by Lucia Franco
Her voice heightened, surprised to hear his name. “Hayden’s at your place right now?”
“Yes, he’s going to help me soak in ice water.”
“Ice water?”
“He’s filling my bath tub with bags of ice and adding water. It helps relieve swelling and repair my muscles so I can train at the same rate I’ve been going at, or so I’ve been told. Today was brutal, quite possibly the worst day yet. I’ll sit for ten to fifteen minutes or so and say a prayer.”
“Interesting...and boring. So, I’ll leave around seven tomorrow morning?”
“Perfect! I can’t wait to see you!” I said excitedly.
“Later, girlfriend.”
“I’m so excited! Be right back!” I yelled dramatically walking into my bedroom and shutting the door. I shuffled through my drawers for raggedy clothes. Quickly changing into ones I could wear in the tub, I opened my bedroom door to let Hayden know I was finished. I hadn’t seen my best friend in many long months and tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Avery. I’ve known her since we were in diapers.” I was fixing my shorts and sports bra, waiting for Hayden to respond. When he didn’t, I looked up and my cheeks reddened.
“Pick your jaw up, Hayden. You act like you’ve never seen me in such little clothing.”
His mouth moved but nothing came out at first. “I have, but...”
I chuckled, a rosy smile spreading across my face. “Just shut up,” I said playfully. “Now come help me out.”
“Aid...” I looked over my shoulder at Hayden scratching his head. “You’ve got a hot body. Seriously, it’s rocking.”
I knew my body had transformed over the past couple of months from the intensity of the workouts, but I hadn’t realized just how much until he mentioned it.
“So do you, now let’s go.”
Standing in my bathroom, I stared down at the ice filled bathtub and bit the inside of my lip.
“So I just climb in?”
“Basically.”
I took a deep breath, my chest rising high and put my hand out blindly behind me, searching for his. He wrapped his hand around my hand as my toe dipped into the frigid water and I squeezed his fingers.
“Shit.”
“You just gotta take the plunge.”
“I know,” I replied, staring at the ice cubes. “It’s just the initial step into the water that’s going to shock me.” I looked at Hayden and expelled a deep breath. “Okay. I’m doing it.” I bit the bullet and dropped one foot into the icy waters.
My mouth dropped open. “Oh my God!”
“Keep going.”
So I did, and once I had both legs in the water, I looked at Hayden for strength. Goose bumps broke out across my skin and a shiver wracked my body. “I don’t think I can feel my toes.”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
I puckered my lips and crouched down. The worst part was going to be the water hitting my pelvis. Even when I would swim in the ocean, the cold was always so shocking to my hips and boobs. Once I got that out of the way, it wasn’t so bad. But I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be the same thing. Not even remotely close.
Holding my breath, I let go of Hayden’s hand and slowly eased in. My hands gripped the side of the tub, my knuckles turning white as my butt hit the ice and I squeaked.
“Ahhhh...This is so cold!”
Hayden laughed. “Keep going.”
Every muscle in my body constricted from the shock. I was immediately frozen and my teeth chattered. There was no way I’d last five minutes, much less fifteen.
The water hit my stomach and rose to my chest, slipping over my boobs. My stomach clenched. Thank goodness I had on a black sports bra, otherwise Hayden would see my pointed nipples. I drew in an audible breath and tried to lean back, but I didn’t want to press my back to the cold ceramic. I was already cold enough and didn’t need to add to it.
I swallowed. “Okay—I’m in.”
“Now breathe.”
“How do you handle this?”
He shrugged. “I don’t really have a choice. When I have a hard workout, harder than normal, I’ll do cold water therapy. Some say it doesn’t work, some swear by it. I truly believe it helps with muscle soreness and inflammation. Today was brutal on all of us, I saw you limping. You’re going to be in bad shape. Maybe this will help you, only time will tell.”
My lips were chattering, my jaw vibrating against my will. The goose bumps became part of me. “Yeah, Coach was a dick today.”
