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“Like you can’t even imagine. I’ve tried so hard, put everything into being here, and I get hurt. That’s just my luck.”
We pulled up to the drive-up pharmacy and Hayden dropped off my prescription for me. We parked and went inside while it got filled. I picked up a heating blanket, another big bottle of Motrin, then sat down and waited for my medication when Hayden walked off. He was back in minutes handing me a bottle of juice and a box of medicine.
Looking down, I asked, “What is it?”
“Cranberry pills. I read in Cosmo they should also help with UTI’s and since it’s kind of connected, I figured why not. It’s all natural stuff so it won’t counteract your medication.”
My jaw hung open, my brows scrunched together. “Please don’t tell anyone you read Cosmo, Hayden. That’s so…not hot.”
He grinned. “It pays to have a sister who reads them. You’d be surprised the stuff you can learn in there.” He paused, pulling out his phone and did a quick Google search. “Most outrageous, psychotic tips Cosmo has suggested that will put you in the hospital.”
Our eyes locked and we smiled. “Let’s read it while we’re waiting,” I said.
The doctor had been right—my body desperately needed the rest. All this training had finally caught up to me. Overused, overworked, and not resting muscles properly probably added to my body shutting down and not being able to fight the infection. I had a fever all day long and well into the next morning until it finally broke. The painkillers were magical, and the agony I had been dealing with was finally starting to dissipate within twenty-four hours. Even if I had gone to gym, it probably wasn’t the brightest idea to train while on them. They made me loopy, which Avery got to enjoy when I face-timed her and filled her in on all that happened, sans the sex.
None of my coaches or teammates had called, except Hayden. Not that they would anyway. And truthfully, I didn’t know whether that made me happy or not.
Loneliness struck. Looking around, I liked my space and I was used to my privacy, but for some odd reason the solitude was hitting hard and beginning to upset me. My emotions were scattered about and frayed at the edges. I was going to break if I added one more thing to my fucked up lifestyle. Between training, school, keeping track of all the lies I told, I’d never had this much time to myself to reflect on my current state. Tears welled in my eyes as realization dawned on me at the person I’d become. A habitual liar.
My phone rang, distracting my thoughts. Picking it up, I glanced at the caller ID and a smile broke out across my face.
“Hi, Dad!”
“Hey, baby girl, how are you doing?”
“I’m okay. How are you?”
“Oh, you know, no rest for the wicked.”
I grinned. That was his favorite line. “Yeah.”
“So, Mom called me…” he trailed off, waiting for me to finish for
him.
“I have a little infection, but I’m doing much better now. No need to worry.” I really didn’t want to go into detail about the kidney infection.
He released a stressful sigh. “Honey, I always worry about you. You’re my daughter, and with you not being home it makes me worry even more.”
My shoulders relaxed. “I know, but really, I’m okay. My friend, Hayden, took me to the doctor and then we went to the pharmacy afterward to get what I needed.”
“The doctor prescribed you some medicine?”
“Yeah, antibiotics and a pain killer. They’re helping tremendously.”
“Are you getting enough rest, sweetie? I know you’re probably used to the schedule by now, but maybe you need a break.” He paused. “You can come home any time.”
My heart softened at his thoughtfulness. “No rest for the wicked, Dad,” I replied quietly.
He chuckled. “Tough little thing. What did Konstantin say about you being home?”
“I actually haven’t spoken to him, and I’m honestly surprised the gym isn’t blowing up my phone. Hayden did take in my doctor’s note so maybe that’s why.”
“Good. That’s because I took care of it for you so you didn’t have to worry. I stressed to him that it would be in his best interest to give you time to rest. I had to smooth out his ruffled feathers when he called me,” he chuckled lightly. “That piece of paper doesn’t hold much water for some people.”
I pursed my lips together, puzzled. “You spoke to Kova?”
“I did. We actually talk about every other week. I know you can take care of yourself, but I do worry about you there all alone, so he gives me updates and lets me know how your training is going.”
