Stronger (The University of Gatica #4)

by Lexy Timms

  "I thought you didn't like Ryan."

  "I don't, but I hate Brent more."

  CHAPTER 15

  Chrissy lay in bed the next morning, flexing her leg and releasing, trying to assess the tightness still in it. The soreness was dull, but still present. She glanced over to Elizabeth's bed and wished her roomie lie there. It was going to be lonely without anyone to get her through the weekend. Everyone she knew was off campus now, including her brother.

  Dinner the night before had been fun. The heavens were shining down goodness on her seeing that Jason was caught up in Brent being a dick and not Ryan. She sighed softly, grateful for the relief that her brother wasn't going to be a stumbling block should things with her and Ryan pan out. She was asking a lot of him, but with the instant connection she felt to him, things were going to continue to move fast.

  She rubbed her hands down her face and sat with a grunt. Her phone lit up beside her and she pulled it off the nightstand, blinking a few times to remove the haze sitting on her from sleep. The number was unknown. Maybe it was Ryan.

  "Hello?" Chrissy pressed the phone between her cheek and her shoulder before pressing her hands to the bed and moving back carefully until her back hit the headboard.

  "Heyyy, my babee gurl." Her mother's voice was slurred. Drunk no doubt.

  "Hi." There wasn't much to say. Hanging up seemed like a good option actually.

  "Merreee Ho-ho Day."

  "That was yesterday, mom."

  "Really? Nah! It’s today.” She sucked in a loud breath. “What day is it?"

  "The twenty-sixth, but Merry Christmas to you too."

  "Where's your brother? He was supposed to be here today." She coughed and it sounded like death was riding her hard. Chrissy flinched at the sound and wished like hell she could move past all of the trauma of the past and make amends. It would be easier, but there was always a next time with her mom. It wouldn't be a few days before 'next time' showed up and she was drunk and lying in someone's yard. Nothing had been more horrifying when they were kids. Not only to be dirty-floor poor, but to have to go collect her mom from random places. Apologizing became her go-to response no matter what was going on. She was "sorry" for most of the years of her youth.

  "Not sure where he is, but I'll tell him you're looking for him."

  "Are you coming here for Christmas? Did I say Merry Christmas?"

  Chrissy let out a pinched sigh and took the phone in her hand, ready to be done with the conversation. "You sure did. I'm going to go now. I'll tell Jason to call you."

  She hung up and tossed the phone on the bed beside her. Nothing like talking to her useless mother who honestly didn't give two shits about anyone but herself. She grumbled and worked to get off the bed. She was meeting on Monday with Coach Maves. She needed to make sure she would be ready for that. Ryan or no Ryan, she needed to work her knee out.

  Monday took forever to arrive, the weekend dragging due to the loneliness that continued to attack. Chrissy felt better about her knee as she walked toward the athletic department. She wasn't able to run by any means, but weekly check-ins would be important now that she was passed the swelling. The crutches weren't needed anymore, which was a huge blessing. She walked into the large building, the place a ghost town. It wasn't surprising seeing that everyone was gone for the holidays.

  "Oh look, my favorite person." Drew Timmons walked toward her down the hall. This had to be payback for not letting him in the gym, or maybe for sleeping with Ryan way before she would normally do.

  "I'm glad to know I'm at the top of your list." Chrissy paused in front of him, hoping like hell that one of the coaches would hear her voice and come save her.

  "Enjoy your Christmas?" He didn't sound angry or filled with angst, which was almost more concerning.

  "Not really. It was spent alone."

  "That sucks, but I get it. My folks are in England living the high life." He shrugged and crossed his strong arms over his chest. "Who was that with you at the gym last week?"

  "Ryan Phillips."

  "Coach Phillips’ son? I heard he was coming. He the ass everyone’s saying he is?"

  Chrissy couldn't help but chuckle. "He's not an ass at all. You on the other hand..."

  Drew's cheeks turned pink and Chrissy almost felt sorry for calling him out.

  "Yeah, makes things easier to be a dick."