“Which one?”
“Both.” I paused. “Hayden? How come you’re so nice to me?”
He tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Well, for instance, you’re here, helping me. You’ve gone above and beyond. Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know...There’s just something about you that makes me want to be around you. Girls can be catty. I have Holly, and being here with no one to lean on and training this many hours a day is a lot to handle for one person.”
Hayden stunned me. Our eyes were locked while I soaked up the sincerity of his words. An appreciative smile curved my chattering lips. “Thanks,” I said softly. “Your friendship means a lot to me.” His smile faltered for a split moment and I felt bad. “So you swear this will help?”
“I’m not making any promises, but I have a good feeling it will.”
“Hayden, if I tell you something do you promise not to say anything?”
“Of course.”
Expelling a serious breath, I confessed. “Something is wrong with my calf. It’s been hurting for weeks and today, I was close to asking to take a break.”
“I noticed. Have you talked to the coaches about it?”
“No, because I can’t afford to take time off to rest and I know it’s what they’ll have me do.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Adrianna, you know you have to speak up now so whatever it is can be dealt with and doesn’t turn into something more.”
“But if I do, I’ll be told to rest it. I can’t do that, Hayden.”
“Not necessarily. Maybe you just need some muscle therapy, ice and heat application. I don’t know, but what I do know is that you have to say something. You’re only hurting yourself.”
He had a point. “Next time it hurts, I’ll see a doctor.”
After another three minutes, Hayden stood and held out an oversized white towel for me. “Drain the tub and step into me.”
Nodding, I tried to stand, but my body was crunched tight. It hurt to move and it didn’t help that it felt like there was a glacial breeze in my bathroom either. Gymnastics was not always sunshine and roses, I knew that. Pain was inevitable. Gathering the strength to stand up was one of those times when my passion and dedication was tested. I would rather be doing a million other things than dipping my body in subzero temperatures. I’d just have to cross my fingers that all of this would speed up my recovery and one day be worth it.
Glancing down to step over the ledge, my back was hunched over, afraid to take a step without assistance. My nipples were outlined through my sports bra and I had a feeling Hayden could see, but in this moment, I didn’t care. I was freezing and wanted to get warm as fast as possible.
I nearly plowed into his arms. “Hold me tight,” I begged.
Hayden wound the towel tightly around my body then ran his hands up and down my arms trying to warm me. “I’ve got you.” I dropped my head to his chest, searching for body warmth.
“In about thirty minutes, you can take a warm shower. Until then, let’s get you some of that coffee.”
“Thirty minutes! I have to stay like this for thirty minutes?”
He was rubbing my back in circles when he said, “You can change clothes, but that’s it.”
Nodding, I ran into my room and pulled out the warmest clothes I could find–a fluffy pair of velour sweat pants and an oversized hoodie. I peeled off my shorts and sports bra and dropped them on t
he carpet. I didn’t care they were soaking wet, I’d pick them up later. It was too cold to bother with panties and a bra, so I quickly slipped on the hoodie, fluffy socks, pants, and grabbed an extra blanket I had folded at the end of my bed and wrapped it around myself. Taking a deep breath, I was feeling a little warmer on the outside, but I was cold to the bone on the inside.
I was so thankful for the plush carpet as I made my way to the kitchen. Hayden’s back was to me, and without thinking, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, placing my head between his shoulder blades. He chuckled, turning around. His calming arms and charismatic laugh were honest and real.
There was a certain kind of comfort I found in Hayden I hadn’t expected. I wanted to close my eyes and sigh. He made me feel protected and wanted, and I liked that. I wasn’t just a concern. Hayden made me his priority. Our schedules were jam-packed and he had just as much going on as I did, but he went out of his way to make an effort to help me. There were no pretenses with him, at least I didn’t think there were from what I’d seen so far.
He shook his head and gave me a genuine smile. “Do you want something warm to drink yet?”
“I do, but not yet. Can you just hold me for a bit first?” All I wanted to do was curl up to his side and feed off his warmth.
