Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
I leave before the cheerleader can track me down. There's no way I'm going out with anyone except for Bella. I know that would be the smart thing to do but it doesn’t mean that it’s what I want to do, so I won’t.
I go back to my apartment that I'm staying at while training. After hitting my bed, I fall into a deep sleep, dreaming about Bella.
My phone rings early the next morning, waking me up. I scramble to grab it, realizing I hadn’t even bothered to change out of my clothes last night before falling asleep. I’m still in my after-practice sweats. But at least they were comfy enough to sleep in.
"Hello?" I ask eagerly, hoping that it's Bella calling me.
"Ha, you suck. Someone posted your fails at practice the other day. This is the worst video I've ever seen. Dude, what's wrong with you? Maybe you shouldn't be in the NFL," Derek says, as soon as I answer.
I'm stunned that he'd be making fun of me. Of course, it’s probably all in good fun, but he’s usually not this mean even as a joke. I can't think of anything to say in response, but that doesn’t matter because he hangs up on me before I get the chance to, anyway.
I'm left sitting here in shock. Slowly I put my phone away and get out of bed. I need to face the facts. It's time to give up on Bella. I'm not going to hear from her.
She probably changed her number because she doesn't want to hear from me or see me ever again. And it seems she even told her brother so that he’d make it so I never want to see either of them again.
That's fine, I tell myself, although it doesn’t feel fucking fine.
I get out of bed and change into some workout clothes. It's still dark outside when I go for a jog around the neighborhood. The sun is rising as I return.
I work out for a little bit at the gym that's located in my apartment building, being careful not to overdo it. I have a game scheduled for later this afternoon. Our first one of the season.
I arrive at the arena freshly showered and with a new attitude. It’s time to focus on the game. Coach joins us in the locker room for a pep talk and to review everything.
"You're a great team. The best of what this sport has to offer. I’m so proud of us— the Mighty Mighty Leviathans! I know we can do this, so go out there and win!"
Everyone cheers. Coach glances in my direction.
"Don't blow it," he mutters.
"I'm determined not to," I assure him.
I feel stupid that I’ve let a woman distract me to the extent that it’s affected my performance at practice. I’m not about to let it make me fuck up an actual game!
Later, we take the field in full gear. As the crowd cheers us on, I have to admit I'm pumped up and excited.
The game starts and I'm actually too focused on it to think about Bella. It seems like it’s going to be an intense session, and I’m glad. That’s exactly what I need right about now, to forget about Bella for good.
If such a thing is even possible.
Before I know it, the game is over, and we’ve won. We're chest-bumping each other and high fiving our way off the field.
"See, way to go," Coach says encouragingly. “I knew you’d be great if you could just get your your head on straight, Steve.”
He's right. Thanks to my concentration, I was able to have an okay game. Good enough to win, and that’s all I can ask for.
Trixie the cheerleader waits in the corridor for me. She has her hands on her hips and a pouty look on her face.
"I waited for you, and you never showed up. You didn't even call. I'm so hurt that you stood me up," she says.
"I'm sorry. It was a family emergency. I had to leave right away," I lie.
"In that case, I guess I could give you a second chance, if you wanted to go out tonight?" she offers.
I know I should take her up on this, but I can't bring myself to. I guess I’m still not over Bella despite my attempts to become so.
"I'm sorry, not tonight. I'll let you know," I say, hoping to let her down gently.
She pouts as I turn and walk away and head towards the locker room. I still feel so into Bella that I don't even want to date anyone else.
After I shower and change, I walk back to the parking lot, thinking about everything. In a strange way, I feel like progress has been made.
Today proves that I'm still a good player on the field.
I need to keep that up.