Page 6 of Sideline Sweetheart
“Fascinating,” Jamie says, and I glare at her. “Who would have thought one little dinner invitation would throw you into such a snit.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you going to help me or not?”
Allison waves a dismissive hand. “Of course we are, but first let me ask you this, are you attracted to Bryce?”
“Are you kidding? I’d have to be in a coma not to be.”
“Great,” Luna says standing, the others following suit. She taps on her phone and three dings sound in my office. “There, I created a group chat. Now whenever you are in need of advice all you have to do is sound the alarm and you’ll have us at your fingertips. And when you accept Bryce’s invitation?—”
“I think you meanifI accept,” I interject interrupting Luna.
Luna levels me with a glare. “Whenyou accept Bryce’s dinner invitation, all you have to do is text us your address and we’ll come over to give you a pep talk and help you pick your outfit.”
“Oh, I like this idea,” Allison says rubbing her hands together. “I’ll bring the wine.”
“No, no one is bringing wine,” I say to Allison. “You all seem sure I’m going to say yes. Have you not noticed I’m a redhead and we have a penchant for being stubborn?”
Jamie crosses her arms over her chest. “Please, you know you’re going to accept.”
I sigh in resignation as I step around to the front of my desk and perch on the edge. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I also know I’ll feel guilty about it the whole time.”
Luna’s hand lands on my shoulder. “There’s no reason to feel guilty. This isn’t like having a private practice. Everything these guys do will be made public. We all met our husbands here, so there’s no retaliation from human resources. And, if you’re worried about Bryce being a player not of the football variety, I can tell you in the last four years he’s been nothing but respectful to the female staff and as far as I know hasn’t dated anyone seriously for a while. So,” she says with a shrug, “if he asked you out, he’s not doing it on a whim.”
“Thank you. Knowing he’s put some thought into asking me out does help,” I say feeling myself relax a little more.
Jamie claps her hands together. “Okay, then, we won’t keep you any longer. And don’t forget we are only a text away if you need us.”
“Thanks, you all. I really appreciate it,” I say with a smile as I watch the three of them file out my door and then return to my desk. I open the group chat Luna set up and text them my address.
In case you need it in the future.
With my phone still in my hand, I take a deep breath, flip over the business card and send a text to Bryce.
As much as I appreciate the dinner invitation, I have to decline.
Three dots appear as I stare at the screen waiting for words to appear.
Playing hard to get? Challenge accepted.
I stare at the screen wondering how in the world I’m supposed to respond. When nothing comes to mind, I toss my phone on my desk and drop my head into my hands. Letting out a frustrated growl I resign myself to the fact turning down Bryce Coban may be a lot tougher than I expected.
While strength and conditioning continues,practices have amplified. The guys are taking more hits as they prepare for the season to begin. With more hits comes more work for me. After hours in the training room evaluating injuries, I finally settle behind my desk to make notes on each of the players I’ve seen today.
I’m focused on my laptop when there’s a knock on my door. “Yes,” I call glancing up as the door swings open.
A young woman I recognize as Lydia from the dining hall, peeks through the opening. “Doctor Flynn?”
“Oh, hi, Lydia. What can I do for you?” I ask closing my laptop as she steps inside.
She smiles as she walks toward my desk, a white plastic bag in her hand. “I was asked to deliver this to you.”
I accept the bag, reach inside, and remove a takeout container, utensils and a bottle of water. I pop open the lid and my stomach rumbles on queue, as the aroma of perfectly seasoned steak fills my nostrils along with mushrooms, onions,peppers and gooey cheese all nestled in a sub roll. My mouth waters as I’m reminded, I’ve worked through lunch.
“Thank you, Lydia, I’ve been so busy, I forgot to eat today.”
“It happens to all of us. Enjoy your lunch,” she says as she turns for the door.
“Lydia,” I say stopping her before she’s out the door.
