You’ve got this. The text comes from Patty just as I’m about to throw up in the parking lot on my way in to my first day with the Pittsburgh Forge. On the one hand, this is an amazing professional opportunity, and one I almost gave up dreaming about. On the other, I made out with the team’s newest player and there’s just no way around that being awkward. I just have to hope he won’t blab about it to the other guys.
I grab my stuff and toss the new lanyard around my neck so my ID is handy. I stare down at it again to make sure it’s real. Lucy Nelson, Strength and Conditioning Coach. I’m the lone female member of the coaching and medical staff. I also happen to be the only coach who never played professionally, but as I reminded them in my interview, that’s because there are far fewer opportunities for women to play soccer at that level.
Then some sort of spirit took over my body and I challenged all of them to a plyometric conditioning assessment. Todd, the head coach, laughed and offered me the job. Tawnya keeps texting me to say they were all impressed and would have hired me even if they weren’t desperate to fill the role.
But I also know the team is desperate for help. This morning’s headlines centered around Pittsburgh’s professional sports teams, as always. The baseball team is abysmal, the football team is holding steady, the hockey season hasn’t started yet, and the soccer team…the soccer team has a lot going on between the move to the higher division, the doping scandal, and signing a hot-shot new star who just happens to have been born in the ‘Burgh.
Maybe there won’t be enough energy left to care about the new fitness coach by the time they’re done picking apart Hawk Moyer.
So here I am, in my black and gold gear, crossing the threshold of my dream job, but reminding myself I’m technically here in an interim role. I’m basically auditioning for two months before they decide if they’ll open up an international search. International. Don’t get too comfortable, Lucy, I think. My phone buzzes again in my hand. I look down to see another message from Patty. Quit stalling and go in there like the badass I know you are. You grew a human being using just your body. Why would you let this job intimidate you?
I grin. Patty is always reminding me that if I can raise Wyatt on my own, I can do anything. Sometimes I believe her. Other days I worry about a room full of hulking male professional athletes refusing to accept my authority, saying a bunch of sexist crap, and making my life a living hell.
Maybe that’s just because my ex behaves that way.
I sigh and push open the doors, heading up to Kioko’s office where I was told to report first thing. Do I feel a certain kind of way about getting a job from my teammate’s husband? Yes. Yes I do, despite everyone in my life telling me to knock it off and appreciate that Kioko wouldn’t have hired me if I wasn’t qualified to train his team and push them into even better physical fitness.
“Is that my Lucy friend?” His booming voice carries down the hall and he meets me in a bear hug halfway between the elevator and his office. “Come in, come in and sit. I have tea for you!”
I accept the mug gratefully. I didn’t get a chance for caffeine this morning between fretting about work and getting Wyatt off to daycare. Kioko grins at me. “Are you excited to get started?”
I nod, swallowing the hot liquid. He nods more enthusiastically. “Good. Good. We cannot waste a single day, you know. Now that we have been promoted we must play at a higher level. The players must exceed their already-great standards.”
I set the cup on the desk. “I watched film and read over stats as soon as you sent over my contract. I’m ready to go observe today’s practice and customize a plan for each player.”
Kioko smiles. “Good. Good. I fear your predecessor did not leave us with much to go on.” That’s putting things politely. Apparently the guy literally pissed on his computer and shredded all his printed notes after he was fired. Kioko pats my shoulder reassuringly. “We are ready to work hard and earn our keep in the major league. Shall we go and meet the team?”
I smile. It’s easy to feel relaxed with Kioko. I try to carry his reassuring energy with me as I follow him through the halls and toward the locker room. I think about my personal training clients from the gym, male and female. I’ve never failed to help them reach their goals, no matter how ambitious. The only reason I’m feeling any sort of jitters now is because my trash bag of an ex has messed up my head. I am awesome at my job, I think as I quicken my pace to keep stride with Kioko. I can whip these men into even better shape and convince the Forge to keep me on. No matter that I was grinding my hips against the starting midfielder’s crotch.
Kioko pushes open the locker room door and pokes his head inside, motioning for me to stay back. As if I’ve never seen a room full of half-naked athletes. I’m about to remind him that I’ve seen my fair share of hairy nutsacks when I realize that Hawk might be in there, naked. I swallow and appreciate the gesture.
Kioko beckons for me to step inside with him. I hear the men shushing each other as the big boss enters the room. “Gentlemen,” Kioko says with his signature smile. I’ve seen video of that smile he used to wear right before he blasted a kick through the goalie’s outstretched fingers. “I know you’ll help me welcome the newest member of our training staff. Our secret weapon, Lucy Nelson is here to make you leaner, meaner, faster, and stronger. Maybe without the mean part.”
I wave. “Hi, guys. I’m ready to hit the ground running. I know you’ve had a rocky transition and are probably itching to up your fitness.”
They nod, a few salute, and I open my mouth to finish introducing myself when I’m jostled from behind. A startled-looking Hawk mumbles an apology for nearly tripping over me and he leans back against the row of lockers, looking uneasy.
“Ah.” Kioko rubs his hands together. “Now we are complete. This is our other secret weapon, Lucy. But of course you’ve already met Hawk Moyer.”
At the sound of my name, Hawk’s eyes connect with mine and there’s no other way to describe his expression than “smoldering.”
Kioko gestures between him and me. “Hawk and Lucy are both here to make a difference. Let’s go and see what we can do, shall we?” Some of the men cheer. Coach Todd shoots finger guns and Kioko continues, saying, “Hawk, I also came to escort you back up to my office. We have business to attend to with our legal counsel. Coach, I’ll have him back as soon as I can.”
Coach Todd nods and blows his whistle, the shrill blast intolerable in the cramped locker room space as I watch Hawk run a shaking hand through his hair and follow Kioko out of the room. How strange that the cocky man who gave me his number in front of my kid seems nervous to go sign some paperwork. But, then again, I did run away from him after we made out on the soccer field. Is it possible he’s upset about that? I stare as Hawk walks stiffly down the hall.
Coach Todd starts yelling. “All right, men. Meet me on the field in five. Coach Lucy will be cooking up your individual torture plans later but I’m sure she’s got some good full-team appetizers up her sleeve. Right, coach?” The team files out toward the field and Todd pauses by my side. He shrugs, looking at Hawk walk away with Kioko. “The good ones are always a little bit moody at the start of the season. I highly recommend you go hard on him.”
He winks and I follow him out to the field, my head spinning at the effect Hawk Moyer has had on me.