  Chrissy shrugged. "I guess. I'm late for a meeting with Maves. See you around."

  He didn't respond, but moved past her, leaving her a little stunned that he wasn't being a total jerk. It had been six months of not only hearing what a hateful guy he was, but seeing it too. Maybe there was something behind it like there was with Ryan. Chrissy rolled her eyes, not wanting to dive any farther into that thought. She had enough on her hands with getting healthy. Plus, she’d just slept with a guy she barely knew, then he’d taken off and she wasn’t sure how they would be the next time they saw each other. She didn't need to add unwrapping and helping Drew Timmons heal to the list. That would be a huge undertaking. She'd just save that for the poor girl that thought herself capable of it in the future.

  Chrissy walked slowly to Coach Maves’ office, the sound of the woman's voice causing her to tense up. What if she hadn't progressed enough? How far did they expect her to have come by now? It had been a little over a week. She paused outside the door and waited until the coach hung up the phone, an exasperated sigh leaving her.

  "Coach? Now a good time, or you want me to come back?" Chrissy poked her head into the small office.

  "No, come in and sit down." Maves looked up, her eyes moving over Chrissy as she walked into the office and sat down.

  It was hard not to grimace at bending the knee, but she swallowed the slight pinch of pain that rushed through her and pulled it off well. "Good holidays?"

  "Not really. We're fighting a few battles I wish we weren't, so we've been stuck here for most of it." The coach turned and pulled out a small calendar, her finger moving along dates. "All right, so you're with Jamie for two more weeks and then we'll take you out to the track, so the second Monday in January be prepared to show us physically where you are."

  "Sounds good." Chrissy locked her facade in place. As an athlete, half of her performance would come from somewhere deep inside of her that knew she could do anything if she put her mind to it. This would be no different.

  Maves looked up and pressed her forearms to the desk. "Talk to me, Harris. What have you been doing with the knee and how do you think it’s doing? I see you're not using crutches."

  "Yeah. I was able to let those go yesterday. I'm still trying to get my balance back thanks to relying on them for the last five days."

  "I thought you were supposed to be on them for three total?"

  "I was, but I was apprehensive because of the snow and everyone being out of town." Chrissy shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, namely because it wasn't.

  "Make sure you stick to the program. They say three days, let them go at three days. Don't over or underestimate the program they have you on. It's set up to work and work effectively.”

  “It’s kinda hard to gauge when I’m the only person around. No one’s here to tell me if I can move forward or not.”

  Maves looked ready to argue but closed her mouth before she nodded once. “Good point.” She glanced at her calendar. “We have several meets in late January with your name on them. Let's meet again next Monday and see where you are."

  "I can do that. I'm headed to the gym now to see Jamie."

  "How do you feel? How’s your extension?"

  "I'm good. Swelling is gone and I can almost straighten it. I can walk and sit, but I haven't tried to run on it."

  "Don't until Jamie tells you it's time."

  Chrissy stood and pressed back on her knee to straighten it.

  "Turn to the side," Maves mumbled and stood up, walking around the desk and squatting in front of her. "Looks good, kid. You are almost there."

  "Coach, if you hold a s
cholarship somewhere, what is the possibility of transferring it?" Chrissy looked down at Maves and watched her rise, the older woman's eyebrow lifting.

  "Why? You leaving me?"

  "No. I'm just thinking about a friend of mine. If she wanted to transfer here, but her scholarship is from UCLA or Providence. Just a hypothetical." Chrissy shrugged and turned to follow Maves as she moved back to her side of the desk.

  "It doesn’t work. You have to sit out a year of eligibility. Otherwise schools would be stealing athletes all the time. Scholarships are awarded by each school, not the NCAA governmental body of some sort. We’re a Division One school. If another D-1 athlete wants to transfer, it’s not always worth it. Unless certain situations apply.”

  Chrissy sighed. Maves was referring to Elizabeth.

  “If we need a new hockey star from Providence to join us, we don't get him. Even if his dad is a coach here."

