Page 117 of Forever Offsides

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RHETT

It’s been the longest week of my life. Well, maybe the longest three weeks. We won our Sunday at-home game following our first loss, but after that, we’ve been on the road. We played in LA and won—which Crew loved since it was against his former team—but we stayed out west because we play Seattle today.

It means I haven’t seen Quinn other than on FaceTime in ten days.

We’ve both had long, busy days of work, but nights have been tough. I was getting used to falling asleep beside her, feeling her hair tickle my face and chest. I miss waking up to the feel of her naked body and the smell of her skin.

We fly home tonight after the game, and it can’t come soon enough. Even if we travel to Buffalo on Wednesday for a Thursday night game. It’s going to be a monster of a week with a quick turnaround, but then we’ll have a Sunday game at home that leads us into the bye.

I never used to mind road games. Honestly, I looked forward to them. They were a break from my usual, dull routine. They’d make the empty nights a little less ordinary. But now all I want is to be home with my girl.

On top of that, Russel’s been off.

He’s been tense and edgy off the field. Some of his newfound polish and shine are wearing thin, and cracks are forming beneath his veneer. When I asked him what was going on, he blew me off as he always does and simply called it stress and wanting to be perfect. I did manage a dinner with him last week, but he spent most of it on his phone and barely talked to me.

He hasn’t mentioned his comments about Quinn or the photo montage that has circulated the globe.

Quinn hasn’t talked about it either, and I’m doing my best to go with the flow when going with the flow has never exactly been my style.

I’m on the bus with the other coaches and staff on our way to the stadium. It’s pouring rain and cold. Not a light Seattle drizzle, but a waterfall tumbling from the heavens, coupled with high forty-degree temperatures. It’s going to be a miserable, grueling game. Lots of running, which Mason won’t love. Not to mention, standing outside for four hours in it isn’t my favorite part of this job.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but when I see who’s texting me, there’s no stopping my smile.

Quinn: Hope you have a great game today. Missing you.

Me: Thanks. Missing you. Are you working today?

A selfie comes in of her in front of the OR. She’s in blue scrubs, with no makeup on her smiling face. Her red hair is tucked beneath a surgical cap that has snowboarders on it. It makes me chuckle lightly. It’s so Quinn, and yet it almost surprises me she’s wearing that and putting it out there. She keeps so much of herself locked away.

Me: Beautiful. Thank you. That made my day. I like your cap.

Quinn: Crew and Mason bought it for me after I graduated from medical school. They had it made specially for me, and on the inside are the Olympic rings.

Me: That’s pretty cool.

Quinn: It definitely is. I wear it whenever they play, and I’m working. This year is even better now that they’re both on the same team.

Me: I love how you love your family.

Quinn: They’re easy to love.

Like you, I think but don’t say.

Me: This winter you’ll have to take me boarding so I can see you in action.

Quinn: You ski, right? I remember you telling me that.

Me: I do. You can teach me how to snowboard as long as I don’t break a hip. At my age, they’ll put me in a home.

Quinn: *Eye rolling emoji* You’re not that old. And besides, I have a secret.

Me: What’s that?

Quinn: I like older men.

Me: All older men?