Without answering, Hayden bent down and scooped me up under my legs, cradling me to his chest. He walked over and sat us down at the end of the couch where I burrowed into his side. I needed this. Hayden tucked the blanket all around and under my feet and held me in his strong arms.
“Thanks, Hayden, for everything,” I murmured.
“Anytime, baby,” he said, slouching into the couch cushions.
I froze and his hands stopped moving. I had a feeling he slipped and hadn’t meant to say what he did. Biting my bottom lip, I took a chance and looked up, propping my chin on his chest. Hayden’s jaw flexed as he stared at me. Steel blue eyes were fanned between golden brown lashes. High cheek bones and honey skin. My heart sped up. Hayden dipped his chin down, his lips coming just centimeters away. His breath mingled with mine, hitting my parted lips as I waited to see what would happen.
“I want to kiss you, but I won’t,” he confessed. Instead, he just held me closer and continued to warm me up.
It wasn’t until the morning sunrise peeked through the sliding glass door that I realized I’d fallen asleep in Hayden’s arms.
“Hayden? Where are you?”
My eyes flitted open at the frantic voice in the distance.
“Oh, shit. I must’ve fallen asleep at Adrianna’s.” Hayden spoke into his cell phone groggily.
He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand. “Of course I am. What did you think happened?”
“My phone’s been on vibrate.” Hayden looked at me. “Nothing happened, Holls. Don’t worry.”
He yawned. “The beach? I thought that was a girls’ thing.”
I tried not to listen to his conversation but failed miserably.
“Yeah, I’ll go. See you then,” Hayden said, and hung up.
“You know your volume is turned up so high I heard every word, right?”
He shrugged, his eyes half closed. “I didn’t feel like lowering the volume, it’s too much work right now.”
I laughed and eyed him wearily. “To push a button?”
Hayden snuggled down into the couch and pulled me to him. Resting my head on his chest, he pulled the blanket over us and said, “Yes, it is. I’m beat and I need a little more sleep.” He stroked my hair. “Sorry I woke you up.”
“It’s okay.” I curled into his side and said, “I can get used to this.”
I felt him smile against me. “So could I,” he whispered.
We fell asleep for another hour and then begrudgingly decided he needed to head out if he didn’t want to receive another testy phone call from his twin. Avery would be here soon and I wanted to be ready. I quickly gathered my things, slipping on a bathing suit, putting on a little bit of lip gloss and throwing my hair in a messy bun.
Within the hour, Avery was knocking on my door.
“Ave! I can’t believe you’re finally here!”
“Oh my god, I’ve missed you so much!” she exclaimed.
We threw our arms around each other tightly before I hauled her inside.
Avery pulled back and looked at me. “You look really good. A little skinnier than the last time I saw you, but overall good. More muscle or something, like you hit a growth spurt.” She paused, tilting her head to the side. “Can we still hit growth spurts? Because I don’t think I’ve grown since I was thirteen.”
I chuckled. “Thanks, Ave.”
“Just don’t get skinner than me. Then we can’t be friends.”
I gave her a quick tour of my home away from home and placed her bag in the spare bedroom.
“So you ready to talk about the ex?”
Avery’s face dropped as she ruffled through her bag. A knot formed in my stomach. She was hiding something and it bothered me.
Raising her anguish filled eyes at me, she shook her head and her voice cracked. “No.”
I walked over to Avery and threw an arm around her shoulders. I pulled her to my side and gave her a good squeeze. She let out a heartbroken sigh. I hated not knowing what plagued my friend.
I noticed the time on the clock. “We better get going.”
We jumped into Avery’s sleek BMW and drove over to Hayden and Holly’s apartment, exchanging small talk on the way.
“I didn’t know you two were so…cozy,” Holly said, eyeing Hayden and me after I pulled up with Avery.
My jaw dropped, Hayden and I spoke at the same time.