  Chrissy smirked, realizing she was getting nothing past her favorite coach. "So no hope of him coming here?"

  "Not with a scholarship, and as a junior he's going to find it very difficult to leave the sweet situation he has in Boston and come here. The pros won't look too favorable on him. He's already been invited to meet with them this summer from what Jack tells me. He’ll go NHL before he graduates. That’s worth a whole lot more money than a school scholarship."

  She knew the answer, but Maves’ comments were heart shattering at the same time. Chrissy nodded and shrugged before moving toward the door. "Okay, well thanks for your time today. I'll see you next Monday."

  "You bet, kiddo. Stick to the program, and Chrissy..."

  "Yeah?"

  "People make long-distance relationships work all the time. My better half lives in Seattle because of his coaching career. Time and distance can't stop people from being together. There are lots of ways around it." She smiled and tapped her desk. "But, you’re not concerned with a boy at the moment, right? It’s all about getting your ass in gear and giving me my star jumper back. Pretty please."

  "You got it coach." Chrissy walked into the hall, fighting back heavy emotion. Ryan and she had just met. She needed to be sure that he was someone she wanted beside her for a long time before truly asking him to shift his path for her. One night of sex wasn’t going to make them committed for life.

  She dug her phone out of her bag and checked for messages.

  Ryan had sent one. Can't wait to see you.

  She replied back: Surviving the trip? Your family?

  Ryan: Nope. This is my ghost you're texting. I'm gonna haunt the hell out of you.

  Chrissy: That's almost hot. Almost.

  Ryan: That's my girl. C U Tuesday.

  She chuckled and dropped the phone back into her backpack. How badly she wanted to be his girl. Enough to try a long-distance relationship? She wasn't sure yet, but talking with him the next day would give her confidence to make that decision. Being 'his girl' felt too good not to push it forward.

  She just needed to be stronger – physically and now emotionally.

  CHAPTER 16

  Coach Jamie showed no mercy on Monday afternoon and by Tuesday morning, Chrissy was feeling it. The tendon in her knee had pulled tight and forcing it into compliance was painful. She walked slowly in the early morning cold to the gym, her jacket seeming to not hold back the wind as it blew her hair about. She had forgotten to ask Ryan when he would be back in town, but anticipation tore up her insides. She really didn't have a right to put her own demons on him and force him to do something that she wouldn't even begin to consider doing for anyone. They just met. He could be a totally different guy than the one he was putting on display in front of her.

  She walked into the gym and glanced up at the clock. It was an hour to lunch. Just enough time to get her workout in with Jamie and then take a shower before having lunch with Jani and Elizabeth. She assumed Ryan would be back later in the day and needed to keep busy, the thought of him coming home excited her, but left her nerves fried nevertheless.

  "Hey you. Feeling the burn from yesterday?" Jamie walked up, smiling.

  "Yeah. I would say take it easy on me, but I'm thinking that's like waving a red flag in front of a bull."

  Jamie chuckled and tapped the clipboard. "Let's do your stretches and then I'll get you started on a new set of weights. I'm going to have you on the bike today. Nothing too crazy." He held up his hands as Chrissy started to protest. The weight room door jingled behind them and she ignored it as she rolled her eyes at Jamie and took the clipboard.

  Nothing too crazy. Yeah, right. She walked to the large rack of bands and medicine balls, and set her house keys and water bottle down. Someone touched her hips from behind and she jerked up, a yelp on her lips. Drew! I’m going to kill him! She turned to swat back whoever had the balls to touch her and gave a soft sound of surprise. Ryan.

  "Hey!” He grinned, clearly excited to see her. “I just got in and thought I'd come find you. Why am I not surprised you're here?" His eyes moved over her and she felt her blood pressure rise. How did he do that so quickly?

  "I decided to get the torture session over with early today." Chrissy slid her hands on the firm muscles of his chest and smirked. "You a ghost or the boy I took to my uncle's party?"

  He leaned down and brushed his lips past hers, the taste of mint on his tongue. "I'm the one that made love to you for hours on Friday night. I want you again... now."

