1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Present day…

Stella

7.2. The treadmill beeps as I increase the speed, forcing me to lengthen my stride to keep from being thrown off the end. I sneak a glance at my neighbour’s screen and feel a spark of satisfaction.

6.5. And he doesn’t have any incline on.

My sweaty neighbour gets off the treadmill five minutes later, but I keep running for another twenty. It’s one thing to beat your opponent, it’s another to make a point. Because that’s what happens when you stop growing at 4’11, people assume you’re weak, or worst, delicate.

God, I hate that word. Just because I’m short doesn’t mean I’m made of glass.

I bite back a sigh of relief when I finally press the cool down setting, my treadmill automatically reducing to a brisk walking pace. Sweat trickles down my neck and drips into my sports bra as I walk my heart rate down to normal levels.

I feel stares on my back as I chug my water bottle, and I resist the urge to tug at my tank top. The dark material is plastered against my skin, but that doesn’t stop me from glancing down to make sure both sides of my torso are covered. All clear.

Content everything is covering what it should be, I hop off the treadmill and walk over to the water station. I glance around the room, hoping for a sight I haven’t seen in a while.

Well, more like someone I haven’t seen in a while.

The usual pre-dawn regulars are dispersed around the lower floor, but the blonde fauxhawk I’m looking for is nowhere in sight. With a sigh, I turn from the water station and head over to the cubby holding my gym bag.

If someone asked me why I worked out for an extra hour today, I’d be hard pressed to admit the truth. It’s not like me to wait around for a guy, hoping he’ll make an appearance. Even if the guy in question does have shoulders that could rival the rocky mountains.

“Weird not seeing Cody around, hey?” The friendly voice drags my attention to the front desk, where Stephen has been working since before I started at Taber University. His unruly dark curls put a smile on my face even as disappointment weighs down on my chest.

“I heard he got the okay to start exercising last week, so I’m sure he will be back any day now.”

The fact he still hasn’t made an appearance is starting to concern me. Not that it’s a personal concern, it’s more of a hope-he’s-okay-because-he-is-one-of-my-brother’s-closest-friends concern. There’s a difference, trust me.

“Man, I hope so. I miss watching you two bicker every morning. Makes my day feel so much more productive.” Stephen shoots me a wink and I let out a laugh. Cody and I have a tendency to argue like an old married couple over everything and anything. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed sparring with him until he got injured.

“Things will be back to normal before you know it. See you later, Stephen!”

I nudge my bag higher on my shoulder and head towards the door. The guy I outran on the treadmill earlier quickly drops his dumbbells and rushes over to intercept my path. I sigh, preparing myself for the new routine that’s taken place since Cody’s been MIA in recovery.

“Hey.” The smile sent my way is cute in a friendly way. Light blue eyes offset the brown hair, and the freckles dotting his nose are visible even from my standpoint.

“Hello.” I smile politely and make a move for the door. Freckles takes a step to the left and blocks my trajectory.

Here we go again.

“Stella, right? I’m Hayden.” I force my lips to stay in their upright position and shake his outstretched hand. His grip is rough, like he’s trying to make up for the treadmill showdown he lost minutes earlier.

Too bad his cardio isn’t as strong as his handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Hayden.” I release his grip and try for the door again, hoping he will take the hint. A step to the right extinguishes all hope.

“I was wondering if maybe I could take you out for coffee sometime? I noticed your boyfriend isn’t around anymore, so I figured you might finally be available…” He trails off and gives me a grin that I think is supposed to be charming. I stare at him for a couple beats, willing myself to feel the slightest bit intrigued.

Nope, I got nothing.

“That’s very kind of you, but I’m afraid I’m really busy right now.” I switch my gym bag to my other shoulder and nod towards the door.

“Busy with what?”

Doing anything but going for coffee with you. I bite back the words just in time and impatiently look at my watch. “Studying for exams. Speaking of which, I’m late for a study session with my roommate, so if you’ll excuse me.”

Without giving Hayden a chance to respond, I use my shoulder to push past him. If someone wants to block your path, break through them. That’s my brother’s motto, anyways. It always worked for him on the lacrosse field and as it turns out, it works well on romantic interests as well.

“Maybe after your exams?” The question hits my back, but I keep walking, pretending not to hear. Rude, I know, but thanks to the extended workout I’m hungrier than usual and Hayden is the fifth guy in the last two weeks who has approached me at the gym. It’s like now that Cody is gone, it’s open season for every other gym go-er.

The whole thing is ridiculous because Cody and I have never been a thing. Sure, we workout at the same time and bicker continuously, but we have never given any indication that we are dating.

God forbid Taber Tigers’ lacrosse captain show any romantic interest in his mentor’s younger sister.

I take my time walking back to my dorm because there is no way my roommate is awake yet, never mind ready to start our study session. Lou isn’t necessarily a night owl, but she’s certainly not a morning person like me. And with our first semester classes wrapping up as we head into exams, Lou will be wanting to get as much sleep as possible. She is the world’s biggest procrastinator, so it’s safe to say exam season isn’t her favourite time of year.

Thankfully, the first-year dormitories are closest to the university, so I only have to brave the December cold for a lung-freezing three-minute walk. I take a deep breath as I reach the side door, bracing myself for the bitter wind before pushing it open.

Frozen crystals glitter on every surface in sight, Taber’s manicured lawns hidden by a deep layer of snow. I quicken my pace as the air nips through my leggings, not taking a second to admire the row of pine trees lining either side of the courtyard or the crunch of fresh snow under my shoes.

