I MANAGED SOME sleep and feel like a new person. I was just too exhausted to search out dinner and my brain needed the downtime. Luckily, I'm one of the few players without a roomie. Being the only female has its perks.
A bus will transport us to the practice field at seven-fifteen sharp. It's already hot outside when I head to the hotel lobby for a quick breakfast before leaving. I jump on the bus with a bottle of water and apple that's half eaten. Most of the players are on board and I'm relieved when I don't see Aiden. I assume he is on the other bus. I take one of two free seats up front and Lane joins me a few minutes later. He looks rested too. Nervous energy is in the air during the short bus ride.
Lane doesn't say more than a quick hello. I watch the scenery closely on the way to the practice field. Rolling white sand dunes surround the stadium that we'll be calling home for the next three weeks.