Page 57 of Nailing Heat
“And I didn’t lift the NFL players because they weighed at least two hundred pounds. There was no way that I could have lifted them,” I tell him.
He chuckles. “Well, still. It seemed like you were intent on being the white knight there. The press agreed too. I hear theyhave a picture of you carrying her bridal-style off that field. It’s supposed to run in the paper. Our press office was notified.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” I hadn’t even thought about the optics when I was rushing to get to her off the field.
“It’s fine. I’m spinning that you’re a caring man and you were looking out for the best interest of your player and the team.”
“Thank you,” I reply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Is Maxwell or anyone else upset?”
“Nah, they are not upset about that. Maxwell is worried about the rest of the season. Watts and I talked after you all left. There isn’t a replacement for her. No one is as tough of a defender as she is. So that will be challenging,” he replies.
“Can I tell her that?” I ask.
“Why?”
“I think it would help her mental health right now. She’s pretty down and I’m sure she’s worried about her spot on the team.”
“You can. But remember we have some good people connected to the team that she could talk to, if she would like. We pay for it and everything. They may be able to help her process it better than you tucking her into bed every night,” he teases.
“Fuck you, man. I didn’t tuck her in. I carried her in there and got her situated,” I admit.
“Why didn’t she use the crutches?”
“She’s in pain.” My voice rises a bit and then I remember that we share a wall, so I do my best to be quieter when I speak again. “Besides, the pain medication that I gave her kicked in and Haldman gave her some more, so she’s pretty exhausted.”
“Well, that’s good. Keep her drugged up while you can. Might help her process things better, you know.”
I do know. I know that we both went through the same thing with our injuries. Those first few days after my shoulder injury were spent in blissful unawareness, which was just what I needed.Once I felt a little stronger, more stable, then I could deal with the reality of what my situation was.
I hope she has a better outcome. There are no guarantees that when an athlete gets injured, whether it requires surgery or not, that she’ll ever fully recover. Or even come back to being the player that she was. And this injury could be recurring for her. I’ve seen it happen time and time again with NFL players.
“Yeah, I know.” I say quietly.
“She’s going to recover, man. She will. I haven’t known her that long but she’s strong as hell. Amelia’s got this. You have to stay positive and keep on helping her. Don’t let her mope around that apartment. Hell, bring her to work with you if you want. Anything to get her out of the house and make sure she isn’t getting all depressed.”
“Good idea, I will do that.”
“Thanks.” He pauses for a moment, and I hear more ice clinking. “The team is also looking to see her. Watts and I talked about that tonight too. How do you want to do that? I’m not sure she wants a ton of people trampling through her house. Should we have something here at the stadium? Like, have her come in for a lunch or something?”
“Yeah, you could do that. I’m pretty sure I know a few of them who are going to come over here regardless of what you say about not going to her apartment,” I note.
“I’m not worried about them. It’s the rest of the team that is eager to see her. I feel like that should be more of a social thing so that she doesn’t feel like she’s on display.”
“Look at you, having a heart. Are you feeling okay?” I tease him.
“Yeah, fuck you, man. I can be sensitive and caring,” August replies.
“Sure, you can, but not often, which is why it’s freaking me out.”
“Uh-huh. No musical or magical beds over there. You stay in yours and you keep her in hers.”
“Oh, but you had to lift that fraternization rule when I got here because you had so many players and coaches hooking up!” I remind him.
“That was one coach and one player. And I didn’t lift it for you. I didn’t want to be the owner with the double standard.”
“I’m sure Maxwell was happy about that,” I tease him.
“Those kinds of things don’t make him happy or sad. Money is what he values, and he didn’t want to be subject to a lawsuit, so we lifted the policy. At my suggestion,” he informs me.