I feel like an Olympic speed walker by the time I swipe my access card to my residence building, and I breathe a sigh of relief when warm air hits my face. Tugging out the elastic band holding my hair in place, my mind drifts back to the absent lacrosse captain.

I know for a fact Cody got cleared to resume training last week because Lou passed on the information from her admittedly gorgeous boyfriend, Wes, who is a rookie on the team this year.

So, the question becomes has Cody gone back to training and just forgone our pre-injury routine or has something else happened that I don’t know about?

My heart and stomach clench simultaneously and I tell myself it’s from the thought of Cody re-injuring himself.

Cody

“It’s not looking good, Cody.”

The face looking at me through the screen of my computer is drawn, the tone grave. My heart sinks, already knowing what’s about to come.

“By the time Hank and I finish our last excursion, the first plane we can hop on will be in the New Year. And by then, we will only have three days together before your classes start for next semester.” My mom’s voice grows heavy as she wills me to understand.

Most of my traits come from my mother, but my people pleasing nature is probably the most prevalent of them all. Neither of us like disappointing the other, so I have no doubt this change of plan is hurting her just as much as it’s hurting me.

“It doesn’t make sense for you to hurry back just so we can have a few days together. Enjoy your stay in Hawaii, and I will send you pictures of my place all decked out for Christmas.” I push a big smile to the surface so she can ease off the guilt.

“Are you sure? I feel so terrible… if I’d known Hank had booked the surprise getaway for over the holidays, I would have postponed. But the tickets are non-refundable so…” My mom’s blonde hair, so similar to mine, shakes back and forth on the screen.

“Mom. It’s fine. The doctor said I can start lifting again Wednesday, so I’ll be back training so much that I won’t even notice you’re gone.”

God, recovery has been a bitch. Just last week I was able to start running again, but the way I had to stop and suck down oxygen every five minutes made me feel like the worst varsity athlete ever, never mind a varsity captain.

“Well, if you’re sure. I miss you.”

“Miss you too.” A genuine smile fills my face as we end the call. The next few weeks might get a little lonely, but at least my mother is finally getting to see Hawaii. It’s been a lifelong dream of hers, but as a single mother she had to sacrifice frivolous things like international trips, so I am glad she’s met someone like Hank who can give her those experiences she missed out on.

I close my laptop and sprawl on my bed. I could drive home to Lethbridge for the break, but then it would be just me rattling alone in our family home. That seems more depressing than simply staying in Taber, where I am close enough to the university that I can use the training field and gym whenever I want. And who knows, maybe a few of my players will be staying through the holidays as well.

With that hopeful thought, I sit up and scrounge the room for my phone. Finding it in my coat pocket, I unlock it and open my messages, pulling up a strand that hasn’t been opened in a while.

STEL: Don’t do something stupid like come back to the gym before the doctor clears you.

ME: Does this mean I’ll have to bring a doctor’s note?

STEL: Only if you plan on being stupid.

I grin rereading her responses. Normally, we see each other a minimum of five times a week, sometimes more if I don’t have games on the weekend. But since I got plowed down during the season opener, I’ve seen Stella maybe six times over the last six weeks.

The worst part about recovery hasn’t been losing my cardio to the point of humiliation, it’s been not seeing my 4’11 gym buddy. I miss her, miss our futile arguments, miss seeing her topknot come loose after her workouts.

In a way, she is one of my closest friends here at Taber. If things were different, she would be marked down as my future wife, but they aren’t, and I am mature enough to realize that what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice aren’t always as cut and paste as they may seem.

My phone buzzes with an incoming call from my favourite rookie. It’s unprofessional to have a favourite as the captain, but every captain has one. Wes is mine, and I was lucky enough to be Mo’s.

I press accept and immediately Wes’ voice fills the silence of my room, “Cap! It was so good to have you back last practice. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve all agreed not to talk about the fact Hunter kicked your ass during sprints.”

Every captain has a favourite rookie, but they also have a least favourite. And that’s Hunter for me. Not because he’s a bad lacrosse player, but because he had the audacity to stick his tongue down Stella’s throat right in front of me. It was dark, we were at a club, and I have no ownership over her, but that night permanently placed Hunter in my bad books.

“I appreciate the reminder, Wes.”

“Hey, anytime.” Despite myself, I feel my lips tug into a grin. Mo sometimes comes off as condescending, but Wes always manages to turn cockiness into charm.

“What can I help you with?” It wouldn’t surprise me if that’s all Wes called to tell me, but I have a feeling we’re not done yet.

“So, now that you’re feeling better, I was thinking we should throw a party to celebrate. Everyone was concerned alcohol and music would be too much for you, but now that you’re getting slaughtered during sprints, we figured you might be up for a night out.”

“Who would be hosting?” I ask the question wearily, remembering how long it took for me to clean up my house last time.

“Mason has offered, apparently his landlord relaxed some of the overnight guest rules, so a few of us can crash there if need be.”

“Sounds good. When is the party?” I walk from my bedroom to the tiny office and check my calendar. Besides hitting the gym Wednesday morning, there’s nothing written down for this week.

“Tomorrow night. I’ll text you the address.”

“Isn’t a Tuesday a little eager for exam break?” I do a double take at my calendar, realizing a morning gym session isn’t the only thing written down for that day.

“Not as eager as a barely recovered captain doing sprints last week. It’ll be good fun, Cap. I’m bringing Trip, so I’m sure Stella will tag along.” He drops her name innocently, but I know exactly what he’s doing.

“Sounds good. I’ll talk to you later.” I end the call, using my other hand to trace the words carefully written down for Wednesday morning.

5am Taber Gym. See Stella.