Page 56 of Saving the Halfback

“Hey,” I said, pathetically.

His arm fell away, and he pulled back to look at me, his face flush, eyes tired. “Bailey.” He was still trying to catch hisbreath as he pushed up to a sitting position, his coiled muscles twitching.

“Thought I would return the favor.” I offered him the bottle, and he smiled.

“Thanks…I forgot mine.” He began chugging the two litres.

“Go easy. After a workout like that, drinking so fast could cause you to vomit.” I knelt down next to him. See? I was paying attention in gym class during those athletic health videos.

Nolan slowed before taking the water bottle away and putting the cap on. “How long have you been watching?”

I shrugged. “A few minutes.”

“Our old house has a huge backyard, so I was able to train without distractions. My father hates the new place because there is no yard. So, we ended up here.” Nolan removed the cap and took another sip before putting it on and handing it back to me. “Thanks for the water.” He stood and started walking toward where I had come from.

“Where’re you going?”

“I have to keep going. I have a protein shake waiting for me, and a video reel of all my failures and what to improve on.”

I stopped, frowning. “Failures at what?”

Nolan turned around. “Practice.”

I looked around. “Did…he leave you here?”

Nolan gave a little chuckle. “No, I’m walking back.” My frown deepened. “It sounds bad, but it’s not. If I stop moving, my muscles will seize up. The condo isn’t far. It’s better to walk back and let everything cool down.”

My eyes swung to the truck. “Okay, I’ll walk with you.” I stepped up next to Nolan.

Nolan looked down the road, then back at me sheepishly. “Okay, I lied, it’s a bit of a walk.” He winced.

I smiled. “I know where it is. Condos don’t just appear in this town without someone complaining. Dad used to say he knew the farmer who owned that land.”

Nolan relaxed as we started walking.

“What I said before, about you being a health nut and all that. That’s your dad too…isn’t it?”

“He’s enthusiastic when it comes to exercise and proper diet,” Nolan said dryly. The longer we walked, the more drained I noticed Nolan had become.

“Sorry if I’m prying.”

“No…you’re not. I work out twice a day, as per his regiment.” Nolan changed his voice, sounding more like a drill sergeant. “No sugar, it’s not sustainable energy. Focus on protein, you need to replenish your nutritional stores. If it didn’t come from or eat from this earth, it has no sustainable energy for you.” Nolan sighed, looking like he’d aged about ten years. “A few teachers at my old school called it abusive, hence the move, but it’s not. Like I said, he’s just enthusiastic. This is what he does for a living. He’s a personal trainer.”

“I thought you moved for football.”

“That’s what I tell most people.”

“And I take it you’re an only child, so he pours all of his enthusiasm into you.” I tried to joke about it, lighten the mood a little.

It didn’t cause the effect I wanted, though. Nolan just gave me a sad smile. “Actually, no. I have a brother. He was my identical twin. He died two years ago.”

I felt stupid. “Sorry.” I winced. To lose a sibling must be difficult enough, but an identical twin? It was hard to imagine two Nolans.

“It’s okay. I’m okay talking about him.” He chuckled. “I’m a great player because of my dad’s regiment. Seriously, you should have seen me before. Class-A book nerd who didn’t know howto throw a tennis ball, let alone a football. I was the genius introvert, and my brother was the football player. I wouldn’t be half the person I am now without my dad.”

I already knew about Nolan being a nerd from when he relaxed around me and Lachlan. “Was your brother’s name Nick?” I had a hunch.

“Yes. Nicholas.”

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