test? That was the work of a Good Samaritan. A hot Good Samaritan that sometimes smiled at me and brushed my arm with hers, one that chose to spend Saturdays with me, not hanging out with anyone else.
“Ready?” she asked, buckling her seat belt.
“Yeah.”
“Just make sure you position the wheel right, like turn it all the way to the left. Hard left.”
I followed her directions and within minutes we were parked in the tight space between the two trashcans we’d borrowed from the side of the middle school building.
“You did it!” She smiled wide, bright white teeth against her perfect, tanned skin.
“Finally. Bet you were about to give up on me.”
I sat back in the seat and put the car in gear. Melina’s hand covered mine, and I wondered if energy rippled up her arm the way it did mine. “Nah,” she said, eyebrow arched. “I’m all or nothing, Jules. You should know that by now.”
Chapter 15
After a quick breakfast I head out for a run. Our afternoons are pretty regimented, but morning workouts are up to the players and trainers. Some guys hit the gym, but I’ve learned to manage my levels pretty well after a run so we decided during the medical assessment to keep that part of my activity schedule the same.
I’m sweaty and breathing hard when I get back to my bag. My phone shows a missed call from my mom. Two in fact, even though I’d explained how busy we would be and having daily calls would be difficult to manage. Old habits are hard to break, I guess.
I dial her number.
“Hey mom,” I say after she answers on the third ring. “Sorry I missed your call earlier.”
“Just thought I’d catch you before the day got started.”
I laugh. I’ve been up for two hours. The swimmers have been rotating through the pool since four. “There’s no such thing as too early around here.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Really good.”
“Are you testing enough? You know the altitude can change things. Plus the extra workouts. You’re not used to that.”
“I’ve been monitoring more frequently, I promise.” I’ve actually got my blood tester in my hand now but don’t say anything.
“What about the food--can you find what you need?”
“Mom, everything is under control.”
“I know you say that but…”
“Hey,” I say, in a soft voice. “I know you’re worried but this place is amazing. Full medical team. Trainers all over the place. Water, food...anything we need is available.” I don’t mention that McDowell has made it his personal mission to make sure I’m in top physical health when we get to Rio. No one is letting me slip up while I’m here. Not with so much on the line. “I’m in the best possible hands.”
She sighs loud enough for me to hear it over the phone. “At least your sister is there to keep an eye on you.”
I roll my eyes. I’ve got a full clinic and trainers at my disposal but my mother doesn’t trust anyone (including myself) better than my sister. Once again I keep the fact to myself that Allie, as amazing as she is, is not actually perfect.
“What are you doing today?” I ask, hoping to get her off the subject.
“I picked up another shift at work, trying to earn a little extra spending money for the trip.”
“Don’t work too hard.”
“It’s not so bad. You know I like it.”
Most parents can move on from supporting their kids once they graduate. Our mom got an extra couple of years with Allie and I playing like this. I know she does it because she wants to, because we’re her pride and joy, but I’m looking forward to the day we can take care of her.
“Love you,” I say, walking toward the center of campus.
“Be good, Julian.”
“I will.”
I pass Allie and Melina on my way back to the dorm as they’re leaving the cafeteria with a group of athletes. Allie gives me a tired “good morning,” but Melina continues her conversation with the tall, built guy beside her. With excessively broad shoulders and a face made
“Ready?” she asked, buckling her seat belt.
“Yeah.”
“Just make sure you position the wheel right, like turn it all the way to the left. Hard left.”
I followed her directions and within minutes we were parked in the tight space between the two trashcans we’d borrowed from the side of the middle school building.
“You did it!” She smiled wide, bright white teeth against her perfect, tanned skin.
“Finally. Bet you were about to give up on me.”
I sat back in the seat and put the car in gear. Melina’s hand covered mine, and I wondered if energy rippled up her arm the way it did mine. “Nah,” she said, eyebrow arched. “I’m all or nothing, Jules. You should know that by now.”
Chapter 15
After a quick breakfast I head out for a run. Our afternoons are pretty regimented, but morning workouts are up to the players and trainers. Some guys hit the gym, but I’ve learned to manage my levels pretty well after a run so we decided during the medical assessment to keep that part of my activity schedule the same.
I’m sweaty and breathing hard when I get back to my bag. My phone shows a missed call from my mom. Two in fact, even though I’d explained how busy we would be and having daily calls would be difficult to manage. Old habits are hard to break, I guess.
I dial her number.
“Hey mom,” I say after she answers on the third ring. “Sorry I missed your call earlier.”
“Just thought I’d catch you before the day got started.”
I laugh. I’ve been up for two hours. The swimmers have been rotating through the pool since four. “There’s no such thing as too early around here.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Really good.”
“Are you testing enough? You know the altitude can change things. Plus the extra workouts. You’re not used to that.”
“I’ve been monitoring more frequently, I promise.” I’ve actually got my blood tester in my hand now but don’t say anything.
“What about the food--can you find what you need?”
“Mom, everything is under control.”
“I know you say that but…”
“Hey,” I say, in a soft voice. “I know you’re worried but this place is amazing. Full medical team. Trainers all over the place. Water, food...anything we need is available.” I don’t mention that McDowell has made it his personal mission to make sure I’m in top physical health when we get to Rio. No one is letting me slip up while I’m here. Not with so much on the line. “I’m in the best possible hands.”
She sighs loud enough for me to hear it over the phone. “At least your sister is there to keep an eye on you.”
I roll my eyes. I’ve got a full clinic and trainers at my disposal but my mother doesn’t trust anyone (including myself) better than my sister. Once again I keep the fact to myself that Allie, as amazing as she is, is not actually perfect.
“What are you doing today?” I ask, hoping to get her off the subject.
“I picked up another shift at work, trying to earn a little extra spending money for the trip.”
“Don’t work too hard.”
“It’s not so bad. You know I like it.”
Most parents can move on from supporting their kids once they graduate. Our mom got an extra couple of years with Allie and I playing like this. I know she does it because she wants to, because we’re her pride and joy, but I’m looking forward to the day we can take care of her.
“Love you,” I say, walking toward the center of campus.
“Be good, Julian.”
“I will.”
I pass Allie and Melina on my way back to the dorm as they’re leaving the cafeteria with a group of athletes. Allie gives me a tired “good morning,” but Melina continues her conversation with the tall, built guy beside her. With excessively broad shoulders and a face made
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