Page 260 of Steeling Her
“Hi there, guys,” Carrie greets the two owners.
“Well? How did it do?” they joke but at the same time, I can tell they want to know if they are going to sell this house or not.
I reach for their hands and shake them individually. “I love it.” I smile, making them sigh. “This home is truly beautiful, and the views are just incredible,” I express honestly. “Are you sure you want to sell it?” I joke and we dive into more of a light conversation about the property. The more they tell me the details of the place and the history, the more I fall in love with it.
I know this house has a thousand stories. I want mine to be a thousand and one.
My phone begins to buzz in my pocket. I know that it’s my alarm for me to get to training. I’m new to the team, and I can’t have the reputation of being tardy, so I better be going.
“I’m sorry. I have to go and train with the team, so if I don’t leave now, I will be late and get dropped.” I chuckle and shake their hands once more; which is more out of gratitude for their hospitality and kindness. They took the time out today to talk to me and convince me to get this house but the house spoke for itself.
“We couldn’t allow that as your fans either!” They laugh as we walk to the doorway. I bid the three of them goodbye. I wait until she leaves first; it allowed me to have that one last look at the house that is soon going to be mine. All is going well with the bid.
Usually, you don’t meet the owners but they made the effort to meet me. I’m also glad to have met them too. It made the process that little bit easier. They made it more of a home rather than a house they want to sell and move on.
I put my car in gear and move back down the long driveway, towards the gateway that had been open for my arrival and departure.
As I speed towards the training grounds, I can’t help but think about the house more and more. I’m beginning to let my mind wander back to my imaginary family that I have with Carter. Her laugh echoing through the home, her humming to a sound on the radio or TV as she cooks in the kitchen, her playing with Taylor and our imaginary kids in the playroom, it’s endless.
It’s my wish, but I don’t know if it’ll come true.
As soon as I make it to the training ground, I pull up into a free parking spot so I can go inside and start my training with the rest of the guys.
I pull out my bag and sling it over my shoulder when I step out of the car. The media are surrounding the entrance to the building. I put my shades on and grunt with disapproval. They’re so much worse out here; they follow your every move. They know everything about you and catch you off guard with the meddling questions they have.
They’re like vultures waiting for you to pass out so they can swoop in and pick your guts up for dinner. They’re ruthless and only care about the perfect shot, one that’s not perfect for you.
I lock up the car and make my way towards the crowded doors. I’m greeted with screams and yells from the people behind the lens. I put my headphones on and blast the music so I can drown out the annoyance surrounding me.
As I make my way down towards the changing room, I walk past old jerseys from legends, memorabilia, and iconic photos. I pass them all the time to get to the locker room, but I’m only really noticing them now.
Hopefully, I’ll leave a mark here too.
I change out of my clothes and into my gym clothes so I can get going. I notice that there are a few guys still changing too. That tells me I’m not as late as I thought I was.
My headphones are still on, so I remove them so I can really focus today. The team usually plays some sort of background music to keep the training fun for the weights session, but the field session is complete and utter focus; no music no playing around.
We start with weights and move to field.
I’m in the room lifting my weights and listening to TJ complain about the fact that Haley won’t let him buy a new car when he has three already and she has one of her own.
Not by the money she’s made.
“Look at it though, it’s so shiny!” he whines and quivers his lower lip.
“I don’t know why you’re trying to convince me. I’m not getting married to you, so that whole lip shit doesn’t work with me, remember? I know you like the back of my hand, TJ, it’s not going to work.” I breathe heavily while I push the weight up and down. TJ is meant to be spotting me but he’s too busy about the car. “Plus, you already have three of them. Shouldn’t you be saving for—oh, I don’t know—a wedding?” I ask sarcastically.
Chris later joins us for him to actually spot me while TJ complains about the vehicle that he’s not allowed to buy, courtesy of Haley.
“But she’s your sister, can’t you just talk to her?” he begs me.
“No.” I set the bar down on the resting plates and sit myself up to take a breather. I’ve been going at it pretty hard today. I’m full of good energy and I have the need to put it somewhere, but I know my body will later hate me for it. “It doesn’t work like that.” I shake my head and reach for some water while simultaneously stretching my legs and arms to loosen them up.
“What? Yes it does!” He waves off my comment.
“Have you met Haley? She doesn’t listen to single word I say. You have better luck going through my dad than me. It goes in one ear and out the other with her.” I take a deep breath to slow my heart rate and lie back to relax after gulping down some of the water filled with electrolytes. The sweat is pumping out of me, but I feel good for it.
“But it’s my money!” he says and I raise both eyebrows in surprise. He’s not wrong, but he would have been bitch slapped by his fiancé if she heard him.
