Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
It was the never-ending mess of thoughts I shouldn’t be having that never stopped, compounding with feelings I refused to name. I was deep in unfamiliar territory, trying to sort myself out. It wasn’t like me to be this unsteady, and I hated it, but going to my usual sound board wasn’t an option.
“All right, break’s over!” Roxxi’s voice cut through the chatter surrounding me.
“See you in a few,” I said to Ari, pushing myself up from the grass. I moved to join my team, the music kicked back on, and I fell into formation.
We dispersed into the locker room, Kellan and Noah going to the men’s. The smell of different lotions and body wash hit me full force, a familiar, oddly comforting mix. Roxxi tossed her bag onto the long center bench and opened her locker. “We’re close,” she said, glancing over at me, “But we need to be flawless.”
“I know,” I replied. “That last lift felt off for some reason, and I’m really not trying to be launched into the crowd during the game.”
“We’ll figure it out,” she reassured me, then turned her attention to Brooke.
“How’s your shoulder? You weren’t favoring it as much tonight, so I guess it’s feeling better?”
“It’s fine. I think I’ve finally worked out that kink.”
“Good. You know we need you at full strength.”
I grabbed my hygiene necessities and gently nudged her. “Take a breath, Rox. I’m sure she’ll be all good by next practice.”
“Are you sure, sure? Or somewhat sure?”
“Roxxi,” I warned with a light laugh.
“Right. Fine.” She swung her gaze back to Brooke. “Sorry, girl.”
She waved her off with a smile.
Whereas some of us were well acquainted with how driven Roxxi could be, not everyone had known her as long, and sometimes it came across as wrong or pushy. I adored her and didn’t take offense, but she had tasked me with reigning her in before she got going. When it came to the team, at least. Outside of this locker room, she was a force I did not meddle with.
“Take it from me, Brooke, this is Roxxi being kind,” Layla joked, stepping up beside me to open her locker.
I looked around Layla so that I could speak to Brittany, swapping my current footwear for shower shoes. “Remember when she used to drag us out of bed at four in the morning so we could go and run laps?”
She shuddered dramatically. “Yes. I’ll never forget. It was like being woken by a drill instructor. I’m still recovering from the trauma.”
Roxxi laughed, not denying it for a second. “Hey, you wanted to make the team, didn’t you?”
That we had.
Cloe attempted to join us but quickly tapped out by the third day, having no reason to put herself through such grueling exercise, or what she called psychological warfare. Arianna didn’t even bother trying, though she was always supportive. It had been hell then, but now I was even more grateful for my best friend and her tyrannical ways. I grinned at the memory, making my way to the showers. The sound of rushing water and someone’s strawberry shampoo filled the air.
I stepped inside an empty marble cubicle and adjusted the spray to near scalding. The heat was exactly what I needed to relax my muscles. I closed my eyes, letting the steam engulf me. My thoughts wandered, inevitably drifting back to the football field. They should’ve been finishing their drills by now, and since it was only Monday, there was no post-practice get-together. Ashton and I would be tracking down whatever we ate that night on our own. He was like a bottomless pit after being on the field. The amount of food he consumed put me to shame, and I was far from a conscious eater.
I washed up and stepped out of the shower, the cool air brushing against my damp skin as I wrapped my towel tightly around me. Roxxi, Layla, and two of the other girls, Sydney and Zara, were laughing and talking from the other cubicles, their voices echoing softly in the tiled space. Across the room, Brooke was pulling on a hoodie I instantly recognized by the dark fabric and Crowsfell emblem on the chest, Ryder’s last name stitched boldly across the back.
Seeing it shouldn’t have felt like a punch to the stomach. It was just a hoodie, a single piece of clothing that I owned too. Only mine was older. Soft from years of wear, threaded with a familiar warmth. It was something that had always been mine, just like he had. I swallowed, forcing my expression to stay neutral, my hands tightening around the towel wrapped around me.
It's just a hoodie, I repeated to myself. There was no reason to feel the way I did. Brooke glanced up and smiled without a hint of malice, tossing her long, honey-blonde hair effortlessly over her shoulder as she stashed a hairbrush away.