds, the ball resting safely in her hands.
The Blaze wins the game, and everyone is jumping up and down. I want to be just as keyed up, but the only thing I want is to get Amelia on the table to check her out. I exchange high-fives and a few slaps on the back with Coach Andie, Coach Watts, and Lucas even gives me a hug. I want to be flying high with the rest of them, but the worry won’t let me.
I decide it’s best to head off the field, so my mood doesn’t infect anyone else. It’s pretty easy to slip away when you’re not exactly close with anyone on the staff. Expect for maybe August but I can see him up in his box. He’ll be down shortly, which gives me plenty of time to get away.
I make my way over to the tunnels, where the girls will need to come in to change. Coaches will give speeches and then it’s out on the town to celebrate before that early airport call, from what I’ve heard.
I lean against the wall and wait for her. I can see they are all still out there celebrating and talking to the few fans that made the trip out. I see Danny is hugging Mac, and even Jase has his arm around Cassie. It’s a great night for these girls and they’ve done well.
I’m proud of them, I am. I’m really worried about the center back who took a nasty hit and refused to come out for me to take a good look at it.
It’s a good twenty minutes of me holding up the wall before she makes her way into the tunnel with the rest of the girls.
“West!” I call out to her as she’s making her way into thetunnel, flanked by Cassie and Mac. Hendrix is right behind them talking to Coach Andie.
Amelia’s eyes meet mine and they widen for a second. I think she sees that I’m pissed.
“Langley,” my last name falls easily from her lips, and she is now glaring at me.
“I need to check you out. This is not a request!” I’m telling her that this is going to happen.
“Sure, can I hear Coach’s speech first and then I’ll head over,” she tells me.
“Nope,now. I’m sure he’ll understand.” I turn on my heel and head into the trainer room, knowing damn well she’s following me. Not necessarily for me to check her out but for her to rip me a new one.
I hear her before I turn around to face her. Her cleats are making a clicking sound on the floor as she enters. The footsteps sound heavy, almost like she’s stomping. I turn around and see the fire in her brown eyes, which look almost like molten chocolate.
Amelia opens her mouth to speak but my hand comes up, silencing her. “I would appreciate it if when you are injured that you let someone look at you.Youshould not have continued playing. Any part of you could be injured after a hit like that. Next time, please let me evaluate you.”
Amelia scoffs and places her hands on her hips. “No, I don’t think I’ll be doing that. I am fully capable of deciding when my body needs to be evaluated and when I’m completely fine.” She shakes her head. “Calm down, football, you’ve been with us for a hot minute. That doesn’t mean we are going to change the way we function because August hired us a full-time trainer. Got it?”
She turns on her heel to leave, but I’m faster. I lightly grip her shoulder, spinning her so that she’s facing me. Her body is pressed against mine as I take a step, pinning her to the wall beside the door. I hear her gasp. Her lips remain parted as she stares at me. “No, I don’t got it.” I get ready to fire off a retort to her littlespeech when our eyes lock. Green meets brown and she’s staring at me intently like she’s not sure what’s going to happen next.
I slowly release my hold on her, and I take a step back. Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I would like the opportunity to check you out next time you take a tumble like that. That hit looked bad, that’s all.”
“It was a slide tackle. She slide tackled me and it’s completely legal. She did it correctly and I was okay. If I need you, I’ll call for you. Okay?” Her voice is low and shaky as she watches me. “I get it, you’re here now. But you always have to remember that I’ve been doing this a long time. I know my body. And I’ll call for you if I need you.”
I nod. “I didn’t anticipate there being hits like that in soccer. I’ve been on NFL sidelines when players have taken hard hits. Hell, I’ve heard the bones crack from there. I didn’t expect see it on the soccer field.’
“Well, we’re not as breakable as you think we are. And the hits may happen, but we’ll let you know when we need you.” She takes a step back, making her way towards the door.
“I know.” I feel like an ass for getting so fired up over this. “I got worried when you went down.”
She nods. “Thanks for looking out for me.” With that she’s turning on her heel and heading to the team room, where I can faintly hear Watts giving a speech.
August comes around the corner, and leans against the door frame, watching me. I stare back at him, waiting for him to say something. When he doesn’t, I break first.
“What’s up, man? How much of that did you hear?” I ask him.
He stares for a beat longer before speaking, “I heard a lot of it. Were you worried about the whole team or was it just her?”
“The whole team.” The lie rolls off my tongue so easily that I almost believe it myself.
“Just checking,” he says nodding. “Because while I know Ilifted the rule, I don’t thinkyou’rein the place to start something with someone right now. Divorce was recently finalized, correct?”
I shake my head. “Yes,” I croak out. August is making me feel like I’m two inches tall right now. A sleazy dude who is looking to use his position as trainer to be inappropriate. “I signed the papers before I left.”
He knows this. I told him this.
