Page 19 of Blocking Her Love

The breakfast Sean prepares is enjoyable as the three of us avoid the topic of Maya’s knee. We revisit memories of how we’ve gotten to this place in our careers. Good, and even the not so good moments, pale in comparison to our current situation.

Sean retrieves Maya’s laptop from the bedroom while I load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. Maya boots her computer. “Okay, you two. No we really do need to do some serious talking.”

The recliner now faces the couch so Sean and I sit with a cushion wide space between us. Maya gives us a disappointed look and shakes her head. Clear evidence she does suspect something happened between us last night. I need to talk with Sean about what and how much to tell her. And how soon. Definitely sooner than later. Maya’s too astute for us to be sneaking around. Especially when we all share the same apartment.

“I’ve been thinking,” Maya begins. “There’s nothing we can do about this tournament. Even if substitutes were allowed there’s not enough time to find someone.”

“I’m not teaming with anyone but you,” I say. “I mean it. We started our careers together. We’ll finish together. This is just a bump in the road.”

Her brows arch. “Sure, that promise was fine when we were in college. We’re older now. We know the highs and lows of top level competition. We’ve seen players and teams come and go. Maybe… well, maybe my injury indicates our time is over. I don’t want to hold you back. I figure if we pull out of the next three tournaments it’ll give you enough time to find a new partner and?—”

“No.” I lean forward and shake my finger at her. “Once you’re?—”

“Ellie, you heard the doctor. You’ve seen the effects of a torn ACL in other athletes. There’s no guarantee I’ll ever get back into competition form. No guarantee I’ll ever be able to play on the elite, professional level again. We have to face facts. I may not be able to get on the sand right now and there’s no way I’m abandoning the team. Your dream is sacred to me.”

I look at the man beside me. “Sean?”

He moves closer and takes my hand. Maya grins. After taking a deep breath he says, “We all know that even under the best circumstances there’s no way Maya will be able to compete this season. She doesn’t want you to lose your skill level or for the Olympic coaches to forget about you.” He glances at his sister. “Am I doing okay?”

“Perfect. Ellie, at least give it some thought. Tryout a couple of girls. See how they work out in a competition setting. Keep going. Improving. Knowing that you’re still headed toward the goal of gold medals will ease my mind and help me heal faster. Better.”

Oh, she’s good. She’s pushing all the right buttons to get me to do what she wants. I’ll go along with her. At least for now. “Fine. I’ll agree to at least work with possible teammates as long as they realize competing with me is temporary. Only until you’re back in fighting form.” I grin. “I assume you already have a list of candidates.”

Returning my grin, she turns her screen toward me. “Of course. And I’ve already crossed off a couple. Like… Karol.”

Sean gives what I suspect isn’t a mock shudder. “Good. I don’t think I’d ever be able to coach that bitch. Hell, I don’t even want to be on the same beach.”

He squeezes my hand before releasing it. “I need to meet with this tournament’s organizers. Since you won’t be competing, I’m going to let them know I’ll spend the whole day with the kids’ activities. I hope you’ll help out, too.

“Of course. Maybe then our young friend from the pier won’t be too disappointed we’re not competing. Spending individual time on the sand with us should be an acceptable substitution.” Heat fills my face when I realize I’ve included Maya in my ‘us’. I cast her an apologetic look.

Her expression is determined—her game face. “That’s the other thing I need to talk about. There is no way I’m staying cooped up here while you two are on the beach. I should have no problem getting to the edge of the sand with those damn crutches, but after that, you’ll need to devise some way to get me over the sand. To a safe observation point.”

“Baby sis, don’t you worry. I’ll figure it out.”

By some miracle, three days later Sean claims to have a plan and we load up his truck and head to the competition site. I have no clue how he found time to work on anything to help Maya traverse the sand though. Between dealing with the management side of his duties—which he refuses to relinquish to Maya—and all the moments we found to sneak away to someplace private, there wasn’t much of the day left.

Oh, those private moments. Often we started out talking but it really is impossible to keep my hands, and other parts of my body, off him when we’re alone.

Maya’s caught us a few time. She only smiles and leaves us alone. I worry I’m not spending enough time with her and she’s spending too much of her days in her own head. I sense she’s confused about something. Until she brings it up, I’m not sure how to help.

Today excitement fills her expression. “I can’t wait to feel the sand under my feet. Well, uh, foot,” she exclaims.

Once we’ve taken the closest parking space we find, Sean leans over the steering wheel to peer at the area crowded with volleyball courts, tents for officials and competitors, and informational displays. The narrow open spaces are congested with people.

“The organizers were kind enough to set up a spare competitors’ bench with an umbrella by the kids’ area. Paxton helped me construct a sled-like contraption we can pull to get you there safely. Warning you though. It’s not pretty.”

Maya pats his shoulder. “Doesn’t matter what it looks like. As long as it gets me where I want to go.”

Just maneuvering Maya’s knee brace covered leg in and out of the truck is a process and a small crowd gathers. A pair of tall, tanned men wearing matching loose tees make their way through the observers toward us.

“O.M.G,” Maya whispers. “The B Boys. What are they doing here?”

We’ve been on the circuit a few years but we’ve never met the number one team in the country. Both fist bump Sean, nod at me, then focus on Maya.

“Sorry to hear about your injury, Maya. Sucks big time,” Brett, the slightly taller one says. “Not a good way to start a season.”

“We’ll miss seeing you at the tourneys,” Blaine adds. “You and Ellie are a great team.”

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