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Zander was wiping the sweat off his forehead, as the camera zoomed on him. Gosh, he was so hot!
He had a huge smile on his face, "It was a tough game. Coach kept telling us to push ourselves and tonight, we did. Great job by Dawes on the interception. It gave us a chance to be in the scoring position."
Gemmie asked Zander, "You just clinched the Division tonight,how do you feel about that?"
"Very happy," he said, excitedly, his eyes shone brightly, "We have to take thisas a win and move forward."
A couple of Zander's teammates now joined him. Before Gemmie could ask another question, Zander touched two of his fingers to his lips. It was his private gesture to me. He did not make any obvious gesture or comment referring to me on camera because it would be publicized as usual.
I touched my mouth with my fingers. He knew I would be watching or recording the game. Whenever he was on camera, he told me that this was his way of letting meknow that I was on his mind.
Nalee stood up, "Our QB did great tonight!"
I smiled, "Yes, he did. His whole time did." I was so proud of him. I texted him right away.
Proud of you, babe. U are such a hottie! Miss u.
The sportscaster was now asking thecoach questions about the game. After Nalee left for her room, I caught the game’s highlights on the Sports Channel. Bob Reide, Sports Channel’s leading anchor, discussed the highs and lows of the game with 2 other commentators. Watching them argue about who did what, what went well for the Mariners, and what went wrong for Texas U, I started thinking that the TV cameras showed only the really good and the really bad parts. Everything else was deemed mediocre and unnecessary for coverage.
I wished the TV cameras also showed the important, meaningful parts of the athletes’ lives. The grueling daily workouts that stretched their physical capabilities. The mental toughness that it took to stay focused and function at optimal levels, in each and every game. The hours away from their significant others. The will to accept the outcome, especially, a loss. The injuries that could sideline them for a quarter, a game, a career. I’ve lost count of how many times I have assisted Zander in taping and re-taping compression wraps to immobilize his shoulders, wrists, and knees. Last week, when a 250-lb defenseman collided with him during the 3rdquarter of the game, his whole upper body was sore for 3 days. He joked that he could be my guinea pig on sports injuries once I started my PhD in Sports Science. A few minutes later, he commented that I had better not be touching those athletes the way I touched him.As if. I rolled my eyes at him and showed him exactly how I wanted to touch him.
Zander pushed himself constantly to become the best at what he did. He didn’t become the acclaimed star that he was by lying around and having it handed to him. He worked out religiously, practiced hard, and played even harder. His body was a testament of his devotion to the sport. The well-defined pecs, the six-pack abs, the hard, toned biceps, and the sinewy, long limbs? Those didn’t show up overnight. They were honed and developed for years. Physically, he was a sight to behold. I was a lucky woman to have all that for myself. But, he was way more than his physical attributes. He was intelligent and wise beyond his years. He thought of how his choices affected other people. He declined the full-ride university scholarship because it meant that another athlete who was counting on it to get through college, would not be able to get it. He wasn’t perfect. He piled on tons of dirty, sweaty laundry and didn’t wash them for 3 weeks. His logic was that he wanted to make sure that he wore all the shirts in his closet before it was time for a wash. To me, that was gross! When I was at his place, I helped him do a load or two, each week. He had a short fuse of temper when his teammates strayed from the game plan. He was moody, especially, when he thought I was making him wait for sex. The fun part was that he would try anything to get me in the mood.
Yes, those were the moments that the TV cameras did not and could not capture. Moments that made you feel the impact of their pain, their triumphs, and their journey. Moments that made them seem less of superhero figures and more human, like the rest of us.
It was almost 11:45, way later than my usual bedtime, by the time I turned off the TV. I had a great excuse; my boyfriend’s team just made division play-offs.
I wasn’t ready for my alarm clock to ring at 5 AM. I took a quick shower, dried my hair, put on my uniform, stopped by Yany’s donuts for a small mocha. By 6:10, I was walking inside the hospital. I took out my phone from my pocket. Weird. No calls or texts from Zander. I had a few minutes to spare before Professor Dawes came in so I checked my emails.
Zander’s email came in at 1:42 AM.
Babe,
Lost my phone. Thought I had it my locker but nope, it wasn’t. Called phone company already to lock it. I know you’re sleeping right now. Just want to say, I miss you. Can’t wait to be back in 3 days. Talk to you later today. I’ll borrow John’s phone or maybe we can video chat on the computer. Miss you.
~Z
Professor Dawes appeared in the hospital lobby before I could send a reply. Cell phones were not allowed in the nursing units so I had to put it on vibrate. My heart swelled from Zander’s email. It felt good to be in my place. My boyfriend was such a thoughtful guy. Those thoughts buoyed me throughout the early morning rotation.
I was having a great day. All three of my patients in the Cardiac Unit were ambulatory. I spent most of my time talking and walking with them. I felt my phone vibrate a few times in my pocket. I did not even glance at the caller or the text because I was with patients.
It wasn’t until lunch time that I had the chance to check my messages.
Tanya’s text, 10:15 AM: I’m sending you this bcoz it’s all over Chatty Pepper. Let him explain though.
Let who explain? I was boggled.
Nalee, 10:28 AM: Don’t buy into the rumors. Give him a chance to talk to you.
What was going on? Obviously, whatever this was,hewas Zander.
Kieran called and texted. His text at 10:45: Ace, he likes you. Don’t fall for this crap.
I was really confused. My appetite left me. I went outside the building to get a better signal.
The pictures that Tanya sent were still loading when I got a call from an unknown number. I ignored the call.
Cold, bucketful of water slammed, poured all over me when I saw the first picture. Zander was in his plain white t-shirt and light, flannel pajamas. His hair looked wet, like he justcame out the shower. He was hugging a dark-haired woman who appeared to be in jeans and a revealing tank top.