  "Hey, this is lovely and all, but you two pull apart and get busy without the help of each other. Get your workout done and you can get out of here. Do that mess in private." Coach Jamie tugged at Chrissy's sleeve. She pulled back and laughed nervously before moving to the floor.

  "Just welcoming the new guy on campus." She wrapped the band around her leg and glanced up. Jamie shook his head, laughing, and walked off. Ryan didn't look too pleased.

  "Is that how you welcome all the new guys on campus?"

  "No, dummy. I was teasing. Get out of here and get your stuff done."

  "And what do I get if I do?" He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest.

  The look on his face was enough to melt her insides. She wanted to be bold and brazen like he was, but sarcastic would have to do. "A working shoulder and a trip to the hall of fame in ten years. Go."

  He laughed and walked toward the weights, calling over his shoulder, "I think after meeting you I'd trade it in for a few long nights wrapped in your sheets."

  "I can hear you!" Jamie yelled. “I’m going to throw up and make you guys clean it up.”

  Chrissy laughed through the burning desire that sat heavy on her.

  What was she going to do when he left? When he found someone else? When he cheated on her?

  This feeling, this darkness of not being enough was exactly why she wanted to protect herself. It would be too hard to push him back in the friend zone now, and it was virtually impossible anyway. She glanced toward him as he tugged his shirt off and pulled hard on the bars of a machine.

  His muscles contracted and she let out a shaky breath.

  Coach Jamie tossed Ryan a tank top. “No shoes, no shirts, no workout.”

  Why did everything have to be so damn complicated?

  "Let's go to lunch." Ryan walked up to her, his hair wet from the shower he just finished.

  "I'm having lunch with Elizabeth and Jani, but you can come with us." Chrissy reached up and wiped a drop of water from his neck.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her flush against him. "I will. After that just you and me. I want you underneath me."

  "You want to wrestle?" Chrissy smirked.

  "Yep. Naked."

  "Brother," she whispered and pulled from him as his words stirred the deepest parts of her. She wanted to be naked beneath him too, but not until they hashed a few things out. Getting to know each other was going to be her mission until he left to go back to school. Speaking of... "When are you heading back to Providence for the semester?" She turned and slipped her hand into his as they walke
d to the door.

  Jamie called out and they waved at him before stepping out into the cold December day. She should have dried her hair. It was going to be the death of her. She shivered and Ryan wrapped his arm around her as they moved to his car.

  "I fly out again after the game on the first actually. Winter training’ll be brutal and starts on Monday. We have a load of games coming up and I'm thinking I might actually be good to go." He shrugged as if he wasn't at all excited about it.

  "I'm going to come up there and watch you play as soon as indoor season is over."

  "Oh yeah? I'd like that a lot."

  She moved from him and walked carefully to her side of the car, getting in and impressing even herself by her ability to maneuver so well already.

  "What’s going on? Something happen with your family when you were gone?” Chrissy buckled up and looked over at him. He didn't seem like the kind of guy to beat around the bush and she most certainly didn't want to either.

  He inhaled and stared straight ahead for a few moments. "I haven't been with anyone in a long time. I'm not sure how I feel about letting go of you just yet." He shrugged and started the car. "How’d your visit with Maves go?"

  Chrissy filled him in as they drove to The Red Coats. Jani needed cheese fries and Elizabeth had fallen in love with their burgers, so Red Coats it was. Ryan laughed as he listened to Chrissy, the dimples in his cheeks precious and drawing her in farther. How safe was it to let herself love him before it seemed reasonable to do so? Did love have a time table or was it spun into action simply by finding someone that left you breathless and beckoned you to connect on a deeper level than anyone else had?

  "What’re you thinking about over there?" he asked, reaching over and taking her hand. "You got quiet all of a sudden."

  "Just glad we met." Chrissy glanced over at him before pulling his fingers to her mouth and kissing them. His knuckles were large and almost swollen, which seemed out of place. "What happened to your hand?"