The Game Plan

11

The next morning I woke up to a dark grey and rainy sky, and the mood to match it. I knew from the moment I opened my eyes practice would be in the weight room so I laid in bed and went on my phone for the 30 minutes I would spend running.

Morning kid, im gonna have weights today. ughhh.

The text from Nick made me smile, and I rolled onto my side to answer him.

Just think, I'll be doing them just a few towns over! Solidarity.

Yeah, solidarity and a nice image of you in spandex ;)

I laughed out loud at his text and got up to shower and get ready. As much as it would horrify Lib and Kels, I pulled on leggings and an oversized tshirt with sneakers. Once my hair was straight I pulled it into a pony tail and grabbed my bag.

"Bye mom." I kissed her cheek and headed out to the garage to get into my car.

I was still grumpy by the time Kels and I got to school, and I yawned loudly on my way into the building.

"Late night?" Luke teased. I rolled my eyes in response.

"I am just glad I got a goodnight sleep and did not partake in the tomfoolery." He said.

"Can you even spell tomfoolery?" Matt asked, running up to us and kissing Kels.

"Have you and Nick kissed?" Kelsey asked and I elbowed her in the rib.

"Shutup! No one knows about you know who." I muttered, looking around to see if anyone heard.

"Why?" She asked. The boys were a couple steps behind us. Luke was trying to sound out tomfoolery.

"I don't know how supportive they would be..." I said.

"Oh that's a good point." She said.

"But no we haven't." I answered, smiling to myself at the memory of last night.

"Well get on it girl. He's a cutie." She said, opening the door for us.

School dragged by, followed by weight training. My lovely new posse - note the sarcasm - joined us for training too.

My mood was still around during training, and I wasn't too pleased to see the officials.

I started off running and doing some ab workouts. This was just as important as weights, I needed good stamina and a solid core out on the field.

I walked into the weight room feeling as though I had something to prove. I began to lift, with Matt spotting me, and I was probably lifting more than I should have been.

Okay, I was definitely lifting more than I should have been.

Once coach called practice I felt a good kind of sore and I walked downstairs to the locker room in a good mood.

Good news. thoughts of u in spandex helped me thru. call you tonight?

Glad to help and sure :) I will text when I finish my homework.

I changed into my after practice sweatpants and drove home.

"Hey Mom." I called, dropping my stuff in the garage.

"Hey!" She said, walking over to greet me.

Even Brady had the rainy day blues, I found him snoring on Cole's bed.

I changed into big sweatpants and started on my homework early.

Luckily, I was able to focus long enough to be finished by 8.

Finally doneeeeeeee.

My phone rang almost immediately and I answered on the first ring.

"Took ya long enough." He groaned and I laughed.

"Sorry, straight A student." I answered.

"Straight A student and you can throw fifty plus yards. I've died and gone to heaven." He said.

"I am sensing the sarcasm there." I said and it was his turn to laugh.

"We should hang out." He said and I smiled.

"I'm sure you can come over and watch a movie. But I have to be in bed by 10." I said.

"Deal." He said before hanging up and heading over.

"Mom." I said sweetly, walking into the dining room.

"What's up baby?" She asked.

"Remember Nick from LSU?" I asked.

"Yes." She said, taking her glasses off.

"Can he come over and hang out? Not too late. He will be gone before 10." I promised.

She studied my face for a moment before smiling.

"Of course. I've been telling you to relax and have fun for years." She said, waving me off with a smile.

By the time Nick showed up, I was getting snacks ready in the kitchen.

"Brady! Knock it off!" I yelled, trying to step around Brady to answer the door.

"Hi, sorry about this crazy ball of fur." I said, apologizing for my 80 pound golden retriever that was currently climbing up Nick to lick his face.

"He's awesome." Nick said, kneeling down to scratch his ears.

"Hi Nick." My dad smiled, walking down the stairs to shake Nick's hand.

I led Nick and our snacks down to the basement where we were watching the movie.

We chose The Proposal, since it was equal amounts of comedy and romance, and at 9:45 Nick sighed.

"I should head out." He said, wanting to be extra respectful of the 10:00 rule.

I walked him out to his car and leaned against the side of the truck.

"More investigation tomorrow?" He asked, bringing it up for the first time since he got to my house.

"Yup." I nodded, not wanting to think about it.

"I'm really sorry. I wish I could end it." He said, looking sincere and genuine.

"Its okay. If you stop apologizing, I will stop considering you public enemy number one." I teased.

"Deal." He reached a pinky out to lock with my own.

"Well, I should go." He said, putting his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels.

"Yup, you should." I could see Brady sitting patiently at my window.

"My dog is watching us." I laughed.

He took a step closer and reached over to push a strand of hair out of my eyes.

"Remember what I said in LSU?" He asked and I smiled up at him.

I won't kiss you until you ask me to.

I nodded, chuckled, and took a step back.

"Night Nick." I smiled before walking into my house, while he laughed from the street.