CHAPTER 120

"Brian, I know I don't have to, that's why I want to. Come on.", she The next time I woke up, the room was bright and sunny. I looked over at the clock, it was eight thirty. Alexis was not in the bed, but I heard someone moving around in the kitchen. I got up from bed and walked into the front of the unit. Alexis was seated at the table drinking a cup of coffee.

"Hey, how are you feeling this morning ?", she asked.

"Much better. I'm still really sore but the pain is gone.", I answered.

"Let me see your back.", she asked.

I walked over to where she was sitting and turned around, she lifted my shirt up high on my back.

"God Brian, this looks awful, I can't believe this doesn't hurt like hell.", she said, sympathetically.

"It's much better, really it is.", I replied.

I went into the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee, sitting down at the table with her. Today was Tuesday, our normal day off, so I knew I could relax and not worry about the team or game preparations for this week.

"I think I'm going to take the day off, stay here with you."Alexis suggested to me.

"Really Alexis, I'm fine. If you have work to do, I can manage until you get back tonight.", I answered.

"I do have a ton of work to do, are you sure you're ok ?", she asked.

"I'll be fine. If I need something, I can call you right ?", I responded.

"Of course you can.", she replied.

She got up telling me she had to go to her unit to shower and get dressed for work. She kissed me very softly and sweetly on the lips, it was the most sensual goodbye kiss I ever had.

"Thanks for staying last night. I really appreciate Alexis.", I told her.

"You're quite welcome, call me if you need me.", she answered, heading out the door.

I laid around the house and watched TV most of the day, it was pretty boring. Alexis called me about six, telling me she had a last minute appointment, she would be late. I told her I was feeling a lot better, not to worry, I would go to bed early and talk to her the following day. The anti-inflammatory medication was really working well. I got up about seven thirty Wednesday morning and started dressing for practice. Even though I had been excused until Friday, I wanted to see the trainers, get their feel on how I was progressing.

I arrived at the practice about eight thirty, most of the team was still dressing in the locker room area. I went in, put my bag in my locker, and walked over to see Josh.

"Hey kid, how are you feeling ?", my friend said.

"Not bad considering how I felt Monday morning.", I laughed.

"What's it look like ?", he asked.

I turned around so he could pull up my shirt, which he did so gently.

"Son of a bitch, I can't believe you can stand.", he yelled.

Several of the other players made remarks of one kind or another, finally Josh dropped my shirt. I told him I was going to meet with the trainers, I would see him later. I met with the trainer who looked me over and asked me a bunch of questions, then physically examined my back by applying pressure to different muscle groups. I was still plenty sore, but I really felt a little pain. He told me I could go watch practice, then report after for a soak in the ice tub, then a massage. I thanked him and walked out to the practice field in my street clothes.

The offense was going head to head against the defense, something we did every day. I walked up to where Coach Cullen was directing the play calling, standing right behind him. Several minutes passed before he noticed me, finally turning in my direction.

"Stevens, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be resting, "he asked.

"I feel much better Coach. Besides, I was bored at home.", I replied.

"Have you seen the trainer yet ?", he asked.

"Yes sir, they are getting ready to work on me.", I answered.

He nodded to me then went back to work, directing this complex offense like he was playing tic tac toe. I watched practice until I knew they were maybe thirty minutes from finishing, then started to walk back to the locker room area. I stripped down and went to the medical area, the ice tub was ready. I got in slowly, I hated this brutal device. The whole idea behind this madness was after you got out of the tub, the blood in your body was immediately pumped vigorously back to the tissues stimulating oxygen and nutrient supply to the areas that needed healing. Some trainers swore by it, others called it voodoo medicine, all bullshit. I sat in the tub for exactly ten minutes, then got out and laid on the table. Hot packs were immediately laid on my back, I stayed like that for another ten minutes, that followed up by a short massage. I met with the trainer right before I left, he gave me two injections, then more anti-inflammatory medication telling me to double the dose for the next twenty four hours. I was back home at about noon, ate some lunch, then went down by the pool. I laid out there until about three, then went back up and took a nap, waking up to the ring of my cell phone. I looked at the number, it was from back home, it was Ashley.

"Hey hot shot, I haven't heard from you in a while. How are you doing today ?', she asked, cheerfully.

"I'm ok, a little banged up.", I replied.

"I saw the game Sunday, they were trying to hurt you. I was so pissed off.", she answered.

"It's part of the game, no big deal.", I told her.

We talked for about thirty minutes, just catching up really, but I sensed there was something she wanted to tell me. Finally she got around to it but I wasn't sure I wanted to hear what she was about to say.

"Brian, uh ... .have you met anyone ... .you know a girl since you have been up there ?", she asked, nervously.

"Well, actually I have been hanging out with someone for a few weeks.", I answered, cautiously.

"Oh, good. Where did you meet her ?", she inquired.

"Actually, she is my agent, Alexis Clarke.", I answered.

"Wow, I'm impressed, a professional woman.", she laughed.

"Kind of. How about you Ashley ?', I asked.

"Well, that's kind of why I was calling you. I have met someone myself. It's only been a month now, but I really like him. He's kind, gentle and treats me like your father did. He owns a small business in town, I don't know if it will become serious, but I wanted you to know.", she finished.

"I'm so happy for you Ashley, I really am.", I replied.

"You mean it ?", she asked, hesitating in her voice.

"Yes, I mean it.", I responded.

"Brian, I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that.", she told me.

"But, he better treat you like that all the time. If he hurts you, he has to deal with me.", I told her.

"I have already told him that. He really wants to meet you. Oh, his name is Jeff Constant, by the way.", she replied.

We talked for a few more minutes, then she had to go back to her last class of the day. I promised to call her next week after the game.

After I hung up with Ashley, I was amazed at how relieved I was. It took me a few minutes for it to sink in, I was falling in love with Alexis. Two months ago, this news would have made me miserable, but I was truly happy for Ashley.