(Tobin's POV)
Christen came home eventually, and we both apologized. However, I decided to keep the tapes hidden from her. We kiss and hug and talk but things are still weird. I haven't gotten to Christen's tape yet but she still acts so uneasy around me.
"Hey," she said, walking in the door and pecking me on the lips.
"Hey Chris," I replied with a smile on my face. She smiled back her gorgeous smile. That's the smile I fell in love with. She is a beautiful person, in and out.
"I need to tell you something. You already know but I just need to talk to you," she stated. I waited for her to continue.
"I know you don't want to get rid of the tapes, and you know that I do want you to get rid of the tapes. Yes, you caught me. I'm on the tapes. But she lied about me. There's things she said that are all made up. I'm just worried that you will believe her and I just um, I think this is really toxic for our relationship and I think if there's any hope for us you will need to stop listening," she rambled. She couldn't even keep eye contact with me.
"Christen, baby, don't worry. I just need to get through these for myself. Just closure for me. Alex was a very special person in my life and this means a lot. But I will always trust you. Nothing she says on the tapes will change the way I feel about you. I love you, Christen Press," I replied, stepping close to her. She nodded and looked down. I wrapped her in a hug, and she walked away into the kitchen.
My smile soon faded. I said the three words, just like I have a million times before. But this time, I don't know. It didn't come out as naturally as it always has. I still love Christen with all my heart. But do I really? There is a sliver of me that knows that is not the complete truth.
---
I gripped my knuckles tightly on the steering wheel as I drove to the park. With Christen's blessing, I've decided to get through the tapes as quickly as possible. I need to move on. I flipped through the channels on my car stereo.
Whoa whoa
I can't remember to forget you
Whoa whoa
I keep forgetting I should let you go
But when you look at me
The only memory
Is us-
I shut off the radio and took a deep breath. I pulled into the park and climbed out of my car. I sat down on the bench and pulled out my headphones, closed my eyes, and listened in to Alex's voice.
You can never really imagine what it's like to be followed. Stalked, in a way. Never ever feeling like you are safe. You may be thinking, 'Alex, you're a celebrity athlete. It happens.' But I'm not talking about the paparazzi. I'm talking about being in your bedroom watching a movie, and wondering if someone is watching you. Getting a glass of water in the middle of the night and not knowing for sure if someone is waiting for you. It's terrifying. You know who you are. It all started in 2015, when you got called up to the national team.
*** (Alex's POV)
I finished lacing up my cleats and pulled my jacket off the hook. Carli gave me a quick high five before we walked out to the training pitch. We are all still on a high from the World Cup. But there is still work to be done. We must do well in our victory tour to prepare for a year filled with new challenges. We must be better in 2016 than we were in 2015.
The cool air hit my face as I walked through the tunnel. My body is feeling good, and I'm ready for another day of training. A few rookies have been called up to the camp to train with us and possibly get some playing time. I knew a few, Jaelene Hinkle and Christine Nairn were the two faces I recognized. However, there was a blonde and a brunette I haven't had the chance to meet yet.
"Good morning everyone. I hope you are all well rested and ready for a great day of practice! Line up we will get stretched out!" Yelled coach Jill Ellis. I purposely picked a spot near the two new faces to learn who they were.
"Hey guys," I said, walking over to them. We began our usually stretching routine and they followed my lead.
