Page 29 of Unmade

I dropped my tee on the ground and bent over to rest my hands on my thighs, and I just focused on my breathing. And the sun on my back. Fuck me, fuck me. I swallowed dryly and waited for my heart rate to come down.

Deep breaths.

“I see we’re both accomplishing greatness in the morning.” That sounded like Beckett. “You went running, and I had a donut.”

I heaved a breath and straightened up, and fuck him for looking so damn hot.

“I went to the gym too,” I mentioned, out of breath.

He eyed me up and down, lingering a second extra around my stomach. “And I actually had two donuts.” He extended a Post-it to me. “I was gonna give this to you yesterday, but my last class ran late. It’s your first counseling session with Doc.”

What? I eyed the note. Tomorrow at 16:00. The fuck?

“It’s mandatory,” Beckett said.

I let out a labored breath and picked up my tee. “For everyone?”

“No, just you. For now. Everyone’s being assessed.”

Sure, sure. Fuck. Goddammit. “And since I ran my mouth about my indifference, I now need a head doctor.”

He smiled. “Think of it as a reward for good behavior.”

I huffed.

“I’m assuming you’re off to the showers,” he went on. “Meet me in the cafeteria in twenty minutes for breakfast.”

So I could run my mouth some more and get another reward? No thanks.

“Yessir,” I said instead.

* * *

The cafeteria was crowded when I got there, and I spotted Beckett at a table toward the back. Breakfast was clearly a busy time here. I estimated some forty people were eating.

It was a fast-moving line, thankfully, and I grabbed a tray. One bowl of oatmeal and an apple, before I eyed the selection of eggs and bacon on the hot-plate station.

“Can I get two over-easy, please?” I asked.

“Sure thing.” The lady extended a small plate with two eggs.

“Thank you, ma’am.” I piled on some bacon too, then went to get my water and coffee.

I appreciated real creamer, not the powdered one I’d gotten used to. And three sugars… I hesitated. Oh, whatever. I only had one cup a day. Four sugars.

When I reached Beckett’s table, I sat down across from him and saw he was making notes in the binder he and Coach were always carrying around.

“You’re getting moved today too,” he said without looking up. “All the recruit dorms need to be inspected for water damage.”

Suh-weet.

“Okay.” I started shoveling oatmeal into my mouth.

“Unfortunately, we’re running out of studio units, so three of you will share a one-bedroom, and you will stay at my place.”

Uh, say again? I knitted my brows. Had I heard that right?

He glanced over at me. “I won’t be there,” he clarified. “I’m staying at my mother’s at the moment anyway.”

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