Page 44 of Nailing Heat
“Whatever,” I say, ending our conversation and heading out to where my circle is stretching and getting ready for the game.
“You okay?” DJ asks.
Of course, my annoyance is noticeable by everyone, and DJ is the last one that I want to piss off because she didn’t do anything wrong. She is just a girl who asked out a guy. And it’s not like I even have any claim on Dex.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I think it’s the anticipation of this game. I want it to start,” I lie, hoping that she buys it.
“I get it. I’m a little nervous too,” she admits with a shrug.
“It’s going to be fine. We’re ready for this.”
“Weneedthis for the playoff, remember,” she replies, not sounding convinced.
“This is why I would like them to stop talking about this game so much; he’s getting in everyone’s heads.” I shake my head. “Now, let’s go warm up and get ready for it.”
DJ and I are kicking the ball back and forth, and I notice she keeps staring over in Dex’s direction. One time she even misses my pass because she’s so distracted. I sigh and wait for her to retrieve the ball.
“Amelia!” Dex calls my name from across the pitch. “Can you come here a second?”
“Give me one second,” I tell DJ. I see the disappointment in her eyes, but I ignore it as I jog over to him. “What’s up?” I ask when I get there.
“Just wanted to check in on you and make sure your knee was feeling alright.” There’s a smile on his face and his green eyes are shining as he waits for me to respond.
“Yeah, I’m good. I told you that I would come and find you if I needed anything. I don’t think she did any permanent damage. You gave me some really good stretches that have been really loosening me up. It’s great that you’re here and you don’t need tocheck on me. I know you’re here and I’m in good hands.” I blush at my choice of words.
“Well, you see, that’s kind of my job, to check on you.” He winks at me quickly and then looks back at the field. “Please do me a favor and don’t go down today.”
I nod and say, “I’ll try not to.”
“Thank you,” he says. His eyes are back on mine and I flush under his scrutiny, “Now you better get back out there.”
My eyes flash to the ground and back at him, I shift my weight from foot to foot. “I guess I better. Big game and all.”
“I’ve heard that somewhere.” He chuckles and I laugh along with him.
“Yeah, I think I have too.”
“West! You okay? Need the trainer or something?” Coach Watts comes jogging on over to us.
“I was checking on her knee. Making sure that everyone was okay before we get underway,” Dex informs him. “You know, since she took that fall and all.”
“Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to check in with girls.” Watts beams at him before walking away to check on the other groups of girls who are warming up.
“He likes you,” I tell him.
He shrugs. “I think it’s nice for him to have a full-time trainer. Lucas is a little green, you know.”
“He sure is.” I rock on my heels. “Well, I better get back to it.”
“You better.”
We watch each other for a moment before Dex says, “Go get ’em, West.”
“Thanks!” I call over my shoulder as I head back to DJ. She doesn’t ask me anything about our encounter and I don’t share. I keep on warming up and getting my head on right for game day. Because if I’m being honest, I’m nervous for this game, and all the reminders from the hit that almost took me out were not helping.
We’re in the forty-second minute and the score is still zero to zero. It’s not for lack of trying either. Mac has been a force up front; charging towards the goal and getting some good shots off. Their keeper is amazing and stopping every shot we put up. The key is to keep on firing because the more offensive pressure we get up there the better. If we keep doing that we might actually pull off a win or maybe even a tie. Their offense hasn’t made its way across the half much. Our defense has been on lock today.
My lungs burn as I move to cut the angle of the forward that is coming towards me. She shoots the ball forward, probably thinking that she can get past me, but I get to the ball first, sending it up and over to DJ, where she should send it up. DJ misses a step, and the ball ends up rolling back a bit. And of course, Meg from Kansas City is there and waiting to take advantage of this little mishap. She kicks the ball and is heading back towards Hendrix, firing a shot off. But Hendrix pulls off a hell of a diving save, flinging her body onto the ground and grabbing the ball tightly to her chest. The striker who was running hard to her can’t stop, there’s too much momentum behind her steps. She trips and falls over Hendrix’s body. But Henny remains in control the ball.
