Page 75 of Redeeming Heart

“Only if Sasha joins us,” Brandon said wanting my heart to stop.

“Dude, I am not even going to deny it, but you are fit as a fiddle and probably strong as a horse. I am not going to do whatever obstacles you guys do to stay in shape. You will be carrying me out of here and booking me at the hospital.”

He chuckled standing up and holding his hand out to me. “You want to make an impression on your team? I see this as a way you can start by overcoming fear through becoming fear.”

I caught Aunt Maggie encouraging me to join them.

I’m going to hate this.

I accepted his offer and joined him walking over to his team who was looking at us. “I’m going to throw up after this, aren’t I?” I queried when I noticed their workout plan.

“I’m positive that you can handle this.” He assured me.

He turned to his team and introduced me. Jake and Jared gave me each a fist bump while the rest of the team was gawking at me as if I was someone famous.

“Okay, let’s get started.” Brandon clapped his hands to get their attention and I almost didn’t recognize his voice. “Sasha’s joining us for today so don’t let me find you slacking.”

I felt like hitting him against the head with a dumbbell.

Most of the exercises were the usual things I was used to, but they only had more reps and found ways to make it more challenging.

I just had trouble with the rope climbing exercise. Brandon did it without a hiccup and I felt like running away, but his team encouraged me to give it a try.

I jumped, grabbing hold of the end and had to use my shoulder strength to pull myself up, and once I got a hang of things. I started pulling myself up until I was touching the roof and slowly climbed back down. Landing to my feet and smiled when they applauded me.

“And you were afraid that you were going to throw up,” Brandon said holding his hand out to me for a high five.

“I’m not going to lie. I am hurting all over.”

I didn’t leave him hanging and gave him a high five before going over to my bag to get my water bottle.

I shoved my things into my bag and met Brandon downstairs where he bought me a shake. “This should help you out until you get home.” He noted.

“I am not going home after this. I am working.” I informed him, accepting the shake.

I felt like asking Aunt Maggie to give me the night off, but I know my dad will have a fit and I honestly don’t have the energy for that right now.

“Must suck being you.” He joked getting a tired smile out of me.

“Yeah, I just want to go back in time and kick myself on the butt for getting myself into this mess.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The next day I met the girls and together we made our way over to meet Isabelle Sanders at the hockey field she owns.

She hasn’t mentioned anything about agreeing to have us use her field when I spoke to her last night. She only shared her bewilderment when she learned who I was. Isabelle only asked me to meet her at the field with my team and we should be dressed for practice.

“I can’t believe I never thought of Isabelle Sanders and the fact that we are here,” Megan said with awe when we entered through the gates and made our way out onto the field.

“Ah, the Rebels of Louisiana.” Isabelle acknowledged, welcoming us over to meet her in the center of the field where she and Coach Peterson awaited our arrival.

Her once long red curls were now styled in short hair.

She still stood proud even though she aged and it didn’t look for a single moment that she retired years ago.

“Oh, man, she looks fierce,” Nicole muttered taking the words right out of my mouth.

“Duh, she was once a four-time international and Olympic champion.” Tammy reminded her.

---