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SAM
To say I was walking on a cloud these days would be an understatement. A big one. I have no words to describe the happiness I’m feeling.
Drew and I decided to move into the master suite at the farm house together. We cleaned out our rooms and settled into the new room quite blissfully. We even have the jacuzzi in there that looks out the other side of the house into the woods. It’s heavenly. The house now has three well appointed guest rooms with their own ensuites. My grandmother was tired of cleaning up boy pee in the bathroom, when they had this house built, she insisted every bedroom have their own bathroom and everyone was responsible for cleaning their own. It sure made her happy. I can see why if she had this great jacuzzi to herself.
Drew is still working on plans and gathering estimates to build his office off the barn. He’s confident he’ll get the green light and we will get Mr. Burns’ approval. I’m throwing myself into the team and finding myself actually happy to be doing it. Our team is doing very well. We are a few weeks into the season now and the changes to practices are making a huge difference. From the plays the lines are executing to the fitness the boys are displaying the changes are evident. The added bonus of Drew being an official therapist is amazing as well.
He had approached me asking if we should make it available to the team as an extra service since he knows so many issues kids can be struggling with. Maybe they don’t feel like talking to their coach’s, parents, or billet family. They can talk to Drew and know he has confidentiality through his profession. A handful of the guys have taken him up on it and while he couldn’t share the details with me due to confidence, I know at least two of my first line forwards have reached out a few times.
All of these things combined are making me feel like I’m on top of the world. I could do this and make a plan for my life, and it will all be well. I never stopped smiling.
Until the day I got a phone call and that changed.
DREW
I’m working on a plan for how I want to lay out my new office when the time comes, when Nixon calls.
“Hey, Nix, my man, what can I do for you?”
“Where are you right now?” he asks without any preamble, and I don’t like the feeling that gives me.
“Uh, I’m just out in the barn taking some measurements. Why?”
“K, don’t freak out.”
“How can I not when you start out saying that, dude? What the hell? Is it Sam? Fucking spit it out.”
“I was just going to stop by the rink and discuss a few things with Sam about the upcoming road trip since I knew she was working in the office today. Ah, she was crying and wouldn’t let me in for a while. I waited her out because I knew you weren’t there, and I didn’t know if she needed anything. She swore I’m not supposed tell you anything, so don’t tell her I called, K?”
I already begin walking out to my truck to go to her and find out what is going on. “Is she still there? Is she okay?”
“She’s okay, man. She wouldn’t tell me what was up. She only said it was an anxiety attack about the upcoming trip, and she was freaking out. I don’t buy it, but she was okay by the time she left the rink. I just wanted to give you a heads up that something was going on. It didn’t feel like she had an anxiety attack to me. I felt like it was something else.”
I wheeze out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and drop my head back to look at the sky. It’s overcast and feels like early snow is coming. “Thanks for the heads-up, Nix. I’ll see if I can find a way to get her to talk to me.”
“Anytime, buddy. I know you would look out for my woman if the roles were reversed.”
I snort. “Nix, will you ever get a woman while I’m still young or are you still swearing off relationships?”
“Hey! I resemble that remark. I’ll have you know I may change my tune one day, but until then I like the variety. Keep me posted if I need to know anything ahead of our road trip. I don’t want to unintentionally set things off with Sam if I can avoid it.”
“I will.” Sam’s truck is pulling into the driveway. “She’s home, so I’m gonna let you go.” I hang up, not waiting for Nixon’s response and start walking out to meet Sam. Most nights I can’t wait to feel her in my arms. Now, though, I feel an urgency to do it and make sure my girl is okay.
SAM
I hung up the phone in my office in a daze.
Jason, fucking, Lawless.
That waste of space and poor excuse of a human being was going to be at our away games scouting. At least I know what happened to him after he ruined my life. He undoubtedly bribed his way into this position. Although he was most likely still wearing his mask of a charming gentleman extremely well to still be where he’s at. His assistant called me to let me know he wanted to, speak to management about a few players. He damn well knows who owns the team and who would be in charge. Now, my mind is a mess wondering what he’s up to. My heart starts to beat erratically when I realize I will need to see him. In person.
The first time in over two years that I will be seeing this slimeball again. I start to hyperventilate and blackness is creeping in at the edge of my vision. I place my head between my legs, taking deep breaths to calm myself. When the blackness starts to recede, I sit up again and stare blankly at my desk before I burst into tears. All the pain and humiliation I had never before allowed myself to feel comes pouring out of me and I find myself unable to stop. I’m crying for my wounded heart and any woman after me that might have fallen for his sadistic ways. Inside he was nothing, but a hollow shell. I don’t think he could ever be capable of loving another person. I have come so far in a short time, but all it takes is a simple call and the mention of his name to bring it all down.
I hear Nixon at my door, but there’s no way I want him seeing me like this. I lock the door so he can’t come barging in and sink to the floor trying to collect myself and create a plan for how I’m going to handle this meeting. I can’t tell Drew or he’ll find some way to be there and rip Jason’s arms off in a fit of rage. I definitely don’t want Nixon to know what’s going on and have to share that dark place of my life with him. Nope, I have to be strong and do this on my own. Face the beast and hope I come out unharmed.
DREW
I can tell something is up with Sam. She brushes it off as nerves, anxiety and a stressful day. While I can partially buy that, I can tell there’s something else bothering her and I’m disappointed she doesn’t want to share it with me. I watch with concern as she pushes food around her plate.
