Page 14 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
And it was worth it, as he cleaned up his kitchen and dragged himself to the shower.Scrubbing all the sweat off his body, brushing his teeth, and flopping into bed, he fell asleep fast and hard.Elliot woke to the sweet, dulcet sounds of his phone screaming from the living room.He had to stomp his way to the living room and get it.
When turning it off, he had a text staring him in the face.
From:Cassie Journalism Darling
I meant to apologize yesterday but it got away from me.It’s probably the sun frying my head.But, I came off strong on the first day and I was very unprofessional and judgmental of your profession.I understand that this means a lot to you, and I want this to do well.Well, I need this to do well, so I’m going to give you the same professional courtesy that I give every article or piece I work on.I hope this comes off as sincere as I’m meaning it, and I would have done this in person, but it slipped away from me and I didn’t want to forget it.
There was a burning urge to immediately call her.Then he saw the time.She'd sent it sometime last night at midnight.He'd passed out before ten.It was 5 am.His mother used to throw things at his head if he called too late, but Coach taught him never to call too early.Instead, hoping the text didn't wake her if she was still asleep, he responded.
To: Cassie Journalism Darling
Good mornin!No stress.Head games are killer, but super appreciate the courtesy.See you on the field today?We never did answer the questions about the game like you wanted.We're doing indoor strength training after 7 so if you roll up and we're not there, go up the hill to the gym connected to the arena.You'll know it's us cause Toad plays his work out jams loud enough to knock a horse over.
He took his phone back to his room and worked to get ready.Thankfully, they did half of the week indoors.Poor thing wasn't fully ready for all the sun.She needed a visor or one of those radical floppy hats.That's when he stopped brushing his teeth and stared at his phone.Sneakers.He'd been challenged to find her sneakers.And Elliot Bonesaw was nothing if not a man of his word.So, while he worked to get himself ready for the day, he flipped through a few of his favorite sports gear places.Up and down, he couldn't find anything that screamed Cassiopeia Darling.But he wasn't giving up.
Even as he dressed and prepared for the day, he kept the idea in his head.He'd find her snazzy sneakers and then, they'd work to wearing comfortable clothing.Not that she didn't look smoking in anything she wore.He could still remember her on the field yesterday, silk camisole pressed to her torso as she helped him stretch.Did he need her help?No.Did he relish the look on her face as they went back and forth?Yes.The smile on her face, the way she rolled her eyes, the cute stomp of her foot when she tossed her notepad, all of it.He didn't imagine she would ever let him truly change her to comfortable clothing, but a minotaur could dream.Of seeing her in jogging sweats and a sports bra, waving at him from the sidelines, visor and sunscreen and a brilliant smile.Oh yeah, he liked that idea.
Maybe he shouldn't.But he did.
Pre-workout in a shaker bottle, jogging down the steps to the sidewalk, he met up with Toad."You ready for a new day?"
"You ready to spot me?I'm feeling strong today!"Toad wiggled back and forth, dancing from foot to foot.
"Forever and always," Elliot cheered, taking a sip.The pair jogged down the sidewalk, knees high and bags swinging on their backs.
"Hey, so, uh, I meant to ask, how’s the interview thing going?I see you talking to Cass."Toad tossed back a chug of his thicker gunk of pre-workout.
"Good!She's got a lot to make on top of my piece, but she's super capable, no worries."There were a few worries, but Toad didn't need to know them.Not even Toad knew about his family.No one did.And no one would, if he could manage it.
"Right on, right on," Toad nodded his head in acknowledgement."So, Coach?"
"Right," Elliot laughed nervously.They hadn't really talked much on the subject.Next season was so far away, Elliot hadn't even considered what that would mean for his team.His heart hammered in his chest and it wasn't the run.He took a heavy gulp of his pre-workout."Coach."
"Look, Elle, I'm not pressuring you to think about it before you're ready, but, bro…you're about to be coach.You've gotta start pulling back, thinking big picture."Toad sent him an encouraging look."Start planning your departure, too."
His departure?As if he hadn't been thinking about it constantly.Elliot slowed to a brisk walk, Toad elbow to elbow with him.He'd been so wrapped up in getting the job he didn't even think about what happened when he got it.Elliot had spent his whole career just trying to be the best.Trying to convince the mean voices in his head that it was worth it.Not the money, not the fame, not the applause; but was playing SportsBall worth it to not be there for his family?His father had wanted Elliot to take over the business.He was big, he was strong, and he was intimidating.Elliot didn't want that to be his legacy.So, SportsBall had to be worth it.Now, being a coach needed to be worth it.
"Well, I guess I need to talk to Renner, for real this week, get his last passing wisdom, huh?"Elliot gave Toad a weak smile.
Toad gave him a brilliant grin back, "Don't worry, you got this.You've got the head to be coach, you just gotta get in there and play the game.You've always been better once your fingers were in the mix."
Elliot chuckled, clapping his hand to Toad's shoulder."Aprecish, bro."
"I got you, bro."
As they turned to start again, in unison they gasped.They had stopped beside a sports boutique.The window was full of jogging attire and barbells.However, in one section, were sneakers.And a pretty cherry red with fashionable trim caught his eye.Elliot flashed Toad a big, mischievous smirk, "You know who'd those would look good on?"
"Journalist supreme," Toad nodded his head and they ducked into the shop.Thankfully, most sports and coffee shops were open at this hour.Glistening sun rising over the tree-tops, the morning just rolling in, they stopped in for the pretty but fashionable sneakers in the window.Elliot wasn't too ashamed to say he'd clocked her shoe size in those heels.The boots had been a better choice, good arch support and ankle safe.But these bad boys?Oh, these sneakers would give her relief and support.Perfect for his little journalist to keep up with him in.
With a bag in hand, they returned to their jog out the door and down the sidewalk.Had he bought a bit more than sneakers?Yeah…but what's sneakers without socks?And what's a running shoe without leggings?and you can't just get leggings without getting the top to match?Right?
Elliotglancedupfromthe weights as a sweet perfume cut through the harsh scent of sweat.As much as the scent of outside and grass mixed with sweaty bodies smelt like home, when it was trapped indoors it was intense.Her light, pearly perfume was a welcome change as Cassiopeia sidled up next to him.Her tote on her arm, she looked around at all the athletes in their stations."Wow, when we're on the field the team doesn't seem so big, then you crunch everyone into one singular room."
Elliot chuckled, "Yeah, plus most of us are bulkier than a brick wall; takes up space."
He turned away from his task of putting away weights, instantly clocking her struggling with her bag.She flushed when she caught him staring at the large tote."I needed my laptop.I've got to start writing some stuff, so while we were indoors, I was going to utilize the wifi."
"Big brain move, I like it."He nodded his head in appreciation."But, you can't leave bags on the ground like you can on the field.Wanna use a locker?We got some."