“It’s not like that—”
“It’s not what you thin—”
We both paused and chuckled. “Really, it’s not what you think, Holly. He’s been really great, a shoulder to lean on. Nothing more.”
A look of hurt crossed Hayden’s face, but he quickly masked it. I’d caught it and felt awful at my choice of words.
Hayden’s eyes shot to me before he stepped forward. “Holls, please don’t make it more than what it is. You know how the gym is about relationships.”
“Don’t worry, I’d never say a word, even though you guys would make a cute couple,” she finished with a smile.
My cheeks flamed and Hayden clapped his hands to change the mood. He slipped on a backwards hat and popped a piece of gum into his mouth. “Let’s hit the surf and make the most of today, because tomorrow, it’s back to hell.”
THE SUN WAS setting against an incandescent ocean while soothing shades of pinks and oranges streaked across the sky. I was wrapped in a towel, my feet buried beneath ivory grains of sand as I stared at the roaring waves.
This was my happy place, where I found solace. Where the weight of the world left my shoulders as I breathed in the salty air, exhaling the pressure I was plagued with on a daily basis.
I’ve missed this so much.
The beach was my serenity, and I was glad I’d asked Avery to come visit. Maybe it would help her sort out whatever was going on in her life. There was something peaceful and calming about the crashing waves and salty air. It was where I used to come to get away from my chaotic world living in Palm Beach. I’d sit and stare at the ocean for hours, kind of how I was now, and think about nothing.
A small fire had been lit when Sarah had suggested a game of Truth or Dare. We all sat around starting off with easy, mindless questions for the girls, while the guys dared each other.
“Hayden, I dare you to go streaking,” Gavin suggested with a devious grin.
“Ah, come on,” Hayden responded, standing. Stepping away from the fire, he turned his back to us and stripped off his trunks. Pooling at his feet, he stepped out of them and took off running, his hands thrown in the air. “Yeah!” he shouted, running down to the ocean.
I laughed, covering my mouth when Avery yelled, “Turn around!”
I looked over at her, feeling her enjo
yment. Gone was her sadness and in its place nothing but happiness. Her eyes were huge, and she had the biggest grin I’d ever seen. She smacked my arm and said, “Oh, my God. Look at Hayden!”
Sure enough, Hayden had turned around and was running back. He was too far away to actually see anything, but once he drew closer, he covered himself with his hands. Gavin threw him his board shorts and he caught them with one hand. He turned around and slipped them back on. Reagan, Sarah, Avery, and I all got silent as we openly stared at his perfectly rounded ass.
“It’s Gavin’s turn to go streaking!” Avery yelled jokingly.
Hayden looked at his sister. “Truth or Dare.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “Truth.”
“Have you ever skipped out on conditioning?”
She gave her brother a droll stare. “Of course I have. Who hasn’t?”
“Sarah,” Holly said. “Truth or Dare.”
“Truth.”
“Would you rather have rips on both hands or straddle the beam three times?”
I cringed internally at her question. Been there, done that.
“That’s a good one,” Sarah said. She pursued her lips together in thought. “I think I’d rather straddle the beam. That would heal much quicker than my hands.”
“Ah, you guys are boring,” Gavin said. “Someone do a dare.”
Sarah looked around at the group. Reagan leaned in and whispered something in her ear. My pulse thumped harder as both sets of eyes made their way to me. A sly smile slowly spread across Reagan’s face and her eyes brightened. I knew it.
“Adrianna. Truth or Dare,” Sarah asked.
No way in hell was I picking dare. She’d dare me to do something that would completely humiliate me. So I went with truth.
“Are you a virgin?”
All eyes were suddenly on me. The only sound was the crackling of the fire and the waves breaking at the shore as she waited for my answer.
“Well?” Reagan pushed.
Picking up a handful of dry sand, I clenched it tightly, wishing I could chuck it at Reagan for Sarah’s question. She just took the game up a notch at my expense.
“Virgin,” I said, letting the sand shift through my fingers. She cracked a side grin and raised one brow.
